At the close of 2011, we had received several nominations for the Best of 2011 reader's poll and in January we posted the results of the voting. Cool Springs Powersports won Best Motorcycle Dealership (non-Harley) and also Best Dealer Service Department. Recently I went out to their location in Franklin to present the awards to them. While I was there I was able to spend some time with Chris Holbrook, General Business Manager and Director of Development, and asked him why he felt that our readers had voted for their dealership. I also was able to speak with J.P. , their service manger and Rodney McIntyre, one of the sales staff, and asked them the same thing. The video below is what they had to say about their workplace.

One of the highlights of the Barber Vintage Festival is sidecar racing. If you’ve never seen sidecar racing it is one of the most unique and exciting types of motorsport you’ll ever see. Drivers have to unlearn the riding techniques they are accustomed to on a motorcycle as they deal with a machine that doesn’t lean (well to some degree anyway) as a normal two-wheeled bike would.

The passenger, or “monkey”, is constantly climbing around on the rig to get their weight as far to the inside of the turn as possible to keep the machine on track. They are also trying to hang on and not be thrown onto said track while all this action is happening. It’s grueling and dangerous for the team but as much for them as it is for those watching.

While Johnny and I were at the Barber Vintage Festival this fall, Johnny was able to talk to one of the teams about this unique and exciting sport. Hit the video below to see the interview with Hannah Mathews and Dale Lavender as they discuss being a “monkey”, a driver, and how their rig was made.

This past Friday, the 29th, Lee Conn and Brian Case from Motus stopped by Bumpus Harley Davidson in Murfreesboro to let people come out and meet them and see the bikes. This stop was the second to last on the first leg of what they are calling their American V4 Sport Tour. During these "tours" Lee and Brian are riding the new Motus ST prototypes across the country for a combination of testing, public relations, and from the looks on their faces, a lot of fun. I was able to get a few minutes with Lee while at Bumpus that evening and you can see the interview below.

Johnny's Interview with Ryan Kerr at the 2011 AMA Superbike Classic at Barber. Johnny talks to Ryan about moving up to liter bikes and how he made his way from his "starter" Suzuki bike to the "fast" Kawasaki.