POG at Ten
By Ed Youngblood
The Penton Owners Group was formed to preserve and share the memories and equipment of a very special time in motorcycle history. It is the aim of the POG to be a source of information about the history of the Penton motorcycle, the Penton Company, and its many dealers, riders, and extended family. The leadership of the club has set annual goals, and in most cases has exceeded beyond expectations. In celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Penton Owners Group, below is a time line of the club’s significant events and accomplishments.
In 2003, in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Penton Owners Group, a historical overview entitled “The POG at Five” was created to summarize the club’s significant events and accomplishments. With the arrival of its 10th anniversary, the POG has updated this historical document to cover the period of 2003 through 2008.
1997
July, 1997, Al Buehner invites John Penton to attend Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio to sign autographs. The response of fans is so strong that Buehner, Paul Danik, Jack Penton, and Dane Leimbach begin to discuss the idea of forming a Penton Owners Group.
November, 1997, Al Buehner convenes a group of Penton owners and enthusiasts to discuss the creation of a Penton Owners Group. The group includes Dane Leimach, Jack Penton, Norm Miller, Doug Beam, and Paul Danik. Bill Smith volunteers to help develop a Constitution and By-laws. Exploratory meetings are hosted by Dale Barris, owner of Penton Honda in Amherst, Ohio. Buehner explains, “The main thrust of this organization in the next couple of years will be to assemble, accumulate, identify, organize, and preserve as much of the information about Penton history as we can.” Paul Danik suggests that the group set a goal of making Penton the featured marque at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2000.
1998
March 20, 1998, the Penton Owners Group becomes chartered as a non-profit organization under Section 1702 of the Revised Code of the State of Ohio. Dues are set at $20 per year. The newly formed club receives a charter from the American Motorcyclist Association.
July, 1998, the POG exhibits at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Eleven riders participate in a Penton only race offered by the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association.
Summer, 1998, the POG publishes its first newsletter. Entitled “Still Keeping Track,” based on the original Penton Imports newsletter entitled “Keeping Track,” it is 12 pages and contains a story about early American involvement in the International Six Days Trial, and technical tips. It contains an announcement that John Penton has been named to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
September 28, 1998, POG holds its first meeting at KTM headquarters in Amherst, Ohio.
1999
January 23, 1999, the POG hosts a special recognition dinner for John Penton in Amherst, Ohio, where he is presented his Motorcycle Hall of Fame gold medal and a special certificate of recognition by the Mayor of the City, declaring it “John Penton Day” in Amherst. John’s sister Pat Leimbach is a featured speaker. KTM hosts a reception and Jack Penton conducts a tour of the Penton homestead and the original “chicken coop” Penton Brothers motorcycle shop. Al Born compiles and presents to John a scrapbook on Penton history.
April, 1999, POG President Al Buehner and John Penton travel to Sonoma, California, to exhibit on behalf of the POG at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days West.
May, 1999, Issue 2 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. Enlarged to 16 pages, it contains profiles of the 1973 ISDT Penton team. President Al Buehner announces that the club has applied to the AMA to become the feature marque at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2000.
July 9, 1999, POG members Jack Penton, Leroy Winters, and Ed Youngblood are inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
July 9 thru 11, 1999, the POG exhibits at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Seventeen riders, representing six states and Canada, enter AHRMA’s Penton-only vintage motocross race.
August, 1999, following an article about John Penton in Racer X Illustrated, Ed Youngblood proposes to write a book about John Penton. The POG agrees to officially support the project by providing information and editorial guidance. Mat Weisman, Al Born, Dane Leimbach, and Jack Penton are appointed to the editorial committee. The book is given a working title of “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution.”
August, 1999, Issue 3 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. It contains a story and photos about Vintage Motorcycle Days West, an announcement that the POG has created a web site, and eulogies for Leroy Winters and Bob Augustine. President Buehner begins a technical series explaining how to date the manufacture of Penton motorcycles, and announces that the AMA has accepted the POG’s proposal to become the Vintage Motorcycle Days featured marque in 2000. With this newsletter, the POG begins to publish the minutes of its meetings.
September, 1999, Whitehorse Press signs on to become the publisher of “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution.”
October 2, 1999, the POG hosts a Penton Reunion Picnic at the Amherst Meadowlarks club grounds in Amherst, Ohio. Club members put their Pentons, scrap books, photo albums, and memorabilia on display. Historical Six Days movies are shown, and Jim Borer serves as head chef.
October 9 & 10, 1999, John Penton, Dane Leimbach, and Ed Youngblood travel to the ISDT Reunion in Cass, Arkansas, to set up a POG exhibit.
October 19, 1999, Al Buehner and Paul Danik meet with the AMA staff to begin planning for the Penton featured marque presentation at VMD 2000. In addition to Danik and Buehner, Barb and MattWeisman, Doug Wilford, and Jack Penton are named to a committee to develop exhibits for both Sears Point and Mid-Ohio.
November, 1999, Issue 4 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. It is an 18 page issue containing a story and photos about VMD 1999, part two in Buehner’s series about how to date Pentons, an excerpt from “A Life Less Ordinary,” the story about John Penton that appeared in Racer X Illustrated, and technical tips. It is announced that John Penton will be the Grand Marshal at VMD 2000.
November, 1999, Dirt Bike Magazine publishes an article about the best off-road motorcycles of all time, naming the Penton to its “Dirt Bike Hall of Fame.”
December 6, 1999, the manuscript for “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution” is finished and delivered to the publisher. As a build-up for the book, special articles are submitted to Vintage Views, American Motorcyclist, Racer X Illustrated, Cycle World, Dirt Bike, Cycle News, BMW Owners News, KTM Underground, Texas MX News, BSA Owners, and Deutsches Motorrad Register.
2000
January, 2000, Issue 5 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. It contains 20 pages with reports about the club’s plans for the upcoming VMD West at Sears Point, stories and photos from the October POG Picnic and ISDT Reunion, technical tips, and a member profile on Skip Miller of Grand Prairie, Texas.
