One of the best, he will be greatly missed!

Upon reading Cycle World magazine last night, I was both shocked and saddened to discover an article written in memorium of Gary. The article stating he had passed away on August 5th. Gary was one of my heros as I kid when I followed his AMA motorcycle racing in the sixties and seventies. 
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. You will be greatly missed. 
 
Doug Adcox
Chattanooga, TN

I remember going to the Sacramento Mile as a teenager watching Gray race and do his magic. My sympathy to the Nixon family and his close friends.

OLE # 9 they don,t make them like that any more , god Speed Gary

Your last visit to San Jose will be unforgettable..
Steve

 Godspeed Gary you will be missed but never forgotten      Lance Tidwell Carlsbad Caifornia

God Speed Gary Nixon- caught the bug for bikes watching the likes of Gary Nixon and the rest of the Triumph racing team of the early seventies at Daytona.

A man who epitomized the love of motorcycling n hard determined riding. A smile, a knowing wink, sore muscles. We love what we do...what we have. Thx Gary..for ur commitment, for the memories. Ride hard...pray harder. 
Jim...lost in the Pine Barrens

I saw Gary race at Springfield and Peoria, IL.  Always fun to watch.  They don't make em like that anymore.  Sorry to hear about his departure.  My sympathy to his family.

Working in the M/C industrie for over 30 years you just get to know people, especially when you are always on the road. The first time I met Gary was at Daytona out in the grass pit parking, he just comes sliding up sideways on his mini trail 50, it was so cool and so Gary! Thats when I started helping him with gear since I worked at Alpinestars at the time. Every phone call after that was at least an hour! He always had a great story or three! R.I.P Gary, Always a HERO! #9 will always me magic.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

As a kid I watched Gary dominate the tracks as a Triumph Factory driver.Always enjoyed watching him.
R.I.P.you'll always be in the books.

Raced TT scrambles with Gary back in the 60's, what a great racer, always enjoyed being on the same  track.. Jack Day

You are a great hero and role model. I followed your career in the magazines and got to meet you at different races. I did a painting of you and you said you hung it in your pool table room. That is the highest honor. Nobody is more recognizable from across the track than you with your star helmet and your style. Godspeed Gary Nixon.

I met Gary back in early 70's when my husband Kurt Lentz had just begun his motorcycle racing career.  He became a good friend and was so helpful to Kurt in those early years.  I will always remember his kindess to me, wonderful smile and unmeasurable talent.  The motorcycle world will miss you Gary. My thoughts and prayers are with Gary's family and friends.

sending my prayers to Garys family,and to Gary...a BIG thank you for so many thrills and memories #9! You will be missed but never forgotten.

I raced Flat Track back in the late 60's and early 70' s and Gary was one of my hero's he had a smooth style. One of the greats.
Roger Boyd, Ironton, Ohio

We will miss seeing and talking to Gary at the races. He was always there for pictures
and autographs, my wife just loved the way he
interacted with her; he was a hero to me.
God bless his family and close friends.

Gary, racing motorcycles for Triumph, was a hero of mine when I was a teenager.  I read many stories about his successes in my motorcycle magazines.  Then when I got older he moved next to my best friend in Jacksonville, Maryland, and I got to meet Gary in person.  What a thrill.  And Gary was a gentleman.  A truly good guy.

Gary Nixon and Dick Hammer are together again in heaven . . . doing what they always did best.  Dick's oldest son Mike is there attempting to keep things under control.  No easy job with those two.  My sincere condolences to Mary and family.  It's been a long, long time

The first time I raced a bike I asked Nixon what I should do if someone fell in front of me. He said "Aim for the leathers and tires because you lose traction on the gas tank and helmet." I never knew if he was serious. One of the first articles I read about him referred to him as "the young man with gun-fighter's eyes".
He was....is...and will continue to be a legend.

It was a pleasure to have known Gary in the 1960s when I worked at the Triumph Corporation in Timonium.  He was our Star!  My condolences to his family at this sad time.

Gary will be greatly missed. He always was my hero and always will be my hero. I met him a few years ago while racing in the AMA Superbike series and I was amazed at how friendly and approachable he was. I was shy about introducing myself but once we met and I saw how cool he was I wished I had done it sooner. Seeing Gary at the track was always a real treat and I will forever miss seeing him there. He always made every race he was at that much better. A true legend! I have also been extremely honored to race in the AMA with his old number 9 and I always wear it with pride in the AMA's American Superbike class. Knowing the history of that number and what Gary had done with it, I can only hope to be half the racer that he was. We are all blessed for having you here while we did and for having the good times we had with you while you were with us. Godspeed Gary. You will be forever missed.

