“One man has achieved more than any other in America’s
grandest and oldest off-road racing discipline: Dick Burleson,”
said Ken Ford, a member of the Hall of Fame executive
committee and treasurer of the AMA board of directors. “We are
pleased to recognize Mr. Burleson as our 2016 AMA Motorcycle
Hall of Fame Legend and showcase the drive, athleticism, talent
and focus that powered him to eight consecutive AMA National
Enduro Championships.”
Burleson, who was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1999, will
be honored Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Orange County Convention
Center in Orlando alongside the Class of 2016.
RACING FEATURE:
Hillclimbs
“First of all, I would like to congratulate all the members of the
Class of 2016 for being elected to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of
Fame,” Burleson said. “As for me, I’m humbled to be selected
as the 2016 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend. It’s a great
honor to be recognized among other legends of motorcycling.
Hillclimbs are essentially one-person drag races up the face of
I can’t wait for the ceremony in Orlando. It’s going to be an a challenging hill, with each rider allowed at least two attempts
amazing time.”
to conquer the hill. The winner is the rider who climbs the hill
For 2016, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction the quickest or, if no one reaches the top, makes it the farthest.
Ceremony includes a formal sit-down dinner. Tickets are $130
Some hills are speed hills, where most riders make it to the
per person. AMA Life Members pay $120. AMA Motorcycle Hall top and speed determines the winner. Other hills are technical,
of Famers can attend for no charge. Reservations can be made where few riders reach the summit and the length a rider makes
here:www.americanmotorcyclist.com/induction.
it up the hill determines where he or she places.
From 1974 to 1981, Dick Burleson won eight consecutive AMA
National Enduro Championships, a record so extraordinary that
it may never be broken. In addition to his incredible domestic
record, Burleson also won eight consecutive gold medals in the
International Six Days Trials (now called the International Six
Days Enduro).
The best amateur riders in the country compete every year
in the AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship. This year, the AMA
Hill Climb Grand Championship was held July 30-31, in Neoga,
IL. As with most AMA amateur national championships, and in
recognition of the range of participants in amateur competition,
the event includes multiple classes to provide ample opportunity
While Burleson’s first sport was motocross, earning AMA for amateur racers to compete. Both age-, displacement- and
recognition as the national motocross champion in 1970 before bike-configuration classes are featured.
the creation of the national series, he is one of the all-time greats
2016 AMA Hill Climb Grand Championship, Neoga IL July 30among American off-road racers.
31, 2016
The Class of 2016 includes road racing champion Miguel
Photos by Jen Muecke for the American Motorcyclist
Duhamel, Indian motorcycle designer and engineer Charles Association, reprinted with permission.
Franklin, racer and tuner Chris Haines, engine builder Dennis
Mahan, race frame builder Jeff Cole, desert racer Jack Johnson,
motorcycling pioneer Gloria Struck and dirt track racer Ronnie
Jones.
They will be honored along with Burleson, now an AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend. Legends are Hall of Famers
whose accomplishments transcend their categories in impactful
ways. In addition to Burleson, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Legends include Mark Black well, “Willie G.” Davidson, Roger
DeCoster, Torsten Hallman, Bob Hannah, Mert Lawwill, Wayne
Rainey, Kenny Roberts and Malcolm Smith.
For the third year, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction
Ceremony is held in conjunction with the American International
Motorcycle Expo, an event that brings together consumers,
dealers, manufacturers and the world press in one location for
global product launches, demo rides, motorcycling seminars
and more.
www.thunderroadscolorado.com
October 2016
Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 9