Danny Chandler
Encyclopedia
Danny "Magoo" Chandler was a professional motocross
racer. He is remembered for his hard-charging, aggressive riding style.
Chandler began his professional motocross career with the Maico
factory racing team in 1979. He was nicknamed Magoo by his father at an early age, and the name stuck. By 1982 he had earned a place in the American Honda
factory racing team and claimed the biggest victory of his career when he won the U.S. 500cc Motocross Grand Prix. In 1982 he also won both races in the Motocross des Nations
as well as the Trophee des Nations, becoming the first rider to win both motos of both events in the same year.
After being dropped from the Honda team, Chandler went to Europe to compete in the Motocross World Championships. His career ended when he was left paralyzed after a crash at a supercross
race in Paris. Despite the setback, Chandler began promoting mountain bike
races and became involved with D.A.R.E.
Chandler was inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in 1999.
Chandler died on May 4, 2010 from illnesses related to his paralysis.
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
racer. He is remembered for his hard-charging, aggressive riding style.
Chandler began his professional motocross career with the Maico
Maico
For the manga series, see Maico 2010.Maicowerk A.G. was founded in 1926, originally assembling 98 and 123 cc Ilo two stroke motors. After World War II the West German motorcycle manufacturer began producing its own unit construction two stroke engines, selling engines and complete motorcycles...
factory racing team in 1979. He was nicknamed Magoo by his father at an early age, and the name stuck. By 1982 he had earned a place in the American Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
factory racing team and claimed the biggest victory of his career when he won the U.S. 500cc Motocross Grand Prix. In 1982 he also won both races in the Motocross des Nations
Motocross des Nations
The Motocross des Nations is an annual team motocross race, where riders representing their country meet at what is billed as the "Olympics of Motocross"...
as well as the Trophee des Nations, becoming the first rider to win both motos of both events in the same year.
After being dropped from the Honda team, Chandler went to Europe to compete in the Motocross World Championships. His career ended when he was left paralyzed after a crash at a supercross
Supercross
Supercross is a motorcycle racing sport involving off-road motorcycles on an artificially-made dirt tracks consisting of steep jumps and obstacles. Professional supercross contest races are held almost exclusively within professional baseball and football stadiums.-History:Supercross was derived...
race in Paris. Despite the setback, Chandler began promoting mountain bike
Mountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
races and became involved with D.A.R.E.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education
Drug Abuse Resistance Education, better known as DARE, is an international education program that seeks to prevent use of controlled drugs, membership in gangs, and violent behavior. D.A.R.E., which has expanded globally since its founding in 1983, is a demand-side drug control strategy of the U.S....
Chandler was inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
in 1999.
Chandler died on May 4, 2010 from illnesses related to his paralysis.