Los Angeles, Calif., April 9, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To prove the durability of its motorcycles, American Honda sent a CL72 Scrambler on a 950 mile trek through rocks, sand washes, dry lake beds, mountain passes and paved roads. Fifty years later, that 1960s run is remembered for initiating one of the most significant off-road races for both two and four wheeled vehicles in the world--the Baja 1000. Legendary racers Dave Ekins and Parnelli Jones will help the Petersen Automotive Museum honor Baja with a tribute dinner, one-day off road show, and summer-long exhibition: Braving Baja, 1,000 Miles to Glory, presented by American Honda Motorcycle Division.
The Petersen will host its Baja Tribute Dinner on May 2 at 6:00p.m. Dave Ekins and Bill Robertson Jr. will be honored for their daring, first timed run down the Baja peninsula with American Honda. Parnelli Jones, a renowned racer of all genres will be honored at the tribute for his off-road racing success, including multiple Baja 1000, Baja 500 and Mint 400 wins in his famously fabricated Bronco, "Big Oly." Both Ekins and Jones will answer questions from the audience. Tickets for the evening of food, drinks and legends are available at www.BravingBaja.org.
The Baja Day Off-Road Show is Saturday, May 4, from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. The off-road show is included in the daily museum admission rate for spectators, and participation is open to anyone with a vehicle that is off-road capable, including trucks, buggies, motorcycles, sand rails and more. Vendors will be on-site as well. Participant and vendor registration is located at www.BravingBaja.org.
The Braving Baja: 1,000 Miles to Glory exhibition will run from May 4 through Sept. 2, 2013 featuring artifacts of all sizes including significant motorcycles, trucks, buggies, clothing and ephemera. This never-before-seen collection of historic off-road racing vehicles will show where it all began and how it has evolved.
Go to www.BravingBaja.org to purchase tickets. Proceeds from the Tribute Dinner and the Off-Road Show benefit the Petersen Automotive Museum's educational programming. The Petersen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, California 90036. Admission prices are $12 for general admission adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students with ID, $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members, active military with ID and children under five are admitted free. Vault tours are available for an additional $25, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is free for the first 30 minutes and $2.00 each additional 30 minutes. One hour validation with purchase of $20 or more in the Museum Store or Johnny Rockets located in the museum lobby. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum's Web site at: www.petersen.org.
###