AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame names 2025 nominees, opens voting

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has unveiled 17 distinguished nominees for the 2025 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction class, celebrating pioneers and legends from around the world of motorcycling. Voting is open through June 16 for AMA Life Members and select AMA leadership and committee members.

Nominees span eight categories: Ambassadors & Industry, Design & Engineering, Dirt Track, Leadership & Rights, Motocross & Supercross, Off-Road, Road Racing, and Specialty Competition. Here’s a look at the Class of 2025 nominees:

Non-Competition Nominees

• Dana Bell (Leadership & Rights): A former AMA Government Relations Western States Representative and AMA Motorcycling Advocate Award winner, Bell worked to protect rider rights nationwide.
  
• Chris Carter (Ambassadors & Industry): Founder of Motion Pro, with over 30 patents and extensive industry sponsorships. Also, a motorcycle historian and former ISDT gold medalist.
  
• Selvaraj Narayana (Ambassadors & Industry): KTM executive and global brand builder Narayana helped elevate the company in AMA Supercross and received the AMA Dud Perkins Award in 2020.
  
• Donald Rich (Design & Engineering): Aftermarket innovator best known for creating the Thunderheader exhaust system, Rich built a lasting legacy in the Harley-Davidson world.
  
• John Taylor (Design & Engineering): Founder of Yankee Motors and creator of the 500Z, Taylor was also an ISDT competitor and major importer of Bultaco and Ossa motorcycles.
  
• Michael Czysz (Design & Engineering): Visionary designer behind MotoCzysz and a dominant force in Isle of Man electric racing. His e-bike innovations continue through licensing.
  
• Eraldo Ferracci (Road Racing): Founder of Fast by Ferracci, builder of championship-winning Ducati machines. An inductee in the FIM World Superbike Hall of Fame.
  
• Richard Gross (Dirt Track): A tuner for the Indian Wrecking Crew in the 1950s, Gross pioneered cam and weight-saving innovations that revolutionized flat-track racing.
  
• Charles Umbenhauer (Leadership & Rights): A 30-year motorcycle rights advocate in Pennsylvania, known for legislative wins on helmet choice, parking, and education funding.
  
• Ryan Young (Specialty Competition): Six-time consecutive AMA/NATC Trials Champion and influential coach through Ryan Young Products, shaping modern U.S. trials riding.

Competition Nominees

• Bill Ballance (Off-Road): Nine-time GNCC ATV XC1 champion and winner of 67 national events, Ballance is one of the most dominant figures in ATV racing history.
  
• Colin Edwards (Road Racing): The “Texas Tornado” is a two-time World Superbike Champion (2000, 2002), AMA 250cc Grand Prix Champion, and MotoGP podium regular. He now runs the Texas Tornado Boot Camp.
  
• Jerry Griffith (Dirt Track): As the mastermind behind Honda’s RS750, Griffith engineered the bike that earned five AMA Grand National Championships and 81 national wins.
  
• Billy Hamill (Specialty Competition): Speedway legend and 1996 FIM World Champion, Hamill also won five AMA National Speedway titles and the 1998 World Team Cup for the U.S.
  
• Joe Kopp (Dirt Track): 2000 AMA Grand National Champion and two-time AMA Supertracker Champion. One of only 15 riders to complete the Dirt Track Grand Slam.
  
• Carl Patrick (Dirt Track): Acclaimed engine builder and tuner behind 20 AMA Grand National Championship wins, Patrick-powered riders like Hank Scott and Joe Kopp.
  
• Chad Reed (Motocross/Supercross): Australian standout and two-time AMA Supercross Champion with 61 career wins. He holds AMA records for most Supercross starts and podiums.

The 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on October 23 in Pickerington, Ohio. Voting is open through June 16.