MX Legend Ricky Johnson Named “Legend of the Sport”

Ricky Johnson, the motocross legend of the 1980s, is set to be honoured as a ‘Legend of the Sport’ at the upcoming Quail Motorcycle Gathering held by the Quail Golf Club in Monterey.

Johnson, a seven-times AMA National Champion in both supercross and motocross disciplines in the 1980s, is already a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. A dominant force in ‘80s motocross, Johnson was a part of the famous, victorious 1986 Team USA at the Motocross of Nations in Maggiora, and in 1987 won both the 250cc and 500cc AMA Pro Motocross titles. 

Johnson’s motocross career ended in 1991, when he was only 26, as a result of a wrist injury sustained at the 1989 Gainesville National. 

"I am thrilled to be honoured at this year's event," said Johnson ahead of the Quail Motorcycle Gathering. "The Quail has such a diverse selection of motorcycles, new and old, and I can't wait to swap stories with fellow riders on the lawn."

"We are proud to honour Ricky Johnson as our 2024 Legend of the Sport for his passion and immense success in motorsports," said Kai Lerman, managing director at The Quail Golf Club. "Legend of the Sport is meant to honor iconic individuals that have made significant contributions to motorcycling, and we could not think of anyone more deserving of this title."

The Quail Motorcycle Gathering event begins with it The Quail Ride on 3 May, where participants will ride for 100 miles through the backroads of the Monterey Peninsula and parade laps around the Laguna Seca circuit.

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Image credit: The Quail.