Rider, businessman, team manager, product developer

Penton was one of America’s greatest enduro riders. He took part in the International Six Days Enduro (nee Trial) 12 times, earning six Golds, three Silvers, and one Bronze. In 1971, Jack became the youngest rider ever to win a Gold Medal. In 1973, he was the overall winner at a Six Day qualifying event in Australia, and at the Isle of Man in 1975, he was top American and sixth overall. He rode on six U.S. Trophy Teams, two Vase Teams, and four times served as American Team Captain. Penton’s career on the national scene was equally impressive. He earned 27 national titles in enduro competition, international trial qualifiers and Grand National cross-country racing. Penton also helped run his father’s Penton Imports, developing new motorcycles and Hi-Point racing products. Later he helped develop Kawasaki’s KDX motorcycles and managed its national enduro team. Explaining why he put away his riding boots in the late 1980s, Penton said, “I got tired of washing motorcycles.” He was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 1999.