For example, he would cast parts in old tins, make his own barrels, pistons, flywheels, etc. His micrometer (a precision measuring instrument) was an old spoke. Dirt bike racing is a risky sport, with the athletes endangering their lives with every stunt. Lusk was on a team of star FMX riders called Metal Mulisha, founded by the sports most iconic figure, Brian Deegan. Motorcross has seen incredible riders come and go in the sport and thus makes it quite a task to pick out the top-15 most famous motocross riders in the sports history. Tinker is a true BMX legend and a star of this industry during the early 80s. In 2003, Jeremy McGrath was honoured with induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Nicknamed The Earthquake, Clarence Perry began his BMX career in 1977, and it took him 22 years to have a signature bike under his name (in 1999). Working from his home in Invercargill, he worked for 20 years to highly modify the 1920 Indian motorcycle that he had bought that same year. He was the sports face, winning five Motocross World Championships and peaking a record of 36 500cc Grand Prix wins. Gary Nixon (January 25 1941 August 5 2011) was an American motorcycle racer who, when on Triumph motorcycles, most notably won the A.M.A. Eric Geboers has tragically died aged 55. This BMX legend pioneered the One-footer (A jumping stunt where the biker takes one foot off the pedal while at high altitude). McQueen collected classic motorcycles. The 78-year-old icon is currently the Motorsport Director of KTM and writes a monthly column for Dirt Bike magazine. The first rider to win his debut World GP MX race (Spain 1973), The first American to lead the World MX Championship (Spain 1973), The first rider to win a World MX GP on a Spanish MX bike (Bultaco), The first American to win a moto at the U.S. 500cc GP race (Carlsbad 1977), The first non-world champion to win the Trophies des-Nations event (1974), 1974 250cc Motocross World Championship - 14th (, 1975 250cc Motocross World Championship - 7th (, 1976 250cc Motocross World Championship - 4th (, 1978 250cc Motocross U.S. Championship - 5th (, In 1962, he set a world record of 288km/h (178.95mph) with his engine bored out to 850cc (52 cubic inches), In 1966, he set a world record of 270.476km/h (168.066mph). But this did not satisfy Munro, so in 1926 he decided to start modifying his beloved Indian. After switching to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, he continued his victory ramp, defending his title successfully in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Some of the most notable deaths include: So many dirt bike riders have come and gone, but only the pros have become famous enough and made this list. Aged 35, this Venezuelan BMX rider has been on the scene with style, grace, and skills. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn commissions from purchases made on Amazon via our links. The "Munro Special," as Munro called his bike, is now owned by a motorcycle enthusiast in New Zealand's South Island, and is on display at E Hayes & Sons, Invercargill. He also had two 125 super cross titles and 5 250/ 450 super cross titles. Click on the link above to get more information regarding the two legendary soccer players. The late Belgian professional Motocross racer and racing driver was prolific in the racing sphere. His first off-road motorcycle was a Triumph 500cc that he purchased from friend and stunt man Ekins. The term "ghost riding," as it is known in freestyle motocross, was invented by Brian Deegan. Bob "Hurricane" In 1999, Hannah was honoured by being inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Additionally, some have significantly impacted the sport, not just through motocross racing but also through other sports and technical input. Ryan Dungey created a name for himself in 2010 by taking the top Supercross and National Motocross championships in his first year. In Eric Geboers 10 years racing career, he became the first Motocross racer to win the World Championship in the 125cc, 250cc, and 500cc categories. After being dropped from the Honda team, Chandler went to Europe to compete in the Motocross World Championships. A Warner Bros. He then went on to triumph in international competitions, earning a reputation as one of Finland's most successful motorcycle racers. The real McCoy was born on December 29, 1966, in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. World Champion Jeffrey Herlings has won four times. In late 1973, Rayborn travelled to New Zealand to compete in an auto racing event and to test ride a Suzuki. An autopsy was set to be performed on Friday, according to the Grant County coroner. He was a phenomenal figure in his active years in the sport. He was already competing at the age of 12, and since then, there has been no stopping him. He was nicknamed Magoo by his father at an early age, and the name stuck. Tinker was the kind of BMX rider who had an affection for fans whether he finished first or last. When he was just 14 years old, Travis Pastrana, who is well-known for his action sports versatility and his blockbuster series Nitro Circus, won the 1988 World Freestyle Championship. In his career, which span 13 years, Hannah won 70 AMA National Championship and 7 Motocross National Championships. By the time of his death, his collection included over 100 and was valued in the millions of dollars. This page is dedicated to them. The Bicycle Motocross has been a style symbol and a popular culture for the past few decades. From 1995 to 2009, he won a medal in every single X-Games contest. The 