Gary Nixon (January 25 1941 – August 5 2011) was an American motorcycle racer who most notably won the A.M.A. Grand National Championship in 1967 and 1968.[1] He was also a former winner of the Daytona 200 motorcycle race, claiming a victory in the 1967 event.[2] 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.[1] In 1976 he competed at the international level, laying claim to the Formula 750 world championship until international politics denied him that prize.[3] He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2003.[1][4] 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*************************************************
The entire racing and vintage motorcycle community morns the loss of Gary Nixon, who died today in a Baltimore hospital at age 70 from complications after a heart attack a few days ago.
In his life he accomplished so much and was a motivation to so many. The times he brought the crowds to their feet thrilled us with his competitiveness, all moments in time that will be long remembered.
Gary was a skilled opponent and a provoking team mate, those who raced with and against him, regardless of their opinion of him personally all admired him for his resolve.
In his later life he was the “Champion”, continuing to be the hard charger and always straight forward speaking his mind as he saw it. Gary attended a number of events, signing autographs and talking about the glory days of racing during the Golden Age of Motorcycles.
Gary, I’m sure you can now see how many of us were true fans and how you touched us at racing tracks all over the world. Rest now buddy, soon we’ll meet and maybe we can take a few laps together.
