Markham ON – The Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame has announced the fifth member of the class of 2012. Buddy Ford will be honoured at the Seventh Annual Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Banquet and Reunion, which takes place on November 3, 2012 at the Delta Centre-Ville in Montreal, Quebec.
Not to be confused with his equally notable father, Edward Ford, Buddy Ford is no stranger to motorcycle racing, having competed in almost every discipline on two wheels. But it’s in promoting motorcycle events that Buddy Ford found his greatest success. “Buddy Ford’s impact on competitive motorcycling in Quebec cannot be understated,” Hall of Fame Chair Kellee Irwin said. “Without his dedication the sports of ice racing, dirt track racing, supermoto and motocross would not be the same.”
Buddy’s early career in motocross racing saw him reach the podium in Provincial and National 125cc and 250cc classes from 1977 to 1982. He rode for the Can-Am and Yamaha factory teams before finding his calling in race promotion. Buddy began promoting motocross races part-time in 1984, and soon found himself promoting over 40 events a year, while making a major contribution to the development of ice racing, supermoto and dirt track, as well as motocross. As head of rider recruitment and sales for the Montreal Supercross for 20 years, he brought in more than 1 million dollars in revenue. But perhaps nothing proves his dedication to the sport of motorcycling more aptly than the 25 years he spent operating the longest-running motocross school in Quebec, teaching hundreds of riders every weekend in the city of Trois-Rivières. Buddy’s relentless enthusiasm for the sport has proven infectious, and a generation of racers, riders and promoters can credit his influence.
Announcements for the remaining motorcycling legends and champions to be officially inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame at this year’s Hall of Fame banquet and ceremony will be made over the weeks leading up to the event. This accomplished group of men and women have achieved excellence in one or more competitive disciplines or made a significant contribution to the well-being, advancement or general positive image of motorcycling in Canada.
The Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Reunion is the annual signature event of the Canadian International Motorcycle Heritage Museum Foundation (CIMHMF), a non-profit association with charitable status. It is governed by an independent board of volunteer directors located from coast to coast and sponsored by the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC). Founded by Bar and Hedy Hodgson in 1999, the CIMHMF preserves and promotes Canadian motorcycle history for the benefit of the motorcycling community and public. Since the first induction banquet in Toronto in 2006, almost 100 distinguished motorcyclists have been inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Purchase tickets to this year’s banquet on the Hall of Fame’s Eventbrite site.
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