Tonight, the True American Heroes Benefit Auction will be held at Kenny Roberts’ legendary ranch in Modesto, California. The Auction is part of the Sixth Annual True American Heroes Weekend, a fundraising event sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., which benefits “Welcome Home Heroes” and the Cpl. Michael D. Anderson Jr. Memorial Foundation. The True American Heroes Weekend is co-sponsored by Wells Fargo.
The featured item at the Auction is a brand-new FJ-09 Supersport Touring motorcycle donated by Yamaha. The FJ-09 has been expertly transformed into a one-of-a-kind, “KR Special” Adventure Rally bike designed and fabricated by Team Roberts, with parts and technical assistance provided by Saddlemen; Cycle Gear; Öhlins USA; Buchanan’s Spoke & Rim, Inc.; Don Serrano Custom Paint; AltRider.com; Braap Shop Yamaha; Honda Kawasaki of Modesto; Clearwater Lights; Black Tie Transportation; Motodemic; Motion Pro; Higdonion.com; Cognito Moto; Thad Wolff; John Stark; Matt Borup; Glenn Stasky; Justin Gray; Daniel Martinez; and Brian Turfrey.
Phone-in bids are also being accepted for the Auction. To place your bid via phone, call Michael Utt at 209-765-9317.
“2017 marks the 40th year of Yamaha’s partnership with Kenny Roberts,” said Mike Doughty, General Manager of Motorcycle Operations, Motorsports Group, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. “It’s fitting that the showcase item in this year’s True American Heroes Benefit Auction is the one-of-a-kind Yamaha FJ-09 “KR Special” Adventure Rally bike because Kenny himself is one of a kind, and the past four decades of Yamaha’s relationship with KR have been filled with memorable adventures! The money raised from the auction of this unique motorcycle will go to a very worthwhile cause that Kenny and all of us at Yamaha are very proud to be part of.”
The True American Heroes Benefit Auction will take place tonight following the True American Heroes Dinner. Steve Haworth, Auctioneer, will conduct the live auction right at King Kenny’s ranch to benefit Welcome Home Heroes. Along with the brand-new Yamaha FJ-09 “KR Special” Adventure Rally bike up for bids, the Auction will also include Team Roberts memorabilia, other signed racing-related items, and lots of additional motorsports merchandise.
As a special follow-up to the True American Heroes Dinner, the 13th Annual Cpl. Michael D. Anderson, Jr. May Day Memorial Ride will be held on Saturday, May 13. The Ride will begin in the parking lot of Mitchell’s Modesto Harley-Davidson, 500 North Carpenter Road
Modesto, CA. Registration is from 7 to 9:30 AM, and kickstands go up at 10 AM.
Kenny Roberts and several other American motorcycle racing heroes are scheduled to ride in the event aboard motorcycles provided by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. The ride is free and open to the public, and hundreds of Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen are expected to attend.
From its start in Modesto to its completion at Ironstone Vineyards in historic Murphys, CA, the Memorial Ride will be escorted by motorcycle units from the Modesto Police Department, the Stanislaus Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol, ensuring a safe and uninterrupted run through central California’s Gold Country.
At the Memorial Ride’s conclusion at Ironstone Vineyards, there will be a special Salute To Peacemakers, Peacekeepers and Protectors, along with live music and a barbecue.
