Markel American Insurance Company Awards Second Custom Motorcycle

'This is better than Christmas!' says winner 


WAUKESHA, Wis., Aug. 14  /PRNewswire/ -- Markel American Insurance Company announced today the awarding of a restored and customized 1974 BMW R75/6 motorcycle to Eugene Vandenberg of Appleton, WI. The motorcycle, which was restored and customized in large part by Markel American Associate Mark Hoedel, was awarded through a raffle at the recent BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (MOA) International Rally in Gillette, WY.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080814/NETH075 )

The motorcycle was restored to raffle in an effort to raise money for the BMW MOA Foundation. The BMW MOA Foundation is a non-profit organization with the mission to "provide rider training and support for motorcycle safety and awareness programs."

The 1974 BMW R75/6 motorcycle was commonly customized by cafe racers in the 1970s. "They used to call this bike a 'blue rubber cow' because of how it would wobble in the corners," said Hoedel, a BMW rider for over 25 years. "The first thing we did was gusset the frame to make it a much smoother and more stable ride." Other customizations included enhanced power and performance, a custom paint scheme and additional small changes to impress the discerning BMW rider.

"Obviously, as a motorcycle insurance company we hold rider safety in the highest regard," said Timberlee Tamraz Grove, President and COO of Markel American. "It is a perfect fit for Markel American to partner with an organization as focused on rider safety as is the BMW MOA Foundation."

Markel American has for years been the endorsed insurer of the BMW MOA. In addition to this build, Markel also sponsors rider safety courses through the MOA Foundation throughout the year and sponsors local BMW MOA chapter rallies around the US.

Upon being announced as the winner, Vandenberg said, "This is better than Christmas!" More information about the build, including videos and photos documenting the process can be found at http://www.markelbuildsbeemerfun.com/. Information about Markel American's BMW MOA insurance program can be found at http://www.bmwmoainsurance.com/.

A subsidiary of the Markel Corporation, Markel American Insurance Company specializes in the lines of Powersport Products, Specialty Marine, Preferred Yacht and Small Boat, and Specialty Property. For more information on our products, please visit http://www.markelinsuresfun.com/.

The Richmond, VA-based Markel Corporation markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs to a variety of niche markets. In each of these markets, the company strives to provide quality products and excellent customer service. For more information, please visit http://www.markelcorp.com/. 

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080814/NETH075

DATASOURCE: Markel American Insurance Company



CONTACT:  Kevin Behringer of Markel American Insurance Company,

[phone], ext. 3304,  



Web site:  http://www.markelcorp.com/

http://www.markelbuildsbeemerfun.com/

http://www.markelinsuresfun.com/

http://www.bmwmoainsurance.com/ 

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