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?THE CHOPPER CHALLENGE? IS A HIT WITH BRANDS– Nine iconic brands come on board as partners.
NEW YORK, NY (September, 2008) ? ?The Chopper Challenge? is a sure fire hit with brands and motorcycle enthusiasts. The weekly reality TV series aired Wednesdays at 8:30 pm ET/PT via Viacom?s CMT network.
Produced by V Entertainment Group LLC, ?The Chopper Challenge? celebrates the master craftsmen who create the most sought after custom motorcycles in the world. Nine builders, nine brands and the creation of nine magnificent machines. Each week, a celebrity bike builder designs and builds a sponsor-inspired, fully handcrafted, custom logo-branded motorcycle. V Entertainment Group retained GMR Entertainment to secure all the brands for the nine episodes. GMR Entertainment is one of the leading music and entertainment marketing agencies within the Omnicom Group.
?We?ve seen many motorcycle shows up to this point that offer great entertainment for the motorcyclist, but often forgetting that most riders have passengers,? notes Eric Harryman, co- president of V Entertainment Group. ?But we wanted ?The Chopper Challenge? to be entertaining, educational and inspirational for all ages and genders, not just bikers.?
Harryman continues, ?Each week, with ?The Chopper Challenge,? you don?t know what you?re going to get. In every episode, the viewer experiences a different artist?a master craftsman?and a different brand, which supplies the creative element for building the bike. Of course, viewers get to see a fully completed custom machine, created from the ground up. This show is about the artist?the bike builder. However, we tell the artist, ?Here is a blank canvas, here are the colors you must use, and this is the subject matter, which must be reflected in your painting?your bike.?
Normally, GMR Entertainment is asked to partner one brand with one entertainment property, notes Marcus Peterzell, co-managing director of GMR Entertainment. ?But in this case, we had to come up with nine brands, which was challenging. Fortunately, we had a show that was compelling, entertaining and interesting?and brands wanted to be a part of it.?
?The Chopper Challenge? is aimed at the 18-49 demographic, as well as the 35-40 million current motorcycle owner/operators in the U.S.
The series premiered with a Geico (Gecko character inspired) bike, built by master bike builder, Kirk Taylor of Custom Design Studios. Other brands followed (one per episode), including Universal Pictures/MARVEL Comics,? The Incredible Hulk? (bike built by Scott Long and Central Coast Cycles), WindUp Recording artist Seether (bike built by John Shope of SSinister Choppers) Road Runner High Speed Online/Time Warner Cable (Cole Foster of Salinas Boys), Patr?n Tequila (Johnny Goodson?s Insane Custom Cycles), Jim Beam (Ralph Randolph of Knockout Motorcycle Company) and Mohegan Sun (Mitch Bergeron of Mitch Bergeron Customs), Monster Energy (Alan Lee of Alan Lee Designs), and finally episode 9, a second Geico (Caveman Inspired) bike (Yaniv Evan of Power Plant Choppers).
Throughout the series, ?The Chopper Challenge? offers brands the opportunity to connect, as well as deepen their relationship, with consumers
?By supporting real-life subjects in non-traditional ways, Jim Beam is putting the brand?s timeless values into a context that makes them contemporary and relevant to today?s consumer,? explains Rory Finlay, senior vice president and global chief marketing officer of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.
Geico concurs and adds that the viewers of ?The Chopper Challenge? are the right people for the brand to reach out to regarding its family of insurance products. ?We love the interaction that ?Chopper Challenge? gives us with this audience,? says Eric Vaden, who oversees motorcycle and power sports marketing for Geico. ?The Chopper Challenge? culminated in a series finale (July 16), with John Shope/SSinister Choppers and his Seether inspired custom creation was declared the 1st Season ?Chopper Challenge Master Craftsman? grand prize winner. Results where calculated and determined by a total combined viewer text message and online vote.
