CALISTOGA, Calif. (Sept. 19, 2014) - Former champion rider and American Motorcycle Hall of Fame member Eddie Mulder will serve as Grand Marshall when the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship returns to Calistoga Speedway on Saturday, September 27.
A resident of Southern California and son of a motorcycle dealer, Mulder began riding at the age of eight, which sparked a life-long passion for bikes and racing. As a professional rider in the 1960s and ‘70’s, Mulder showed his versatility by winning in steeplechase, hare scrambles, desert courses and in the rough jumps of TT courses.

A five-time professional winner of national events, Mulder also captured many AMA District 37 regional championships in Southern California. He also forged a career in Hollywood as a well-known stunt rider in major films. After his induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999, Mulder continued in the sport as founder of the West Coast Dirt Track Series, which he still manages.

“We thought it was fitting to honor Eddie Mulder, who has given so much to the sport of flat track motorcycle racing,” said Chris Morgan, a co-promoter of The Calistoga Half-Mile. “He is an iconic legend in California and across the nation and he will preside over an event that brings the national championship back to the Napa Valley.”

The Ramspur Winery Calistoga Half-Mile presented by Victory Chevrolet at the Napa County Fairgrounds will be the 15th and next to last chance for riders in both the big-bore Expert Twin and Single Pro categories to earn precious championship points in the series that has criss-crossed the country, beginning in Daytona in March.

After 14 races, the battle for the championship is still a toss-up among three riders, two of whom are former champions and one who is a past Calistoga winner. They Flint, Mich.’s Bryan Smith, who currently holds the points lead, Chester County, Pa.’s Jared Mees, the 2012 AMA Pro Grand National Champion, and Jake Johnson, a three time titleholder and winner of the last race held on the Calistoga half-mile oval in 2011.

Tickets are now available for the race and a weekend of activity that will include a classic motorcycle display, autograph session and other events. Race and ticket information is available at www.calistogahalfmile.com.