Dick Mann: Honoring Motorcyle Racing’s SuperMann

By Motorcycle Classics Staff
Published on July 18, 2007
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Motorcycle racing legend Dick Mann heading for the win on his BSA triple at Daytona in 1971.
Motorcycle racing legend Dick Mann heading for the win on his BSA triple at Daytona in 1971.
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Dick Mann gets some serious air on his G50 Matchless at the 1965 Ascot TT.
Dick Mann gets some serious air on his G50 Matchless at the 1965 Ascot TT.

“SuperMann,” an all-new exhibit honoring the legendary career of Dick Mann, one of motorcycling racing’s most versatile and successful competitors, opens this summer at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio.

Mann, who was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998, will return as guest of honor on Thursday, July 27, 2006, to personally cut the ribbon during the SuperMann exhibit dedication ceremony at 6 p.m. The ceremony is open to the public.

Mann was indeed a competitor with Superman-like qualities. He was the first individual in history to win every category of AMA Grand National competition, is a two-time Daytona 200 winner, a two-time AMA Grand National Champion and a 24-time AMA National race winner. Not only did Mann win more races in more categories than anyone else, he brought home the trophies for longer than most. Competing in over 230 AMA nationals, including dirt track, road racing and motocross, Mann was in hot pursuit of the checkered flag for over 25 years, scoring top 10 finishes when other racers were long retired.

SuperMann, the third in a series of Legends exhibits at the Museum, will celebrate the highlights of Mann’s numerous championship seasons as well as his professional achievements and contributions to the sport, including his current work for the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA). Featured exhibit bikes will likely include BSA, Matchless, Ossa, Yankee and Honda road race, dirt track and motocross bikes – all raced or developed by Dick Mann.

Visitors will also enjoy artifacts and memorabilia from Mann’s prolific career, many of them on loan from Mann as well as from private collections. Ephemera includes Mann’s Grand National Championship leathers, trophies, early design concepts for Yankee Motorcycles and other unique items that help tell the story of SuperMann.

True to the philosophy behind all Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum exhibits, SuperMann doesn’t simply present the hardware — it delves deep into the stories behind the legend. This mission is expertly accomplished by SuperMann curator, Motorcycle Hall of Fame member and historian Ed Youngblood. Youngblood, an award-winning author, also penned the Dick Mann biography, Mann of His Time.

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