SuperMann: The Legendary Career of Dick Mann

“SuperMann” honors the legendary career of Dick Mann, one of motorcycling’s most versatile and successful competitors. The exhibit was officially unveiled on July 27, 2006 and continues through June, 2007.

Mann, who was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998, 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 ten finishes when other racers were long retired.

“SuperMann,” the third in a series of Legends exhibits at the Museum, celebrates 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 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.”

Mann is a natural choice for a Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum exhibit, notes Mark Mederski, the Museum’s executive director.

“Dick wasn’t just a fierce and multi-talented competitor who mastered virtually every type of motorcycle he ever threw his leg over, but his mechanical expertise also made him that rare breed of racer who could build a fast bike by himself, race and win with it,” said Mederski.

To read more about Dick Mann and his incredible career, see his biography in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.