Thunder Run V - Oklahoma City, OK
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA — Thunder Run V, Oklahoma’s premier annual motorcycle and entertainment event that benefits Oklahomans with multiple sclerosis, will take place April 3rd through 5th, 2009, at OKC Thunder Cycles, 900 West Memorial Road in Oklahoma City. This year’s free event will feature Indianapolis 500 racing legend Al Unser, as well as returning emcee Brett
“The Big Schwag” Wagner from Speed Channel’s popular show, “Pass Time”.
Thunder Run V’s highlights include a poker run, one of the Unser family’s Indy 500 winning cars, a vintage bike show, the Go Fast “Jet Pack Man” who rockets through the air, Team Extreme motorcycle stunts, Dale Earnhardt’s Speedway car, an interactive NASCAR simulator, a variety of food booths, and top-notch music entertainment during all three days of the event. Raffle tickets will be sold for $10.00 each before and during Thunder Run V for a chance to win a Big Dog Coyote motorcycle and trailer valued at over $32,000.00.
All proceeds from the Big Dog raffle go directly to The MS Bridge, a local
non-profit organization with a mission to raise funds and connect Oklahoma multiple sclerosis patients in financial need to medications and many other resources that could improve or help maintain a high quality of life. Raffle tickets can be purchased in advance at OKC Thunder Cycles or on-line at www.MSBridge.org.
The poker run is organized by Downed Bikers Association and will be held on Sunday morning, April 5th. Participants will gather at Thunder Roadhouse Café, which is adjacent to OKC Thunder Cycles. Eric Miller, owner of the café and co-organizer of the event, announced “Once again, the café will be offering breakfast beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning before the poker run starts, and will also be serving our normal food and beverage menu throughout the entire event”.
The poker run event is named “Lessie’s Run”, in honor of Lessie Wills, the late wife of Thunder Run co-organizer and OKC Thunder Cycles general manager, Sam Wills. Lessie passed away about six months after Thunder Run I in November of 2005.
“Lessie would be overjoyed to see that Thunder Run has grown into such a tremendously popular and meaningful event in just five short years”, Wills remarked. “Thunder Run was all her idea,” he explained. “Having struggled with MS for years, she knew how costly treatments could be. But she also knew that the motorcycle community that she loved so dearly is made up of some of the kindest, most big-hearted people you’ll ever meet. So, she came up with the idea for this event that would directly benefit MS patients who need help with the high cost of treatments.”
Al Unser has also been impacted by Multiple Sclerosis. His older brother Louie had MS, and died from complications resulting from the disease.
“I am thrilled to be a part of Thunder Run V,” Mr. Unser said. “I can’t think of a better use of my time than to be in the company of people who use their love of motorcycles to help those with MS.”
Frank Eskridge, owner of OKC Thunder Cycles and principal organizer of the event added, “We appreciate our presenting sponsors Remington Park and Pacifico Beer, and media partners KRXO-FM and Cox Communications for helping us make Thunder Run V possible.” Eskridge added that the combined monies raised for The MS Bridge from Thunder Run I, II, III, and IV combined were over $163,000.00, and the goal set for this year is $75,000.00
Kelly Brown, director of The MS Bridge, remarked, “Thunder Run has been the major contributor to The MS Bridge for the past four years. We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity of the motorcycle community and others who have attended this event and helped so many Oklahomans who have Multiple Sclerosis”.
Wills concluded, “We believe that Thunder Run is a very positive way to respond to the present economy. What better way to deal with these times than by attending a fun, free, weekend that helps support those in need?”
For more information:
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Always a great weekend event. It’s becoming so popular, that its almost out grown its event place. Great bikes, women, music and beer.
Leave your response!