Markham ON – August 27, 2012: The Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the fourth member of the class of 2012. John Ramsay will be honoured at the Seventh Annual Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Banquet and Reunion, which takes place on November 3, 2012 at the Delta Centre-Ville in Montreal, Quebec.
Known as the competitor to beat amongst a generation of road racers, John Ramsay’s determination routinely placed him at the top of the field throughout his racing career. “Competitors like John Ramsay set the pace for hundreds of racers over his career,” said Hall of Fame Chair Kellee Irwin “His drive coupled with sportsmanship made him a formidable competitor whose legacy lives on.”
Although he took his famous #99 from his father’s stock car, John was destined for motorcycle road racing. He discovered his passion for bikes at the Daytona International Speedway in 1981 and his inaugural season saw him finish as the national production 600 Champion. In 1991 he took top spot with Tom Faulds vintage CR 750 after starting in 39th position, besting Pat Moroney on the favoured Harley-Davidson. His slight frame forced him to develop a unique strategy to handle the larger, heavier bikes of the era. “I would be very aggressive off the start and try to build a lead,” said Ramsay. “I had to do all my work in the first half and be hanging on for the second.” From 1983 to 1989 he would take 31 championship titles, while continuing to work at the family service station in Sydney, Nova Scotia. John is regarded as one of the top racers in Canadian history.
Announcements for the remaining motorcycling legends and champions to be officially inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame at this year’s Hall of Fame banquet and ceremony will be made over the weeks leading up to the event. This accomplished group of men and women have achieved excellence in one or more competitive disciplines or made a significant contribution to the well-being, advancement or general positive image of motorcycling in Canada.
The Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Reunion is the annual signature event of the Canadian International Motorcycle Heritage Museum Foundation (CIMHMF), a not-for-profit association with charitable status. It is governed by an independent board of volunteer directors located from coast to coast and sponsored by the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC). Founded by Bar and Hedy Hodgson in 1999, the CIMHMF preserves and promotes Canadian motorcycle history for the benefit of the motorcycling community and public. Since the first induction banquet in Toronto in 2006, almost 100 distinguished motorcyclists have been inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Purchase tickets to this year’s banquet on the Hall of Fame’s Eventbrite site.
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For more information about the Seventh Annual Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Banquet and Reunion, contact Daniel H. Tessier at
daniel@motorcycling.ca or at 647.920.1334.
For information about past inductees, historic motorcycle collections, event sponsorship, and tax-deductible donations, visit www.motorcyclehalloffame.ca.