Currently, ?The Chopper Challenge Experience? is on tour across the nation featuring a custom, ?Chopper Challenge? branded semi-truck rig containing all 9 custom motorcycles created during the show! Various builders from the series also attend to sign autographs and meet the fans. This years events include but are not limited to; Sturgis (Aug. 2008) , Vegas BikeFest (Oct. 2-5), Daytona Biketober Fest (Oct. 15-18), Hogs On The High Seas Cruise (Grand Cayman-Jamaica Nov. 4-11), Daytona Bike Week (Feb. 2009) Check www.thechoppechallenge.com for more details on events. V Entertainment Group LLC
Eric Harryman
E: eric@ventertainmentgroup.com
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY STUDY REVEALS WHY MEN DIE FIRST–Why do men die first? This is a question that has gone unanswered for centuries, but, now we know. It requires a bit of explanation, first:If you put a woman on a pedestal and try to protect her from the rat race …. you’re a male chauvinist. If you stay home and do the housework … you’re a pansy. If you work too hard … there’s never any time for her. If you don’t work enough ….. you’re a good-for-nothing bum. If she has a boring repetitive job with low pay … this is exploitation. If you have a boring repetitive job with low pay ….. you should get off your lazy behind and find something better.
If you get a promotion ahead of her … that is favoritism. If she gets a job ahead of you ….. its equal opportunity. If you mention how nice she looks … its sexual harassment. If you keep quiet ….. its male indifference. If you cry … you’re a wimp. If you don’t ….. you’re an insensitive basket (the other word). If you make a decision without consulting her …… you’re a chauvinist. If she makes a decision without consulting you, she’s a liberated woman. If you ask her to do something she doesn’t enjoy … that’s domination. If SHE asks you … it’s a favor. If you appreciate the female form and frilly underwear …… you’re a pervert. If you don’t … you’re gay.
If you like a woman to shave her legs and keep in shape … you’re sexist. If you don’t … you’re unromantic. If you try to keep yourself in shape ….. you’re vain. If you don’t … you’re a slob. If you buy her flowers … you’re after something. If you don’t … you’re not thoughtful. If you’re proud of your achievements … you’re full of yourself. If you don’t … you’re not ambitious. If she has a headache … she’s tired. If you have a headache ….. you don’t love her anymore. If you want it too often … you’re oversexed. If you don’t … there must be someone else.
So Why do men die first?
Because they want to.
–from Ted T.
LONG WAY DOWN NOW IN STORES–?Long Way Down,? which follows Ewan MacGregor and Charley Boorman on their motorcycle trip from Scotland to South Africa will be in stores tomorrow, October 14th. The acclaimed 10 episode series will be available on a 3-DVD Collection and three hours of previously unseen material.
Following the October 4 conclusion of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman?s epic motorcycle adventure original cable TV series, ?Long Way Down,? on Fox Reality Channel, EMI America Records will release a 3-DVD special edition collection of the 10-episode series that adds more than two hours of additional footage shot during the series? production and one hour of newly shot extra footage.
Also included is ?The Missing Face,? a documentary of McGregor and Boorman?s first trip to Africa. The collection, to be released October 14, offers fans a behind-the-scenes tour of the expedition that was built on spontaneous opportunities, new memories, and friendship.
In ?Long Way Down,? viewers are invited to share in the excitement as actors turned tourists, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa. Over the course of 15,000 miles and 85 days, the friends boldly tarried in several countries, including Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Namibia.
On August 2, EMI America Records released the official soundtrack to the acclaimed cable television series. The soundtrack, available on CD and digitally, includes 15 songs that serve as a musical memoir of the voyage. Equipped with ?Long Way Down??s captivating soundtrack and 3-DVD set, fans of Fox Reality Channel?s original series will find themselves vicariously transported as they share in MacGregor and Boorman?s unique experience. 2 Friends. 15,000 Miles. 1 Epic Adventure.
