5th Annual Biker Fusion Benefits Soldiers’ Angels
March 15th Lineup Includes R. Lee Ermey and Victory Motorcycles
(March 1, 2012—Daytona Beach, FL) When event promoters Carrie Repp of R&R Promotions and Ken Conte of Rise Above Consulting first launched their “Biker Fusion” fundraiser after Repp’s 10 year run of the Biker’s Ball, they had no idea how much the motorcycle industry and other enthusiasts would embrace the idea of a benefit during Daytona Beach Bike Week for a great cause. In their fifth year and after more than $60,000 raised, Conte and Repp are in awe of the industry’s support as their 5th Annual Biker Fusion fundraiser comes together on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Doghouse Bar and Grill on Main Street in Daytona.
This year’s event features a presentation of a custom Victory Motorcycles to legendary Marine and Drill Instructor R. Lee Ermey, a.k.a. “Gunny.” Victory will reveal a custom motorcycle designed and painted by the Victory Industrial Design staff that “Gunny” can ride on all his upcoming rides. The fundraiser will once again benefit Soldiers’ Angels, a volunteer-led non-profit that provides aid and comfort to active servicemen and women of the U.S. military as well as veterans and their families. Rally TV will provide red-carpet video coverage of the event.
“We’re overwhelmed and humbled by the response we’ve gotten from the motorcycle industry. We’re grateful to our myriad in-kind sponsors, and to Victory Motorcycles and San Diego Harley-Davidson stepping up as new sponsors. The donations for our auction and raffle are a great demonstration of the generosity of this community and the spirit of Daytona Bike Week,” says Ken Conte, event organizer and owner of Rise Above Consulting. “People enjoy the event because it gives motorcycle enthusiasts the opportunity to rub elbows with an impressive list of world-class, A-List builders, industry leaders and celebrities, while raising money for an outstanding cause.”
The general public can attend this VIP event by making a $25 donation at the door, and those planning to come are encouraged to RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/events/238503579576295/. This year’s fundraising event includes a live auction featuring Precision Billet products, entertainment, and a number of great bikes from an impressive line-up of builders, moto-journalists and industry notables.
“Last year’s hosts Dave Perewitz and Paul Yaffe return, joined by Steve Broyles for this year’s benefit,” says Carrie Repp, event organizer and owner of R&R Promotions. “They did a fantastic job firing up the crowd and getting people to look within and donate, and this year they are all donating something handcrafted for the auction. It’s amazing for us to see the overwhelming support we receive each and every year, and it has been an honor to plan and organize an event that benefits such a worthwhile cause.”
Biker Fusion has quickly become an industry and Daytona Bike Week staple, and organizers hope to continue raising funds for our troops for years to come. Event sponsors for the 5th Annual Biker Fusion include: The Doghouse Bar and Grill; Kandgcycles.com; Spectro Oil; Rise Above Consulting; R&R Promotions; Hot Leathers; Ride Wright Wheels; San Diego Harley-Davidson; Panama City Beach Motorcycle Week; Precision Billet and Victory Motorcycles . This year’s auction and raffle features products from Choppers Inc.; Danny Gray Seats; Michael Lichter Photography; Hardcore Watch Company by Steve Soffa; Covingtons Customs; Wolfgang Publishing; Arlen Ness; Buck Lovell Photography; Deadwood Tobacco; Fab Kevin Steel Chopper Parts; Indian Larry Motorcycles; Fred Kodlin; David Uhl; and Sara Liberte. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and is open to the general public for a $25 donation at the door, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Soldiers’ Angels.
