The Wagner Cup has been part of all world championship trials events held in North America since 1975. The cup is named for Wiltz Wagner, a founding member of the North American Trials Council (NATC). Wiltz is widely considered to be “the father of American motorcycle trials.” He was inducted into the NATC Hall of Fame in 2005 (comprehensive background). See more about Wiltz on the Rocky Mountain Trials Association history page.
That’s Wiltz in the photo, second from left in the blue shirt, out on the loop today with Martin Belair (red shirt), Roger Ansell (right), and Roger’s wife (left).
The Wagner Cup, which features four bighorn sheep, is kept permanently at the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) headquarters in Ohio. The name of every North American world-round winner since 1975 is engraved on the cup.
Wiltz’s was also a physician and professor. He was the Vergil K. Stoelting Professor of Anesthesia at Indiana University from 1995-2005.
[…] of the 2008 Wagner Cup: Takahisa Fujinami By Griff Wigley I blogged about the origins of the Wagner Cup yesterday but failed to mention that the winner is determined by the lowest score over the combined […]