The V-Twin Expo is now a must-attend event for anyone involved in the American V-Twin business.

-Twin Expo organizers released a list of seminars and panel discussions planned for the January V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati. Executive Show Producer Jim Betlach said, “We’ve scheduled industry experts as speakers and hot-topic panel discussions that will benefit V-twin based dealers. Our goal is to provide the very best V-twin show. Period.” 
     Dealers attending the V-Twin Expo will not be disappointed. They will see and touch hot new products from over 350 industry-leading companies, and they will attend any or all of four practical, business-based seminars and panel discussions. The Expo will include an industry reception, custom bike displays, and honors for industry leaders and their products.

Featured events include:
     Way Outside the Box, a seminar exclusively created for the V-Twin Expo. Longtime industry insider John Wyckoff will share ways to think outside the box and grow a business. After Mr. Wyckoff’s informative seminar, dealers will know what creative leaders have in common and how their way of thinking has driven their success.

     Custom Paint Made Easy. Painting legend Jon Kosmoski will conduct a fun, lively seminar, taking dealers for a behind the scenes look at custom painting. Dealers will learn all about the latest in painting products, equipment and technology, as well as hot, new custom paint techniques.

     Electronic Fuel-Injection Panel. During this session, dealers will actually interact and discuss the full spectrum of fuel-injection with expert manufacturers. For enhancement systems, experts from Dobeck Performance, Power Commander and Terry Components will answer questions. For total replacement, pros from Daytona Twin Tec, S&S and Zipper’s/Thunderheart will provide cutting-edge information. This is an extraordinary panel discussion, because the panel members not only know their stuff—they develop, design and build it.

     Engines Panel Discussion. Due to popular demand this extremely successful panel discussion will be offered for the third straight year. Talk to the experts from Axtell Sales, S&S, TP Engineering and Zipper’s Performance Products and get the latest information and learn about the products they buy and sell. 

     The V-Twin Expo, by Easyriders, has become the industry’s premier trade show. This is a trade only event, open to bona fide dealers and retailers, focusing exclusively on the V-twin motorcycle market. It has steadily grown over the past five years, attracting dealers from all over the world. Exhibit space has sold out the last two years.
     Dealers can register online now for the 2005 Expo January 29-31 at: www.vtwin-expo.com. To learn more about exhibit space availability, contact Jim Betlach of Easyriders at 952-443-4168.
     For sponsorships and general information, contact Reaction Management at 623-551-1847. Information is also available at the Expo website: www.vtwin-expo.com.

on Emde Productions has announced that Jennifer Emde has been promoted to the position of Managing Editor for Parts Magazine and Drag Specialties Magazine. Publisher Don Emde said, “Jen has been working behind the scenes here for a number of years and has a good working knowledge of how our publications go together. I’ll know she’ll do a great job in her new position.”
     Jen replaces Lori Wildrick, who is no longer with the company. Jen can be reached at 949-215-4780 x 203 or by email at: jen@partsmag.com.

on Emde Productions welcomes Eric Maurer to the staff as a contributing editor of Parts Magazine and Drag Specialties Magazine. In addition, Eric will be covering many of the events, shows and races throughout the year.
     Publisher Don Emde said, “We are very excited to have Eric join our team as a contributing editor. It’s great to have someone with Eric’s enthusiasm and involvement in motorcycling working for us.”
Eric can be reached at the Don Emde Productions office by calling 949-215-4780, by cell 714-292-8479 or by email at: eric@ericmaurer.com

