Since 1986, only the mentally and physically toughest off-road racers have proven their ability in the AMA National Hare and Hound championship series. Some of the world’s most recognizable names in off-road have earned championships in our series, where winning the overall championship title is something very few athletes have done.
In 1986, the AMA District 37 (Southern California) Sports Committee helped get the series off the ground and qualify for a national championship. The first AMA National Hare and Hound Champion was Dan Smith, who also won the AMA Amateur Athlete of the Year Award for his dominance. Smith won four more titles before AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Danny Hamel began his reign, winning five titles of his own. Other multi-time champions include Destry Abbott, Kurt Caselli, Russ Pearson and Hall of Famer Ty Davis.
As the only Hare and Hound series in the Nation, we have attracted some of the United States’ most exceptional off-road racers. Since 1986, in the past 33-years of National Hare and Hound racing, just less than 20 riders have felt the glory of being crowned CHAMPION. We pay great respect to our champions and legends that are no longer with us: