Fox Racing
Encyclopedia
Fox Head, Inc. is privately owned action sports brand founded in 1974. Fox designs, develops and distributes clothing and accessories to over fifty countries primarily focusing on off-road motorized biking.
were intertwined. Fox Racing Shox is a brand of offroad racing suspension components founded by Geoff Fox's brother, Bob Fox. Fox Racing Shox were distributed by Moto-X Fox and Bob's company was originally under the corporate umbrella of Moto-X Fox. In 1977 Bob's division split out as a separate company called Fox Factory Inc.
Fox Head, Inc. headquarters are in Morgan Hill, California
, with additional offices in Irvine, California
and Newcastle upon Tyne
in the United Kingdom. Fox built its business by developing clothing for motocross
. Through sponsoring and working closely with riders such as Ricky Carmichael
, James Stewart, Damon Bradshaw, Rick Johnson, Mark Barnett
, Doug Henry, Jeremy McGrath
and Steve Lamson, the company has researched and developed race clothing that provides riders with protection, performance and freedom of movement.
Fox Racing first opened for business in 1974, when Geoff Fox, a Ph.D. who taught physics at the Santa Clara University
, launched Moto-X Fox, a distribution business for European motocross parts and accessories in a 1500 square foot building in Campbell, California
. Within two years, Moto-X Fox was manufacturing suspension and engine components for racers looking for an on-track advantage. In the spring of 1977, Geoff was determined to show the American motocross public that his products were superior to those of the competition. He created his own privately-owned professional motocross team, Team Moto-X Fox. Going up against the Japanese factory teams, Team Moto-X Fox riders became the top non-factory riders in the series, finishing fifth, sixth and seventh in the highly-competitive AMA 125 cc National Championship series.
During the series, Team Moto-X Fox riders wore bright red, yellow and orange race outfits. Handmade by Fox, the clothing became a hit with the fans and interested enthusiasts started calling the Fox shop in Campbell enquiring about its availability. In 1980, Fox rider Mark Barnett won the company's first National Championship, and two years later, Brad Lackey won Fox 's (and the United States') first Motocross World Championship. In the ensuing two-plus decades, Fox-sponsored riders have won over forty National Motocross and Supercross Championships. In 2006 Fox rider Ricky Carmichael won the AMA Supercross Championship, while Lifelong Fox rider James Stewart won the FIM
World Supercross Championship.
In July 2006, Fox Racing decided to change its name to Fox Head Racing, Inc. The move was complete by the fall of that year. Fox decided such a change would help the brand further penetrate sporting venues aside from motocross, such as surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding.
Today, Fox remains a family owned and operated business, with the second generation working full-time at the company.
The Fox flagship store is located at the Westfield Valley Fair
mall in Santa Clara
. Fox also has four US outlets located in Camarillo
, Gilroy
, Lake Elsinore
, and Las Vegas
.
, surfing
, mountain biking
and wakeboarding
.
History
The early history of Fox Racing and Fox Racing ShoxFox Racing Shox
Fox Racing Shox is a brand used by Fox Factory to sell off road racing suspension components.- History :Fox Racing, Inc. was founded in 1980 by Bob Fox in Watsonville, California. It started as a small business distributing suspension components for motocross bikes...
were intertwined. Fox Racing Shox is a brand of offroad racing suspension components founded by Geoff Fox's brother, Bob Fox. Fox Racing Shox were distributed by Moto-X Fox and Bob's company was originally under the corporate umbrella of Moto-X Fox. In 1977 Bob's division split out as a separate company called Fox Factory Inc.
Fox Head, Inc. headquarters are in Morgan Hill, California
Morgan Hill, California
Morgan Hill is a city located in the southern part of Santa Clara County, California, United States. Founded on November 10, 1906, the city was named after Hiram Morgan Hill, a San Franciscan who built a country retreat home there in 1884...
, with additional offices in Irvine, California
Irvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
and Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
in the United Kingdom. Fox built its business by developing clothing for motocross
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...
. Through sponsoring and working closely with riders such as Ricky Carmichael
Ricky Carmichael
Ricky Carmichael is a racer known for his success in Motocross. He is currently competing in NASCAR. He drives the #4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado for Turner Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series and the #30 Chevrolet Impala part-time for Turner Motorsports in the Nationwide Series...
