Dick Mann

Dick Mann (born June 13, 1934) is an American former professional motorcycle racer. He was a two-time winner of the A.M.A. Grand National Championship. Mann was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1993, and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998. He was one of the few riders to ride and Observed Trials as well as dirt flat tracks, TT (tourist trophy) and road racing.

Mann was the second-winningest rider in AMA Grand National Series history with 24 national victories. His career on the pro circuit spanned the early 1950s to the mid-'70s. He was known for being one of the most talented and versatile riders, and for wearing a cheap straw hat while working on his motorcycle.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mann rode his first motorcycle as a teenager when he delivered papers on a Cushman scooter in Richmond, California. He learned how to ride dirt competitively on a cinder running track at the area schools. He would also ride on the cow trails in the area, experiences that would later help him in motocross. After high school, he started helping at fellow Motorcycle Hall of Fame member Hap Alzina's BSA shop in Oakland as a mechanic.

In the summer of 1954 he started touring as an amateur with professional Al Gunter. Mann turned expert in 1955, and finished seventh on a Harley-Davidson in his first Grand National race, the Daytona 200. At this time, the race was held on the Daytona Beach Road Course. He slowly made a name for himself in his first three years, and he finished in the top ten in the season points for the first time in 1957. Mann had a second-place finish at the Daytona 200 and Laconia in 1958. He had his first national victory at the Peoria, Illinois Tourist Trophy (TT) in 1959. He finished second in points in that year.

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