Auctions America by RM

Auctions America by RM will raise the green flag on a winning line-up of competition motorcycles from the esteemed Michael Jordan Motorsports (MJM) race team when its inaugural Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction gets underway Jan. 12 - 14, 2012, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

Founded by NBA legend and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan in 2004, MJM is a respected competitor among factory-owned teams nationwide, having enjoyed significant success and numerous podium finishes.

The collection is presented for auction by Upper Deck Authenticated, "The World's Greatest Memorabilia Company," which acquired the bikes directly from the Michael Jordan Motorsports team over the past eight years. These five bikes from the team's formative years will return to the limelight next month, joining the starting grid at Auctions America's highly anticipated Vegas sale.

Donnie Gould (President of Auctions America by RM) says: "We're both honored and excited to have been entrusted with the presentation of these select Michael Jordan Motorsports team bikes for the first time at a public sale.

"Each represents an important chapter in MJM's history and, in turn, presents an exclusive ownership opportunity for savvy collectors."

Leading the collection across the podium is the race-winning 2008 Suzuki GSX-R1000 AMA Superstock from the 2008 Superstock season and autographed by Michael Jordan (pictured). Presented in the MJM team color of Carolina blue, this Suzuki was not only ridden by Aaron Yates (#20) and Geoff May (#99), it claimed the 2008 Superstock Championship, the first for the MJM race team. Another highlight from the MJM racing stable is a Yamaha YZF-R1 AMA Superbike, ridden by Montez Stewart (#123) during the team's first year in the 2004 AMA Superstock class.

Jason Masherah (Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Upper Deck) says: "Upper Deck Authenticated prides itself on offering collectors the most premium and authentic collectibles in the market. We are pleased to provide five remarkable, unique, one-of- a-kind motorcycles from Michael Jordan Motorsports to the public for the first time and excited to be teaming up with Auctions America to offer the bikes at their debut Las Vegas sale."

Additional highlights include:

• a unique 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 AMA Superstock, ridden by Stewart during the second year of MJM and featuring detailed graphics of the Air Jordan XX shoe, inspired by Jordan's celebrated career;
• a gold-and-black 2006 Suzuki GSX-R1000 AMA Superstock, ridden by Jake Holden (#59) in MJM's third year and presented in the team's 2006 "Gold Medal" color theme signifying Jordan's achievements with Team USA in the ‘84 and ‘92 Olympic Games; and
• a royal blue-and-white 2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000 AMA Superstock, ridden by Holden during MJM's fourth year in the 2007 AMA Superstock class.

Donnie Gould says: "These motorcycles dominated some of the toughest races in the Superstock and Superbike classes. Enthusiasts will appreciate the motorcycles' racing provenance and condition. They will not only amaze the crowd, they'll impress even the most ardent of motorcycle collectors."

The select bikes from the MJM racing stable join more than 400 collectible motorcycles expected to cross the block at Auctions America's debut Vegas sale next month. In addition to the auction, the multi-day event will include celebrity appearances and an exclusive seminar featuring motorcycle experts from across the country.

Full event details and a list of auction offerings are available online at auctionsamerica.com or by calling toll free 877-906-2437 (or +1 260-927-9797 outside North America).