SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® (IMS), an industry leader on connecting powersports brands with highly qualified enthusiasts and buyers, today announced the winners of the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show, the world’s largest elite-level custom motorcycle building competition. This year’s competition featured over 350 custom motorcycles and $100,000 in cash and prizes across every stop on the IMS tour. The championship round took place February 9 – February 11 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois and awarded over $70,000 in cash and prizes. Winners were selected by a panel of expert judges including Chris Callen, editor, Cycle Source Magazine; Chris Theis, custom builder and stuntman; Evan Favaro, custom builder; George Stinsman, custom builder; Max Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles; and Nick Beaulieu, custom builder and 2017 champion. Judging was based upon creativity, craftsmanship and building ability. To learn more about the Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows®, please visit: motorcycleshows.com
“The J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is one of the most competitive events in the custom motorcycle building industry, and every year we are amazed at the craftsmanship, time and hard work that goes into the entries in each city,” said Jeff Najar, manager, J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show. “We had an amazing championship round in Chicago this year that featured many breathtaking custom motorcycles, and we are very excited to crown Motorcycle Missions Veterans as the official 2018 ‘King of the Builders.’”
Motorcycle Missions, founded by Krystal Hess, is a non-profit corporation helping veterans and first responders who deal with PTSD and suicidal ideation find hope and healing through motorcycles. Eight veterans of Motorcycle Missions built the winning motorcycle as part of Motorcycle Missions build mentorship program.
The 2018 championship winners include:
- Freestyle:
- Winner and 2018 King of the Builders: Motorcycle Missions Veterans
- Runner Up: Chris Moose
- Modified Harley presented by Harley-Davidson:
- Winner: Jesse Srpan of Raw Iron Choppers
- Runner Up: Tyler Foster of Sikpipes
- Modified Retro:
- Winner: Darrel Johnson
- Runner Up: Andrew Fredrick
- Custom Street:
- Winner: Dale Crawford
- Runner Up: PJ Grakauskas
Sponsored by J&P Cycles, the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is the country’s premiere competition for the world’s leading custom motorcycle builders. The best builders from across the country submit their creations to compete for the title “King of the Builders,” which was awarded over the weekend at IMS Chicago. All of the finalists in the championship round participated and won 1st or 2nd place at a stop on the IMS tour including Long Beach, New York, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Dallas and Chicago.
Additional sponsors of the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show include: Atomic Dice, Arlen Ness, Backbone Built Bikes, Bell Helmets, Belt Drives Ltd., Carolina Ceramic Coating, Cycle Source Magazine, DB Fab LLC., Harley-Davidson, Hot Bike Magazine, HY-PRO Lifts, iceengineworks, Joker Machine, Kens Factory, Kirsh Helmets, Klock Werks, K&N, Led Sled Customs, The Leatherworks, Lucas Motorcycle Oil, Paughco, Rinehart Racing, Suspension Technologies USA, TCX, Ukoala, Vance & Hines, the VIP Alliance, and Working Man’s Customs.
Connect with IMS (#RidersUnite):
About Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® (www.motorcycleshows.com)
The Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® offer enthusiasts an all-access pass to the world of motorcycling. Launched in 1982, the tour showcases hundreds of the latest street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers, scooters and ATVs for new and experienced riders, and gives enthusiasts of all ages the opportunity to check out the latest gear and aftermarket accessories, as well as hours of entertainment. The Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® is organized by UBM plc. UBM is the largest pure-play B2B Events organizer in the world. Our 3,750+ people, based in more than 20 countries, serve more than 50 different sectors. Our deep knowledge and passion for these sectors allow us to create valuable experiences which enable our customers to succeed. Please visit www.ubm.com for the latest news and information about UBM.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5d8f015b-74e0-477e-8bd9-4bca60a287dc