Jimmy Lewis, ORMHOF Class of 2024

Jimmy Lewis – Motorcycle

Jimmy Lewis began racing motorcycles at 8 years old and reached the top levels of competition in America, and globally. His wins include Class and Stage wins at Dakar, Overall Wins at Dubai Rally, Baja 1000, and Incas Rally. Jimmy is a 4-Time International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) Gold Medalist, AMA 125cc National Champion, 250cc National Champion, Enduro National Champion, multi-time AMA District 37 125cc and 250cc winner, and the ISDE Jr World Champion.

Jimmy’s BMW race team bio from 2000 says that Jimmy actually loves three things:  His home state of California, riding a motorcycle, and the deserts of this world. “I guess I just like to be free,” said Jimmy. “To ride a bike and be at one with nature is the greatest thing I can imagine.”  His love of motorcycles had a benefit in his academic career. “My parents imposed just one condition,” Jimmy said, “if my school grades were OK, I could stay out and ride my motorcycle as long as I liked!”  After high school Jimmy went on to earn a BA in Communication Arts, earning respect as a journalist as Offroad Editor of Cycle World Magazine for 11 years, Editor in Chief of Dirt Rider Magazine for eight years, and a contributor to Cycle World Magazine.  Jimmy has his own website, Dirtbike Test, where he posts equipment and product reviews. He has also operated the Jimmy Lewis Off-Road Training School in Pahrump, Nevada with his wife Heather for the past twenty-five years.

After retiring from competition, Jimmy remains an absolute motorcycle enthusiast. He has continued a long and highly respected career as a known coach, journalist, product test rider, race and rally promoter, course director, land use advocate, trail ambassador, and dedicated mentor.  Johnny has purposefully worked to advance American riders to top success globally, coaching and helping them to surpass his impressive record.

“What is important to know is that Jimmy is a person of few words,” said Rebelle Rally founder Emily Miller, “he is not into surface appearances, fluff hospitality, or small talk. He has dedicated his life to the sport, performance, the equipment, the development of talent, the trails and terrain. He expects nothing less than absolute grit, determination and excellence. Talk is cheap. Jimmy cares about the walk the journey and the outcomes of dedication.”

Jimmy received a Hall of Fame Impact Award in 2017 for his work as course director for the Rebelle Rally and King of the Motos, the grueling motorcycle version of the legendary King of the Hammers race. When NORRA recently decided to add a motorcycle component, they called on Jimmy Lewis to serve as Motorcycle Race Director.

Emily Miller acknowledges that, “While Jimmy has earned a living in the sport, many of his hours and efforts are not compensated. He is 100% dedicated to every aspect of the sport and off-road – not for money, fame, or awards. It’s just who he is. His no BS, straight-forward, commitment to every aspect of two-wheels (and four) has left the sport and off-road thoroughly elevated.”

The ORMHOF Class of 2024, Ken Block, Marlin Czajkowski, Johnny Greaves, Jimmy Lewis, Rod Millen, Jon Nelson, Mike Pearlman, John Rettie, Jimmy Smith, Pete Sohren, Scott Steinberger, and Evelyn Tallman-Duceshi, will be inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame on November 3, the Sunday before The SEMA Show, at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Tickets are now on sale for Off-Road's Biggest Night of the Year, the 2024 ORMHOF Induction & Awards Gala. A special room rate is available for Gala attendees at the South Point. 

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The mission of the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame is to educate and inspire present and future generations of the off-road community by celebrating the achievements of those who came before.  Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductees represent excellence and achievement in many areas of off-road, including advocacy, journalism, industry, rock sports, desert racing, short course, and rally.  

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 The Hall of Fame Off-Road Registry invites clubs, organizations, events, businesses, and individuals with fifty years or more of history in off-road to apply for Hall of Fame heritage status in the official archives of the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. 

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