Wheels Through Time is proud to introduce the 2009 Wheels Through Time Raffle Grand Prize Winner -- Jeff Kunz from Chesterfield, MO. During his very first visit to WTT, Jeff took a few chances on the museum's annual raffle fundraiser, and it would be a decision that he wouldn't regret.

Back in 2004, Jeff Kunz came to the mountains of Western North Carolina his first time. Working for AAA, Jeff was knowledgeable about many of America's great destinations, and decided that the Great Smoky Mountains would be a great place to go. During his visit, he opted to drive a section of section of the Blue Ridge Parkway and immediately fell in love. As he followed the Parkway's twist and turns, one thought came to mind..... "I need to do this on a Harley".

Jeff had been around motorcycles for quite some time, and in-fact, at one time worked as a motorcycle salesman for the world famous Dave Mungenast, a former 2-time International Six Day Trials (ISDT) winner, AMA Hall-of-Famer, entrepreneur, and founder of Mungenast's Classic Motorcycle Museum. Although he had ridden sport bikes since he was young, he'd always wanted to ride a Harley. So on his next trip to the mountains, he decided that's exactly what he'd do.

During the first week of October 2009, Jeff came back to North Carolina with a friend to take in the beautiful scenery of the area. Staying in Maggie Valley, Jeff found the local bike rental shop, Gryphon Bikes, and rented a brand new Harley-Davidson V-Rod. As he and his friend left for their weekend motorcycle adventure, shop owner, Ken Brown, recommended that if they had some time to spare, to visit Wheels Through Time. The next day, they did just that, and following an afternoon tour at the museum, Jeff took one look at the museum's annual raffle bike, and opted to jump in.

Just over a month later, on Saturday, November 14th, Wheels Through Time would hold its annual raffle drawing in-front of thousands of visitors. As the winning ticket was drawn, the crowd fell silent and museum curator, Dale Walksler, announced the winner. It was Jeff Kunz!!!

Upon being notified that he was the 2009 Raffle Winner, Jeff was ecstatic. He spent the entire night debating on his decision. As the winner, he had the opportunity to take the 1947 Harley-Davidson motorcycle or the cash prize of $20,000. The next day, Jeff notified the museum of his decision...to take the cash prize.

"I thought long and hard about what to do," said Kunz. "Finally, I realized, that the best decision was to take the money. I just don't have the storage space, or knowledge for that matter, to keep the machine and use it like I would like to".

With his cash prize, Jeff didn't hesitate on what to do. Almost immediately, Jeff knew that he wanted to buy a new motorcycle. With so many different types of motorcycles on the market today, one could easily become overwhelmed with options. But Jeff knew just what he was looking for. Within days, Jeff found a like-new 2007 Harley-Davidson V-Rod -- a machine almost identical to the one he rented and rode during his October trip on the Blue Ridge and to the Wheels Through Time Museum where he bought the winning ticket.

In early December, Jeff and his entire family came back to Wheels Through Time to pick-up his new V-Rod. "It worked out perfectly, and since Dale offered to pick the bike up in Georgia for me, I had an opportunity to, this time, bring the whole family to Wheels Through Time," said Kunz.

The grandson of a Policeman from St. Louis, MO 6th Precinct Police Department, Jeff also plans to donate a portion of his winnings to the Dave Mungenast Senior Memorial Bike and Badge Run. Held annually, the run benefits an organization called the Backstoppers, who provide aid to the families of fallen police officers and fireman.

Congratulations Jeff!

For more information, visit the museum's website located www.WheelsThroughTime.com or call the museum at (828) 926-6266.