It may be an event that honors the past but the upcoming AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days looks to a modern problem with a vintage twist.

A unique competition at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days taking place on July 22nd at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio is the challenge for all attendees to push the limits of motorcycle fuel economy.

The event will be hosted by Motorcycle Hall of Famer Craig Vetter.

"The goal of the Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge is to discover the least amount of energy -- in dollars and cents -- it takes to travel the way we really ride," said Vetter. "The conditions of these events reflect utility and reality, not controlled track conditions. Not only do entered motorcycles have to produce excellent mileage, but they must be comfortable, attractive and be able to carry a reasonable load -- such as four bags of groceries."

Staged at the world-class Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features vintage and post-vintage competition in motocross, trials, hare scrambles, roadracing and dirt track. In addition to demo rides of current production bikes, the event includes North America's largest motorcycle swap meet, educational seminars, bike shows, motorcycling seminars, the new product Manufacturers' Midway, and club corrals featuring marque and regional clubs.

Kawasaki is the honored Marque of the Year at 2011 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. The Grand Marshal, a major figure from Kawasaki's storied history on two wheels, will be announced shortly.

Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The mission of the Hall of Fame is to celebrate, elucidate and preserve the rich tradition of motorcycling in America. Its exhibits honor the distinguished men and women whose competitive spirit, passion, vision and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling.

As the country's grandest celebration of the people and machines that define motorcycling's history, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days provides a unique backdrop for an event focused on the future of motorcycle design.

"Our goal with these events is to move motorcycle technology forward," Vetter added. "This is an opportunity for riders to participate directly in that process."

Vetter said that the route from the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will be roughly 100 miles, with awards for the overall winner, the best electric bike, and the best performing vintage motorcycle, 1969 model year and older.

"How many times have we heard that the old bikes got great mileage?" Vetter asked. "My Brit buddies are sure their BSA singles from the '50s and '60s got 100 mpg. And who knows? Maybe they did. At the AMA Vintage Days Vetter Challenge, we will learn the truth."

Rules and additional details about the 2011 Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge, which will take place Friday morning, July 22, at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, are available online.