AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Adds Five Members in 2011 Class

The American Motorcyclist Association inducted five new members to its Hall of Fame while also honoring two racing legends and existing members of the Hall during the 2011 AMA Legends & Champions Weekend.

A sold out crowd at the Nov. 18 induction ceremony at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas saw Phil Schilling, Stu Peters, Fred Fox, Norbert Schickel and Doug Polen get enshrined into the Hall of Fame for their contributions to motorcycling.

Phil Schilling: race tuner and longtime managing editor of “Cycle Magazine”.

“Thank you to the American Motorcyclist Association for this tremendous honor and to all those who nominated me, wrote letters on my behalf, and voted for me,” said Schilling in a statement read by Cook Neilson, former associate editor of “Cycle Magazine”. “I am humbled and proud beyond words to be in the company of so many of motorcycling’s great talents and industry leaders and my fellow Hall of Fame classmates.

“I have been fortunate in my life to do exciting work that I love alongside people I love and admire. Cook’s and my success at Cycle Magazine and on the racetrack was due in large part to the talent and hard work of an army of people, who share in this honor and deserve our gratitude.”

Stu Peters: Founder of Continental Motosport Club and motocross race promotor since 1968.

“Most of all, I’d like to thank my family for holding up the fort,” Peters said in his induction speech. “I also thank the Hall of Fame for honoring me with this great award for doing something I loved to do and would have done anyway.”

Fred Fox: Founder of Parts Unlimited and racing sponsor.

“I’m honored to be here,” Fox said. “This business means so much to me. I’m still enjoying working every day. I still go in early and leave late, but it’s the employees who do all the hard work. I really enjoy this industry. It’s been good to me.”

Norbert Schickel: Earl American motorcycle builder and founder of Schickel Motor.

“If Norbert Schickel were here today he would be thrilled by his selection and would take great pride in knowing that his designs and innovations were worthy of Hall of Fame recognition,” said Ken Anderson, Schickel’s grandson. “It is a great honor for me to represent my grandfather here tonight. Norbert Schickel’s selection to the Class of 2011 is a dream come true for our family and attending his induction is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to celebrate his achievements.”

Doug Polen: AMA Superbike, World Superbike and World Endurance Champion.

“Being recognized with so many iconic people is touching, and to see my career made permanent as part of the Hall of Fame is really something,” Polen said. “I’ll always have that. I’m truly honored to be inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”

Also honored during the ceremony were 1999 inductee Roger DeCoster and 1998 inductee Kenny Roberts. The two former world champions were named the 2011 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends.

[Source: AMA]

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