Gary raced with my Uncle Harold Kenyon in the early days and later I raced with him for many years. Gary was a class act, a funny man and a great mentor to many. Gary, you will be missed! I only wish I had a chance to have seen you recently to share a few laughs and thank you for what you have done for racing.

Glad to have known him, and learned from him.Class act always.I have a few really great memories, and stories from various AHRMA events from years past.He did pack a lot of life into those 70 years!
Tim Mings

A great man, a great racer. A long and successful career as one of the greatest AMA professional racers. He will always be remembered and respected. Fortunately, we can still see him anytime we want on our "On Any Sunday" DVD. God Speed, Gary. Thank you. From an AMA Life Member since 1964.

Mary and family,  We wanted to be there in person to pay our respects, but I am out of town on business when I got the news and we weten't able to get back in time.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.  Gary was a good friend and will be greatly missed.  I remember the first time the Legend had a chance to speak to me.  We were in the tear down area after a race in Columbus, Ohio.  I had a 3rd place finish as an Amateur and Gary also finished in the top 3.  Both riding Triumphs we began to talk and a friendship was formed that lasted to this day.  I didn't always see Gary often, but we had good times when we were together.  John and Betsey Leale

My deepest condolences to the Nixon family. Gary lived larger than life and I will remember him that way. Long ride number 9.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and close friends. The "checkered flag" of life came way too early for Gary.
As the Beck/Arnley then Tour & Trail sales rep for the Baltimore area from 1978 to 1981 I remember meeting with Gary once a month, at which time I got a racing history lesson from a living legend. Thanks Gary!

Sorry for your loss.  Gary will be missed.  Our thought and prayers are with you.

Randy, Bridgitt, Carter & Travis Myers

We are keeping the family of  Gary Nixon  in our thoughts & prayers.  Ed has many memories of the great Triumph racer.

To the Gary Nixon family. Our hearts go out to you in this sad time.

In Great Memory of Our Hero, Old #9,
Grand National Champion and World Champion, 
Gary Nixon # 1

from the Motorcycle Xcitement Family

We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. In deepest sympathy,
Terry & Pam Vershure (AHRMA Vintage Racing)Smyrna, GA

What a loss to us all. THE racer's racer. Rubber-side-down.

To the Nixon Family,
 I am very saddened to learn of the passing of one of the truly great flat track and road racing legends of our time. I have fond memories of seeing Mr. Nixon race at the Orange County Fair Ground in upstate New york back in the Sixties.My Dad who road a triumph Bonnieville use to take us kids to the fair ground to watch the flat track races. On a sunny Saturday afternoon,I watched Mr. Nixon dominate the field and win the half mile expert class beating Danny and Larry Palmgren and "The Flying Farmer" George Roader. Mr. Nixon won by the length of the front straight that afternoon. When Al Knapp ( the starter) handed Mr.Nixon the checkered flag, he tucked under his right arm and proceeded to ride a wheelie around the entire length of the track. The crowd went wild.I was in awe. That day has been forever etched into my mind..His white and blue Triumph and matching helmet reflected in the sunlight,I can still see him sliding sideways through the corners, the dirt flying as his steal shoe plate slid along the the track, tucked in across the tank his left hand holding the front fork tube, his right hand holding the throttle wide open, running flat out ! He was the greatest rider I ever saw ! He was the best !
Thank you Mr Nixon.It was a honor to have watched you race. Rest in peace. #9. #1
With deepest symphony, Patrick A.Murphy Jr.

Gary,
I was one of the many of the competitors who had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with you. Your determined look frightened me at times and I always knew that I wouldn't get to the finish line without a battle from you. I won more than a few races you were entered in and I enjoyed riding with one of the best all-around riders America has ever sdeen. Godspeed Gary.

Dear Mary and family, 
Charlie, Robin and I enjoyed seeing Gary during Bike Week the past few years since we moved to Florida. Gary and Charlie have been friends since back in the mid-60's.  He will be missed. Our deepest condolences go out to you¸ Kari Ann, "Little" Nixon and all his friends, especially in the BCTRA.  You will be in our prayers. Rest in peace, Gary. Charlie & Joyce Dorfler, Palm Coast, FL

So sorry for your loss. Gary was one special guy. We raced each other in the 60's and remained friends all these years. My thoughts go out to the family.

