Written by:
AMA Communications
American Motorcyclist Association
06/03/2009
Pickerington, OH
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce the next member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2009: accomplished racing director Gary Mathers. Mathers -- who produced 48 championships in road racing, dirt track, Supercross and motocross for Honda and Kawasaki -- will be among the motorcycling heroes honored at the 2009 induction ceremony at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this Dec. 5.
"Motorcycle competition is the most thrilling sport in the world, and few individuals have had as much behind-the-scenes success on the modern racing landscape as Gary Mathers," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "Whether it was identifying talented racers before their time, or helping mold those racers and their teams into champions, Mathers was a master at his craft."
Added Don Rosene, chairman of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Committee: "AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame racers such as Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey and Bubba Shobert had one thing in common: Gary Mathers. Mathers' racing teams with Kawasaki and later with Honda dominated the '80s. He led and guided racers in all aspects of professional motorcycle racing. His dominance was unheralded, and he is well deserving of membership in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame."
Mathers' keen eye for talent discovered Lawson and Rainey while Mathers was with Kawasaki. Both riders would graduate from his tutelage to become 500cc Grand Prix World Champions. Mathers then moved to American Honda Motor Co., where over the course of 16 years he would produce a total of 48 championships in dirt track, motocross, Supercross and road race, including Honda's satellite teams. With Mathers at the helm, Honda won two championships every year except for one.
"I never thought anything like this would happen," Mathers said. "When I got the call, I couldn't believe it. This is a really great way to top off a career."
