2023 AMA Bike Corridor of Fame Induction Ceremony Honors 5 Inductees
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Bike Corridor of Fame inducted its 2023 Class on Thursday, honoring 5 new members through the 2023 AMA Bike Corridor of Fame Induction Ceremony.
The AMA Bike Corridor of Fame Class of 2023 contains Rita Coombs, Ryan Dungey, Barry Hawk, Grant Langston and Travis Pastrana, all of whom obtained their Corridor of Fame Rings and gold jackets through the ceremony.
“We’re really delighted to assemble right here in Pickerington, Ohio, residence of each the AMA headquarters and the esteemed AMA Bike Corridor of Fame, to have fun this historic event,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman stated when addressing the group. “Not like some earlier years, this yr’s inductees have the privilege of personally experiencing the hallowed grounds the place they are going to be perpetually immortalized and celebrated as honored members of the AMA Bike Corridor of Fame.
“However this occasion is excess of a banquet and ceremony designed to honor the outstanding people who’ve made important contributions to our beloved sport,” Dingman continued. “It additionally serves as a singular alternative for us to unite in our shared mission of safeguarding motorbike historical past for generations but to return.”
Main this yr’s ceremony had been emcees Perry King, a well known actor and director, and motocross rider, sidecar fanatic and sideline reporter Laurette Nicoll, who guided the viewers by the life and accomplishments of the Corridor of Fame inductees.
The AMA Bike Corridor of Fame additionally acknowledged the reminiscences of Corridor of Famers who handed away over the last yr: Earl Bowlby, Fred Fox, Ronnie Rall and Peter Starr.
Supporters and companions for the 2023 AMA Bike Corridor of Fame Induction Ceremony included IronLilly.com, Nationwide Powersports Seller Affiliation, Dealernews, MX Sports activities, Feld Leisure, Bromley Powersports, KTM, Yamaha and Broc Glover.
The AMA Bike Corridor of Fame Class of 2022
Every member of the Class of 2023 was formally inducted into the AMA Bike Corridor of Fame on Thursday, and after receiving their rings and jackets, the inductees addressed the viewers by a speech and Q&A session with the emcees.
Rita Coombs
Born in 1941, Rita Coombs had no concept she would someday be a number one voice in motorbike racing. Though her preliminary profession path was to grow to be a trainer, Coombs — alongside together with her husband Dave — discovered her calling on the earth of bikes after seeing On Any Sunday in 1972.
On Any Sunday had a profound impression on the Coombs, who soon-after started their pursuits on the earth of bike race selling. In 1973, the Coombs started selling their very own AMA novice occasions and opened their very own observe, Appalachia Lake MX in Bruceton Mills, W.V.
The Coombs created the AMA Grand Nationwide Cross Nation sequence, which is the most important and most prestigious off-road sequence on the earth, and the AMA Novice Nationwide Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Since its inaugural working in 1982, the AMA Novice Nationwide Motocross Championship has grown into the premier novice occasion within the sport.
After her husband’s passing in 1998, Coombs continued to run the household enterprise at a excessive degree alongside her kids, Carrie Jo, Tim and Davey. “I’m perpetually grateful,” an emotional Coombs stated. “I simply need to thank all of the riders and our followers who come see us each weekend and who love racing as a lot as we do!”
Ryan Dungey
Possessing one of the noteworthy 10-year runs in motocross/Supercross historical past, Ryan Dungey’s induction into the AMA Bike Corridor of Fame comes as little shock to motorbike racing lovers.
From 2007-’17, Dungey produced 4 AMA Supercross 450SX titles and trio of motocross championships within the 450 class, rising as one of many best rivals the game has ever seen. Past his accomplishments in the US, Dungey additionally spearheaded Workforce USA to 3 straight Motocross of Nations titles from 2009-’11.
Dungey holds the AMA Supercross report for many consecutive podium finishes, touchdown within the high three in 31 consecutive races throughout the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Now, Dungey provides again to the neighborhood by the Ryan Dungey Basis, which goals to assist kids lead wholesome lives and assist these which can be battling most cancers.
“Before everything, congratulations to Grant, Barry, Rita and Travis,” Dungey stated from the Corridor of Fame podium. “It’s an honor to be up right here being inducted into the HOF with all of them. Simply being up here’s a dream come true…I’m grateful for all of the folks in my life who helped me get right here, and this one’s for you guys. You deserve all of the credit score!”