In the early 60's, when I turned 17 and bought my first motorcycle ('53 Norton
500cc thumper), I would consistantly go to the Sunday races at Vista Raceway--a
once outlawed track a few miles northeast of Lanham in Prince Georges County
Maryland. Not a safe neighborhood at night. But great for watching the
Flat-Trackers on a given Sunday.

I'd get there early and get a spot in the infield which allowed you to get a chance
to see things more closely and hear and talk with the riders up close. There were
national AMA riders such as Gary Nixon (#9 Triumph), George Roeder (HD), and Don
Twigg (BSA) plus more national riders who occasionally showed up.

The coolest and fastest of them all was #9. He'd hop on his Triumph, win the heat,
and rest on his lounge chain until the next race. He hardly ever put his left foot
down while flexing thru the turns. Amazing. They had to handicap him for the Expert
Final, but he'd be out in front by the 3rd lap. Incredible. This went on for a
couple years until we moved away from the area.

Later, as a family we would continue to go to other tracks until the days of Rolling
Thunder seemed to phase out. They were always good times, but never quite like the
days watching the rider behind the number 9 plate Triumph.

Frank Smith,  Hampstead, Maryland

My Mom dropped me off at the San Jose Half Mile National in the summer of 1967

Gary you were my hero as kid, i still have a photo of you and Dick Mann coming around a corner doing 100 plus mph
You will always be an insperation to me...
Gods speed 
Gary Bang Jr

There will be a void in the Hall of Fame family for a long time.  More than a champion, his zest for life will rarely be repeated. Sadly bidding you farewell, #9.

I was always a big fan of Gary's and finally got to meet him when he appeared at the Simeone Museum in Philadelphia last year. I gave him some pictures I took of him at Laconia in the 70's and he was very grateful. He even said one of them was the only picture he ever saw of himself on the Kawasaki 350 road racer. He will be missed...

My thoughts and prayers to the Nixon family.  As many others I have watched you race since I was a kid, and have had the pleasure of meeting you on many occasions. You will be missed by many... Gods Speed Gary!!

Gary left a lasting impression on me. It was a privilege to have grown up around and spend time with him and the Nixon family.
With deepest sympathies

Mary Nixon, you and Gary were always there for the flat-track family. We couldn't wait to get to "Nixon's", hang out, relax and have fun! Gary always wearing that confident Nixon smile and ready to welcome his fellow racers! Gary created those on & off track moments many of us will never forget. 
With love for my Hero and my Friend's wonderful spirit, I wish you the very best. RIP Gary Nixon #9

a lot of my heroes are motorcycle racers, gary nixon is one of them, he was a champion in all phases of life and he remains a champion in in my memories. godspeed gary nixon!

Mary, my prayers go out to the Nixon Family. Gary was a very talented racer and the racing world will miss him terribly. But more importantly he was a genuinely nice man. Always wearing that grin and able to enjoy the moment. Thanks for the memories Gary.
Blessings to you all,
Patrice Hocking

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Nixon family. It was a pleasure to have known him.
Mary Krause and family
Krause Honda
Dunlop Racing East
Emmaus, Pa

The world has lost another one of the Great "Old School" racers and a good man !

God Speed Gary !

a racers racer and a legend forever. God speed Gary

Our deepest sympathy to the Nixon family.  Wishing you strength, serenity, & love as you remember happier times with your Loved One.

May you rest in peace now, say hi to all the greats up there Nixon.

LET IT ALL HANG  OUT  GARYTHE CHECKERD FLAG  HAS FALLEN

 Gary, It was my pleasure to meet you and spend time when you visited Joe L. #98 on your way to Laguna Moto GP.. We had a blast..
Steve Gregory
San Ramon, Ca.

Gary has always been and will always be my Hero. A lot of good memories. 
Mike O'Connor, North Carolina

For many of us in the motorcycle community - Gary was a "hero!"  A champion that wore the #1 AMA plate!  We have always loved him......many years after his winning ways, for his loveable personality!  Nice to see that so many "non-motorcycling" people saw that side also!  tw AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame - BOD

DEAREST MARY, PENNY, GARY JR. AND KARY.  WE WERE SO SHOCKED TO HEAR OF GARY'S PASSING.  WE HAVE SO MANY MEMORIES OF THAT YOUNG MOTORCYCLE RIDER FROM OUR MOTORCYCLE SHOP IN OKLA. CITY, OK.  WE FOLLOWED HIS ENTIRE RACING CAREER.  PICTURES STILL HANG IN BOB'S TROPHY  ROOM OF (THE NIX).....OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL DURING THIS TIME.   COZENE ( COE ) AND BOB WOMACK

god bliss gary, mr triump
glad i got to see you and read your book.
a great okie and person.
smokey

