 he 8th annual V-Twin Expo by Easyriders is in the books. Proven wrong were the predictions by some that the current business climate would result in short attendee lines. In fact, the show was very well attended and the mood of those on hand was very positive. Drag Specialties was again a major supporter of the event with its large exhibit area, as well as sponsor and organizer of the huge Super Bowl party on Sunday night. Drag Specialties Magazine added further support with Publisher Don Emde moderating three panel-style seminars throughout the weekend.
Our vote for most exciting new product at this year’s show goes to Bub Enterprises and its new hydro-formed Brouhard by Bub exhaust system. Note the unique styling on the rear of the muffler made in molds with extreme water pressure. Don Emde discusses the technology with Dan Kruger of Bub Enterprises.
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Drag Specialties Magazine’s Publisher Don Emde (left) moderates the “Survival of the Fittest” panel discussion with industry veterans Randy Aron of Cycle Vision, Bert Baker of Baker Drivetrain, Click Baldwin of Carolina Harley-Davidson, Rick Fairless of Strokers Dallas and Fred Fox of Drag Specialties/LeMans Corp. Approximately 150 show attendees were also on hand. Photos by Michael Lichter. |
S&S Cycle was a big winner at the show this year. The company’s X-Wedge engine won “Motor of the Year” honors as well as company President Brett Smith being recognized as 2008 Industry Leader of the Year.
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Denny Berg of Cobra USA unveiled his latest creation at the show. It’s a full-size Harley-powered motor wrapped in a small package.
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The man from Motorcycle Monster.com with Drag Specialties Magazine’s Jen Emde (left) and Joanna Kaczmarek.
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SUPERBOWL PARTY!
With the V-Twin Expo falling on the weekend of the NFL Super Bowl, show organizers needed something to keep the attendees from going home to watch the game. Drag Specialties stepped up years ago with the idea of a Super Bowl party on Sunday night, complete with food, refreshments and big screen television screens. Problem solved!
Despite the huge crowd, the setup of Jumbo TV screens and a great sound system allowed the 1,000+ show attendees to sit comfortably and watch the game. With fans in the house cheering for both teams, it was almost like being at a game live.
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Another party sponsor Kenny Price of Samson Exhaust (left) presents Rob Algera of Rogue Choppers with a gift certificate for a Samson exhaust system.
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Drag Specialties sales rep Bill Newell (left) celebrates with Fred Deliberio of Laurel & Harley Cycles of Stratford CT. With Chris Carr in the house (on right) for the presentation, Deliberio won an honorary spot on Carr’s dirt track crew for this year’s Indy Mile.
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Terry Lovett (left), Nick Lazarescu and Linda Lovett of T-Bags present Dexter from B&P Cycles in Weatherford TX with some T-Bags luggage he won in one of the many raffles held during the Super Bowl party. T-Bags was one of the sponsors of the event.
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 rag Specialties came up with a fun contest for the huge crowd in attendance. When the game started there was a raffle drawing and the dealer whose business card was selected got seats for two at the head table right in front of the big screen. Included were free Drag t-shirts, and food and drinks brought right to their table. Every time there was a score in the game, those sitting at the table had to go back to their regular seats and a new drawing was held. A big bonus awaited the people sitting at the table when the game ended.
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David Esford and Dawn Rieser of DE Twincam Performance of Depew NY also had a brief stay up at the front.
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Holland Pace and Sarah-Beth Faulkner of Dirt’s Cycle Shack & Dynojet Dyno Center of La Grange NC enjoyed their time at the “Head Table” during the game.
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Angelo “Cappy” Simone (right) of Cappy’s Cycle Center in Johnston RI with Arthur Boucher had to vacate their great seats until the last score of the game with 35 seconds to go.
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The winners of the “Head Table Contest” were Joe Deubler (2nd from right) and Ryan Fenton of Deubler’s Bad Company Cycle Inc. of Sayre PA. Celebrating with them from left are Diedre Webber, Rob Buydos and Kenny Caves of Drag Specialties. By virtue of being in the seats when the game ended, the pair from Deubler’s won a trip to the 2008 Drag Specialties dealer ride in the Ozarks.
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