2026 Recipient: Will Be Announced Soon

2025: Motorhead Madness presents check to Northwood Technical College Scholarship Program
in remembrance of Steve Leino.

Motorhead Madness owners Dean Birman and Mike Podgornik presented a check for $3,500 to Kim Pearson, Executive Director of the Northwood Tech Foundation.

Described as the Northland’s biggest indoor custom car show, Motorhead Madness was held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) on March 22 and 23, with more than 5,000 attendees.

In addition to Birman and Podgornik, the third owner of Motorhead Madness, LLC, is Mike Busche. Aside from the owners, there was only one other person involved in every part of the event planning, and that was Steve Leino, who passed away October 6, 2024.

“Steve was our right-hand man,” said Podgornik. “He was a great friend and a valuable asset with his input on planning and decision making, calling on sponsors, obtaining goody bag and door prize items or anything else we asked of him. Steve was a staple at our show office helping anyone who needed something, with a smile and his great sense of humor.”

While an integral part of Motorhead Madness, Leino was also deeply embedded with the Northwood Technical College community. As a 1969 graduate, he was active with the Alumni Association for more than 50 years and held many officer positions on the Alumni Association Board of Directors as well as the Northwood Tech Foundation Board of Directors, including board president from July 2021 to June 2024.

Podgornik, Birman, and Busche are committed to giving back to the community and decided they would honor Leino and commemorate his legacy by contributing proceeds from this year’s event to the Steve Leino Memorial scholarship at Northwood Tech.

“Steve had been a key contributor to the event,” said Busche. “On top of all the planning and running, he also worked the entire show, from setup to shut-down. His opinions were valued, as was his reputation as a straightforward guy.”

The Steve Leino Memorial Scholarship will be available this fall and is open to students enrolled in any program at the Superior campus of Northwood Tech.

We decided when we acquired this event that as the new local owners of Motorhead Madness we wanted to give back to the Duluth/Superior community where we live, work, and play.

Each year we will be picking a non-profit to donate a portion of the proceeds to.

Thank you for supporting the show and helping us to give back to the community.

Mike, Dean, and Mike
Motorhead Madness LLC

Past Recipients:

2024 - Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation
2023 - Wounded Warriors United - Minnesota
2022 - Boys and Girls Club, Duluth-Superior Chapter