2019 filmBennett's Warexplores the powerful nature of motocross. The duo often finished second or first to one another in the world championship between 1964 and 1968. The X-Knights competition Saturday in Costa Rica was not affiliated with the X Games. Smith came into prominence during the 1970s, winning three national titles the 1974 and 1975 AMA 125cc and the 1977 AMA 500cc motocross championships. The daring rider who was only 24 had a very successful 2008 season as he won Freestyle gold at the X Games and silver in Best Trick when he landed the first double-grab Hart Attack backflip. Costers expertise, achievements, and excellence in the sport led to him been dubbed The man. Of notable interest, he, as a team manager, guided the first American team to its first Motorcross Des Nations victory in 1981. appreciated. Click on the link above to find out. By: Amelia Mugavero. Year Deaths Injuries 2014 4,295 92,000 2015 4,976 2016 5,286 2017 5,172 89,000. He recorded a total of 150 wins in his 11 years stint. He worked as an engineer for Rolls-Royce; that was before he quit his job to become a professional BMXer. He was born on April 19, 1991. His achievements and awards are endless. He was coming off his most successful year. It's not rare for our writers and team members to collaborate and work together to create the articles you read on the site. He is one of the pioneers of freestyle BMX sports. Antonio Tony Caroli, an Italian professional motocross racer first stormed the racing scene in 2002 and 2005, won his first FIM Motocross World Championship in the MX2-GP class. He began his racing career in dirt track events in Southern California and in 1964, he began racing professionally in the A.M.A. Induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame for Heikki Mikkola took place in 2006. The world of motocross has been rocked by the tragic death of a 26-year-old rising star. I think theres a whole lot more that can be done with freestyle motocross, and were going to continue to feature it strongly at the X Games, he said. Scot started the first sanctioning body, which had rules in 1970. This induction was a key development for the BMX industry. This guy won a gold medal at the Pan Am Games in 1995. He rose to popularity soon after the sponsorship from Haro Bikes. In 1991, he held the record for most AMA Supercross victories, subsequently surpassed by Jeremy McGrath. Start your day off right, with a Dayspring Coffee. The Belgian was the first rider to win 125, 250 and the 500 world championship. Lee Ramage and Tammi were unhurt. This article was created by a combination of a few writers and editors from Sporty Tell. Da Judge is alive and kicking at the age of 56 in Miami, USA. He didn't begin competing until he was 18 years old, and by 1999, he was one of only two racers to have won championships in the 125cc, 250cc, and Supercross classes. Tributes have flowed for young rider Tyron van der Walt, who died while competing at the Esperance Motorcycle Club on Sunday when he landed awkwardly after a jump. Because of his stern demeanour, he is frequently referred to as "The Man." A man is dead and another is in jail after a suspected street racing . Some say it was Swink's mother who found him on Thursday. Chad Mark Reed is an Australian supercross and motocross champion with 20 years in the sport. Ricky Carmichael was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2013. McQueen considered becoming a professional race car driver. Geboers' unexpected and sudden death comes as a terrible shock to the motocross community. The same Porsche 908 was entered by his production company Solar Productions as a camera car for Le Mans in the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans later that year. Started his career as a BMX freestyle cyclist, he is now an established businessman with Hoffman bikes, selling one of the finest bikes in the industry. In 2008 Stewart won every race and every moto of the AMA Motocross season.James Stewart Jr. Frankenheimer was ahead in schedule anyway, and the McQueen/Sturges project was called off. Georges Job is renowned for overcoming the Hawkstone double, a significant jump that most athletes would choose to bike past instead of jumping over. Both Pele and Maradona have been regarded as the greatest players of all time, reflecting the bitter rivalry between their two countries. Bookmark. More specific details . The former British Grand Prix rider was best known for winning the Imola 200 with Ducati, with the Italian marque releasing a special Paul Smart 1000LE in 2006 in honour of Pauls victory. Tom Brady holds the record for most passing yards in a single season, with more than 84,000 yards and holds the current record for the most touchdowns in the NFL, a total of 631 in total. He was born on July 21, 1987. He was inducted into the MSHFA in 2015. PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Aug. 20, 2021)The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame offers its condolences to the family, friends and fans of the outgoing and talented Yvon Duhamel, a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 1999 known for riding the temperamental and brutally fast Kawasaki H2R in AMA road race nationals in the 1970s. Job, a two-time reigning World Champion, never lost hope in his ability to be successful. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Rayborn began riding motorcycles at an early age. Make no mistake about it, these guys ripped up many a race track and were every bit the professional. They are great role models for up-and-coming racers and enthusiasts.