Cooley (center), in 1984, celebrates on the podium at Sears Point International Raceway, now known as Sonoma Raceway. Photo courtesy of the RiderFiles.com Collection.

All of us at MotoAmerica send our condolences to the family and friends of two-time AMA Superbike Champion Wes Cooley, who passed away on Saturday, October 16 at his home in Twin Falls, Idaho, at the age of 65.

Cooley aboard his Yoshimura Suzuki GS1000 Superbike at Daytona International Speedway. Photo courtesy of Larry Lawrence.

Cooley won the 1979 and 1980 AMA Superbike Championships, and he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2004.

MotoAmerica included Cooley in our “21 in ’21” series, which honored the 21 champions that have been crowned in the 45-year history of the AMA Superbike Championship.

Godspeed, Wes.