• Search
    • Search
  • Login
American Motorcyclist Association
  • Rights
    • State Laws Database
    • AMA Action Center
    • AMA Position Statements
  • Riding
    • Getting Started
    • AMA Riding Tips
    • Road Riding And Touring
    • AMA Longrider Program
    • AMA Grand Tours
    • AMA National Gypsy Tours
    • Dual Sport Riding
    • Adventure Riding
    • AMA Rentals And Tours
    • Women And Motorcycling
    • ATV Riding
    • International Riding Events
  • Racing
    • Get Started In Racing
    • Results Center
    • Advancement and Appeal
    • Motocross/Arenacross
    • Enduro
    • Hare Scrambles
    • Hare and Hound
    • Extreme Off-Road
    • Observed Trials
    • Endurocross
    • Drag Racing
    • Road Racing
    • Land Speed
    • Ice Racing
    • Flat Track
    • Hillclimb
    • Supermoto
    • Speedway
    • ATV Racing
    • Vintage Racing
    • International Competition
    • AMA Pro Racing
  • For Members
    • AMA Roadside Assistance
    • Member Discount Codes
    • AMA Great Roads Database
    • AMA Trails Atlas
    • Find A Club
    • AMA Life Member News
    • The Magazine
    • AMPAC
    • AMA Awards
    • AMA Commissions
    • Renew Your AMA Membership
    • AMA Social Media Channels
    • AMA Member Sweepstakes
    • AMA EAGLES
    • Volunteer For The AMA
    • AMA Road Captain Workshop
  • For Partners
    • Resources and Forms
    • AMA Business Members
    • AMA Affiliate Program
    • AMA Organizer News
  • Events
    • AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
    • AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Induction
    • AMA Championship Banquet
    • AMA Hall Of Fame Bike Night
    • Find an Event
  • Shop
    • AMA Gear
    • AMA Classifieds
    • eBay Products
    • 2018 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Calendar
  • Hall of Fame
  • Rights
    • State Laws Database
    • AMA Action Center
    • AMA Position Statements
  • Riding
    • Getting Started
    • AMA Riding Tips
    • Road Riding And Touring
    • AMA Longrider Program
    • AMA Grand Tours
    • AMA National Gypsy Tours
    • Dual Sport Riding
    • Adventure Riding
    • AMA Rentals And Tours
    • Women And Motorcycling
    • ATV Riding
    • International Riding Events
  • Racing
    • Get Started In Racing
    • Results Center
    • Advancement and Appeal
    • Motocross/Arenacross
    • Enduro
    • Hare Scrambles
    • Hare and Hound
    • Extreme Off-Road
    • Observed Trials
    • Endurocross
    • Drag Racing
    • Road Racing
    • Land Speed
    • Ice Racing
    • Flat Track
    • Hillclimb
    • Supermoto
    • Speedway
    • ATV Racing
    • Vintage Racing
    • International Competition
    • AMA Pro Racing
  • For Members
    • AMA Roadside Assistance
    • Member Discount Codes
    • AMA Great Roads Database
    • AMA Trails Atlas
    • Find A Club
    • AMA Life Member News
    • The Magazine
    • AMPAC
    • AMA Awards
    • AMA Commissions
    • Renew Your AMA Membership
    • AMA Social Media Channels
    • AMA Member Sweepstakes
    • AMA EAGLES
    • Volunteer For The AMA
    • AMA Road Captain Workshop
  • For Partners
    • Resources and Forms
    • AMA Business Members
    • AMA Affiliate Program
    • AMA Organizer News
  • Events
    • AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
    • AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Induction
    • AMA Championship Banquet
    • AMA Hall Of Fame Bike Night
    • Find an Event
  • Shop
    • AMA Gear
    • AMA Classifieds
    • eBay Products
    • 2018 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Calendar
  • Hall of Fame

Derek ‘Nobby’ Clark, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member, passes away

Legendary engine tuner worked for champions in three decades

December 18, 2017

AMA Press Release

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Derek “Nobby” Clark, who played a key role in capturing 17 world roadracing titles across multiple displacements over three decades, died Sunday after a long illness. He was 81.

“The American Motorcyclist Association extends its condolences to Nobby Clark’s family and friends,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “His results in the world of road racing placed him among the elite in his field.”

Derek "Nobby" Clark receives his AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame ring from Kenny Roberts at the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by KTM.

The greats Mr. Clark worked with include AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Kel Carruthers and Kenny Roberts. In addition to the 17 FIM Grand Prix world titles that he earned in classes ranging from 50cc to 500cc, Mr. Clark contributed to winning three Daytona 200s, one Daytona 100, four Imola 200s and eight Italian championships.

Mr. Clark was born in September 1936, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). He studied engineering at Bulawayo Technical High School and did his apprenticeship for Rhodesia Railways. As a vibrant motorcycling counterculture developed in Zimbabwe, Mr. Clark’s high-school friend, Gary Hocking, built a reputation first on the streets of Bulawayo then on local racetracks. Hocking’s exploits ultimately took him to Europe, and he encouraged Mr. Clark to follow.

In 1960, Hocking got a ride with MV Agusta and hired Mr. Clark as his tuner. That year, Hocking was runner-up in 125, 250 and 350cc FIM World Championships. In 1961, he won the 350 and 500cc titles.

Mr. Clark went to work for the factory Honda team and Jim Redman, following Hocking’s death in a Formula One car crash in 1962. He stayed with Honda, where he worked with Hailwood, and then joined a Yamaha satellite team in 1971. In 1972, he joined the Yamaha factory team.

Mr. Clark was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2012. His full biography can be found at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

Gallery | Advertise | AMA Trademarks | Board of Directors | About the AMA | Facts and Figures | For the Media | Careers | Privacy Policy | Contact
©2018 American Motorcyclist Association. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2018 by American Motorcyclist Association