Torsten Hallman
Encyclopedia
Torsten Hallman was a four-time motocross World Champion. He was one of the men responsible for introducing motocross
to the United States
in the late 1960s.
In the early 1960s, Swedish riders such as Bill Nilsson
, Rolf Tibblin
and Sten Lundin
dominated the sport of motocross. Perhaps one of the best Swedish riders, Hallman competed in the 250cc motocross Grand Prix world championships. He would win 37 Grand Prix victories and the 250cc motocross world title four times for the Swedish Husqvarna
factory. His battles with Belgium’s Joël Robert
were considered some of the best in the history of the championships.
After his racing career, he began to sell motocross pants and gloves at the races to help supplement his income. This eventually led to the formation of THOR Motocross (Torsten Hallman Original Racewear). Thor grew to become one of the leading off-road racing apparel companies in the world.
In 2000, Hallman was inducted into the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
.
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...
to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the late 1960s.
In the early 1960s, Swedish riders such as Bill Nilsson
Bill Nilsson
Bill Nilsson was a Swedish motocross racer. He won the first ever F.I.M. 500cc Motocross World Championship in 1957 riding an AJS motorcycle. In 1955, 1958 and 1961, he was a member of the Swedish teams that won the Motocross des Nations. He repeated as world champion in 1960 riding a Husqvarna...
, Rolf Tibblin
Rolf Tibblin
Rolf Tibblin is a former world champion motocross racer. He was one of the top riders in the Motocross Grand Prix World Championships during the 1960s...
and Sten Lundin
Sten Lundin
Sten Lundin was a Swedish motocross racer. He won the F.I.M. 500cc Motocross World Championship in 1959 riding a Monark, and in 1961 riding a Lito. Lundin was also a member of the victorious Swedish team at the 1955 Motocross des Nations.-External links:* * at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame...
dominated the sport of motocross. Perhaps one of the best Swedish riders, Hallman competed in the 250cc motocross Grand Prix world championships. He would win 37 Grand Prix victories and the 250cc motocross world title four times for the Swedish Husqvarna
Husqvarna Motorcycles
Husqvarna Motorcycles, a subsidiary of BMW, is a company manufacturing motocross, enduro and supermoto motorcycles. The company began producing motorcycles in 1903 at Huskvarna, Sweden, as a branch of the Husqvarna armament firm which had supplied the Swedish army with rifles since 1689.-History:As...
factory. His battles with Belgium’s Joël Robert
Joël Robert
Joël Robert is a Belgian motocross racer who won the 250cc Motocross World Championship six times including five times in a row....
were considered some of the best in the history of the championships.
After his racing career, he began to sell motocross pants and gloves at the races to help supplement his income. This eventually led to the formation of THOR Motocross (Torsten Hallman Original Racewear). Thor grew to become one of the leading off-road racing apparel companies in the world.
In 2000, Hallman was inducted into the AMA
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...
.
Motocross Grand Prix Results
- 1962 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st
- 1963 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st
- 1964 250cc Motocross World Championship - 2nd
- 1966 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st
- 1967 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st
- 1968 250cc Motocross World Championship - 2nd