Saturday, June 2, 2012

AMA Hall of Fame Announces Sue Fish as Addition to 2012 Inductees


Pioneering female motocross racer Sue Fish to be inducted into AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- June 1, 2012 -- The American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the second member of the induction class of 2012. Pioneering female motocross racer Sue Fish, the 1976 and 1977 Women's National Motocross Champion, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2012 AMA Legends Weekend at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 16-17.

"Sue Fish stands tall among all competitors for making a difference in motorcycling as an early pioneer in motocross, and her induction to our AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame will share with the world what we all know -- that her career has inspired so many woman to join us in our joy for riding and racing motorcycles," said Tom White, a member of the board of directors of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which raises funds for the Hall of Fame. "Congratulations, Sue, and thank you!"

In addition to dominating the female ranks, Fish, who currently lives in Santa Barbara, Calif., was one of the first women motocross racers to hold a professional racing license from the AMA and compete regularly against men. Known by the nickname, "The Flying Fish," she raced in the AMA 125cc National Motocross Championship. Fish's talents extended beyond motocross when she competed in the 1978 Subaru International Motorcycle Olympiad, a two-day event encompassing all types off off-road racing. Fish also competed on asphalt, racing in the men's expert ranks in 600cc roadracing classes.

Fish put her talents to work on the big screen as well, working as a Hollywood stuntwoman. Her credits include "Terminator" and "Footloose." She also traveled as part of Evel Knievel's stunt show in Australia.

"I was just a young gal doing what I love to do: riding motorcycles," Fish said. "Motocross is a sport that I love with every cell in my body, and I just feel incredibly honored to be recognized for the sport I so loved. Motorcycling was my way of life. It gave me a way of looking at things that taught me so many wonderful lessons about life."

Even though she inspired so many woman racers to chase their dreams on the motocross track, Fish said that as a young woman racer she never viewed that as her purpose.

"I don't really consider myself a pioneer," she said. "I was just riding motorcycles. I never had an agenda. Yes, there was a lot of press, but for me it was never about proving a point. I just loved riding. Ever since my father put me on the tank of his motorcycle when I was three years old, I've had to be on a motorcycle, and it was that love of riding that drove me."

Fish was born Nov. 9, 1958. Her father, who competed in dirt track and hare scrambles, taught her how to ride when she was 11. By 14, she started racing, winning her first race that year. At age 19, she advanced to the AMA Pro Racing national circuit. Her final professional race was the 1985 Women's National Championship at LACR in California, where she ultimately finished third after running out of fuel in the final moto. Since her retirement from racing, Fish has focused on personal fitness training and mountain bike racing, where she raced for the Factory Yeti team and was a consistent top finisher in National Off-Road Bicycle Association competition.

Fish is the second member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame class of 2012 to be announced. She joins the late Rod Bush, KTM North America president and industry visionary. The rest of the 2012 inductees will be announced in random order in the coming weeks.

The class of 2012 will officially be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Nov. 16 as part of the AMA Legends Weekend. The weekend also includes the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dave Mungenast Memorial Concours d'Elegance on Saturday, Nov. 17, featuring many of the country's most impressive original and restored classic motorcycles.

In addition to the current class, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction ceremony shines the spotlight on two previously inducted members of the Hall of Fame, reminding the motorcycling community of the amazing careers of these Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends. For 2012, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends will be 1998 inductees Malcolm Smith, a pioneer in off-road motorcycling and a star in the motorcycle documentary "On Any Sunday," and Mert Lawwill, the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion whose title defense was the central theme of the timeless film.

Tickets for the AMA Legends Weekend are now available through this online registration form:
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5r7zy8ea4316694&llr=vw9ldxbab or by calling (800) 342-5464.

The AMA Legends Weekend will be held at the Las Vegas Red Rock Resort, a world-class spa, hotel and casino, featuring a range of entertainment, dining and family-friendly attractions. The facility's expansive ballrooms provide a stunning backdrop for the AMA Legends Weekend. Room reservations are available now at a special group rate by calling (866) 767-7773 and referencing group code RCIAME or AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST. Online room reservations are available at
RedRockLasVegas.com.

More information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame can be found at
MotorcycleMuseum.org.

About the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation

Founded in 1990 by the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, the goal of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. Located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, the Museum's three major exhibition halls feature the machines and memorabilia of those who have contributed notably to the sport. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering.
 
More information can be found at MotorcycleMuseum.org. 
 
Contact: James Holter
Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280
E-mail:
jholter@ama-cycle.org
 

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