hris Carr wrapped up his sixth AMA Grand National Championship in September by simply qualifying for the DuQuoin (Ill.) Short Track. Carr, 37, of Fleetwood, Pa., had built up a large enough lead in the series standings that he needed only to qualify for the short track portion of the DuQuoin doubleheader finale to clinch his fourth-straight title. Carr’s championship was made even more special considering he won the title during the 50th anniversary of the AMA Grand National Championship.
     Carr becomes only the third rider in the history of AMA Grand National Championship to win four consecutive titles. Motorcycle Hall of Famers Carroll Resweber and Scott Parker are the other two champs to win four in a row.
     “It means a lot to me to reach the benchmark that Carroll Resweber set all those years ago,” Carr said. “He set the standard that everyone was shooting for. When Scotty Parker was chasing his record of four straight there was a lot of emphasis on that and now I’ve been able to reach that goal and get to enjoy the feeling of reaching one of the remarkable records in AMA racing.”
     Carr led the 2004 championship from the second round in San Francisco on May 1, all the way through to the season finale. Former champ Joe Kopp finished runner-up to Carr in the final standings and Ken Coolbeth was third. Carr’s six national wins made him the wins leader in a season that saw nine different winners in the 17 rounds. He rode Harley-Davidson, Rotax and KTM brands of motorcycles during the season all sponsored by Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Ford. His bikes were prepared by famed crew chief Kenny Tolbert.
     Carr said he knew the championship was his to win fairly early in the season. “We had five different types of races in the first five rounds,” he said. “When I came out of that with the series lead I knew we had a good shot at winning another championship. It was just a matter of keeping the momentum going through the rest of the season.”
     Carr took wins in San Francisco, Florence, Ky., Oak Ridge, Tenn., Farley, Iowa, Springfield, Ill., and Columbus, Ohio. He won three half-miles, two short tracks and one mile race. His six wins this year pushed his career AMA Grand National win total to 68 – second on the all-time list to Scott Parker’s 94 wins. Carr’s three half-mile wins moved him past Jay Springsteen for third on the all-time half-mile national wins list. Carr leads the short track and TT categories and is fourth in all-time wins on the miles.
     After winning the 2004 championship Carr hopes to come back to defend his title next year. In 2005 he will be shooting to win a fifth-straight title, which would tie Scott Parker’s record of five-straight AMA Grand National Championships.
     “My goal next year is to win the championship,” Carr explained. “Where that leads me as far as records are concerned is secondary. If I win the championship any marks I set in the record books are simply a bonus.”
For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.

Chris Carr began his pursuit of a 6th AMA Grand National Championship in March at the Daytona Short
Track. Kinney Jones photo.

INDIAN LARRY
1949-2004

Eric Maurer photo taken at Sturgis 2004.

he motorcycle world was saddened by the news that famed-custom bike builder Larry Desmedt, known to many as “Indian Larry,” died on August 30th from injuries he sustained while performing a stunt at an event in North Carolina. While “Indian Larry” was a veteran of the sport, he gained recent notoriety on The Discovery Channel in various custom bike builder programs.

CHRIS DRAAYER
1946-2004

Dan Mahony Photo

e regret to report the passing of former Harley-Davidson factory rider Chris Draayer, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in his home state of Utah on September 15th.
     Draayer’s father was a Harley-Davidson dealer in Salt Lake City for many years and Chris first raced for the family store until being picked up by the Harley-Davidson factory team in the mid-1960s. He proved that the factory’s confidence in him was well founded when he was named AMA Rookie of the Year in 1966.
     The next season started well, but tragedy struck at the Sedalia, Missouri Mile National. Chris crashed into the outer guard rail and sustained injuries which resulted in the amputation of his left arm. His professional racing career was over, but Draayer’s desire to ride motorcycles was as strong as ever. Through the years his friend and former Harley-Davidson teammate Mert Lawwill helped develop a prosthetic hand that would allow Chris to hold onto the handlebars.
     With this assistance Draayer was able to resume motorcycle activities primarily as a hobby, although in the late-1990s he was invited to participate in the BMW Battle of Legends race series.
     Our condolences to the friends and family of Chris Draayer.

Samson’s Nick Trumbo was at Cool Springs Harley-Davidson in Franklin, Tennessee recently and got this photo of newlyweds Ramon Hernandez and Shelia. Ramon is a Drag Specialties sales rep. Our congratulations to the happy couple.

Jared Mees, 18, of Honey Brook, Pa., is the 2004 Ricky Graham Flat Track Rookie of the Year. Mees turned in a solid first full season in the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship ending the season ranked ninth in the final standings. His primary sponsors were Lancaster Harley-Davidson and Saddlemen.