ST.PAUL, MN, MARCH 31, 2008 —High School students from Eden Senior High, Eden, NY, Clearfield County Career and Technology Center, Clearfield, PA, and Howell High School, Howell, MI, joined predecessors Kennedy High School of Bloomington, MN, and St. Francis High School of Bethel, MN, at the Donnie Smith Bike Show held March 29-30, 2008 at the St. Paul River Centre, St.Paul, Minnesota. *Bernice MacNaughton HS, Moncton, New Brunswick was unable to attend due to a travel restriction following the tragic loss of seven student athletes and a teacher in a motor vehicle accident.

The students are part of the Donnie Smith Chopper Class Challenge (DSCCC).

The program was created in 2004 after Scottie Ard (Program Coordinator for the DSCCC) visited Kennedy High School to see an innovative program created by Instructor Kevin Baas which taught students to build custom motorcycles. Ard brought Master Builder Donnie Smith and American Thunder Promotions owner Neil Ryan to visit the program and the rest is history.

DSCCC teams displayed motorcycles they have spent the school year building. The finished motorcycles which are designed, fabricated and built by the students were judged by industry experts and the public during the course of the show. The DSCCC encourages scholastic achievement by incorporating all areas of education to build a custom motorcycle.

The Donnie Smith Chopper Class Challenge provides students the opportunity to expand their learning and creative potential by enabling them to apply knowledge and skills to something they are passionate about. The motorcycles that the students build are as unique and dynamic as any motorcycle seen today. These students have very bright futures and because of their endeavors, so does the industry.” Ard said. The riding community showed their support for the DSCCC by hosting a fundraising event on Friday, March 28 at the legendary Cabooze in Minneapolis. Zed Leppelin, the nation’s premier Led Zeppelin experience (www.zed-leppelin.com) and DJ JJ Lawrence from Bring the Noise Entertainment (www.bringthenoiseentertainment.com) cleared their tour calendars to participate in the event. The artists played to a full house of enthusiastic riders and fans. An added surprise for everyone was the attendance of riders from Norway who had heard of the event and came to support the DSCCC.

Guests at the event got a preview of the latest in motorcycle gear for 2008 during a gear show presented by Hopkins Leather & Specialties. Donations by Iron Works Magazine, In The News Inc., Jason and Shauna Holmes, Hopkins Leather & Specialties, Full Power Cycle, Minnetonka Custom Cycle, Hitching Post Motorsports, Unchained Aggressions Metalworks Studio, Mark Bacon, Brian Klock, Paul Cox, Russell Mitchell, Arlen Fatland, Jerry Covington, Keino, Russell Manlove, Dave Perewitz, Donnie Smith, Bert Baker, Kim Suter, Tabor Nash and Vinnie and Cody from VForce Customs gave guests an opportunity to bid on motorcycle products, services and collectibles during the silent auction.

DSCCC teams attending the show had the opportunity to meet with Master Builders Donny Smith, Dave Perewitz and Brian Klock, who have been instrumental in the growth of the DSCCC. John Kosmoski of House of Kolor and Kenny Price from Samson Motorcycle Products met with students to give pointers and share the history of the custom motorcycle industry.

The judges and the public had their work cut out for them as each school presented builds that were technically precise and full of innovation. The awards are as follows:

Overall - Eden High School, Eden, NY
Technical - John F. Kennedy, Bloomington, MN
Peoples Choice Award - Clearfield County Career and Technical Center, Clearfield, PA
Innovation in Structural Redesign - Howell High School, Howell, MI
Innovation in Fabrication - St. Francis High School - St. Francis, MN

2008 Donnie Smith Chopper Class Challenge Build Teams
The DSCCC school programs are supported by industry leaders and individuals. Without this support many schools would not be able to participate. For 2009 the DSCCC is looking for sponsors to donate motors and drive trains which will be used year to year by the schools.

Businesses Supporting DSCCC Teams for 2008:
Adjure Inc.
Donnie Smith Custom Cycles
Nash Motorcycle Co.
Air FX
Don’s Auto
Northern Tool
American Thunder Promotions
Dumb Ass Biker
Old School Kustoms
American Thunder
Eden Central PTA
Paul Cox
Avon Tires
Fab Kevin
Pearson Customs
B.A. Enterprises
Ghostriders Inc.
Performance Fabrication
Baas Metal Craft
Hering Kustom Paint
Roadmax USA
BASF
Interstate Batteries
S&S
BDL
Iron Works Magazine
S&S Industrial
Bikers Choice
J&D Custom Plating
Samson Motorcycle Products
Biltwell
Jamie Schultz
SE Custom Powder Coating
Brian Polino
Jay Brake
Spartan Frameworks
Chopper Shox,
KIL Products
Streamline
Coop
Led Sled Customs
Sucker Punch Sally
Crime Scene Choppers
Mike Miller
The Hog Farm
Dennis Kirk
Milwaukee Iron
The Shop
County Seats
Twisted Choppers

The DSCCC is open to any high school with an Industrial Arts/Technology Program. Applications for the 2009 DSCCC program are being accepted at this time. To participate or donate please contact Scottie Ard, DSCCC Program Coordinator at 612-392-2570 or email scottieard@gmail.com