?HELLRAZOR? NOW AVAILABLE– Judging by the Bee Hive of activity and continued expansion at Illusion Motorsports in Westminster, California you would never guess the economy was anything but somkin?! Then again, as an E.P.A. and C.A.R.B. certified motorcycle manufacturer listed in both the Kelly Blue Book and NADA they certainly have a leg up on the vast majority of custom building facilities in the country.
It is just those federal compliance ratings, Illusion?s reputation for superior quality craftsmanship and a close relationship between Illusion?s President, Rusty Coones and Jesse James, that has culminated in the production and offering to the public of a very limited number of WCC Signature Series motorcycles.
Speaking for Illusion and partners Rod Requejo, Bill McCahill at Spike, STD, Compu-Fire and an Australian based investment group, Rusty made it clear that unlike so many who have come and gone, they have no intension of overbuilding or exceeding demands. The focus will be on creating unique, fully legal, real world road machines with uncompromised attention to detail and roadworthiness. We expect that while these scooters will certainly be crowd stoppers and ultimately collector?s pieces, they will also be ridden and ridden hard. We aren?t show boaters, we are bike builders. The fact that the WCC Signatures Series carry an unmistakable hardcore, even hair raising appearance, thanks in to Jesse? input, is just frosting on the cake.?
Appropriately named ?HELLRAZOR? the new signature series collection, while being 100% compliant are, as you can see, no nonsense, in-your-face CHOPPERS. Each machine is being crafted around an Illusion powertrain, each of which is manufactured to the company?s strict specifications for compliance and performance. Available in sizes ranging from 80-114 C.I. displacement, the proprietary engines breathe through a 42mm Mikuni and very slick, fully sealed, EPA/CARB approved, Tovatt air box. Electronics are custom from Spyke and exhaust is WCC with Supertrapp collector. Fully polished 6-speed transmissions are once again custom developed for the project. Manufactured by Prowler they feature steel support bars and bearings, not bushings, and are available in right or left hand drive. The paired combination sits in a 2009 WCC 250 CFL chassis with 4? in the legs and 35? rake and, in this case, 12? over forks. Cutting no corners on quality Rusty chose to run a full compliment of brake and clutch components from Brembo. Naturally the King Sporty tank, fenders, Bear Trap foot controls, linkage and most other hardware are from WCC.
Chris at Illusions hand crafts each seat and the eye popping wheels are custom designed and individually produced for each machine. While we could go on detailing every unique component found ion these limited production machines, possibly the most important factor in their rider friendly, road worthy, hard core appeal comes from the fact that each and every piece is painstakingly fit and refit to perfection by the master wrenches at Illusion Cycles. Between Rusty and T-Rod alone you?re looking at nearly 8 decades in the saddle, livin? the life we all wish we could. Suffice it to say that these bikes not only talk the talk they walk the walk!
For complete details on the Illusion/WCC HELLRAZOR limited edition scooters, call 714-894-1942 or visit them on the Web at www.illusionmotorcycles.com
Biketoberfest2008Fast Facts —Daytona Beach, Fla. Biketoberfest is growing up fast! Established in 1993 with a goal of attracting visitors to the Daytona Beach area during the fall value season, Biketoberfest has quickly grown into one of America?s most recognized motorcycle festivals. This year the popular autumn festival? which features motorcycle events throughout the region, including popular street festivals, charity rides, concerts, expos and other motorcycle-related activities — celebrates its ?Sweet 16.? Below are some news-worthy concepts in covering the October 16-19, 2008 event:
With an annual attendance of approximately 125,000-175,000, Biketoberfest 2008 will pump an estimated $214 million of economic impact into Volusia County. The once local event now has countywide and regional impact.
Value-seeking visitors will find budget-friendly pricing during Biketoberfest. With more than 12,000 rooms in the Daytona Beach area? starting at $99, and many with no minimums? there is truly something for everyone’s budget and style. The CVB?s official website, Biketoberfest.org, offers a convenient way to book. It posts current hotel availability lists to save guests from calling around, and it contains live links to available hotels? booking engines, making for true one-stop service. Biketoberfest visitors will find plenty of great, low-cost entertainment this year. Most biker establishments have no cover charge, and most area attractions, parks and museums are available at a minimal charge.
