JACKSON MS HOG Chapter

ABOUT OUR CHAPTER

	Things have come a long way since 1901 - 1903, when William S. Harley and brothers Arthur, William and Walter Davidson built their 28 x 80ft "factory" in Milwaukee. Or since 1907 when the first experimental V-twin was constructed.

	We are the local Chapter of a worldwide group of people who own Harley- Davidson® Motorcycles. Harley-Davidson® established the Harley Owners Group® in 1983 in response to a growing desire by Harley® riders for an organized way to share their passion and show their pride. By 1985, 49 local chapters had sprouted around the United States, with a total membership of 60,000. Our current sponsor dealership, Harley Davidson of Central Mississippi opened in 1987. During that year the Harley-Davidson Company obtained a place on the New York Stock Exchange for those interested in taking a financial stake in the company. In 1988 Harley-Davidson celebrated their 85th Anniversary in Milwaukee, an event that brought forth 60,000 aficionados of the Harley-Davidson. Our Harley Owners Group Chapter #2496 was founded in 1989. In that year there were 100,000 H.O.G. members in total. But rapid growth continued into the 1990s, and in 1991 H.O.G.® officially went international, with the first official European H.O.G. Rally in Cheltenham, England. Worldwide membership numbered 151,600, with 685 local chapters. As the '90s continued, H.O.G. hysteria spread into Asia, including new chapters in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. By 1999, worldwide membership had hit the half-million mark, and the number of local chapters totaled 1,157. As of 2006 there were over 1,400 chapters in 130 countries world wide. During the 1990’s our sponsor, Harley Davidson of Central Mississippi expanded. The facility off I-55 South was opened on August 1, 1994 and there have been several major expansions including a new large showroom addition, warehouse, and party room and deck. THANKS A MILLION! In 2006 Harley Owners Group officially topped the one million mark! Our members make H.O.G. the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle organization in the world, and it shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. Harley Davidson of Central Mississippi proudly sponsors our local chapter. The support of our local sponsor allows us to continue to promote our goal. Our local Chapter brings members together for the common interest of promoting responsible motorcycling activities for Harley Owners Group® members, in a family oriented environment. In 2007, OUR CHAPTER HAD GROWN TO ALMOST 300 CURRENT MEMBERS The goal of our Chapter is to generate an increased level of enthusiasm for riding Harley-Davidson® Motorcycles and to RIDE AND HAVE FUN! Our Jackson HOG Chapter: Directors 1989 Chuck Gillen 1990 Mike Aikens 1991 Mike Aikens 1992 Mike Aikens 1993 Mike Aikens 1994 Mike Aikens 1995 Willie Jones 1996 Chip Foresight 1997 Robin Harding 1998 Mike Aikens 1999 Tom Holliman 2000 Charlie Murray 2001 Charlie Murray 2002 Michael Sumrall 2003 Michael Sumrall 2004 Frank Janotta 2005 Jerry Ainsworth 2006 Mike Sumrall 2007 Mike Sumrall 2008 Ken Renfroe 2009 Pete Tyer History of the Mississippi HOG Rally, Locations and Coordinators 1997 Jackson, Robin Harding 1998 Gulfport, Mike Necaise 1999 Gulfport, Mike Necaise 2000 Vicksburg, Mike Aikens 2001 Vicksburg, Mike Aikens 2002 Jackson, Michael Sumrall 2003 Touring, Michael Sumrall Horn Lake, Jackson, Meridian, Biloxi 2004 Gulfport, Anthony Martino 2005 Gulfport, Anthony Martino But cancelled due to hurricane Katrina 2006 Natchez, Michael Sumrall 2007 Natchez, Michael Sumrall 2008 Meridian, Christy Thomas 2009 Biloxi Jackson, MS H.O.G. Chapter #2496 - Historian; Mike "Curly" Sumrall
	READ ON! Some Interesting Trivia Facts about Harley-Davidson The first recorded patent related to Harley-Davidson is dated September 11, 1900. The famed "Bar & Shield" logo was used for the first time in 1908. It was trademarked at the U.S.Patent Office in 1910. In 1916, The Enthusiast ® began its reign as the longest continuously published motorcycle magazine in the world. The Harley-Davidson Motor Company formally entered motorcycle racing in 1914. The first Racing Engineer was William S. Harley. Within a few short years, team Harley-Davidson was referred to informally as the "Wrecking Crew" because of its incredible dominance of the sport. The mysterious Davidson relative who provided financial support for the fledgling Harley-Davidson Motor Company at its origins was known as Honey Uncle. The Harley-Davidson racing team of the late teens to early '20s gave rise to the term "hog" because their mascot was a small pig. "Knucklehead" was a street name for the Harley-Davidson engine that was produced between 1936 and 1947. The nickname refers to the valve covers that look like the knuckles of a clenched fist. Motorcyclists first rallied in Sturgis, SD in 1938. In 1984, Harley-Davidson unveiled the 1340cc Evolution © engine on 5 of its models including the all-new Softail © (with its trendsetting "hidden" rear shock absorbers). The result of 7 years of development, the Evolution engine produced more power, ran cooler, cleaner and was oil-tight. The Dyna line of motorcycles debuted with the 1991 FXDB Dyna Glide Sturgis The FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic © is the modern counterpart to the old full-dress Hydra-Glide(tm) touring bike of the late '40s and '50s — complete with studded leather seat and saddlebags, covered front forks and Fat Bob © fuel tank Harley-Davidson introduced the Custom Vehicle Operations(CVO) program in 1999. Softails and factory custom motorcycles(CVO) are built in the Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations facility in York, Pennsylvania.