IN
THE
WIND
P28
ENDURO LEGEND
PASSES
T
he motorcycle world lost one of its legends
with the passing of seven-time AMA Grand
National Enduro Champion Bill Baird, July 12.
Baird, who was in his late 80s, suffered a fall
at his home earlier this year from which he never
recovered. At the time of the fall, complications
resulted in paralysis and loss of speech; he had
spent time in a rehab facility in Morrison, Illinois.
Not only was Baird an accomplished motorcycle
racer, he also served as an AMA official and board
member for many years. Millie Baird, Bill's wife,
was a member of the Rock River Riders and the
Motor Maids and was voted the Most Popular Fe-
male rider back in the 1960s. Baird's seven titles
came in succession, from 1962 through 1968.
"We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the
Baird family. It's a sad day for the American Mo-
torcyclist Association and for motorcycling," AMA
President and CEO Rob Dingman said. "Bill Baird,
with his wife, Millie, was a strong supporter of the
AMA and played a key role in getting the American
Motorcycle Heritage Foundation started."
According to the AMA, visitation is scheduled
for July 21, with the funeral scheduled to take
place July 22. McDonald Funeral Home in Ster-
ling, Illinois, is handling arrangements.
Click here for a complete bio. CN
GRANT UNDERGOES KNEE SURGERY
M
onster Energy Kawasaki's Josh Grant
underwent knee surgery after injuring it
during the first moto at the July 8 Southwick
MX National, round seven of the 2017 Lucas
Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.
Grant, who recently turned 31, was having
a solid year, but he also had a fair bit of bad
luck, with flat tires and other gremlins hamper-
ing his efforts. He missed the Tennessee Na-
tional after going down in practice. He started
the 2017 outdoor series with three consecutive
moto podium finishes.
It is not yet known if he'll
return to action before the
end of the outdoor cham-
pionship. CN
Kawasaki's Josh
Grant underwent
knee surgery. It
is not yet known
when he'll get
back on the bike.
