Championship of the Americas Announces Winners on Final Day of AIMExpo Presented by Nationwide

Courtesy of AIMExpo

Tim Dixon Earns Opportunity to Represent America at 2018 AMD World Championship COLUMBUS, Ohio (September 24, 2017) - The 2017 American International Motorcycle Expo presented by Nationwide (AIMExpo) came to a close on Sunday, capping off a memorable debut in Columbus. Consumer attendees continued to walk the aisles inside the Greater Columbus Convention Center throughout the final day, getting a first hand look at all the new models and products coming to the marketplace, in addition to making purchases on gear and accessories on sale from select exhibitors. The highlight of the final day was the culmination of the Championship of the Americas. The finest custom bike builders in the country showcased their latest creations at North America's premier competition, which serves as an automatic qualifier for the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. A total of 31 bikes from from 24 builders were entered in one of four classes, with an eventual winner crowned for Free Style, Performance Custom, Retro Custom, and Street Custom. Additionally, all attendees casted votes to determine the People's Choice. In the end, Tim Dixon of Gas Axe Chop Shop in Ten Mile, Tennessee, and his bike Pennie Lane earned first-place honors in the Free Style category, reserving his spot on the American contingent that will travel to Cologne, Germany, and Intermot 2018 in search of the world championship. People's Choice went to the BMW Alpha built by Salt Lake City machinist Mark Atkinson, and inspired by a concept created by Turkish designer Mehmet Doruk Erdem.

In addition to the Championship of the Americas, Custom Culture powered by BMW Motorcycles also housed the Simpson "Paint Slinger" Shootout. Here, 20 Simpson M30 Bandits were custom painted by some of the most talented artists and were on display for all to see. The winner was Kacey Elkins of Krossover Customs in Stanford, Kentucky, whose design will become a limited edition run of 400 helmets. Antique motorcycle racer Brittney Olsen served as ambassador, sharing her passion for educating current and future motorcyclists about the early era of American motorcycle racing, while also putting some of her own vintage race bikes on display. Complementing Olsen's space was "Artisans Row," where talented industry craftsmen put their talents on display with specialty skills like leather work and pinstriping.

The city of Columbus' presence was also felt on the show floor, as renowned local dealerships A.D. Farrow Co. and Iron Pony Motorsports both saw high traffic at their exhibit space. A.D. Farrow is the oldest Harley-Davidson dealer in America, celebrating 105 years in 2017. After originally opening in nearby Nelsonville in 1912, the business continued to grow, expanding into Columbus with its flagship location in 1924. Today, A.D. Farrow has three locations throughout Columbus, including its original location, and has remained a stalwart in the community while also serving as an icon for the industry. Iron Pony Motorsports serves as one of the largest dealerships in the nation, with 12 different manufacturers represented inside its 133,000 square foot showroom. The family-owned dealership opened in 1975 and is dedicated to serving its customers with an immense collection of OEM and aftermarket products, along with an EagleRider Columbus rental program and its own riding academy in association with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and Motorcycle Ohio safety instructors.

Perhaps no company has had a greater impact on the city of Columbus more than Nationwide, who stepped up to become presenting sponsor of AIMExpo this year and served an integral role in the immediate success of the show in its new location. The Nationwide exhibit space was front and center on the show floor, giving attendees a chance to snap a photo with a real, Nationwide-sponsored Dale Earnhardt, Jr. NASCAR stock car that was shipped directly from Hendrick Motorsports headquarters in Charlotte.   Be sure to stay tuned to the AIMExpoUSA.com website and keep up to date on exciting news as we gear up for Las Vegas 2018. “Like” the American International Motorcycle Expo presented by Nationwide on Facebook, and “Follow” on Twitter or Instagram: @AIMExpo.

About American International Motorcycle Expo presented by Nationwide  The American International Motorcycle Expo presented by Nationwide (www.aimexpousa.com) was created to serve as the catalyst to bring together industry, press, dealers and consumers in a single arena that creates a grand stage for motorcycling and powersports in the U.S. and North America, and delivers an efficient and energetic market-timed expo platform for B2B and B2C in the greater powersports industry. AIMExpo presented by Nationwide is the single most important event of its type in the North American market and has international impact within the motorcycling and powersports community. AIMExpo presented by Nationwide is produced by the Motorcycle Industry Council (www.mic.org).

About the Motorcycle Industry Council The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues, and the American International Motorcycle Expo presented by Nationwide. As a not-for-profit, national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories and related goods and services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants. The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, California, with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.

About Nationwide Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, commercial, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; banking and mortgages; excess surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

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