The Class of 2003 includes three of today's most widely recognized racing stars, two of yesterday's legendary racing champions, four passionate ambassadors for the sport of motorcycling, two women who defined adventure riding, one tireless race track official and one unforgettable team of winners. They are:

C.E. Altman - Promoted the Houston Astrodome dirt track races that for many years were the kickoff for the AMA racing season. Pioneer of AMA Supercross events including Houston Astrodome and Pontiac Silverdome.

Debbie Evans - First woman to compete in FIM World Championship Trials event. Top rider in Women's World Cup Trials competition. Motorcycle stunt rider in over 200 movies and television programs.

Tom Heininger - Co-Founder of Webco performance equipment company. Promoter of motorcycling sport and business in 1950s, '60s, '70s. President of Motorcycle Industry Council in 1972.

Linton Kuchler - Executive Secretary of the AMA in the 1950s and 1960s. Following a stint with NASCAR, he was brought back to lead the AMA in the mid-1970s. Helped launch the creation of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation.

Del Kuhn - 1950 AMA National Enduro Champion. Three-time winner of the Greenhorn Enduro. Class A Enduro Pacific Coast Championship winner in 1948, '50, '51, '52.

Jeremy McGrath - Brought to AMA Supercross a previously unseen level of showmanship. Seven AMA Supercross Championships, Two World Supercross Championships, One AMA Motocross Championship.

Scott Parker - Nine-time AMA Grand National Champion, all-time record 94 Grand National Championship race wins, including 55 AMA National Mile wins, 35 AMA Half-Mile wins. Three-time winner of AMA Pro Athlete of the Year.

Duke Pennell - Five-time AMA "Flagman of the Year", worked for nearly five decades as a race track official starter.

Jay Springsteen - Three-time AMA Grand National Champion with over 40 National Championship flat track race wins.

Fred Toscani - The last Class A National Champion. Won 9 AMA National titles from 1933 to 1938.

Theresa Wallach - Motorcycle adventurer and author who founded Easy Motorcycle Riding Schools, Inc. and published a training manual of same name. First Vice President of Women's International Motorcycle Association.

Bruce Walters - Midwestern dealer and event promoter who was largely responsible for the success of the AMA Sanctioned Peoria TT.

1981 United States Trophee des Nations and Motocross des Nations Team - Donnie Hansen, Danny LaPorte, Johnny O'Mara and Chuck Sun. This team swept the 250cc Trophee des Nations and the 500cc Motocross des Nations, beginning a 13-year period of domination by the United States of America teams. LaPorte and O'Mara are the first "double inductees" having been inducted on their individual performances in 2000, and now as part of these teams.

Each year, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering.

"Introducing today's generation of motorcyclists to the living and legendary heroes of our sport is a responsibility we take very seriously," said Mark Mendell, chairman of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. "It's these talented men and women who helped build our industry into a vibrant community that encompasses millions of riders from every corner of America. Preserving their material history, stories and achievements is a very important part of our stewardship."

The Class of 2003 will be inducted on Sunday, October 5, during ceremonies at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio. Supported by families, industry peers, friends, past Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees and media, the induction is an emotional celebration that brings together some of the most recognizable names in the world of motorcycling. Preceding the afternoon induction ceremony will be the Museum's 2nd annual Concours d'Elegance, which drew over 100 juried entries in 2002 — including many of the machines that Motorcycle Hall of Fame members became forever linked with.

The 2003 inductees will join 285 other legends already immortalized in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Each Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee is recognized with a plaque, and related motorcycles, photos and memorabilia which become part of the Museum's exhibitions.

Any motorcycling enthusiast may submit a person to be considered for induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame; complete biographical information should accompany the submission. Inductees are chosen by seven committees consisting of Hall-of-Famers and independent experts in various disciplines. For more information, see the induction process page.