The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum has announced its 2017 Hall of Fame inductees. The Hall of Fame provides a way to honor individuals who have impacted the motorcycle community in a long-term, positive way. 2017’s class features over achievers and leaders who have influenced an entire era of motorcycling. The Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony will take place August 9, 2017 in conjunction with the annual rally.
“We have movers and shakers, like drag racing legend-turned exhaust icon Terry Vance, to the man who literally tooled up the motorcycle industry, JIMS® founder Jim Thiessen,” said Myrick Robbins, Executive Director for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall Of Fame. “The go-faster guys are joined by clutch performers Colleen Barnett and Mike Taylor on the industry side. World class customizers Cory Ness and Mark Shadley, who have shaped how the world views what a motorcycle looks like, make for a balanced group of inductees.”
The man who brought rock and roll to the annual Sturgis Rally and put the legendary Buffalo Chip on the map, Rod Woodruff, heads up the 2017 class. “The J.C. ‘Pappy’ Hoel Outstanding Achievement Award is a special designation reserved for individuals who have played a special role in the founding, maintaining and/or promoting of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame,” explained Robbins. “In addition to everything Rod has done for the rally and the Black Hills region over the years, he has been a member of the Museum’s board of directors and helped guide the Hall Of Fame since the beginning.”
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground has treated millions of motorcyclists to rock concerts, camping, entertainment and more since 1981. “Rod is a real life rock star and a truly deserving recipient of the Pappy Hoel Outstanding Achievement Award,” said Robbins.
Class Of 2017 Inductees
Cory Ness – At only 10 years old, Cory Ness disassembled his bicycle, painted it, chromed its parts and entered it in the Oakland Roadster Show. The first motorcycle he worked on was a wrecked CB350. After rebuilding it, Cory sold it before even getting a chance to take a ride. He was 14! Today Cory is the chief designer behind Arlen Ness Enterprises, where he runs the day-to-day business. In between designing new parts and accessories, he still finds time to wrench on custom bikes.Mark Shadley – Since the early 1970s Mark Shadley and Shadley Bros. Motorcycles have shaped the perception of what a custom motorcycle is. The quality, detail and innovation of Mark’s custom built bikes have made him well recognized both in the motorcycle industry and among his peers. His enthusiasm and involvement in the custom motorcycle industry has been a lifelong passion.
Jim Thiessen – For 50 years, machinist and go-fast guy Jim Thiessen has generated trust with riders, record breakers, racers and certified Harley mechanics around the world, who use JIMS® products on a daily basis. Today JIMS® is one of the industry’s leading producers of performance parts, accessories, tools, transmissions and high-performance engines – all aimed at enhancing the Harley rider’s experience.
Terry Vance – #35 on the NHRA’s 50 greatest drag racers of all-time, 14-time national champ Terry Vance never lets off the gas! Terry and his tuner Byron Hines have always shared a passion for the quarter mile, as well as a vision of creating a company that would be a pillar of the motorcycle aftermarket. They used their unrivaled achievements in racing to build a brand that would unmistakably stand for quality and performance.
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