By Bob Baker
KNOXVILLE, IOWA (September 12, 2010) – The “Sprint Car 101” Third Thursday Series of free, open-to-the-public programs continues this Thursday, September 16, with a “Salute to Flat-Track Motorcycle Racer John Tibben” beginning at 7 p.m. The special program is being held on the eve of the Classic Flat Track National Championship Series (CFTNCS) and American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Series races at Knoxville Raceway on Friday-Saturday, September 17-18, respectively. John Tibben earned National Number 60 (from 1959-70) and is AMA Number 37236. The long-time successful AMA flat-track racer and ambassador for the sport is a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame (2004) and lives in Victor, Iowa.
According to museum curator Tom Schmeh, “John Tibben is in the same Hall of Fame as J.C. Agajanian, Ralph DePalma, and Floyd ‘Pop’ Dreyer, which is pretty neat from our perspective as those three individuals are also in our Hall. Of course, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame also includes such greats as Giacomo Agostini, Chris Carr, Floyd Clymer, Wally Dallenbach (Sr.), Roger DeCoster, Dave Despain, Yvon Duhamel, Jeff Emig, Paul Goldsmith, Evel Knievel, Joe Leonard, Barrt Markel, Jeremy McGrath, Steve Morehead, ‘Putt’ Mossman, Gary Nixon, Scott Parker, Carroll Resweber, Kenny Roberts, George Roeder, Gene Romero, ‘Bubba’ Shobert, Freddie Spencer, Jay Springsteen, Joe Weatherly and Melbourne Wilson. Now that’s some fast company!”
John Tibben captured the Iowa State Championship six times and raced in the AMA Grand National Championship, which will compete at Knoxville Raceway on Saturday, September 18, highlighted by the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles and the AMA Pro K&N Filters GNC Twins main events. The veteran of the now-defunct Sante Fe Speedway in Hinsdale, Illinois, was honored by the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) in Daytona Beach, Florida, earlier this year during Bike Week. The Classic Flat Track National Championship Series (CFTNCS), which has already visited Canton, Ohio (twice); Wauseon, Ohio; and Davenport, Iowa, this season, will appear at Knoxville Raceway on Friday, September 17.
Those seeking more information on the “Sprint Car 101” Third Thursday Series program entitled “Salute to Flat-Track Motorcycle Racer John Tibben” on Thursday, September 16, can visit www.sprintcarhof.com. Those seeking additional information on the CFTNCS vintage motorcycle races on Friday, September 17, are urged to contact Matt George at 515-202-7196. Those wanting more info on the AMA pro races on Saturday, September 18, are urged to contact Knoxville Raceway at 641-842-5431.