David Emde Joins the 2010 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

The second member announced by AMA for the 2010 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class after renown team manager Mitch Payton, is AMA 250cc Roadrace Champion David Emde. He began racing on the dirt track in the early 1970s, but switched to road racing in 1975. He also raced superbikes and was an endurance racing enthusiast.

"Few racers have exhibited the versatility and consistency that David Emde brought to the track every time he competed -- particularly in what many consider a true golden era of motorcycle dirt-track and roadracing competition," said Jack Penton, AMA director of operations and a Hall of Famer himself. "His story is one that all motorcyclists can appreciate, and we're looking forward to telling it in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame."

Emde is also recognized for his success aboard BMW motorcycles in the early years of the AMA Battle Of The Twins class. After his racing career came to an end, Emde worked in the motorcycle retail industry, did motorcycle camera work for films and was an instructor at the DP High Performance Motorcycle Riding Schools, among others. Unfortunately, he died in a street motorcycle crash in 2003.

"This is just incredible to have him inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame," David’s brother, Don, said. "My dad would be particularly proud -- mom and dad, both, since we were such a motorcycling family."

As said, Emde is the second of nine members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2010. All the members will be announced throughout this month, with the induction ceremony scheduled to take place on November 19, at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas.