Steve Wise
Inducted 2005
Hometown: McAllen
High School: McAllen High School
Best Known for: Motocross Racing
Wise has achieved a milestone that few professional motocross racers ever get to experience.He became the first privately backed rider to win a national championship in the 125cc class, after beginning his career at age 18.
For his achievements in motocross, dirt bike, and road racing, Wise was inducted into the Motocross Hall of Fame in 1992 and the American Motocross Association Hall in 2001.
Wise is credited as the only rider to stand in the victory circle in all three major forms of AMA pro racing, with Motocross Action magazine calling him the greatest overall rider in motorcycle racing history.
His eight-year career across the gamut of racing genres was highlighted by a title in the Superbikers Championship, and the McAllen resident overcame an injury in 1982 to switch to road racing and capture the award as Professional Athlete of the Year that season.