January, 2000, Kip Kern begins restoration of Al Born’s Penton V003, the first Penton sold to a private owner. The POG contracts with a professional web service to upgrade and administer its web site. Doug Wilford designs personalized shirts for POG members.
February, 2000, Jeff Borer, owner of John Penton’s NSU enduro motorcycle, announces that the bike will be restored and put on display at VMD 2000 at Mid-Ohio.
February, 2000, Issue 6 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing technical tips, a reprint of the story “Brother John,” written by Ted Penton for Motorcyclist Magazine in April, 1970, and a member profile on Jerry West, the Lorain, Ohio photographer who documented much of Penton history.
March, 2000, a Penton owned by Kip Kern is placed on display in the Hall of Fame exhibit at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
March, 2000, the BMW Owners News publishes an article entitled “John Penton and the BMW Connection,” describing how he became a BMW dealer, campaigned a modified R27 at the Six Days and on the AMA national enduro circuit, and set a transcontinental speed and endurance record aboard an R69S in 1959.
March 25, 2000, Paul Danik organizes and hosts an informal dual-sport ride for POG members and friends at Cochranton, Pennsylvania. Four vintage Pentons participate in the event.
April 15 & 16, 2000, “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution” debuts at the Grand National Cross Country race at Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Penton owners are invited to put their bikes on display, and receive special certificates designed by Barb Weisman. John Penton is on hand to autograph books.
April 28 thru 30, 2000, the POG creates a major display at VMD West at the Sears Point Raceway. Barry Higgins, Don Shultz, and Richard Sanders provide cutaway engines for which Ollie Martin and Dane Leimbach build special stands and shipping crates. Fred Cameron hosts a cook-out for POG members. Grand Marshal John Penton takes a parade lap each day aboard a vintage Penton owned by Scott Sinclair of Kneeland, California. John is interviewed by Dave Despain for Speed Vision.
April 30, 2000, the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram publishes a reminiscence about John Penton, written by Pat Leimbach.
May 24, 2000, Ed Youngblood delivers a presentation to the Amherst Historical Society, based on his book, and John Penton responds to questions from the audience. John presents signed copies of the book to the Society and to the Amherst Public Library.
May, 2000, Issue 7 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing stories about Sears Point, the Paul Danik ride, the Loretta Lynn’s GNCC, and technical tips by Bobby Lucas.
June 5, 2000, the POG receives a letter of commendation from the AMA for its outstanding presentation at VMD West at Sears Point.
July, 2000, Cycle World names the 1972 Penton Jackpiner the best enduro bike for the millennium.
July 8, 2000, POG members Tom Penton, Dave Mungenast, Carl Cranke, and Danny LaPorte are inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
July 8, 2000, a signed manuscript of “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution” sells at auction for $350.00. The proceeds are divided between the POG and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
July 7 thru 9, 2000 VMD. The POG presents a historical display in a 40'x80' tent. Seventy-six Pentons are placed on display, and over 125 people attend the club cookout, sponsored by Al Buehner and Dale Barris. Twenty-six Pentons participate in the AHRMA Penton-only race. Jeff Borer debuts the freshly-restored John Penton NSU enduro bike that John Penton rode from 1958 thru 1962, and Al Born unveils the restored Penton V003. Six Days veterans Kevin LaVoie, Paul Danik, Dane Leimbach, Tom Penton, Doug Wilford, Jack Penton, Dave Mungenast, and Carl Cranke join John Penton for the lap of honor around the circuit.
July 29 & 30, 2000, the POG exhibits at the Jack Pine Enduro. John Penton is on hand to sign autographs. Several vintage Pentons enter the event and Jim Borer enters on a vintage NSU similar to the bike John used to ride. He displays a trophy he won at the Jack Pine in 1959 aboard the same motorcycle. Jeff Borer, Ted Landers, and Ted Del Solar enter the event aboard vintage Pentons.
August, 2000, Issue 8 of “Still . . . Keeping Track” is published, containing photos from the VMD exhibit, tech tips, and a member profile on Carl Cranke. John Penton attends a dealer meeting at the KTM factory at Mattighofen, Austria, and is honored at a 350-person dinner.
August 12, 2000, POG members Al and Rosemary Buehner and Barb and Matt Weisman are invited back stage to visit with KTM dealer and Penton fan Lyle Lovett following his concert at Lakewood, Ohio.
September 9 & 10, 2000, Ed Youngblood and Barb and Matt Weisman man a POG display at the John Penton Grand National Cross Country race near Athens, Ohio. Gary Roach and Kevin Brown enter the event aboard 1974 Pentons, and Roach finishes fourth in his class.
September 30 thru October 1, 2000, the fourth annual ISDT Reunion takes place in Cass, Arkansas. The POG has an exhibit.
October, 2000, the Penton Owners Group has grown to 270 members.
October 5, 2000, Barb and Matt Weisman donate a copy of the John Penton book to the Black River Historical Society
December, 2000, KTM launches a new advertising campaign, including an ad entitled “Roots,” featuring a picture of John Penton at the ISDT in Germany in 1968.
December, 2000, Issue 9 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing a story by Al Buehner outlining the major events of his life from 1971 forward that led to the formation of the Penton Owners Group, a story about the 2000 ISDT Reunion, technical tips, and a profile on Colorado POG member David Lindeman. Featured marque pins from VMD 2000 are sent with the newsletter to all POG members.
2001
January, 2001, POG membership reaches 292. Illinois POG member Dave Marinaro’s 1973 Jackpiner is selected to appear in the Guggenheim “The Art of the Motorcycle Exhibition,” scheduled to reopen in Las Vegas in October, 2001.
February 8, 2001, Barb and Matt Weisman present John Penton a scrap book containing documents and photos compiled since the POG was formed in 1998.
March, 2001, Ike Penton – oldest of the Penton brothers – dies, leaving John the only surviving brother.
March, 2001, a signed manuscript of “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution” sells at auction for $500. The proceeds are divided between the POG and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
March, 2001, Issue 10 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing technical tips and a member profile on Doug Wilford, of Amherst, Ohio.
