American Motorcyclist Association Mourns Passing of Hall of Famer Steve Wise
PICKERINGTON, Ohio—The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced the death of Hall of Famer Steve Wise at the age of 68. Known for his remarkable versatility, Wise remains the only racer to secure wins in AMA Motocross, AMA Supercross, and AMA Superbike nationals.
Wise’s storied career began in McAllen, Texas, where he was influenced by his father, Gary, to pursue motorcycle racing. By 1974, Wise had captured the Texas State Motocross Championship and began competing in AMA nationals at just 17 years old. Riding for Kawasaki and Honda, he achieved a career-best third place in the 1980 AMA 250 National Motocross Championship, including a win at the Red Bud 250cc National.
His prowess extended beyond motocross. In the early 1980s, Wise excelled in the ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition, winning twice in 1980 and 1981, a feat that helped him secure a contract for the 1982 AMA road racing season. He narrowly lost the Formula One championship that same year, just three points shy of Mike Baldwin, and made a notable podium debut in the AMA Grand National Dirt Track.
In 1983, Wise made history by becoming the first National-class motocross winner to also capture an AMA Superbike National title at Mid-Ohio. However, injuries soon curtailed his promising Superbike career, leading to early retirement.
Post-racing, Wise became an ordained minister and launched a real estate investment firm. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2001 and served as the Grand Marshal for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in 2023.
The motorsports community remembers Wise not only for his achievements on the track but also for his lasting impact in the sport.
