BRUCE OGILVIE TO GO INTO AMA HALL OF FAME POSTHUMOUSLY

Bruce Ogilvie, a multiple Baja winner and manager of American Honda’s offroad championship efforts for years, will be among the legends of motorcycling honored at the 2010 induction ceremony at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 19.

“So few excel at the highest levels of both competition and management, and Bruce Ogilvie was one of the greatest ever in both arenas,” said Jack Penton, AMA director of operations, chairman of the Hall of Fame Off-Road committee and a Hall of Famer himself. “Bruce’s selfless nature, unique leadership abilities, incredible skill on a motorcycle and seemingly limitless knowledge regarding motorcycle development made him not only an asset to his employer, American Honda, but to the motorcycling community as a whole. Bruce embodies the spirit of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and we’re proud to have his memory grace its halls.”

Ogilvie, who grew up attending TT scrambles with his father, Donald, began racing in his teens. He soon became one of AMA District 37’s most accomplished desert racers, and set out to tackle one of motorcycle competition’s most challenging events: Baja. Ogilvie developed into a master Baja racer, collecting victories in the San Felipe 250, the Baja 500 and the Baja 1000 over four decades. Ogilvie was the only racer in history to win the Baja 1000 overall in four different decades, getting his last win in 2003 at the age of 51.

While still competing, Ogilvie branched into management. In 1984, he was hired by American Honda, where he coordinated the company’s off-road racing efforts, served as senior test evaluator for American Honda’s Product Evaluation Department, and developed some of the most impressive racing talent of the next generation.

Ogilvie passed away on April 13, 2009, following an extended illness.

“Bruce loved motorcycles,” said Marcia Ogilvie, his spouse of 15 years. “Everywhere he went, you could see his enthusiasm and his desire for perfection. He was so humble, honest and loyal. He never asked for any recognition, and he never expected anyone to notice what he had done. He was always quiet, but because of his accomplishments, he commanded so much respect from so many in motorcycling.

“It would mean so much to him to be here to experience his induction into the Hall of Fame,” she continued. “Because Bruce was so reserved, you couldn’t always tell if he realized how much he meant to other people, but there are thousands who know what he did for motorcycling, from those he may have just given advice to at a race, to industry leaders. To be honored for what he loved most, well, he would be really happy to know that what he did meant so much to so many.”

Ogilvie joins previously announced members of the AMA Hall of Fame Class of 2010: championship team owner Mitch Payton, AMA 250cc Roadrace Champion David Emde, off-road rights activist Clark Collins, dirt-track racer Don Castro, off-road gear pioneers John and Rita Gregory, sidecar roadrace champion Larry Coleman and legendary two-stroke engine tuner Eyvind Boyesen.