In a move to get the local community involved in the show early, Donnie and American Thunder hooked up with FM radio station 93X as they built a bike to be given away to one lucky listener. Over the weekend live broadcasts took place from the show with 93X's duo Weasel and Remy. While the basics of the bike were designed by Donnie, the station ran promotions in which its listeners were able to help decide on items such as wheels, exhaust, handlebars, and paint. When it was all said and done, one lucky young lady (number 25 out of 26) had the key in her hand that would allow the bike to fire.
The show had its share of companies exhibiting their wares, including homegrown Victory Motorcycles-the sponsor of all but the Pro-Class portion of the show. Altogether there were about 75 vendors spread out over the show floor, as well as the upper level of the RiverCentre.
Keeping a solid connection to the first show of nearly 20 years ago, there was a modern-day swap meet adjacent to the main floor. It occupied 44,000 square feet of exhibit space where buyers could dig through box after box of new and used parts at a fraction of the price they might pay elsewhere.
Mark your calendars for next year's show, which is scheduled for March 24-25, 2007. If you can't wait that long, Donnie is putting on a show in Rochester, MN, on February 18, 2007. For more info, log on to www.donniesmithbikeshow.com.