Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1060787
IN THE WIND P24 against some of the greatest riders in America during his career, including AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Dick Burleson, Randy Hawkins, Larry Roeseler, Scott Summers and Jeff Fredette. Cunningham won the title in 1982, and then again in 1984, 1985 and 1986. His other awards included six International Six Days Enduro gold medals and a silver medal. Gary Davis: Gary Davis has spent more than 30 years in show busi- ness. He performed, coordinated and directed stunts in more than 280 films, 250 television episodes and 190 commercials. His longtime con- tributions have showcased the thrills of motorcycling to millions through the reach of Hollywood. Skip Eaken: Skip Eaken was a motorcycle racing tuner from Lodi, Ohio, who began building competi- tive and reliable flat track racers in the 1970s. He notched his first Grand National victory in 1983 with Ted Boody riding an Eaken-prepped Harley-Davidson. Eaken is best known as the me- chanic who worked on AMA Motor- cycle Hall of Famer Bubba Shobert's factory Honda motorcycles in the 1980s, when Shobert won three AMA Grand National Championships, collecting an AMA Superbike title and 28 Grand National flat track wins. After Honda scaled back its fac- tory racing programs, Eaken contin- ued tuning flat track and road racing motorcycles until his passing in 2012. Nicky Hayden: Known as "The Kentucky Kid," Nicky Hayden was a force on the American motorcycle racing scene before taking his talent to the world stage, ultimately winning motorcycle racing's grandest title, the FIM MotoGP world champion- ship in 2006. Clifford "Corky" Keener: Clifford "Corky" Keener was a professional flat track racer during the 1970s. Known by the nickname "Mr. Dirt," he worked as an electrician for General Motors Corporation while he was getting his racing career started. He almost quit racing when his re- sults did not improve, but he decided to stick with it and eventually became a factory Harley-Davidson rider. Keener won five AMA Grand National races during his career. He raced during a talent-filled era that often had him banging bars with the likes of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Kenny Roberts and Jay Springsteen. Keener raced through the 1980 season. Mary McGee: Mary McGee was among the first women to race motorcycles in motocross and road racing events in the United States. McGee was introduced to auto racing by her husband, Don, in the 1950s. In 1957, she learned to ride motorcycles on a 200cc Triumph Tiger Cub she bought from a friend and later took up motorcycle road racing to try to improve her car racing skills. Switching to dirt riding in 1963, McGee started her off-road career by riding a 1962 250cc Honda Scrambler in an AMA District 37 en- duro. She began riding Baja events in 1967 and, in 1975, rode solo in the Baja 500. Also during the 1970s, McGee worked for Motorcyclist magazine and joined editors Jody Nichols, Brad Zimmerman and Rich Cox for a 24-hour road race in Las Vegas, in which the team changed riders every hour on a 650cc Suzuki. In more recent years, she has re- turned to competing in vintage races, while speaking out in support of women racers and recreational riders getting started in motorcycling. CN The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2018 (L-R): Gary Davis, Nicky Hayden family rep Tommy Hayden, Terry Cunningham, Skip Eaken's widow, Linda Eaken, Clifford "Corky" Keener and Mary McGee. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF KARDAS