A new Florida law (CS/HB 137) that took effect October 1 requires motorcycles and mopeds to keep both wheels on the ground at all times, requires that license plates be mounted horizontally, and provides additional penalties and fines for certain offenses. For more information visit www.myfloridahouse.gov Free Bike Parking Three of the area?s biggest event venues — Main Street, Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona, and Daytona International Speedway — are offering free Biketoberfest(R) parking this year. In addition, the Speedway is offering free infield admission during its Fall Cycle Scene motorcycle races. Also at the Speedway, the official attraction of NASCAR, The Daytona 500 Experience, will go by the name of D5X as it celebrates with food, beverages, daily entertainment and free admission Oct. 17-18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on Biketoberfest, visit www.biketoberfest.org BIKERNET ECONOMIST STUDY– We have been hurt in the past few years because the Euro is now available in 500-Euro bills. The $100 U.S. bill used to be the drug dealer’s currency of choice. Every bill printed by our treasury is a virtual loan, to be repaid when someone spends the bill. The longer the bill is held, the better the deal for us. Drug money circulates a long time, is hoarded, swallowed, lost in the toilet, sunk in cigarette boats. The 500-Euro is now much more convenient for the drug trade, far surpassing our puny $100 bill. Clearly the only thing to do is to issue $1000 and larger U.S. bills. Yes, we’ll be helping out drug dealers, but remember: Country First. Now there’s a brilliant idea! –Joe T. PETERSON MUSEUM CALIFORNIA BIKE WEEK AUCTION–U.S. Choppers “No. 1” boardtrack racer will be auctioned off at the Peterson Museum Bonhams auction this October 25th 2008. The bike has been featured on TV show Steel Dreams with a segment on U.S. Choppers and legendary Bikernet founder Keith Ball as well as the band KORN’s Munky Schaffer. The bike has appeared in numerous magazines throughout the world as well as the introduction of the book “Art of the Chopper 2 ” by Tom Zimberoff. The bike is titled under the U.S. Choppers founder Rick Krost and is the working prototype of the popular production chassis. No other bike was produced like this one-off prototype, thus the name “No 1”. Prototype Frame, gas tanks, front end, PM Primary etc. More pics and info can be seen at www.uschopper.com A FINAL BIKERNET BREAK FROM THE ECONOMY AND BULLSHIT LAWS–1. He who laughs last, thinks slowest. –from Buckshot THAT’S ALL THE DOCTOR ORDERED–This weekend will begin first thing Friday morning. We’ll switch off the phones and I’ll roam through a junk metal plant looking for ? and 1-inch square tubing to make some railings for Mom’s house. She’s 84 and laid up. I asked for a bid to build the railing and the price came in at over $1,800. Bullshit. We’ll make them in a half day. Then we’ll work on another Panhead desk with a Paughco frame and wrap it up. I may take a couple of pieces out to Tony Pisano for powder-coating. Plus we need to build a vice stand for the good Dr. Nuttboy’s cabin in Idllywild. I know there’s another shop project, before we clean off the lift and I roll the 1915 Paughco 5-Ball Factory Racing frame into place for mock-up. I’ve ordered 23-inch Black Bike Wheels, Avon Tyres and a Paughco narrow classic front end is on it’s way. Then we’ll start the build with the 100-inch Crazy Horse engine and a 5-Speed JIMS trans. The plan is to wrap up shop projects so that next week we can focus on our Bikernet EPA study. Information is pouring in from Cal State Northridge, the EPA and Chris Maida at American Iron. We’ll bring you updates as all this stuff begins to make sense. In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed. Ride Forever, –Bandit
hotline at 1-866-296-8970. 
2. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
3. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
4 Support bacteria. They’re the only culture some people have.
5 A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
6. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