About Biker Fusion
Carrie Repp of R&R Promotions started The Bikers Ball and produced it for 10 years, raising more than $1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs with the support of the motorcycling community. She moved on to producing the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse, and saw an opportunity to continue the tradition of an industry event for a good cause during Daytona Bike Week to benefit Soldiers’ Angels. Repp saw firsthand the great public relations work Ken Conte was doing for the Roadhouse, and asked him to join forces to create Biker Fusion. “Fusion” came from how Repp, Conte and many others fused their energy, effort and monies for a worthwhile cause. With the Roadhouse on hiatus this year, Repp is working to on new opportunities. She and Conte wanted to continue Biker Fusion together, and teamed up to continue raising money for our troops and providing an opportunity for their friends and associates to come together each year in Daytona Beach Bike Week. As a team, they are proud that the event has raised so much money for U.S. troops, and they are thankful for the amazing support they’ve gotten over their five years of collaborating on the best industry event of Daytona Beach Bike Week.
About Rise Above Consulting:
Rise Above Consulting is a full-service public relations and marketing agency focused on the American V-Twin motorcycle industry. We work hard to ensure that your company gets in the news. We impact your bottom line by giving you top-line exposure through targeted media relations, brand building and event coordination.
About R&R Promotions:
R&R Promotions is a multi-faceted “live marketing” special events and promotions company with experience in nearly every area of event development, promotion and production. Reliable and personable, Carrie Repp is a strategic, behind-the-scenes planner focused on results. R&R’s approach is visionary yet realistic, whether creating a corporate-sponsored event, motorcycle rally, high-end private affair, successful fund-raiser, or a national promotion.
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Auction Items Include:
“Gunny” Autographed Posters from Full Metal Jacket
“After the Storm”
Value $100
Contributed by Michael Lichter FRAMED
“Early Morning”
Value $100
Contributed by Michael Lichter
Brass Knuckle His & Her Necklaces
Value $70
Contributed by Fabricator (FAB) Kevin
Soul Collector Watch with Stingray Band and Swarovsky Crystals
21 Jewel Automatic
Value $500
Contributed by Hardcore Watch Company by Steve Soffa
“Advanced Custom Motorcycle Painting by Dave Perewitz”
Value $27.95
Contributed by Wolfgang Publishing
Front Brake Calipers
Fits 2008 –2012 FLT bagger
Right & Left
Value $400
Contributed by Arlen Ness
Bike Photo Shoot in Sturgis
Magazine Style Photo Shoot by Buck Lovell
Value $500
Contributed by Buck Lovell
Covington Customs
CNC Tribal Design BDL Belt Drive Cover
Value $500
Contributed by Covington Customs
Danny Gray Airhawk XL Seat for Bagger
Value $600
Contributed by Danny Gray Enterprises
Tribal Design Hard Bag & Latch
Contributed by Precision Billet
Value $150
Dan Akyroyd Autographed Crystal Head Vodka
Collector’s Item
Contributed by Dan Akyroyd and Diamond Dave
Bishop Tavern & Lounge (Seabreeze Blvd., Daytona)
$200 gift certificate
Contributed by Diamond Dave
Indian Larry Motorcycles Gift Package featuring an Indian Larry taillight, T-Shirts, buttons and stickers
Value $350
Contributed by Bobby & Elisa Seeger
RON de JEREMY Autographed Spiced Rum
Ron Jeremy & Diamond Dave
TBD Item
Value tbd
Contributed by Fred Kodlin
Assorted Cigars Gift Package
Contributed by Deadwood Tobacco
Value $400
Choppers Inc. New Product
2” Risers, Ball-Milled Pegs, Folding Foot-Pegs in an aluminum gift case.
Contributed by Choppers Inc
Value $600
To-date, this particular set is the first to be offered for public sale, featuring a couple of new introductions AND our brand-new Matte Black anodized finish –which is super cool. Billy will also be using these same items on his USAF bike build for Rolling Thunder.
Dark Side CNC air cleaner
Value $400
Contributed by Precision Billet
Man & Machines “Dave Perewitz” photo art signed poster
Value $100.00
Contributed by Sara Liberte
“Autumn Knuckle”
Fine Art by David Uhl
Value $1250
Note: Uhl’s pieces have sold for as much a $150,000
Gunny Autographed items
Paul Yaffe Custom painted tank half that can be mounted on the wall or table
Dave Perewitz
Steve Broyles
