Event Coverage The Race Of Gentlemen Harley Davidson Museum Exhibit

This past February I attended the Mama Tried Motorcylce show to break up the monotany of the long Winter months. At the show a banner tucked away in the back corner caught my eye through my camera lense.



TROG has been on my bucket list and here was my opportunity to get a taste of the event prior to traveling to Wildwood, NJ.

Come along with me as I share my TROG Exhibit experience with you.
Yesterday, I made the trek to Milwaukee, WI to the Harley Davidson Museum. I had no idea what was in store for me, the amazing people I would meet and the great experience I would have.
As I arrived I immediately noticed a motordrome to my left and a crowd gathering at the top. I quickly made my way up the stairs.


This is 1 of 3 Motordromes remaining in the United States and Canada.



This is a brother/sister team from Austin, TX. The young lady was driving the go kart and her younger brother was on the bike. At one point they rode simultaneously.

It's been years since I've seen a motordrome in use. It certainly brings a smile to your face.

The Harley Davidson Museum complex is quite nice, as you would expect. As I made my way off the motordrome I walked towards 3 large buildings, one of which is the museum, the exhibit hall and the gift shop, bar and resturant. I quickly came upon several hot rods in front of the exhibit.




Destin brought his roadster from Michigan as he was a Wildwood participant in 2016.





As I entered the exhibit I must admit I was filled with anticipation and excitement as to what lay ahead.







As you enter the exhibit you are greeted by a wall sized miral of Joe Oz.


As I entered the first main hall the hair on my arms stood up. Harley Davidson truley captured the heart and soul of the event. Looking at the cars, bikes and amazing photos really told the story.

 

Is there going to be a west coast TROG, despite last year's freak storm?
Despite the rain, there sure were lots of the spectators and entrants.

Sent from my SM-G900V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

The hallway is lined with large 5'x4' brilliant photos of race participants, many of which attended the TROG exhibit party which was being held on this day.













HAMBer, professional skateboarder and TROG participant Steve Caballero


Sushi from Tokyo, Japan


Mel Stultz




I had the honor and privilege of meeting Randy "Detroit" Hayward. We spoke for hours about vintage bikes, hot rods, racing and TROG. The comradery shared amongst us in this hobby is amazing.


Oiler-elrod

 

Sad to say I was in Milwaukee in late June but I didn't know about the exhibit. I visited the museum (which is really GREAT) on my previous visit to Milwaukee, so going again wasn't on my to-do list this time. Rats. Gary

 

Many beautiful photos line the opposing wall documenting snap shots in time of this great event.

 

Many Oilers MC-CC artifacts were on display, including a brief video narrated by Mel detailing the history of the club.

 

The museum did an outstanding job displaying the cars and bikes.












Burbank Choppers Verne Hammonds 1934 Ford 3 Window.




The larger than life art on display was awesome.

 

Nice! Thanks for posting.

 

The smell of high quality leather filled this corner of the exhibit. The beautifly displayed uniforms worn by the racers drew you in.
























Ray Evernhams 1923 Ford Model T Track Roadster.

 

It was an outstanding day. I had the opportunity to meet and chat with Mel Stultz, Joe Oz, Elrod, Randy "Detroit" Hayward and a lot of HAMBers from across the country. Also, many people that I follow (and follow me tjmhotrod) on Instagram. It was nice to put a face with the names and enjoy the event with like-minded people. The atmosphere couldn't have been better. It was extremely "chill", everyone wanted to engage each other in conversation about TROG, bikes, hot rods, and racing. As I was in the exhibit I was speaking to a man and his wife about TROG and the museum. We introduced ourselves by our first names. We spoke for about 20 minutes about TROG and he urged me to get out to Wildwood. He then asked me for my last name and asked me to send him a friend request on Facebook. I asked him for his last name and he said, "Davisdon....my grandfather is one of the founders of Harley-Davidson". I was kinda shocked and not expecting that. Once again, just super nice and humble people at the TROG Party. Even Willie Davidson and his wife were there having a blast and so welcoming. I was standing at the same high top table as them and didn't realize it for the first few moments. Willie asked Mel for his autograph, so Mel signed a TROG poster for Willie Davidson, that was pretty cool! The TROG Exhibit at the Harley Davidson Museum runs through September 4. I highly recommend you visit if you have the opportunity. Your admission gets you into the entire Harley Davidson Museum including the Exhibit Hall.

 

Wow, very cool T.J.

 

Can't wait for the book! Thanx for posting all these great images! Gary

 

Thanks for the tour of the TROG exhibit. I've been to the Museum a couple of times and now I have another reason to make it a weekend in Milwaukee.
Bent

 

It was great to see you and say hello. Glad you had a great time. Photos are excellent. It's hard to capture the full feel of the museum in photos. I had seen some pictures in advance, but was blown away in the emersive environment that Harley Davidson Museum created. It was funny to me that these war horses are all rode hard and put up wet during the weekend of the race, and now here I was standing with my arms behind my back reverantly as to not touch or disturb the displays. It was surreal. Much love to all the hot rod family and the participants of The Race of Gentlemen. It was truly a special weekend!
-Oiler Elrod

 

Elrod, it was great seeing you as well. The TROG party was a lot of fun and it was awesome meeting so many enthusiastic members of the Oilers car club. The ear to ear smile on Elrods face while running around streaming the event live summed up what was a great day. Randy "Detroit" said, "take the friendship, comradary and love for this hobby you're feeling here and multiply it exponentially; and that's what you'll experience in Wildwood".
It's no wonder TROG has such a faithful following.

 

Now that's some impressive posting!
I'd imagine being there would be better, but you sure put it together nicely.
Thanks.

 

Thanks Speed-on, now I got to go see this exhibit. I got free admission tickets...now I don't know where the F' I put them!
Never been to the museum though it's not far from me.
I'll pay if I can't find them. Gotta see!

 

Nothing cooler than old hot rods and harleys together.

 

Thanks guys, it's nice to bring some of this coverage to those who couldn't make it.

What I didn't mention in my main post is there was also a motorcycle show at the museum that day. There was probably well over 1,000 bikes in the show and parked throughout the grounds. Many of the bikes were historic Harley Davidson's. It was an incredible day with so much to see and do.

 

Thats one hell of a first class display!

 

Yeah, T.J. all those antique Harleys were there because Saturday was also the AMCA Badger Heritage Chapter Wild Ones Weekend/Knucklehead Reunion

 

This is so dam cool to see all these bad ass hot rods and bikes getting the fame they deserve....Love all the photos. Thanks so much for posting all of this...

 

Great pics!!! Any more?

 

Speed On your photographic essay on the TROG exhibition at the HD Museum is a work of art in itself, I almost feel like I have walked the halls myself. I have been to the 2014 and 2015 TROG and also had the good fortune to witness 3 TROG participant cars being built, you have provided the missing piece that I won't be able to experience first hand. Well done sir!
Thanks for taking the time to do such a good job.

 

Sumuvabeeotch, I found the tickets. Laying on the workbench in the garage. Of all places. Going soon!