PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Seven-time American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Grand National Champion Chris Carr is without question one of the greatest dirt-track racers of all time. The quintessential competitor and Motorcycle Hall of Famer has thrilled fans for decades. In 2011, racing with support from the AMA, Carr will call it a career, but not before adding another chapter to his legacy.
“Chris Carr’s success is a product of dedication, hard work, talent and self-made opportunity,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “These are all attributes that Chris honed in AMA amateur competition, starting with amateur dirt-rack racing’s premier event, the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships.
“In recognition of Chris’ amazing career and his years of representing AMA-sanctioned competition with excellence and professionalism, we’re pleased to support his final full season of chasing the AMA Pro Racing Grand National Championship No. 1 plate,” Dingman added.
As part of his partnership with the AMA, Carr will join the Association in its mission to promote and protect the motorcycling lifestyle. Carr will help spread the word about issues affecting motorcycling and promote the benefits of AMA membership during his farewell tour.
“I’ve been an AMA member for 41 years–ever since I can remember–and everything I’ve accomplished is a result of being aligned with the AMA, from amateur racing as a kid to a pro racing and land-speed racing as an adult,” said Carr. “In a lot of ways, I consider the AMA an extension of my family, which encompasses all of motorcycling.
“Because of that, I’m honored that the AMA has chosen to support me in my last year of flat-track racing,” he said. “I look forward to the opportunity to continue to spread the world about the AMA to all motorcyclists, as we continue to fight for motorcyclists’ rights in an ever-changing political environment. If you’re not a member of the AMA, you should be, to help protect our rights to ride and enjoy the sport we love.”
During Daytona Bike Week, Chris Carr will be appearing at Oglethorpe Speedway in Savannah, Ga., for the All-Star National Flat Track Series March 4, at Destination Daytona just north of Daytona Beach March 5, at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville March 6, and at the AMA Grand National Championship kick-off races at Daytona International Speedway March 10 and 11.
Born May 6, 1967, in Stockton, Calif., Carr’s amateur racing father put him on a motorcycle at a young age. Growing up a few miles from the Lodi Cycle Bowl, Carr started competing at the age of 6 on a 38cc Moto Villa. Four decades later, Carr had collected seven Grand National Championships and was second on the all-time win list behind fellow Hall of Famer Scott Parker.
In addition to his success on the dirt oval, Carr is one of the world’s leading land-speed racers. In 2006, Carr became the fastest man on two wheels when he set a motorcycle land speed record of 350.884 mph piloting Denis Manning’s BUB Enterprises streamliner at the AMA/FIM International Motorcycle Speed Trials by BUB on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Although Rocky Robinson and Mike Akatiff surpassed them in 2008, Carr and Manning returned in 2009 to reclaim the crown, logging 367.382 mph through the measured mile.
To learn more about Carr’s farewell tour, search on Facebook for “Chris Carr Farewell to Flat Track Tour.” For the 2011 AMA Pro Racing Grand National Championship schedule, see AMAProRacing.com.
