8. Mitch Mayes
From 1968 to 1976, if you wanted to win a desert race in Southern California, chances were good that you would have to beat Mitch Mayes to do it. Starting his career aboard a Harley-Davidson Baja 100, Mayes became synonymous with speed in the desert, and he gained prominence as a factory Husqvarna rider in the 1970s, teaming with other top talents such as Larry Roeseler and A.C. Bakken to win the SCORE Baja events in Mexico. Mayes has two career Baja 1000 wins (1973, 1976), a Baja 500 victory (1974) and also ranks fourth on the all-time District 37 desert racing win list, with 29 victories. Mayes suffered an injury that ended his career far too early, but he is more than deserving of being on our list.
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