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The 2012 Ultimate Builder Custom Bike U.S. Championships Crowns 2012 Grand National Champion

The 2012 Ultimate Builder Custom Bike U.S. Championships Crowns Virginia-Based Builder Jeremy Cupp and ‘Old Black’ Its 2012 Grand National Champion

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 16, 2012) – Spanning the course of four months and visiting 12 cities across the country, the Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® has announced its 2012 Grand National Champion of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike United States Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida. Jeremy Cupp of LC Fabrications from Mount Crawford, Virginia, was named the 2012 Grand National Champion in the Freestyle Class beating out a field of 19 competitors. His 1976 Harley-Davidson XL quickly became a show favorite from the time it was wheeled onto the show floor at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach Wednesday morning. He received the largest number of total votes.

“I am incredibly humbled to receive this award and am still in shock that I actually won the Grand National Championship. The entire field of competitors brought amazing motorcycles down to Daytona and each one was world class in its own right.”

Built entirely from scratch, the 883cc Harley-Davidson motor was modified with two rear heads (reversed), back halfed and dual Amal Carburators, but the most unique feature of the motorcycle, appropriately named ‘Old Black’, was the chassis design. Truly separating itself from the rest of the custom builders along the tour, the Hillclimber chassis gave the motorcycle an aggressive appearance with dual jackshafted drive chains mounted on the rear tire.

The competition started in San Mateo, California before Thanksgiving and ended this week in Daytona Beach. The elite-level, custom motorcycle builder competition included both amateurs and professionals from around the country. With a total of $91,000 in total cash prizes throughout the tour, all winners received a cash prize, trophy and an invitation to the World Championships in Sturgis.

The winning categories are as follows:

Street Chopper’s Freestyle: Jeremy Cupp of LC Fabrications (Mount Crawford, Virginia) – 1976 Harley-Davidson – Engine: 883cc Harley-Davidson – Chassis: Hillclimber – Modifications: built from scratch, back halfed, 2 rear heads (reversed), dual amal carburators, custom open rockers valvetrain, jackshafted dual drive chains, dual rear drum brakes. Jeremy took first place at the 2012 Charlotte Motorcycle Show in February to earn a spot in the Championship in Daytona.

Prize Package: $6,000 cash prize, named 2012 Grand National Champion, invitation to World Championship in Sturgis.

Hotbike’s Modified Harley: Steve Iacona of Iacona Custom Cycle (Brooklyn, New York) – 1996 Harley-Davidson XL – Engine: 1200cc Harley-Davidson, Chassis: Hand formed sheet metal with a traditional bobber styled chassis and hardtail modification – Modifications: Buell Heads, Duel 30mm Mikuni Carburators and a one-of-a-kind paint scheme by Nub Grafix. Steve took first place at the 2012 New York Motorcycle Show in January to earn a spot in the Championship in Daytona.

Prize Package: $4,000 cash prize and recipient of an all-new Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Motor worth approximately $7,000, invitation to World Championship in Sturgis.

Motorcyclist’s Retro Mod: Mark Webster of MW Performance (Flowermound, Texas) – 1973 Yamaha TX 650 – Engine: Yamaha 650cc – Chassis: Street Tracker, chopped and lightened – Modifications: head porting, stainless valves, R&D; springs, Boyer Brandson Ignition, Mega Cycle 20.0 Cam, competition clutch, Akront Wheels, Barnes style quick change rear hub, KYB Piggyback Shocks. Mark took first place at the 2011/2012 Dallas Motorcycle Show last December to earn a spot in the Championship in Daytona.

Prize Package: $2,000 cash prize, invitation to World Championship in Sturgis.

Super Streetbike Performance Custom: Mike Beland of A1 Cycles (West Palm Beach, Florida) – 2012 A1 Street Racer – Engine: 140ci Turbo Nitrous – Chassis: Pro Street – Modifications: Hand built, mono shock, Hayabusa stretched swing arm, hand laid fiberglass, hand built tank, custom front end. Mike took first place at the 2012 Charlotte Motorcycle Show in February to earn a spot in the Championship in Daytona.

Prize Package: $2,000 cash prize, invitation to World Championship in Sturgis.

At each of the 12 Progressive International Motorcycle Shows, amateur and professional custom motorcycle builders converged to showcase their two-wheel creations in the show’s Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show. Prizes were awarded in the Street Chopper’s Freestyle, Hotbike’s Modified Harley, Motorcyclist’s Retro Mod, and Super Streetbike’s Performance Custom categories. Show goers in each city were also encouraged to vote for their favorite custom bike. Their selections determined the People’s Choice winner at every Progressive International Motorcycle Show. With more than 500 custom-built bikes on display across the country, the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show set itself apart as the world’s largest touring custom bike competition.

Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show coverage and results will be posted at www.Motorcycle-USA.com. For more information on the Progressive International Motorcycle Show and to see dates for the 2012-2013 series, visit www.Motorcycle-USA.com.

Fans of Discovery Channel’s “American Choppers” can meet the cast on Friday and Paul Teutul, Jr. on Saturday at 1:00p.m. following a reveal of his latest major creation. Discovery Channel will be taping for the show from the Ocean Center on Saturday. Fit in another celebrity meet and greet at the Ocean Center and head over to the Bell Helmets booth where Skratch from Discovery Channel’s “Overhaulin'” will be on hand.

Ending Saturday, the Smage Bros. Riding Shows will be performing their jaw-dropping stunts – popping wheelies, flying through the air, jumping obstacles and people, all while on their motorcycles.

About Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows®
From New York to California, the 12-city nationwide tour of the Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® offers more than 500,000 consumers and 900 exhibitors from all powersports lifestyle interests an all access pass to the world of motorcycling. With hundreds of the latest street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers, scooters and ATVs for both new and experienced riders, the world’s largest traveling powersports event gives enthusiasts of all ages the opportunity to check out the latest gear and aftermarket accessories. The Show also offers hours of entertainment including a thrilling trials stunt show from The Smage Bros, made famous by their top 10 finish in a nationally televised talent competition; a custom bike competition offering over $90,000 in prize money and featuring $20 million worth of motorcycle machinery; an all-new exclusive Kawasaki Design-A-Bike digital light painting experience; information tailored for women riders, learning experiences and more. Show attendees are nine times more likely than the average motorcyclist to purchase a new powersports vehicle and related parts, products, and accessories, offering exhibitors exclusive access to the largest audience of potential buyers. For more information, visit: www.motorcycleshows.com.

About MotorcycleUSA.com
MotorcycleUSA.com is the most advanced and diverse motorcycle content site on the Web. For more than a decade, MotorcycleUSA.com has provided breaking industry news, comprehensive motorcycle tests, product reviews as well as race coverage for both street and dirt. We have more photographs, motorcycle specifications, rider impressions and online videos than any Internet publication. www.Motorcycle-USA.com – Climb On.