Gary Nixon
Encyclopedia
Gary Nixon was an American motorcycle
racer who, when on Triumph motorcycles, most notably won the A.M.A. Grand National Championship
in 1967 and 1968. He was also a former winner of the Daytona 200
motorcycle race on a 500cc Triumph
, claiming a victory in the 1967 event. Nixon was also known for his partnership with legendary tuner Erv Kanemoto
when they won the 1973 U.S. National Road Racing
Championship for Kawasaki
. In 1976 he competed at the international level, laying claim to the Formula 750
world championship until international politics denied him that prize. He was inducted into the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in 1998 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
in 2003. He last resided in Maryland
and participated in vintage motorcycle racing as well as testing motorcycles for the locally produced syndicated public TV automotive review program MotorWeek
.
Nixon suffered a heart attack on July 29 2011 and died on August 5 from complications. He was 70.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
racer who, when on Triumph motorcycles, most notably won the A.M.A. Grand National Championship
A.M.A. Grand National Championship
The AMA Grand National Championship is an American motorcycle racing series. The race series, founded and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association in 1954, originally encompassed five distinct forms of competitions including; mile dirt track races, half-mile, short-track, TT...
in 1967 and 1968. He was also a former winner of the Daytona 200
Daytona 200
The Daytona 200 is a 68-lap, motorcycle race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.-History:The race evolved from a beach racing venue in 1937 to the Daytona International Speedway course in 1961....
motorcycle race on a 500cc Triumph
Triumph Tiger Daytona
The Triumph Tiger Daytona is a motorcycle made by Triumph from 1967 to 1974.-Development:The 'Daytona' name was derived from American rider Buddy Elmore's win at the 1966 Daytona 200 race held at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida...
, claiming a victory in the 1967 event. Nixon was also known for his partnership with legendary tuner Erv Kanemoto
Erv Kanemoto
Erv Kanemoto is known as a World Champion motorcycle mechanic and motorcycle race team owner. The son of a farmer, he began boat racing as a child then switched to tuning karts raced by his sister....
when they won the 1973 U.S. National Road Racing
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
Championship for Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
. In 1976 he competed at the international level, laying claim to the Formula 750
Formula 750
Formula 750 was a FIM motorcycle road racing series based on a 750 cubic centimeter engine capacity. The series began in 1973 as a British based series. In 1975 the series was upgraded to European championship status and in 1977, it attained world championship status. The FIM discontinued the class...
world championship until international politics denied him that prize. He was inducted into the AMA
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
in 1998 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a Hall of Fame and museum for American motorsports legends. It was originally located in Novi, Michigan and it moved to the Detroit Science Center in 2009.-Museum:...
in 2003. He last resided in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and participated in vintage motorcycle racing as well as testing motorcycles for the locally produced syndicated public TV automotive review program MotorWeek
MotorWeek
MotorWeek is an American automotive television series. The program premiered in 1981 and is hosted by auto expertJohn H. Davis, who is also the series’ creator and executive producer...
.
Nixon suffered a heart attack on July 29 2011 and died on August 5 from complications. He was 70.
External links
- GaryNixon.com - Official website
- Gary Nixon at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
- Gary Nixon at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of AmericaMotorsports Hall of Fame of AmericaThe Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a Hall of Fame and museum for American motorsports legends. It was originally located in Novi, Michigan and it moved to the Detroit Science Center in 2009.-Museum:...