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For new Victory dealer, it's all about American-made

By LIANE SMITH (Contact)

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

After riding for 10 years, Estero resident and business owner Dave Parker set out to sell motorcycles — and not just any motorcycles — American-made.

The 35-year-old Victory Motorcycles dealer will officially open his dealership, called Victory Lane, Saturday, Dec. 2, off Corkscrew Road and Interstate 75.

Parker, who started out riding dirt bikes when he was younger, now drives a Victory Jackpot motorcycle. His wife, Beth, rides a Victory Ness.

"There is still a lot of pride in the motorcycle community to have an American-made bike, and that's very important to me, also," Parker said. "It's fun to enjoy what you do while at work."

Jerry Brown, head technician for Victory Lane, has been riding for 45 years. He and his friends ride 200 to 400 miles in a weekend.

"It gives you a sense of freedom," Brown said.

Victory, manufactured by Polaris, was built on the belief that an American company could design and build the best motorcycles in the world.

"It has the power that consumers are looking for," Parker said.

To celebrate the opening of the only Victory dealership in Southwest Florida, the shop will have a grand opening event featuring musical entertainment, FGCU calendar girls, a barbecue lunch, Victory signature bandanna giveaways, best customized Victory bike contest and a drawing to win a $500 gift certificate to Victory Lane.

The bike contest winner will receive a two-night free stay at Embassy Suites, a sponsor of the grand opening event. They will also provide the barbecue lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The activities will begin Friday night with a VIP, by invitation, event for current Victory riders and other select people.

Photo by LIANE SMITH / Banner

Victory Lane owner, Dave Parker, left, shows San Carlos Park resident Tom Weisend, a five-year rider, a Victory motorcycle at his new dealership in Estero, which officially opens on Saturday, Dec. 2.

On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Victory Lane will have its official grand opening event, followed by a small-scale event on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for people who could not make the prior day's event.

The Victory Lane showroom displays a couple each of the five models Victory motorcycles has to offer: Hammer, Kingpin, Vegas, 8-Ball, Jackpot and the Ness Signature series. The Ness Signature series was named after the Ness family, which helped Polaris design the new motorcycles. The bikes have been on the market for seven years.

Riders will have an opportunity at the weekend events to test out a Victory motorcycle, by signing up for a demo ride. Demo riders are entered into a drawing where one winner will receive $500 towards the purchase of any item, including bikes, parts and accessories and gear, at Victory Lane. Those who participate in the demonstration ride can pick from the Kingpin, Vegas 8-Ball, Vegas Jackpot and Hammer.

In order to participate in the ride, guests must have a driver's license with proof of insurance, and personal safety gear and helmets. To sign up early to reserve a time and preferred model of bike, riders can visit http://victoryln.smartpurl.com/invite, or call Victory Lane at 221-4653.

Victory Lane is located off Interstate 75, exit 123, and Corkscrew Road, behind the Embassy Suites, at 10491 Corkscrew Commons Drive.

For more information visit www.victoryln.net.