Glad I met Gary at the Hagerstown 1/2 mile National and was able to shack his hand for the last time, he was my child hood hero. May the #9 race with all our lost ones in thye skys above us forever. RIP Gary Nixon.  
Bill Boschert, Hagerstown, Md. District 7 racer.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Nixon family during this difficult time.  Before I learned that Gary was a famous motorcycle champion, I knew him as a kind person, a terrific neighbor, and an amazing friend to my father.  I'll never be able to put into words how kind Gary was towards my dad especially the last two years.  There wasn't a week that went by that Gary didn't come and visit my father and put a smile on his face with his crazy stories.  He probably had no idea how much it meant to our entire family but we will never forget.  He will always be with us on Stockton Road. With Love - The McDonnells - Erin, Chris and Steve.

I first saw Gary at the Tobacco Trail Classic at Upper Marlborough. He was the first (and possibly only) person I had ever seen run flat out through the corners with both feet on the pegs. He immediately became my idol, and continued to be so.  Godspeed Idol, the world will be slower without you.

Gary Nixon will always be The Racer in my eyes. Motorcycling has lost a great teacher. 
RIP-Paul

Gary Nixon was always the racer in my heart. This is a sad day, I will always remember him. 

RIP, Paul

Gary was a hero to many people. To me he was always bigger than life. When I first met him I was shocked to find that he was so approachable and so easy to talk to. I will always be proud to have known him and raced with him. You meet very few men in a lifetime as memorable as Gary Nixon. 

Godspeed #9

Keith Campbell

RIP Sir. 
Godspeed and may fair winds and fast laps be with you in Heaven forever.
You'll be always missed as you are one of a kind. 
Always looked forward to talking with you at Mid-Ohio and Daytona. Great stories. Great man. 

Race on Gary....

Gary was the Best!!!  He encouraged many of today's top rider's. The "Triumph Thunder" will surely not be forgotten(Dave Fink Cockeysville Md)

We will see you again on "Cloud #9".  Till then, Godspeed friend...

I seend my warm condolences to the dear family of Gary Nixon. Knowing that the bible teaches that soon death will be more.

Mary, Gary and Kary Ann, I deeply sorry for the passing of Gary, but boy what a life he had!  He not only affected an entire generation of Maryland riders and racers; he affected the whole nation and the world with his style and speed.  He will be missed and I can't wait to raise a glass and re-hear the stories that make a man a legend to us all.  Godspeed Gary. and yes Gary there is a difference between 100 and 120 mph... only a few men like you can say it.

I went to school in OKC with Gary from elementary to high school.  I hope it wouldn't be an embarrassment to him if I told he was my square dancing partner in elementary school.  My condolences to his family,  May his memory always be a blessing.

Barbara Mensch

Death is just another life.
I'm sure you're in Heaven now.

To the family of Gary,
My deepest sympathy to all of you, he will be greatly missed and I value that I have known him since 1982.  He was a special racer.  Love & Prayers

My most sincere condolences. We have all lost a true American hero.

A legend has moved on to heaven.  He was a rock star who crowds gathered for when he showed up at motocross events around the mid-atlantic area.  He was the father of the local racing community for so many years.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gary's family. We have followed Gary's race career for many years. He dedicated his life to Motorcycle Racing, which in-turn gave all of us fans a lifetime of memories. God Speed, Gary Nixon... Thank You for all the good times.    Norm & Pat Rader

As everyone is so sad about Gary . I remember him At fair grounds of Reading Pa.Letting it all out. I only got to say hi a few times, As a Club racer He was someone I wish that I had Half his Talent.Such a style as his with so much Speed. So great to have been noticed b someone so  cool. God Speed.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Gary was one of a kind. He'll be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

My heart goes out to you. Gary was very special. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

My condolences to your family, your one of the Greats. I have fallowed your career for many years as I am from Anadarko and have raced motorcycles up till a couple of years ago. I only wish that I could  have met you person. R.I.P.

our thoughts and prayers go out to the nixon family , the motorcycle world has sufferd a great loss , he will be missed by many, godspeed gary !

OBITUARY

Gary L. Nixon

January 25, 1941 – August 5, 2011

Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley Inc.

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