FLASHBACK FRIDAY: WHO WAS BOB HANNAH?

For those of you who don’t know the name Bob Hannah, he was a mix of Rick Johnson and Ricky Carmichael long before RJ ad RC became known. Dedicated and hard-charging, Hannah won both outdoor and indoor titles and always exhibited more personality on and off the track than any riders on the circuit today. Hannah came out of the California desert (the same desert that MXA‘s Daryl Ecklund was born and raised in) and Southern California MX scene and first laid waste to the AMA Nationals in 1976 as then unknown factory Yamaha rider. To celebrate Bob, we offer this brief overview of his career which included; one 125 National title, two 250 National titles, three Supercross titles, one Trans-Am title and one MX des Nations title (when he wreaked havoc at a muddy Unadilla in 1987 aboard an RM125).

After being turned down by U.S. Suzuki, Yamaha hired Hannah and he immediately went out did the unthinkable by beating Marty Smith and winning the 125 National title in 1976. His mechanic at the time was Bill Butchka.

Hannah in 1976 (39) racing with the great Pierre Karsmaker (8).

Bob was quite the character on and off the bike. 

Bob jumping Rick Burgett.

After Bob won his 1976 125cc title. 

Bob in 1977.

Bob with the number 1 plate in 1978 with Marty Tripes in the background.

Bob in the mud at the 1978 Atlanta Supercross with Yamaha team manager Ken Clark. 

Bob in 1978 with Keith McCarty holding the pit board.

Bob holding a 1979 MXA upside down. 

Bob making the cover of Motocross Action Mag back in July 1979. 

Bob’s restored 1979 factory Yamaha. 

Bob’s most serious setback came after he broke his leg while water skiing – with arch-nemesis Marty Tripes at the steering wheel. Bob was also one of the handful of riders who started their own clothing line (Hannah Racing Products).

Bob back in 1981. 

Like most MX superstars, Bob took a ride on the Honda team. Here he is racing on a factory Honda in 1983.

Bob in 1985.

Bob Hannah closed out his career as a factory Suzuki rider. Following his days as a racer, Bob took up a new career in racing airplanes at the Reno Air Races.

Jody and Bob. 

Bob with his Reno Air Race plane.