11/05/2026
Remembering Racing Legend Mert Lawwill – Rest In Peace
We honor the life and legacy of Mert Lawwill, a rider and racer who holds a special place in Harley‑Davidson history. Mert passed away on May 6. He was 85 years old.
Mert helped define a golden era of American flat track, capturing the 1969 AMA Grand National Championship and earning 15 Grand National victories during his 15-year professional career. That championship season gave rise to Harley-Davidson’s iconic Number 1 logo, a symbol of excellence that still rides with us today.
AMA Pro Racing calls Mert one of the most influential and respected figures in the history of flat track racing, and among the defining riders of American professional motorcycle racing’s golden era. Along with his Grand National Championship and Grand National victories, he was a 1998 inductee into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. A factory Harley-Davidson rider for the majority of his career, Mert was known for his mechanical understanding of motorcycles, combined with a smooth riding style that made him one of the sport’s most admired competitors.
Off the track, Mert’s influence reached far beyond racing. From his role in On Any Sunday to his enduring impact on motorcycle culture, he inspired generations of riders to throw a leg over and chase something greater.