March 29, 2001, the POG board of directors passes a resolution to make honorary life members of all POG members who are members of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
April 8, 2001, Gary Brinton and Lee Buffenmyer host a Penton exhibit at the Will Stoner Swap Meet in York, Pennsylvania.
April 27 thru 29, 2001, the POG exhibits at VMD West. The Del Solars and the Wilfords man the display.
May, 2001, Issue 11 of “Still . . . Keeping Track” is published, containing technical tips, information about VMD 2000, and a story about Ike Penton, including eulogies by Norm Miller and Al Born.
June 7, 2001, Pat and Ryan Mickevicius bring their rare Hiro-powered Penton to the June POG meeting. It is believed that no more than 20 Pentons were built containing the Italian Hiro engine, and this is the only known bike still complete and running.
July 13 thru 15, 2001, fifteen vintage Pentons are displayed at the POG compound at Vintage Motorcycle Days. Fifteen Pentons enter the Penton-only exhibition ride. Commenting on the featured marque display, Walneck’s Classic Cycle Trader says, “Anyone who witnessed what the Penton Owners Group did last year knows that the Penton guys put the bar at a level that may not ever be eclipsed.”
September, 2001, Issue 12 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing a history of the Penton/Hiro motorcycle, technical tips, and a profile on Illinois POG member David Sanders.
September 8, 2001, the POG exhibits at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Pickerington, Ohio. Al Born’s V003 is displayed at the Penton exhibit, then moved into the Hall of Fame exhibit inside the Museum. The POG makes a $500 contribution to the Museum.
September 9, 2001, the John Penton GNCC takes place at Millfield, Ohio. John serves as official starter and sign autographs.
October 26 thru 28, 2001, the POG exhibits at the ISDT Reunion in Missouri.
November, 2001, the John Penton book is listed in Dirt Rider Magazine as a recommended Christmas gift..
December, 2001, Issue 13 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing reports on the Hall of Fame induction weekend and the 5th annual ISDT Reunion, a history of the Penton/Wassell trials bike, tech tips, and a profile on Indiana POG member Kip Kern.
December 6, 2001, the POG hosts a ladies night, featuring refreshments and guest speaker Pat Leimbach who delivers a hilarious presentation about life on the farm. The club votes to sponsor Ed Youngblood to attend and present a paper on the history of the modern dirt bike at the Southwest Pop Culture Conference in Albuquerque in February, 2002. Karl Schneider distributes Christmas candle holders – manufactured in his machine shop -- to all attendees.
2002
January, 2002, the POG has over 300 active members.
February, 2002, a Penton registry is added to the POG web site.
Feb 2, 2002, the POG holds a special meeting at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum that includes a report on the history of the Museum by Mark Mederski and a tour of the “Century of Indian Exhibit.” Thirty-nine members attend.
Feb 3, 2002, the POG exhibits at the Will Stoner Swap Meet in Mansfield, Ohio.
March, 2002, Issue 14 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, featuring technical tips, a story about the 1968 Corduroy Enduro, and a profile on Florida POG member Frank Walls. It is the first issue of the newsletter to carry classified advertising.
March, 2002, the vintage Penton team of Kent Knudson, Gary Roach, and Kevin Brown are honored at the AHRMA off-road awards banquet in Ocala, Florida. They receive both the Brad Lackey Trophy and the Jim Pomeroy Trophy for their championship performance.
April 4, 2002, the POG holds its monthly meeting at Karl Schneider’s All Custom Fab Shop in Cleveland, Ohio. Attendees tour the facility, which produces a wide range of precision products, including some Penton replacement parts. The club begins to make plans for a tour to the KTM 50th anniversary to be celebrated at the factory in Austria in the summer of 2003.
April 8, 2002, the POG exhibits at the Will Stoner Swap Meet at York, Pennsylvania. Local member Lee Buffenmyer provides Pentons for the display.
April, 2002, member J.P. Morgan wins four first places and one second place aboard his Pentons at Vintage Motorcycle Days West.
June, 2002, Issue 15 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing a member profile about Al Born, of Elyria, Ohio.
June, 2002, Ted Del Solar produces club name badges that are distributed to all POG members.
June, 2002, the POG has 315 active members, including members in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Australia.
July 19 thru 21, 2002, the POG holds its monthly meeting at Vintage Motorcycle Days. Jeff Borer debuts his “Maxpiner,” a Penton with an NSU Maxi engine, representing what might have happened if John Penton had been able to build his bike around the Maxi engine, which he thought was one of the best engines of its time. Al Buehner sponsors a cookout and his brother, Dale, serves as head chef.
August 1, 2002, the POG officially announces a club tour to the KTM 50th anniversary celebration in Austria in 2003. The POG makes a $500 contribution to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in memory of Ted Penton.
September, 2002, POG member John Durrill sets up an independent web site for technical information on Penton motorcycles.
September, 2002, Issue 16 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing reports on Vintage Motorcycle Days 2002, Jeff Borer’s Maxpiner, tech tips, and a profile on Illinois POG member Ted Del Solar.
October 19, 2002, the POG exhibits at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction in Pickerington, Ohio. John Penton is on hand to sign autographs.
October 25 thru 27, 2002, the POG exhibits at the ISDT Reunion in Missouri. Seven POG members earn gold medals, four earn silver medals, and five earn bronze medals. POG member Dave Mungenast hosts a party and reception at his Classic Motorcycles Museum in St. Louis on the eve of the event.
December, 2002, Issue 17 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing stories about the IDST Reunion and the Hall of Fame induction, tech tips, and a member profile about Matt Weisman, of Elyria, Ohio.
December, 2002, an era comes to an end as Penton Honda is closed when franchise holder Dale Barris moves to a new location and renames his business “On the Edge.”
December, 2002, the POG prints historical post cards, designed by Barb and Matt Weisman, for distribution with membership renewals.
2003
January 9, 2003, the POG holds its second annual ladies night. Refreshments are served, forty-five attend, and Pat Leimbach is the featured speaker.
February 8, 2003, the second annual Penton Day at the AMA is held at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio. Fifty-three members attend and seminars are conducted by Mark Mederski, Kent Knudson, and Doug Wilford, and Al Born shows historical slides from the Hank Penton collection. Canadian member Mike O’Reilly presents a display of rare Penton literature, and over 15 vintage Pentons are exhibited.
