The annual Hall of Fame class for the American Motorcyclist Association was officially unveiled on Saturday. This year’s headliner, in a class of eight new members, is none other than the legendary Ryan Villopoto. The four-time Supercross champion will be enshrined this year, joining Motocross icons such as Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath, among others.
The Poulsbo, WA native is not the only notable member of this year’s class. There were also other recipients who have impacted the overall motorcycle industry in a variety of ways. In short, Villopoto has deserved electees accompanying him.
Rv2
Villopoto is nothing short of an all-time great. Well before he even made it to the 450 class, the Kawasaki stalwart racked up three outdoor titles along with a Supercross championship. His best runs on the small-bore machines, however, came as a member of Team USA in the Motocross Des Nations. He was selected as the team 250 rider in each of his first three years as a professional rider. He responded by scoring five podium results in six motos, along with three moto and Des Nations wins. It was one of the most absurd runs in the history of the event.
Currently, Villopoto ranks fourth in 450 Supercross Main Event victories with 41, and is 12th overall in 450 Motocross wins. That Motocross wins total is misleading, as injuries knocked him out of three of his five 450 seasons. He is also one of two riders to ever win four consecutive 450 Supercross titles, along with the aforementioned victory at McGrath. Mental burnout would see him give the MXGP circuit a shot in 2015. That stint was short-lived, however, as he suffered what ended up being a career-ending injury in Italy.
Villopoto is now an ambassador for the Yamaha brand, and most recently attended the Amateur National Motocross Championships in Tennessee. Congratulations to Rv2 on this prestigious honor.
Class Honors Class
Speaking of the Amateur Championships, country music legend Loretta Lynn will join Villopoto in induction. Her ranch in Hurricane Hills, TN holds a Motocross track that has hosted the Amateur National Championship for Motocross since 1982. The track simply dubbed “Loretta Lynn’s” has been one of the world’s top facilities ever since.
Another female pioneer joining Lynn in this year’s class is Nancy Davidson. If the last name sets off a lightbulb, she was the wife of Harley-Davidson fabricator Willie G. Davidson. Sadly, she recently passed away last month on July 19.
Two men that made hay by manning the wrenches were also tapped this year. Dave Arnold oversaw 60 combined Motocross and Supercross championships in his time with Honda. During his tenure for the red brand from the mid-70s to 2013, he also headed major advancements on the R&D side of things as well. Next is Kenny Tolbert, an iconic tuner in the AMA Grand National series, also now known as American Flat Track. Bikes that he was responsible for compiled well over 100 wins and 11 championships on the flat track scene.
The AMA Class Classics
Finally, a trio of riders. First is Tommy Hays, a pre-World War II era flat track rider who totaled seven championships. Although he passed away at a race in 1941, he still ranks fourth all-time in championships. Next is Gary Denton, who is perhaps one of the greatest ATV racers to ever live. At one point, he won eight straight Grand National titles. Finally, GNCC legend Scott Plessinger. Plessinger was a former two-time GNCC champion as well as a two-time winner of the Hare Scramble. Motocross fans should recognize the last name, as he is the father of Monster Star Yamaha rider Aaron Plessinger.
The AMA will honor the eight inductees at the official AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 15 in Pickerington, OH. Ticketing and reservations can be obtained by visiting www.americanmotorcyclist.com or by calling (614) 856-2221. Availability is limited.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow Jack Gaffney on Twitter @JackGaffneyPTST
Main Image Credit:
Embed from Getty Images
