Bicycle Motocross Action Sponsors World’s Largest Old School BMX Show

Apr 21, 2022

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 1880 times

Bicycle Motocross Action Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit managed by American BMX Company Inc. (ABC), will be the title sponsor of the BMX Society Old School BMX Show and Celebration, arguably the largest such event in the world. The June 4 event, to be held in Carson, California, will feature an old school BMX show with awards for the best bikes in various categories, as well as an evening symposium and presentation with BMX publishing legend Bob
Osborn. “It’s really an honor to have Bicycle Motocross Action, take on the role of title sponsor. Toby has always been supportive of our events and the old school BMX community. He’s unique because he isn’t solely a corporate sponsor’s figure head. He’s an A-list, old school, BMX celebrity—a person who was often featured in the pages and even on the cover of the seminal magazine that inspired our event,” said Steve Brothers, BMX Society’s founder.

“Of course now Toby has this new project that has so much potential as a resource in the BMX community—and this new non-profit organization has taken on the name and mantle Bicycle Motocross Action. It’s a great fit, a perfect storm of circumstances,” he added.

The BMX Society will present Osborn with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Osborn, or Oz, as he is known,

published and edited Bicycle Motocross Action, later BMX Action, magazine 1976 through 1988. He also is one of the most celebrated BMX photographers of the era.

“The companies I’ve been with have always supported Steve’s shows. But this is the first time I’ve been with a company that has products that appeal to his crowd. But the reason we wanted to be part of the event as title sponsor is because Bob Osborn will be there to receive the lifetime achievement award,” said Toby Henderson, ABC’s co-founder.

“If it wasn’t for Oz, BMX may not have been what it was in the 1970s and 1980s. Myself and a lot of others wouldn’t have had the careers we had without him. We owe a lot to Bob. I wanted to make sure Bicycle Motocross Action was the event’s lead sponsor,” Henderson added.

ABC acquired the trademark for Bicycle Motocross Action last year, creating a nonprofit with the goal of preserving and promoting all things BMX. Before
announcing its ownership and plans, however, Henderson reached out to Osborn, visiting him at his gallery in Livingston, Montana, to get his
blessing.

“Without Oz’s blessing it wouldn’t have been the same. It was extremely important he was okay with it. Now, for us to live up to what he did, will be a feat, but we will do our best to honor and cherish his contribution to BMX. If we are even half as good as he was, we will consider the endeavor a success. Oz created heroes. Can we do the same? Again, we’ll work like hell to try,” Henderson said.

The Old School BMX Show and Celebration takes place 9 to 3 Saturday June 4 at the Carson Events Center.
The Bob Osborn Symposium follows 5:30 to 9:30 and includes dinner.
Tickets are available online at: https://bmxsociety2022.ticketbud.com/bob-osborn-symposium.

“Coming off a two-year hiatus because of COVID, all of us, including Bob, are ready to get together, see old friends, make new ones and celebrate BMX and one of the driving forces that really shaped the sport and BMX culture, Bob Osborn. If you love BMX, you can't miss this event,” Brothers said.

**************************************

About ABC, Inc.: ABC designs and sells bikes and components under the
brands Race Inc., Cook Bros. Racing and Bottema. It has licensing
agreements with Kuwahara and Tange. And it manages the non-profit

Bicycle Motocross Action. At ABC, we work to build quality BMX products.
We do this by designing and developing innovative frames, bikes and
related programs that enhance the enjoyment of riding and boost racing
performance whether it’s at the local pump track, the World Cup circuit or
the Olympic Village.