March, 2003, Issue 18 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing a story about recently deceased photographer Jerry West, tech tips, and a profile about Florida POG member John Durrill.
March, 2003, the KTM 50th anniversary celebration is canceled due to the outbreak of war in Iraq.
April 3, 2003, the POG celebrates its 5th anniversary. At its April meeting, the club enjoys a birthday cake and views slides from the Hank Penton collection, taken at Amherst Meadowlark events from 1962 through 1976.
At its April 3 meeting, the club begins to lay plans for the 30th anniversary of the first American ISDT, which will take place in Dalton, Massachusetts in October.
May 1, 2003, the club has struggled with updating its web site through an outside administrator, and first steps are taken to bring administration in-house with Bill Smith and his friend Karen Turner taking on more responsibility for administration. Planning for the 30th anniversary ISDT reunion continues; it is pointed out that 1973 Penton Team riders Doug Wilford, Paul Danik, and Joe Barker still have the bikes they actually rode in 1973. Scott Brogan takes on the task of designing and producing commemorative shirts. At the May meeting, Dane Leimbach conducts a seminar on the various types of Moto-plat ignition systems used on Pentons. Eight-times AMA National Enduro Champion and former Penton Trophy Team rider Dick Burleson pays the club a visit.
June, 2003, Issue 19 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, featuring a cover picture of Bill Uhl riding the new CMF Penton during the 1972 Six Days qualifier events. The issue contains a five-year summary of POG activities, an article by Doug Wilford about how and why some early Pentons were retro-fitted with chrome panel gas tanks, a feature entitled “Get Behind the Uhl” by Charlie Williams, reprinted from the February 2003 issue of Trail Rider Magazine, and a tribute by Al Born to the recently-deceased George Roeder. It’s back cover features a montage of all of the covers of “Still. . . Keeping Track” that have been published during the club’s first five years.
June 5, 2003, the club decides to move its web site to a new server so administration can be fully brought in-house.
July 19, 2003, the POG’s monthly meeting is held at Vintage Motorcycle Days. The new POG/ISDT 30th Anniversary shirt is unveiled and well-received with vigorous sales. A dinner sponsored by President Al Buehner’s company is provided for all present, prepared by Al’s brother Dale. Buehner points out that there are now nine members of the POG who are members of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
August 7, 2003, the POG purchases advertising in the program for the upcoming 30th Anniversary ISDT Reunion, Scott Brogan reports that the commemorative shirt sold out at Mid-Ohio and that more must be ordered prior to the reunion, and the club moved to make a donation of $500 to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in memory of Ike Penton.
September, 2003, Issue 20 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover is a photo of gold-medalist Paul Danik during a river crossing at the first American ISDT in 1973. The issue contains a remembrance by POG President Al Buehner about his attendance at the 1973 ISDT, a member profile of Paul Danik with additional remarks by Sandy Augustine, a story by Wyndle Watson about Danik, Jake Fischer, and Ron Bohn, a pictorial from the POG pavilion at the 2003 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, and tech tips by Al Buehner about how to prepare a Penton ISDT bike. On the back cover is Danik’s famous “Man from Mars” ISDT helmet.
September 4, 2003, the POG’s meeting is devoted mostly to future planning, including final details for the upcoming ISDT 30th Anniversary Reunion, the upcoming December Family Night, the idea of placing a POG booth in the International Motorcycle Show to be held at Cleveland’s IX Center in Cleveland, and the 2004 annual meeting scheduled to take place in February at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Also, with the POG having completed five years, the board opened a discussion of long term goals, including finding ways to introduce the next generation of motorcyclists to the history and traditions of the Penton brand.
October 4 & 5, 2003, the POG has a major presence at the ISDT 30th Anniversary Reunion at Dalton, Massachusetts. Jeff Penton comes out to ride with the team for the first time since his retirement from active competition after the 1973 ISDT. Tom also is present to fill out the family team that made Six Days history. Many riders remark on how well the Pathfinders Motorcycle Club, Jim Hoellerich, and Bob Hicks have captured the flavor of the first American ISDT held on these same trails 30 years earlier.
November 6, 2003, the POG board voted to make Carl Cranke an honorary member. It was reported that the web site was consistently getting 30,000 hits a month.
December, 2003, Issue 21 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features a picture of John Penton, Doug Wilford, and Jim and John Borer at the Penton pavilion at the ISDT Reunion Ride. The issue included an announcement by President Al Buehner of the “Penton Future Project,” which will look for ways to transfer the understanding of the importance of the Penton motorcycle and brand to the next generation of motorcyclists. In addition, it include a member profile of John Borer, a story about Doug Wilford’s Penton winning an award at the prestigious Glenmorr Gathering, a story by Ted del Solar about the Michigan Cross Country Cycle Trail, a retrospective on the ISDT 30th Anniversary Reunion, and technical tips by Al Buehner.
December 4, 2003, the POG hosts its special annual Family Night. The entertainment included Pat Leimbach who conducted readings from her essays, and Bill Smith who demonstrated a high-wheel bicycle, much to the delight of the youngsters present.
2004
January 8, 2004, the board of the POG authorizes action to change the organization’s not-for-profit status from 501C7, a fraternal organization, to a 501C3, which will allow for more tax-exempt activities.
January 30 and 31, 2004, the POG sponsors a booth at the International Motorcycle Show in Cleveland. Great interest is shown by spectators who remembered the Penton, and a number join the club. Youngsters who remember only the KTM stopped to ask questions about how the Penton played in KTM history.
February 7, 2004, the POG holds its annual meeting at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. The program includes talks by Al Born on the history of Penton, Larry Bastedo on the role of Penton at the Corduroy Canadian National Enduro, a technical presentation by Kent Knudson on dating Pentons, and Mike O’Reilly on Penton literature, patches, and memorabilia.
March, 2004, issue 22 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover photo is of Boyd Reynolds at a stream crossing at the Tomahawk Enduro in the early 1950s. The issue contains photos and a story about Penton Day at the AMA, a member profile of Boyd Reynolds, and technical tips about front forks.
