GRIT
Celebrating The Life Of Malcolm Smith
JACKPOT!
AIMExpo Wins Big In Las Vegas
SHORT CIRCUIT
UBCO Goes Belly Up Down Under
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News
Word leaked the “The Fastest Road In The West” a.k.a. Willow Springs Raceway was sold back in February to a Boston-based private equity firm.
OHV Community Feeling The Impacts Of The Hiring Freeze
With qualifiers for Loretta’s hitting high gear, MX Futures underway and the weather about to break for local tracks around the country, now is the time when the next crop of #1 plate contenders (and pretenders) show up at shops looking for sponsorships… and now Dealers have the “Answer” to becoming a sponsored rider.
Following an intense 75-question online qualifier open to all Honda Powersports technicians in the country where wrench-spinners were judged on technical knowledge, technique, procedures, precision, and speed, a total of 8 top qualifiers (four from two-wheel, four from four-wheel) were selected to earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Finals at Honda’s Alpharetta Training Center.
Former Ducati North America director of sales planning and longtime GM/Owner of Ducati New York/Triumph New York Steven Radt is now the headmaster for old school motorcycle marque Norton.
Shifting Gears
LeMans Corporation — the powersports powerhouse behind Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties — is shifting into high gear with the appointment of Rob Schlueter as the distribution giant’s new Director of Marketing & Brand Development.
Industry veteran Suzie Kirby has joined the Seven MX team as National Sales Manager.
Mina Hami is the newest member of the Beta Motorcycles team.
Just prior to the Daytona 200, MotoAmerica announced former Piaggio CMO Shane Pacillo was the new VP of Media & Promotions for North America’s premier roadracing series.
Although the TrailHawk is fully automatic, Denago is “clinking it up a gear” with the addition of industry veteran Craig Clinkenbeard as the Regional Sales Manager calling on dealers is the Western U.S.
PRODUCTION RESUMES AT KTM Embattled Austrian OEM KTM AG reported the production lines were rolling again on the first day of spring (March 20). “After three challenging months, the moment has finally come: Production at #KTM has resumed, and the first bikes rolled off the production line today.” Plans call for full capacity of the four production lines in single-shift operation to be achieved within three months. https://dealernews.com/Home/post/production-resumes-at-ktm/
#FlashBackFriday Seals Media Company is pleased to announce that its flagship brand MotoWorld Network — which first appeared in 1999 as the world's first live-streaming channel for motorcycle racing content — is now returning as a new motorsports television network. “Sealsco created the MotoWorld brand in 1984, as television’s first news magazine series dedicated to motorcycle sports,” says Sealsco CEO Lou Seals. “The series appeared on networks including USA, The Nashville Network (TNN), ESPN, ESPN2, Spike TV... and now TUFF TV this fall.” https://dealernews.com/Home/post/the-return-of-motoworld/
RIP WILLOW SPRINGS Word leaked the “The Fastest Road In The West” a.k.a. Willow Springs International Raceway was sold back in February to a Boston-based private equity firm. Stating that it “specializes in property turnarounds for commercial real estate,” CrossHarbor Capital Partners hinted the track would continue operations for the foreseeable future as recently as February 20th — “we can confirm that a deal is pending and the team is excited to preserve the legacy and enthusiast access to one of America’s most iconic racing facilities while also setting up the property for growth and success in the future.” https://dealernews.com/Home/post/rip-willow-springs/
Aligning its house brands with its distribution efficiency, ProTaper raced into Q1 with a pair of big events. The industry leader in handlebars and grips made a good first impression at A1, partnering with Turn 14 Distribution to exhibit at Fanfest, to connect with consumers at the first Supercross of the year. Then ProTaper rolled out tires to dealers at AIMExpo. “These events provided an incredible platform to showcase ProTaper’s latest innovations and product line additions to the industry’s top dealers, riders, and teams,” states Paul O’Brien, Brand Manager at #ProTaper. https://dealernews.com/Home/post/speaking-of-turn-14/
EICMA IN ANAHEIM? ITALIAN PAVILION TO EXPAND AT AIMExpo 2026! Since its founding in 1914, Eicma — an acronym for International Motorcycle & Accessories Exhibition — has been the powersports world's leading trade show and to this day, Italian companies continue to lead innovation and design in the powersports industry, notes new commissioner Giosafat Rigano. "It only makes sense that the Italian Trade Agency Los Angeles Office would have an interest in supporting AIMExpo in America." https://dealernews.com/Home/post/eicma-in-anaheim-italian-pavilion-to-expand-at-aimexpo-2026/
In Case You Missed It
Jackpot! AIMExpo ended its 4-year run in Las Vegas last week with the industry coming away from the table as the big winner.
Right after AIMExpo left Las Vegas, the National Motorcycle Safety Fund announced it was awarding $5K payouts!
After four generations of family ownership, Historic Harley-Davidson in Topeka, Kansas, has been sold. Helping make history, the team from Performance Brokerage Services facilitated the transfer of the landmark dealership from Mike Patterson to Steven and Nicole Towers.
Reminding us that those who forget the past are destined to relive it, S&S has delved into their V-Twin vault of innovations to bring back the “S&S Cycle Vintage Tour” after a 17-year hiatus.
