Mike LaRocco began his professional racing career in 1988, at age 17, and retired in 2006 as the elder statesman on the circuit, totaling 227 points-paying Supercross starts in the premier class.
Along the way, he collected championships in the 1993 AMA 500 National Motocross Series, the 1994 AMA 250 National Motocross Series, and the 2000 Supercross World Championship.
“I was the guy who gave it everything I had every time I raced, through the whole race,” LaRocco says. “That was what made me successful—that I was always pushing myself for the entire race.”
The Indiana native raced with Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda, the latter as a factory-supported Factory Connection rider.
LaRocco won Supercross races in three decades in two classes, 125cc and 250cc. He says the 1994 AMA 250 Motocross National Championship meant the most to him.
“At that time in my career, everything was going so smoothly, I felt like all my hard work had paid off,” he says.
LaRocco was trying to defend his 250cc title in 1995 when he broke his arm, then injured his knee.
“Mike LaRocco was a tough competitor who gave it his all every time he got on the track,” says Ken Ford, a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame executive committee and assistant treasurer of the AMA board of directors. “He was a huge fan favorite throughout his 19-year professional career.”
He retired in 2006 with 53 podium appearances in the 450cc class and 16 in the 125cc class.
His retirement came after a broken wrist made him question his future in the sport.
“I wanted to stay healthy,” LaRocco says. “I found that I was not willing to take the same risks that the people who were winning were taking. Without the opportunity to win, my motivation just wasn’t there.”
Since 2010, LaRocco has managed the GEICO Honda Supercross/Motocross Team, which has won a title each year he has been involved.
“After I retired, I took a couple of years off,” LaRocco says. “But I was close to the guys who run this team, and it was a good fit. I learned a lot over my career, and I felt I had something to share.”
LaRocco says he is honored to be included in the Hall of Fame Class of 2014.
“You know, when I was racing, I was very focused on the competition, and the fan thing was a distraction,” LaRocco says. “But now, looking back, I recognize how important the fans are in making all this possible. And I appreciate the support they gave me.”