March 11, 2004, the POG board decides the club will need additional space at Vintage Motorcycle Days in 2004.
April 1, 2004, the POG board begins to discuss the ideas of creating a book about the Steel Tank Penton, and of displaying at Antique Motorcycle Club of America national meets to promote the Penton brand within the antique motorcycle community.
April 23 through 25, 2004, the POG presents its first exhibit at an Antique Motorcycle Club of America meet at Oley, Pennsylvania.
May 6, 2004, the POG board votes to exhibit at the big Davenport AMCA meet in the fall. Greg Troyan and Randy Kirkbride talk about their experience racing Pentons at AHRMA meets and how to encourage other POG members to get involved.
June, 2004, Issue 23 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features Ted Guthrie and his Penton. The issue includes a production year guide by Bill Smith, a story about the POG display at Oley, a Ted Guthrie member profile, and a retrospective by Denny Bershaw entitled “All Dumb Luck.” The back cover contains a Boyd Reynolds photo of Doug Wilford at an enduro in the early 1970s.
June 3, 2004, the POG board approves new Articles of Incorporation aimed at switching from 501C7 to 501C4 tax exempt status. President Buehner reported that the club will have additional space at Vintage Motorcycle Days 2004 and that Matt and Barbara Weisman are planning ways to expand the club’s educational display. John and all members present at the meeting sign a newsletter and a Penton book to send to a Penton fan in Iraq who frequently visits the POG web site. Ollie Martin shows off his unique Penton-KTM hybrid.
July 17, 2004, the POG monthly meeting is held at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. President Buehner briefs those present on the many accomplishments of the previous year and describes some of the board’s ideas for the future.
August 5, 2004, the POG board plans club involvement in the Six Days Reunion Ride and the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, both of which are coming up in October. The board voted to make a $500 donation to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in memory of Bill Penton, noting that 2004 is the 50th anniversary of Bill’s Jack Pine victory.
September 3 and 4, 2004, the POG presents an exhibit at the Antique Motorcycle Club of America’s largest national meet in Davenport, Iowa to celebrate the fact that the Penton has now become eligible for AMCA judging as an “antique,” since its inaugural 1968 model is now more than 35 years old.
September, 2004, Issue 24 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover photo shows Jack Penton working on his bike at the ISDT 30th Anniversary Reunion Ride. President Al Buehner announces that he will be stepping down after six years of leading the club, but that he will continue on the board in the position of Treasurer. The issue contains a tribute to John Cobb, a story by Buehner about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, a story by Ted Guthrie about the Dirt Riders of Naples, and more by Bill Smith about how to identify production years through serial numbers. The back cover features a photo of the Penton research and development team taken in December, 1972.
September 9, 2004, the POG board discusses the Davenport experience and makes plans for the ISDT Reunion Ride in October.
October 7, 2004, Paul Danik is elected President of the POG. Scott Brogan is elected Vice President, Alan Buehner as Treasurer, and Al Born as Secretary. Bill Smith is elected an additional Trustee to the Board. It was decided to name 2005 the “Year of the Jackpiner.”
October 22 through 24, the POG has a big presence at the ISDT Reunion Ride in Tulsa, Oklahoma. John Borer wins the Iron Man Award for pushing his dead motorcycle around the motocross course to avoid a DNF and the POG received special recognition at the closing banquet.
November 4, 2004, the POG makes a donation of $500 to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in memory of Hank Penton, and agrees to loan its Penton cutaway engines to the Museum for its new Motocross America exhibit.
December, 2004, Issue 25 of “Still. . . Keeping Track is published. On the cover is a photo of Toni Proffer and her father Ted in their Penton shirts, taken at an enduro in 1977. The issue contains a member profile of Toni Proffer, stories about the Davenport AMCA meet and the Six Days Reunion Ride, and technical tips about Penton and KTM tank decals.
December 2, 2004, the POG holds its annual Family Night at KTM headquarters in Amherst, Ohio. Pat Leimbach tells entertaining stories about her days as a teacher and Ted del Solar led the group in a song he had written about Doug Wilford’s motorcycle.
2005
January 6, 2005, the POG board explores the idea of creating regional reps and finalizes plans for Penton Day at the AMA.
February 5, 2005, 60 members arrive at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum for Penton Day at the AMA, the POG’s annual meeting, and “The Year of the Jackpiner” is kicked off with 20 bikes on display. President Paul Danik reports on the Steel Tank book project and members Toni Proffer and Gary Roach use the occasion to marry.
March, 2005, Issue 26 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. On the cover is a photograph from Penton Day at the AMA. The issue contains a message by President Paul Danik about the Steel Tank book project, a story by Ted Guthrie about the Blackwater 100, a report on Penton Day at the AMA, and technical tips by Al Buehner about ignitions.
March 3, 2005, the POG board decides that the club should became a member of the Blue Ribbon Coalition because of the work the organization does to keep riding land open, and approves purchase of video equipment that Ted Guthrie will use to record club events and interviews about Penton history. It is reported that Lee Buffenmyer will represent the POG at the Antique Motorcycle Club of America meet at Oley, Pennsylvania, coming up in April. It is reported that KTM will hold its new model announcement in Columbus, Ohio in August, and that the POG has been invited to present a big historical display of Penton motorcycles at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
April 7, 2005, the POG’s revised By-Laws are approved by the state of Ohio, leaving the club ready to file for a change from Federal 501C7 to 501C4 non-profit tax status.
June, 2006, Issue 27 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features Allan Tudehope and his 1974 KTM during vintage motocross in Australia. The issue contains a member profile of Tudehope, a preview of the POG’s plans for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, a story about the 2005 John Penton Grand National Cross Country Race, a story entitled “The Simple Fix” by Ted Guthrie, and a story about the POG display at the Oley, Pennsylvania Antique Motorcycle Club of America meet.
June 2, 2005, the POG board approves a plan to relocate club activities to a different and larger space at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.
