ThisWeek CW 12/22/2011
Discovery Channel personality and local American Motorcycle Association Superbike racer Larry Pegram wants to open what he intends to be the premier motorcycle service center in the nation in Canal Winchester.
The Canal Winchester Planning Commission approved his request Dec. 12 for a conditional-use permit to open the motorcycle and ATV repair shop in the old Ricart RV facility at 6270 Bowen Road, just off state Route 33.
Neighbors Anthony Loschiavo and Donald Hammond expressed concerns about potential noise, but planning commission members Jeff Graber, Don Konold and Mike Vasko said they didn’t see how motorcycles coming and going from the shop would be louder than traffic on state Route 33, which separates the shop from the residents.
Graber did ask for a restriction on the conditional use.
“I’m going to add a condition to this approval: no repairs to automobiles on this property,” he said. “Should (Pegram) move and the lease be assumed, I don’t want another tire shop.”
“We’ll be very cognizant of noise at the shop and be good neighbors,” Pegram said. “We won’t be testing bikes outside, just doing work inside the building.
“We’ve begun doing some improvements on the interior of the shop and we hope to open up and be running by Jan. 2.”
Loschiavo has since filed an appeal of the planning commission vote, which will have a public hearing at 6:45 p.m., Jan 17. After the public hearing, Canal Winchester City Council will vote on whether to uphold or reject the planning commission’s decision.
Pegram, a Hebron resident, said the site is a perfect fit for his family and for providing services to all the riders who take advantage of the roads and trails in the Hocking Hills region of Ohio.
“I grew up in Pataskala and have lived in the area my whole life,” Pegram said. “A lot of people like to ride their street bikes on the best roads in Ohio down south and to Logan for the best dirt riding in Ohio. This is a good location to open the Pegram Racing Motorcycle Service Center to provide those people service.”
Pegram, 38, said he is a third-generation motorcycle racer, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather after getting on his first bike at the age of 3. He said his parents, Jim and Mary, continue to support him as integral parts of his race team, along with his wife, Heather, and daughters, all of which was documented in last year’s reality TV series, “Superbike Family.”
“Seven years ago, I started my own race team after riding for other people and have been competitive against the bigger factory teams. I’ve won four races in the last two years, finishing fourth overall both years,” Pegram said. “So we’ve got a big following and had a lot of people asking us to work on their bikes.
“I’ve got these world-class mechanics working for me that I’d like to employ full-time, not just for the race season.”
If council agrees with the planning commission on the conditional use of the property, Pegram said six team employees will staff the service center and retail counter when the shop opens. As business increases, he said, he will bring on more employees. Pegram said customers will receive the same quality workmanship that he puts into his 200 mile-per-hour race bike. He said he will offer everything from simple tune-ups and repairs all the way up to building a race-ready motorcycle.
“This would be like getting your car worked on by (NASCAR racer) Jeff Gordon’s mechanics. You’ll get the top mechanics in the U.S. working on your bike when you come here,” Pegram said.