Bikernet is proud to bring you the winning bike from a recent biker build-off competition from the Veterans Rock & Roll Ride (VR&RR) to support military charities in our on-going effort to support our troops during our Bikernet Year of the Veteran.

VR&RR Inc is a non-profit company that owns and operates the motorcycle rally known as "Branson Rock Ride Remember.” The VR&RR provided builders with $10,000.00 to build a bike with a military theme. Four builders were involved and brought their running tribute to our military to the Veterans Rally by May 15th.The bikes were judged from the 15th to the 18th by a people's choice effort administered by the event staff.

“We put a full court press on this build and I am excited that the attendees thought so highly of our custom Brass Balls Bobbers’ Digger that they voted us Number 1,” said Dar Holdsworth, Darwin Motorcycles President and Master Designer.

This rally raises money for non-profit charities and military organizations in the Missouri region and the Ride to the Wall Foundation. The event benefits America’s Military Veterans, so rally organizers created a build-off that featured a branch of service or a specific military conflict tied to each bike. Those themes went into four totally different, original bikes, by four very distinct builders.

“I want to thank the entire team for making this happen," Dar said, "which includes Sam Wills, heading up operations, for the outstanding fabrication, John White of Crazy Horse for his stunning V-Plus engine, Jeral Tidwell on his creative paint theme, Hawg Halters for outstanding hand controls and brakes, Crime Scene headlight and air cleaner, Tauer Machine LLC for their 2–inch Warlord open primary, Scott Webster and Leroy Thompson for the hammered brass signature series grips, Rich Phillips with Bikersaddles.com for the hand-tooled leather seat and Chopper Shocks on their innovative seat shock system.”

Here's what the VR&RR staff had to say about the rally:

Forget everything you THOUGHT you knew about the Branson Motorcycle Rally! The Rally is now named the Branson Rock Ride Remember Motorcycle Rally and its permanent home is at Area '57 (www.area57events.com), located on Highway 76 inside of the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater Complex (www.ab57.com) in the heart of Branson, Mo. Area '57 is an extraordinary outdoor venue built specifically for motorcycle rallies, car shows and concerts. Branson is nestled in the Ozark Mountains and you can enjoy the city's life with all the excitement that Branson has to offer. But when its time to explore the highways and byways of the Ozarks, within a matter of a few short minutes, you can be touring along some of the most beautiful country roads in America.

There is a very affordable registration fee to attend this event and it includes the official rally pin, patch and t-shirt, area ride guide, goodie bag and four-day gate admission. They rally also offer discounted room rates as well as discounts to area attractions and show tickets, so be sure to ask about them when you call. All you have to do is make one call and your accommodations and rally registration are secured. There are no minimum stay requirements and no inflated room rates, which makes this event very economical.

Please join us and your friends at the next Rock Ride Remember Motorcycle Rally in Branson in the heart of the Missouri Ozark Mountains May 14-17, 2009.

The actual build-off competition took place in Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater.

"Lots of rallies boast of the biggest, baddest build-offs on the planet, but few will have the twist that the Branson Rock Ride Remember Rally had," said rally director Ken Childers. "The event benefits America's Military Veterans, so rally organizers looked to create a build-off that featured a branch of service or a specific military conflict themed to each bike. We are giving some exciting new builders the chance to win some outrageous money and the unique part is that the overall prize winner will be decided by the people," Childers said. "When attendees come through our gate, they will be given a People's Choice ticket, shown the four bikes, and asked to vote on the best bike in the contest.

"The twist to our build-off is that each bike will be for sale to the highest bidder via online auction. You can actually have the chance to own the bike you voted on! We have not heard of any other build-off in the Midwest doing it quite like this."

Dar and the team that builds the Brass Balls Bobbers were given six weeks to complete their bike and deliver it to the rally. Dar and his partner kicked off Brass Balls Bobbers just a few years back and built eight bikes their first year. Although Sam Wills is an old school drag racer with 30 years of experience building frames for many well-known drag racing teams, they still only built 16 bikes their second year. However, their reputation for building solid, rideable scooters grew and they built 27 bikes the third year. This year, in a down market, with this build-off hanging over their heads and a new dealer program growing, they plan to build 75-100 bikes. That's progress.

Dar told me they only have three models on the website. "But any owner can choose up to 60 variations to his bike before we turn a wrench" Dar said.

That's one distinctive reason Dar chose to be involved in this Military Charity effort. "I wanted to support vets and show the world the potential changes, alterations and styles available to any customer."

As Sam built the tight, strong racing-level Digger Bobber model frame, Dar picked one of five styles of engines. He chose the 100-inch V-Plus from Crazy Horse Engineering.

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