July 16, 2005, the POG holds its monthly meeting at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Adam Giddings, a 16-year-old who won both of his motos aboard a Penton in the AHRMA Sportsman Expert Class is a special guest at the meeting, introduced by Kent Knudson.
August 4, 2005, the POG board decides that the Penton MC5 will be the 2006 Bike of the Year.
August 21, 2005, POG members bring out 73 Pentons for display at the KTM dealer meeting and new model showing at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Al Born’s Penton V003 is the centerpiece at the Columbus Convention Center where some of the dealer meetings are held.
September, 2005, Issue 28 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features the Mettco Penton team of Chuck Bowers, Bruce McDougal, and Danny LaPorte at Hangtown in 1973. The issue contains a history of Mettco Penton, the Compton, California dealership owned by Fred Hayes that sponsored many successful, specially modified racing machines.
September 1, 2005, the POG board authorizes advertising in the Six Days Reunion Ride coming up in Arkansas in October.
October 13, 2005, POG members take many honors at the Six Days Reunion Ride. Ted del Solar and Paul Busick earn silver medals and John Borer receives a gold. Dave Lindeman has the fastest grass track time aboard a 400cc Penton. The Leroy Winters Memorial Award goes to Connie and Ted del Solar, the Al Eames Award goes to John Sawazhki, and the John Penton Award goes to Rod Bush.
December, 2005, Issue 29 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features Ted Leimbach. The issue contains a biography of Ted Leimbach and stories about the Six Days Reunion Ride and POG activities at the 2006 KTM new model showing. It also contains a memorial for Rod Bush, who died in 2005 at the age of 53.
December 1, 2005, the POG hosts its annual holiday Family Night. Entertainment includes readings by Pat Leimbach and a dulcimer concert by Karen Turner and Linda Losse, with Al Born on harmonica.
2006
January 5, 2006, Randy Kirkbride unveils a 2006 Penton calendar and reports that sale of his 2005 calendar netted $400 for the club. One of Jeff Borer’s Pentons goes on display at the National Packard Museum in Warren, Ohio.
February 4, 2006, 77 members from nine states and Canada attend Penton Day at the AMA, hosted again by the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. The club renews its membership in the Blue Ribbon Coalition to support keeping land open for off-road riding. New Bike of the Year Penton MC5 t-shirts and jerseys are unveiled to the membership. Don Mathias, the first Penton dealer, is on hand. Kent Knudson’s MC5 is featured in the newly-opened Motocross-America Exhibit.
March, 2006, Issue 30 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. Its cover depicts POG member Bob Wardlow in 1973, posing with the trophies he has won aboard his Penton. The issue contains a member profile of Wardlow, two stories by Ted Guthrie, and technical tips by Alan Buehner.
April 6, 2006, the POG board moves to publish the documentary videos Ted Guthrie has developed, and make them available for sale to the membership. Bill Smith reports on a new “video gallery” feature on the POG’s web site. The club buys Penton banners to be displayed at races and various events. President Paul Danik unveils six photographs of the Penton prototype not previously published. With the club’s 501C4 not-for-profit tax status approved, Randy Kirkbride proposed that his Penton calendar project be taken in house, though he would continue to provide design and planning for the calendar.
May 4, 2006, POG President Paul Danik announces that members of the VMX magazine staff will attend the club dinner at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in July. It is pointed out that the current issue of VMX features a Penton/KTM on its cover. The board moves to become a sponsor of the Milk Run vintage enduro to be held in Athens, Ohio in August. Sponsorship will place the POG logo on the enduro’s web site and entitle the club to sell shirts at the event.
June, 2006, Issue 31 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. Its cover photo features Dale Burton and John Hochman with John Penton, taken the day they signed up to become Penton dealers. The issue contains a continuation of the Bob Wardlow member profile and stories about Dale Burton and AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.
June 1, 2006, with DVD and product sales growing, the board begins to look into ways to implement credit card sales through the POG web site. Toni Roach reports that one of Gary’s Pentons has been selected for display at the West Virginia Mountainfest in Morgantown, which will be the same weekend as AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.
July 6, 2006, the POG board decides to give a large Penton banner to every Penton rider who wins an AHRMA Championship, retroactive to 2005.
July 29, 2006, the POG hosts an expanded Penton compound at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. John receives a huge cake for his 81st birthday (coming up August 19), and many MC5 Pentons are on display. John Borer creates a makeshift outdoor theater for screenings of “The World’s Fastest Indian.”
August, 2006, Issue 32 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features a young Steve Wise aboard his Penton. The issue contains a story about POG involvement at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and a member profile of Steve Wise. On the back cover are photos of Steve, then and now.
September 7, 2006, so many Penton riders have been winning AHRMA Championships that the POG board approved the purchase of ten more Penton banners. The club buys from sculptor Ric Stewart an original bronze bust of John Penton.
October 5, 2006, the POG board announces that Bike of the Year for 2007 will be the 1973 Penton 250 Hare Scrambler.
October 18, 2006, Cycle News publishes an article about Jack Penton.
November 2, 2006, the POG board approves a motion to donate $500 to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in memory of Dave Mungenast. Randy Kirkbride unveils the POG’s 2007 calendar.
December, 2006, Issue 33 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features Dave Mungenast at the Six Days in Germany in 1969. The issue contains a member profile about Mungenast, stories about the ISDT Reunion Ride by Gary Hext the Barber Vintage Festival by John Borer, and tech tips on porting by Carl Cranke.
December 7, 2006, the POG hosts its annual holiday Family Night. Entertainment includes music by Karen Turner, Linda Losse, Conrad Pheifer and Al Born, and readings by readings by Pat Leimbach. Bill Smith and Karen Turner, the POG web site administrators, report that the POG forum now has nearly 1,500 registered users representing Penton enthusiasts from all over the world. President Paul Danik reports that Dave Duarte and Carl Cranke will be guest speakers at Penton Day at the AMA in February. Treasurer Al Buehner reported that the POG has donated $3,500 to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum to date.
2007
January 4, 2007, the POG begins a feasibility study to re-publish “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution,” which has gone out of print at Whitehorse Press. It is proposed that the new edition be in hard cover.
