Mark Barnett (born September 16, 1960) is an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

former professional

motocross Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom. History Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...

racer. He competed in the

AMA Motocross Championship The AMA Motocross Championship (commercially known as Lucas Oil Pro Motocross) is an American motorcycle racing series. The motocross race series was founded and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1972. The series is th ...

s from 1973 to 1981. He was one of the top American

racers in the early 1980s and distinctive in being from the Midwest with the limited riding season, winning three consecutive AMA 125cc national championships between 1980 and 1982. He was a rider for team America in the 1983

Motocross des Nations The Motocross des Nations (in French) is an annual team motocross Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom. History ...

Championship. Born in

Bridgeview, Illinois Bridgeview is a village in Cook County, Illinois, Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located approximately southwest of the Chicago Loop. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the village population was 17,027. History The e ...

, Barnett began racing as an amateur in North Judson, Indiana. In 1977 he started racing professionally when he turned sixteen, racing for the

Fox Racing Fox Racing is an American extreme sports (primarily motocross and mountainbiking), protective equipment and lifestyle clothing brand founded in 1974. Fox is owned by Vista Outdoor. History The early histories of Fox Racing and Fox Racing Shox w ...

team. By 1978 he was hired by the

Suzuki is a Japan, Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Minami-ku, Hamamatsu, Japan. Suzuki manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, All-terrain vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard motor, outboard marine engines, wheelchairs ...

factory racing team after starting the season as a privateer. Along with his three national championships, he also won the 1981 AMA

Supercross The AMA Supercross Championship (commercially known as Monster Energy AMA Supercross) is an American motorcycle racing series. Founded by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1974, the AMA Supercross Championship races are held from ...

championship. After retiring from competition, he began to design supercross and motocross tracks for pro riders like

Ricky Carmichael Richard Joseph Carmichael (born November 27, 1979) is an American former professional motocross and stock car racing driver. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1997 to 2007 and in NASCAR from 2008 to 2011. Carmichael is notable ...

and Ivan Tedesco. In 2000, Barnett was inducted into the AMA

Motorcycle Hall of Fame The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association, recognizing individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction, or motorcycling in general. It also displays motorcycles ...

References

1960 births Living people People from Bridgeview, Illinois Sportspeople from Cook County, Illinois American motocross riders AMA Motocross Championship National Champions {{US-motorcycle-sport-bio-stub