Heading into its 5^th anniversary year, 2008 sees the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building once again bringing together an outstanding collection of the year’s best engineered custom bikes from around the world. With entries literally spanning the globe, the event showcases some of the outstanding talent, design, ability, craftsmanship and engineering excellence that the custom motorcycle industry boasts.

     Located between Lazelle and 3^rd Street, the World Championship venue, named Champions Hall, is an impressive 25,000 sq ft structure right in the heart of the action in downtown Sturgis. Conveniently located, Champions Hall provides visitors the opportunity to see the best engineered bikes the world’s builders have to offer, including many international bikes that will only ever be seen here in the United States for the four days of the Championship. Most builders will be on-site to answer any questions and chat at length about their ideas, inspiration and motivation behind their living, running, riding works of art.

     With 4 classes of motorcycles being judged, the Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building has something to offer every visitor to Champions Hall. Each class brings its own unique twist on the motorcycle industry and is the basis on which each bike is judged.

     The Freestyle Class is just that, free of constraints and directive. It is, in effect, an anything goes, no holds barred collection of custom motorcycles. Any type, style, engine configuration, color, graphic or design can be entered in the Freestyle Class. The WORLD CHAMPION is chosen from this class of entries and it is here that the builders really must bring their “A” game in order to not just win but to even place high in the order of bikes entered. It’s the cream of the crop, the best of the best, all entered into Freestyle.

     The Modified Harley-Davidson Class harkens back to the days when customizers did their own work, without the benefit of aftermarket frames and engines. To be considered for the category, the motorcycle must have and be based on an original equipment Harley-Davison engine and frame. Any amount of modification is allowed but the motorcycle had to begin life as a Harley.

     The Production Class sees the many production manufacturers from around the world enter their creations for not only judging against their peers but also for you to be able to shop and see the latest each company has to offer the general public. It also offers the manufacturers the opportunity to showcase the next generation of production bikes you may see on the dealer floors. The Production Class has seen entries from well known brands such as Big Dog Motorcycles, Big Bear Choppers, Swift Motorcycle Co. and Confederate Motorcycle Co. just to name a few.

     Last but certainly not least, the Metric Class brings some of the innovators in using metric based parts and components to Sturgis and Champions Hall. With metric cruisers growing in popularity, this class represents the extremes that can be achieved using metric componetry. Past winners and entrants have included Jesse Rooke, Roger Goldammer and Scott Britt.

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     Unique to the Championship for 2008 will be the inclusion of some very special custom motorcycles, all produced in conjunction with S&S Cycle as a part of that company’s 50^th anniversary celebration held this summer. Some of the best known and most famous builders in the world have come together to produce one-of-a-kind bikes using different S&S powerplants, each holding a unique serial number from 1958 to 2007 as a tribute to the 50 years of S&S.

     Visitors to Champions Hall can also visit the displays of the forward-thinking Official World Championship Partners, each of whom are committed to supporting and growing  the custom motorcycle market and rewarding those whose creativity and design stand out above their builder peers. These partners include Kustomwerks, Helmet City Inc, Hot Bike Magazine, S&S Cycle, Dragonfly Roadhouse, BDL, Big Dog Motorcycles, Custom Chrome, Baker Drivetrain, Rivera Primo, Ultima, J&P Cycles, Kibblewhite, and Avon Tyres.

For more information on the truly international Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building held during the 2008 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally visit www.AMDChampionship.com