February 3, 2007, the POG hosts its Penton Day at the AMA annual meeting at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. A progress report is given on the Steel Tank Book project and other activities of the club during 2006. President Paul Danik announces that Penton will be the featured marque at the prestigious Radnor Hunt Concurs in Radnor, Pennsylvania.
March, 2007, Issue 34 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features Don Roth and his collection of Pentons. The issue contains a member profile about Don Roth, stories about POG Family Night and Penton Day at the AMA, a story about 15-year-old Penton racer Ambr Milakovic, and technical tips about the Sachs gear box by Doug Wilford.
March 1, 2007, the POG board approves a hard cover re-publication of “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution” in a quantity of 2,000. The POG renews its membership in the Blue Ribbon Coalition. The board begins discussing ways to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Penton in 2008, and Ted Guthrie announces that he will be taping an interview of John Penton and Bob Hannah.
April 5, 2007, POG President Paul Danik announces that KTM has decided to list the new John Penton book in its catalogue, even giving it a part number so dealers can order it. He reports also that a special, leather-bound, numbered, limited edition of the book will be published for POG members only. The board makes plans to commemorate the Penton motorcycle’s 40th anniversary with a plaque on the Daytona 200 Monument.
May 3, 2007, Ted Guthrie reports that he is putting finishing touches on a new video entitled “A Day with John Penton at his Home.”
June, 2007, Issue 35 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features the recently-deceased Richard Sanders. The issue contains a tribute to Richard by President Paul Danik and a member profile of Sanders. It also includes a story about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, a tribute to David Capretta by Ted Guthrie, and tech tips by Al Buehner about cush drives.
June 7, 2007, Doug Wilford reports that the POG has surpassed 425 members. The board continues a discussion of holding a big Penton 40th anniversary celebration in Amherst. President Paul Danik reports that he has begun working on logistics. Scott Brogan reports that he will organize a Penton display at a special event at the Norwalk, Ohio airport on August 4.
June 8, 2007, the re-published hard back version of “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution” comes off the press.
July 28, 2007, the POG holds its monthly meeting at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Paul Danik reports that 2008 will not only be the 40th anniversary of the Penton motorcycle, but also the 10th anniversary of the POG. Tommy Garrett reads a tribute he has written to Richard Sanders. More than 100 POG members are present for the event.
August 2, 2007, it was reported that 91 of the special leather-bound Penton books were sold prior to publication, and the club decided to keep the remaining 34 unsold for future special use, such as gifts to VIPs. It is announced that Jack Penton has been selected as one of the AHRMA Legends.
September, 2007, Issue 36 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features Victor Monz aboard his Penton Six Days. The issue contains a member profile of Monz, in addition to a story by Ted Guthrie about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, and tech tips by Al Buehner about the 420 and 495 engines. President Paul Danik writes about the Penton/KTM relationship and the upcoming 40th anniversary of the brand.
September 6, 2007, it is reported at the monthly POG meeting that John Penton has ridden the Colorado 500 aboard a specially-prepared KTM, and that he was honored with the “Iron Man Award.” Paul Danik reports that in honor of Billy Uhl, a Penton motorcycle will be displayed on the stage at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in October.
October 4, 2007, the POG board moves to donate $500 to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in memory of Richard Sanders. Paul Danik mentions that the next issue of VMX will include a feature about the Penton Berkshire, and the board moved to send the editor a copy of the hard cover “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution” in recognition of the good coverage VMX has given the brand. The board approves donating a leather-bound limited-edition book to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum for its fund-raising auction, and Billy Uhl is voted an honorary member of the POG. Ambr Milakovic and Mike Gallagher, Jr. are sent copies of the John Penton book in recognition of their racing Pentons as representative of a future generation of Penton enthusiasts.
October 7 through 9, 2007, the Penton motorcycle is honored as commemorative marque at the Radnor Hunt Coucours. Paul Danik wins two trophies for his original Penton V015.
October 8, 2007, Penton Six Days team member Billy Uhl is inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
November 1, 2007, Doug Wilford and Al Buehner report on their trip to the Barber Vintage Festival at the monthly POG meeting. Paul Danik reports about POG members who won awards at the ISDT Reunion Ride. These include Ted del Solar for the Iron Man Award, Carl Cranke for the Al Eames Award, Al Born for the John Penton Award, and Dane Leimbach for the Bud Ekins Award.
December, 2007, Issue 37 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features Gary Hext and his 250 Penton at the Barber Vintage Festival. The issue contains a member profile of Hext, a story by Larry Volenec about the Daytona 200 Monument, a report on AHRMA Vintage Motocross Racing by Ernie Phillips, a story about the POG display at the Barber Vintage Festival by Al Buehner, and a story by Dane Leimbach about the 2007 ISDT Reunion Ride. President Paul Danik announces that Kalman Cseh will be special guest at the POG’s 2008 annual meeting at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
December 6, 2007, the POG hosts its annual holiday Family Night. To remind expired members of the activities of the POG, Al Buehner reports that a free issue of “Still. . . Keeping Track” has been sent to over 340 expired members along with a copy of the DVD “At Home with John Penton.” Gary Roach reports that he has come in possession of over 400 photos of deceased photographer Richard Christensen, and that the collection contains archival photos of Steel Tank Pentons, which can be used for the Steel Tank Book. Greg Troyan and Jerry Grakauskas report on the many Penton riders who are winning events and championships in AHRMA racing. Entertainment for the evening includes Pat Leimbach and Ted Guthrie reading stories, and Conrad Pfeifer, who presents a slide show about Naval battles that took place during the Civil War, and his dives to retrieve artifacts off of sunken ships.
2008
January, 2008, VMX magazine publishes a cover story about the Penton Berkshire, and provides an ad for the new hard cover John Penton book. John Penton autographs a copy of the issue as a gift to editor Ken Smith.
January 3, 2008, President Paul Danik reports that over half the photos have been taken for the Steel Tank Book. He explains that development of the book has been delayed by planning for the big 40th anniversary celebration, but after September the book will become the main project. The board authorizes purchase of scanning equipment to assist with web site administration.
