PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame extends its condolences to the family and friends of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Eddie Mulder. He was 83 years old.

Born in 1943 in Bellflower, Calif., Mulder was a dominant desert racer in the 1960s, capturing five AMA Grand National victories, as well as several California off-road events. His outstanding racing career included a victory in the popular Big Bear endurance run in 1960.

Mulder got his start aboard a Triumph Cub at 8 years old before starting his racing career at 11 years old before claiming his first overall win at the Mohave Hare Scrambles in 1959 at 16. In that victory, Mulder defeated AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bud Ekins, who recognized his potential and ultimately helped him receive factory backing from Triumph.

In addition to his prowess as an off-road racer, Mulder also showed his mettle on the dirt track — capturing numerous AMA District 37 championships in flat track. His skill set primarily flashed in TT races, as he won all but one of the major TT races of his era, with the national at the Houston Astrodome being the lone exception.

Mulder’s riding acumen extended beyond just competition. After retiring from professional racing in the mid-1970s, Mulder became a top stunt rider in Hollywood, appearing in many popular movies and shows, including “Near Dark” and “Stingray”, among others.

Despite his retirement from racing, Mulder was an active presence in the vintage racing scene, establishing the West Coast Vintage Dirt Track Series. He also started a business building custom Triumph street bikes based on his race bikes.

For his outstanding racing career, stunt work and overall impact as a motorcyclist, Mulder was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.