, James Stewart, Damon Bradshaw, Rick Johnson, Mark Barnett
Mark Barnett
Mark Barnett was one of the top American motocross racers in the early 1980s. He won three consecutive AMA 125cc national championships between 1980 and 1982. He was a rider for team America in the 1983 Motocross des Nations Championship.Born in Bridgeview, Illinois, Barnett began racing as an...
, Doug Henry, Jeremy McGrath
Jeremy McGrath
Jeremy McGrath is one of the most popular American Motocross/Supercross champions in the history of the sport. He was most active in the 1990s earning the title the "King of Supercross." His tricks during jumps on the supercross track, the most famous of which he called the "Nac Nac", helped spawn...
and Steve Lamson, the company has researched and developed race clothing that provides riders with protection, performance and freedom of movement.
Fox Racing first opened for business in 1974, when Geoff Fox, a Ph.D. who taught physics at the Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University is a private, not-for-profit, Jesuit-affiliated university located in Santa Clara, California, United States. Chartered by the state of California and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, it operates in collaboration with the Society of Jesus , whose...
, launched Moto-X Fox, a distribution business for European motocross parts and accessories in a 1500 square foot building in Campbell, California
Campbell, California
Campbell is a city in Santa Clara County, California, a suburb of San Jose, and part of Silicon Valley, in the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Campbell's population is 39,349...
. Within two years, Moto-X Fox was manufacturing suspension and engine components for racers looking for an on-track advantage. In the spring of 1977, Geoff was determined to show the American motocross public that his products were superior to those of the competition. He created his own privately-owned professional motocross team, Team Moto-X Fox. Going up against the Japanese factory teams, Team Moto-X Fox riders became the top non-factory riders in the series, finishing fifth, sixth and seventh in the highly-competitive AMA 125 cc National Championship series.
During the series, Team Moto-X Fox riders wore bright red, yellow and orange race outfits. Handmade by Fox, the clothing became a hit with the fans and interested enthusiasts started calling the Fox shop in Campbell enquiring about its availability. In 1980, Fox rider Mark Barnett won the company's first National Championship, and two years later, Brad Lackey won Fox 's (and the United States') first Motocross World Championship. In the ensuing two-plus decades, Fox-sponsored riders have won over forty National Motocross and Supercross Championships. In 2006 Fox rider Ricky Carmichael won the AMA Supercross Championship, while Lifelong Fox rider James Stewart won the FIM
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
World Supercross Championship.
In July 2006, Fox Racing decided to change its name to Fox Head Racing, Inc. The move was complete by the fall of that year. Fox decided such a change would help the brand further penetrate sporting venues aside from motocross, such as surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding.
Today, Fox remains a family owned and operated business, with the second generation working full-time at the company.
Retail and distribution
Fox products are sold worldwide with distributors and partners in over 50 different countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates.The Fox flagship store is located at the Westfield Valley Fair
Westfield Valley Fair
Westfield Valley Fair, formerly known as Valley Fair and Westfield Shoppingtown Valley Fair is an upscale in-door shopping mall owned by the Westfield Group, located at the corner of Winchester and Stevens Creek Boulevards, straddling the border of San Jose and Santa Clara, California, United...
mall in Santa Clara
Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara , founded in 1777 and incorporated in 1852, is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city is the site of the eighth of 21 California missions, Mission Santa Clara de Asís, and was named after the mission. The Mission and Mission Gardens are located on the...
. Fox also has four US outlets located in Camarillo
Camarillo, California
Camarillo is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. The population was 65,201 at the 2010 census, up from 57,084 at the 2000 census. The Ventura Freeway Camarillo is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. The population was 65,201 at the 2010 census, up from 57,084 at...
, Gilroy
Gilroy, California
Gilroy is the southernmost city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The population was 48,821 at the 2010 census. Gilroy is well-known for its garlic crop and for the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, featuring various garlicky foods, including garlic ice cream. Gilroy also produces...
, Lake Elsinore
Lake Elsinore, California
For the lake see Lake Elsinore.Lake Elsinore or LE is a city in western Riverside County, California. The population was 51,821 at the 2010 census...
, and Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
.
Fox Teams
Fox recruits people for Fox Teams from a number of sports, including motorcross, BMXBicycle motocross
Bicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started...
, surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
, mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
and wakeboarding
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snow boarding and surfing techniques....
.