February 2, 2008, the POG hosts its annual Penton Day at the AMA at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. To kick off the 40th anniversary year, Pentons V001, V002, and V003 are on display. KTM’s Kalman Cseh is the special guest and presents a power point presentation about Penton and KTM history, after which Cseh and John Penton answer questions for nearly an hour. After lunch, provided by Buehner Office Supply, Jack Penton and Dane Leimbach join Cseh and Penton for another Q&A session that lasts more than an hour. It is all recorded for posterity by Ted and Reb Guthrie and Roger Ansel.
March, 2008, Issue 38 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. It’s cover features Ollie Martin and his 1972 KTM/Penton hybrid. The issue contains a member profile of Martin, stories and photos about POG Family Night and Penton Day at the AMA, a story by Ted Guthrie, and tech tips by Alan Buehner.
March 13, 2008, the monthly POG meeting is delayed a week due to Daytona. It is reported that the 40/10 anniversary celebration dates have been set for September 20 and 21. The celebration will take place at the KTM campus in Amherst and will include a bike show, seminars, a Penton parade through the city to John Penton’s home, and a banquet. The POG renews its membership in the Blue Ribbon Coalition. POG DVDs, which are often provided free with the club newsletter, have become so popular that the board authorizes purchase of a thermal printer to speed and ease production. It is reported that Jack Penton will be guest speaker at the Cross Country Banquet in Ocala, Florida, and the POG DVDs will be shown for the evening’s entertainment.
April 3, 2008, Ted Guthrie reports that he has acquired a library of Super 8 film from the 1960s, and that some of it might be useable for future DVDs. The board authorizes the purchase of a handlebar camera mount that can be used for video taping.
May 1, 2008, Jack Penton reports on planning for the 40/10 anniversary celebration and says it may be necessary to obtain buses to transport members to the various points of interest. John Penton reports that Kalman Cseh will be coming from Austria to attend the event. Bud Green, an early Six Days Penton team rider is a special guest at the May meeting, and speaks about his experiences as a Penton rider.
June, 2008, Issue 39 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. The cover features a photo of Ernie Phillips, working on his Berkshire. The issue contains a member profile of Phillips, a preview of the 40/10 anniversary celebration, a story about Conrad Pfeifer riding a Penton at the Alligator Enduro, a story by Ted Guthrie about Pentons at the Alligator, and technical tips about Sachs piston rods.
June 5, 2008, Dane Leimbach reports to the POG board about his recent service as “Legend Celebrity” at the AHRMA cross country race in Hedgesville, West Virginia. He states that the awards to winners of 28 classes included copies of “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution.”
Since beginning to record Penton history with video, the POG has created the following DVDs: 1. “At Home with John Penton” (4 discs), 2. “2005 Motocross America Exhibit,” 3. “2005 Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio” (2 discs), 4. “POG display at 2005 KTM Dealer Meeting at AMA,” and 5. “John Penton and Bob Hannah Interview.”
July 3, 2008, Jack Penton reports to the POG board that his father has recently been named a Lifetime Honorary Member of Rotary International
July 13, 2008, John Penton is named Grand Marshal of the Amherst Jamboree Parade, sponsored by the Amherst Historical Society. John and Donna are seated in a convertible and followed by a parade of Penton and KTM motorcycles through the streets of Amherst.
July 26, 2008, over 30 Pentons are placed on display at the POG’s pavilion at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Many of the members participate in the AHRMA vintage cross country race, for which John Penton is honored as a “Legends Celebrity.” Dinner, prepared by Dale Buehner and his crew, is entertained by a musical group of POG members consisting of Dave and Paul Stype, Al Born, Conrad Pfeifer, Fred Yoder, and Dick Mankamyer. Kevin Grimes receives the Ted Penton Technical Award for his creation of a replica of Leroy Winters’ 1969 Six Day motorcycle.
August, 2008, the editors of Dirt Bike name the Penton motorcycle the most significant off-road motorcycle in history! The article states, “John Penton was the father of American off-road racing. A National Enduro Championship was just the beginning of his influence; he was a visionary who began importing KTMs under his own name, refocusing them specifically for off-road racing and even fielding America’s first ISDT Trophy Team. [The Penton] was a hardcore survival machine and it started KTM on the path that the company maintains to this day.
August 7, 2008, POG President Paul Danik reports that POG member and Penton Trophy Team rider Billy Uhl will be honored as “Legend Celebrity” at an upcoming AHRMA cross country race in Portland, Michigan.
September 2008, Issue 40 of “Still . . . Keeping Track” is published. It features Leroy Winters on the cover on his Penton Six Day in 1968. The issue contains a story by Winters about his frustrating experiences as a Six Days rider, a summary of POG activities from 2003 through 2008, a story about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, plans for the upcoming 40th anniversary celebration of the Penton, and technical tips.
September 4, 2008, the Lorain Journal asks POG members to provide motorcycles for photography to accompany a story about the upcoming Penton 40th Anniversary. Members turn out with 21 bikes representing every model year. Photos are shot at KTM headquarters in Amherst.
September 19 through 21, 2008 nearly 300 Penton fans from throughout North America arrive in Amherst for a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Penton motorcycle and the 10th anniversary of the Penton Owners Group. Memorabilia displays and Pentons in every state and condition cover the grounds at KTM’s corporate headquarters. Celebrants enjoy coach tours to historical sites in the area, 80 running Pentons parade through the streets of the city, new motorcycle demo rides are offered by KTM, and a gala banquet is laid on in honor of John Penton and the motorcycle recently described in the press as “the most significant off-road motorcycle” ever. John Penton uses one of his trusty chain saws to cut the “ribbon”—actually, the ribbon was a log—to officially open a new Penton Family Museum on the campus of the Amherst Historical Society.
Ed Youngblood worked for the American Motorcyclist Association for 30 years and was its President and CEO for 19 years, until 1999. Upon retiring from the AMA, he formed his own communications and publishing company, and his first project was "John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Experience." He now lives in Florida where he is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and a fulltime volunteer doing communications and marketing for Coping with Dementia LLC, a company that provides caregiver training and support for families living with dementia.
