Fred Merkel
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Fred Merkel (born September 28, 1962 in Stockton, California) is an American motorcycle road racer.
In 1984 he teamed with Mike Baldwin to win the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race. He is a three-time AMA Superbike Champion, and jointly hold the record for the most wins in a season with Mat Mladin.
In 1988 the World Superbike Championship began, and Fred took the championship over Fabrizio Pirovano and Davide Tardozzi with 2 wins and 3 other podiums. He successfully defended the crown in 1989, with 3 wins, 7 other podiums, and four poles. He took 3 more wins en route to 6th overall in 1990, but was less competitive after this.
Merkel retired from racing at the end of the 1995 season after being injured in an accident at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Arizona. Merkel and his family moved to a scenic ranch they owned in New Zealand. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2001.
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