Barry Hawk
Throughout his 20-year racing profession, Barry Hawk displayed a multi-disciplined racing potential that few may emulate.
An eight-time AMA Grand Nationwide Cross Nation Champion, Hawk cemented himself as one of many best off-road rivals the game has ever seen, capturing seven titles aboard an ATV and an extra championship on two wheels.
Starting his skilled profession in 1990, Hawk raced his solution to seven-consecutive GNCC ATV championships from 1993-99 whereas additionally claiming his GNCC Bike Championship in 2003. To this present day, Hawk is the one racer to win GNCC championships on an ATV and bike.
Hawk now serves because the workforce supervisor for the Coastal Fuel Fuel Manufacturing unit Racing Workforce, the place he has supported many racers to GNCC victories.
“Wow, simply wow,” Hawk stated. “I’m so honored and grateful to be right here. Thanks to everybody right here, thanks to everybody that voted for me…and thanks to all the good people who have helped me by the years…it really means rather a lot.”
Grant Langston
As the one racer to win a World MX title, an AMA MX Championship and each AMA Supercross Regional Championships within the 125/250cc divisions, Grant Langston’s spectacular profession led him to the AMA Bike Corridor of Fame.
Hailing from Durban, South Africa, Langston moved to Europe when he was solely 15 years outdated to start his skilled racing pursuits. Simply two years later, Langston secured the 2000 FIM 125cc World Motocross Championship, which resulted in him receiving a deal to compete on the AMA Supercross circuit in 2001.
In 2003, Langston claimed the AMA 125 Nationwide Motocross Championship and added regional 125/250cc Supercross Championships in 2005 and 2006. One yr later, Langston clinched the AMA 450cc Professional Motocross Championship, snapping Ricky Carmichael’s seven-year maintain over the sequence.
Sadly, Langston’s profession was reduce brief after a tumor was present in his eye through the 2008 season, inflicting Langston to expertise imaginative and prescient issues. Since then, Langston has opened his personal multi-brand motorbike dealership and served as a race commentator.
“I’m very humbled, very grateful…I’m misplaced for phrases,” an emotional Langston stated throughout his speech. “I’m stoked to have my title as part of the legacy of the Corridor of Fame!”
Travis Pastrana
Whether or not he was racing his solution to victories on the motocross observe or finishing stupefying stunts, Travis Pastrana captivated audiences whereas aboard two wheels.
After beginning out in motocross, Pastrana turned a stunt rider and lead persona behind the Nitro Circus model, which spans actuality TV, motion pictures and stay performances. Now, Pastrana is ready to grow to be an AMA Bike Corridor of Famer.
At simply 16 years outdated in 1999, Pastrana turned the then-youngest racer to assert an AMA Professional MX title after successful the AMA 125cc Nationwide MX Championship. Pastrana added the 2001 125cc East Supercross title to his resume earlier than setting his sights on the X Video games — the place he produced 17 medals, together with 11 golds.
Because the founding father of the Nitro Circus model, Pastrana helped develop one of many largest leisure entities in motor sports activities. Sparked by his childhood hero Evel Knievel, Pastrana additionally adopted his pursuits to grow to be a profitable stuntman.
“Racing is tough,” Pastrana stated. “Racing takes lots of people and an enormous sacrifice from all people. To get to be the perfect is superb…It means a lot to me that you’d assume to honor me right here tonight, and that is one thing I’ll bear in mind and recognize for the remainder of my life.” The Class of 2023 exhibit, that includes bikes and memorabilia from the 2023 Corridor of Famers will probably be out there for the general public to view beginning Friday, Sept. 15.
Concerning the American Motorcyclist Affiliation
Based in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based affiliation whose mission is to advertise the motorbike life-style and defend the way forward for motorcycling. Because the world’s largest motorcycling rights and occasion sanctioning group, the AMA advocates for riders’ pursuits in any respect ranges of presidency and sanctions hundreds of competitors and leisure occasions yearly. Moreover providing members money-saving reductions on services, the AMA additionally publishes American Motorcyclist, a just lately revitalized and month-to-month full-color journal (and digital model of identical) that covers present occasions and motorbike historical past with sensible images and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist can be North America’s largest-circulation journal. By the AMA Bike Corridor of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For extra data, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Be a part of the AMA in the present day: AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
