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/128403
Happenings in Motorcycling :.: " i!' z UJ :.: >- m ~ I Q. The ~ Hall of Fame Class of 2005: (seated, left to right) Clarence Fleming (nepIww Bill JohnSMl), Georgia Cales (widow of Tom Cales), Jeny Branch; (slanding, left to right) Keith Nicholson (SMl of Nick NichoISMl), T.C. Chrim..-n, Scott Russell, Doug Henry, Gavin Trippe, Heldl Holland (daughter of Ralph Bemclt). On Sawrday. October 8, the 2005 Motoreyde Hall of Fame held its annual induction ceremony. Nine inductees were added to the list of the most influential, important figures of motorcycling's past. The 2005 inductees included Bill johnson, Doug Henry, Gavin Trippe, jerry Branch, Nick Nicholson, Ralph Berndt. Scott Russell, T.e. Christenson and Tom Cates. The inductees were on hand to enjoy a weekend of ceremonies including the 2005 Concours d'Elegance, autograph sessions, the Hall of Fame dinner and the aerual induction ceremony. Below is a brief recap of what the inductees did for motorcycling. Bill JohftSMl Bill johnson helped establish Triumph Motorcycles in the United States. His company, Johnson Motors, imported and sold British-made motorcycles starting in the late 19305. when foreign-made motorcycles were a rare sight on American roads. johnson also helped revolutionize the way motorcycles were sold. He opened a dealership in Pasadena, Califomia. on a busy street in the high-rent dis- Nick Nicholson didn't just know how to win, he knew how to flash a winning smile. Note the resemblance to his son Keith, who accepted the 2005 Motarcycle Hall of Fame medal on his father's behalf. 80 NOVEMBER 9,2005 • CYCLE NEWS July 5, 1948 - Triumph Engineering Company Umited, packing department, featuring a consignment of machines for Los Angeles: export manager Mr. H.E. Holland, Mr. W.E. Johnson Jr. of Johnson Motors Incorporated, California, (Triumph distributors In the United Stotes), and Mr. E. Turner, managing director of Triumph Engineering Co. Ltd. trict of town. The dealership featured a roomy two-story showroom with fIoor-to-eeiling glass that tastefully displayed the machines. johnson also believed in racing as an excellent form of advertising. He backed many of the leading riders of the 19405 through the 19605 and sponsored many racing events across the United States during the same period. Doug Henry Doug Henry was a three-time AMA Motocross National Champion in the 19905. He was on the leading edge of a revolution in professional motocross racing in the late 19905, when Henry became the first prominent rider to race four-stroke machines in national competition against a sea of traditional two-stroke motorcycles. A few years after Henry became the first four-stroke rider in AMA Motocross history to win a National Championship in 1998, AMA Motocross Championship racing would become almost exclusively the domain of four-stroke bikes. After retiring from motocross full time, Henry went on to become one of the leading superrnoto riders in the world. Ralph Berndt always had an eagle-eye far transforming "his" race bikes into winners. Gavin Trippe Gavin Trippe was one of the most important race promoters and publishers in motorcycling dUring the 19705 and '80s. His company, Trippe/Cox Productions, produced the first United States Motocross Grand Prix in Carlsbad, Califomia, in 1973. He also promoted the first AMA national road race at Ontario (California) Motor Speedway. the Champion Spark Plug 200, and after the demise of the speedway. he took that event to laguna Seca Raceway to start the current history of motorcycle racing in Monterey. Trippe was a key player in the formation of the AMA Superbike Championship. He was the first promoter to see the value of Superbike racing and gave the fledging dass national exposure by making it part of the AMA national road races at Laguna Seca. Jerry Branch Jerry Branch eamed a reputation as one of the best engineers of racing motors in the second half of the 20th century. He specialized in engine airflow and worked extensively with Harley-Davidson, helping develop the heads for Ran Mousouris of Santo Barbara, California, and his immaculately restored 1957 Handa Benly took "Best of Show" honors at the 2005 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d'Elegance. A young Scott Russell already shows his inimitobl steel-eyed focus - the mark of a true champion.