Hall of Fame

John Goodpaster and Bob Goodpaster

John Goodpaster founded Expert Motorcycle Works in Hobart, Indiana, in 1950, establishing a family business dedicated to British motorcycles and racing. By age seven, his son Bob Goodpaster was already working in the shop. Father and son would spend more than 45 years building, maintaining, and racing motorcycles together.

Specializing in classic Norton, Triumph, and BSA motorcycles, Expert Motorcycle Works became a respected destination for vintage British motorcycle enthusiasts. Their racing operation, Team Expert, combined decades of mechanical expertise with firsthand experience on the track.

In 1998, John and Bob received the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association’s (AHRMA) BMW Brighter Image Award, recognizing their sportsmanship, integrity, and contributions to vintage motorcycle racing. That same year, John received AHRMA’s Mike Smith Trophy for his service to the organization.

The family’s racing tradition continued into a third generation with Bob’s son Wesley Goodpaster, who competed in vintage road racing aboard Norton motorcycles under the Expert Motorcycle Works name.

The Goodpasters’ legacy spans generations of craftsmanship, competition, and dedication to preserving the history of British motorcycles.

⏵ Learn more about the Goodpasters’ racing achievements in AHRMA’s historical awards records.

T.C. Christenson

T.C. Christenson set the drag racing world on its ear in the 1970s when he emerged from the Wisconsin racing scene with Hogslayer, a twin-engine Norton Top Fuel motorcycle that shattered records and dominated the competition.

Riding Hogslayer, T.C. won four consecutive world championships from 1972 to 1975, regularly defeating the Harley-Davidson machines that dominated the sport. His achievements earned him induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2005. Today, Hogslayer resides at the National Motorcycle Museum in England.

A lifelong Kenosha resident, T.C. owned Sunset Motors for 54 years, specializing in vintage Norton motorcycles, restorations, and custom builds.

Hogslayer: The Unapproachable Legend, a documentary chronicling the Sunset Motors Racing Team’s remarkable innovation, determination, and racing achievements throughout the United States and Europe, was featured at the MOTOBLOT Film Festival.

T.C. passed away on September 21, 2023, at age 80, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in motorcycle racing.

⏵ Learn more about T.C. Christenson at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Bill Wildt

Legendary television host, builder, gearhead, driver, and racer Bill Wildt was a beloved figure in Chicago’s motorsports community for more than 40 years.

A pioneer of public-access television, Bill created and hosted Motorsports Unlimited, bringing racing, custom vehicles, and motorsports culture to Chicagoland audiences beginning in the early 1980s. Over four decades, he produced more than 1,400 episodes, showcasing the people, machines, and events that made the local motorsports scene unique.

An accomplished motorcycle enthusiast and racer, Bill competed on dirt tracks, ice, and in Formula 440 racing. His passion for motorcycles included Bultaco, Norton, Triumph, and Suzuki. He was equally dedicated to sharing his knowledge, mentoring aspiring builders and racers, and supporting automotive and motorcycle events throughout the region.

Bill passed away in 2023, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of enthusiasm, generosity, and dedication to the Chicagoland motorsports community.

⏵ Watch episodes of Motorsports Unlimited on Bill Wildt’s YouTube channel.