Norm McDonald, Co-Founder of K&N, Inducted Into AMA Hall of Fame
- Nov 1, 2013
Norm McDonald has been an ambassador for motorcycling his entire life, as a racer, promoter, teacher, sponsor and advocate for motorcyclists' rights and safety. Norm is also the "N" in the internationally recognized K&N logo. The king of air filters and an icon for motorsport legends around the world, K&N Engineering as it is known today, flourished with Norm's strong sense of ingenuity and love for the sport. In a ballroom packed with over 500 guests, Norm was inducted along with five other incredible people who made significant contributions to the motorcycle industry, including; Ricky Carmichael, Danny Hamel, Randy Renfrow, Mike and Dianne Traynor. The second inductee of the evening was Norm, and as the master of ceremonies Perry King announced his name, a video – featuring the voice of Dave McClelland – began playing, telling Norm's story. It highlighted his past and present, including many images Norm is famous for and images the public had never seen. It included interviews with family (of which his three sons and their families were in attendance) and industry icons. At the end of the video presentation, Norm was invited on stage and with the use of his electric scooter he made his way to the front of the room. Since having broken his pelvis two weeks prior, his mobility was limited and he was escorted by none other than Malcolm Smith.
A lifelong friend, Malcolm who had just undergone major back surgery and been instructed not to travel, was there to present Norm with his AMA Hall of Fame ring. Malcolm, despite any physical discomfort, spoke about his being hired to work in the K&N shop when he was only 17 years old. He recalled Norm telling him, "You don't want to work on airplanes; you need to work on motorcycles." Over the course of several minutes, voice cracking with emotion, Malcolm recounted the history that he and Norm shared and the tremendous support and respect they had for each other. Norm had tears in his eyes as the AMA Hall of Fame ring was handed to him. Dwyer commented, "You could have heard a pin drop in the room as those two men gave each other a hug. I doubt there was a dry eye in the place."
Norm took a few final moments and spoke of his history and thanked the many people along the way, including his best friend and companion of over 55 years, his wife Lucy. He thanked everyone for the best birthday present (Norm would be celebrating his 81st birthday on Monday) he had ever received and upon finishing; the room rose to their feet and erupted in applause. Later that evening, talking to Norm he said, "It is going to take at least a month for all of this to sink in. I still can't believe this has happened." On Saturday, toward the end of the Legends Reception a funny thing was overheard at the K&N display honoring Norm McDonald. K&N's Rich Dwyer saw Willie G. Davidson, former senior vice president and chief styling officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, eyeing a custom Norm bobble head. Rich remarked, "Willie, you know you've made it when they make you a bobble head." He looked at Rich and smiling said, "Well, Norm is the man. He is the man." K&N congratulates Norm McDonald and all of the 2013 AMA Hall of Fame inductees on this incredible achievement. | |||||
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