Born in 1943 in Bellflower, Calif., Eddie Mulder first clutched a Triumph Cub at the age of eight. By eleven he was already competing, and at sixteen he claimed his inaugural overall victory at the Mohave Hare Scrambles in 1959, besting future Hall of Famer Bud Ekins. Ekins recognized the youngster’s raw talent and helped secure factory support from Triumph, a partnership that would shape Mulder’s entire racing trajectory.
Desert dominance and Grand National glory
Throughout the 1960s Mulder became a force on the sands, capturing five AMA Grand National titles and adding numerous California off-road triumphs to his résumé. One of his standout moments came in 1960 when he conquered the famed Big Bear endurance run, a race that tested both rider stamina and machine durability. His prowess was not limited to pure desert contests; he also amassed multiple AMA District 37 flat-track championships, proving his adaptability across terrain.
Time-trial mastery and the Houston exception
Mulder’s talent shone brightest in time-trial (TT) competition. He emerged victorious in all but one of the premier TT events of his era, the solitary omission being the national round held at the Houston Astrodome. This near-perfect record cemented his reputation as a versatile rider capable of extracting peak performance from his motorcycle in any setting.
From racing helmet to Hollywood stunt rig
After hanging up his competition leathers in the mid-1970s, Mulder translated his riding acumen into a second career as a Hollywood stunt performer. He appeared in cult classics such as Near Dark and the television series Stingray, among other productions, delivering the same precision and daring that defined his racing days. His stunt work kept him in the public eye and demonstrated how a professional rider could cross over into mainstream entertainment.
Champion of vintage racing and custom Triumphs
Even beyond his stunt tenure, Mulder remained active within the motorcycling community. He founded the West Coast Vintage Dirt Track Series, offering a platform for classic machines and historic riders to showcase their skills. Simultaneously, he launched a boutique operation building custom Triumph street bikes that echo the lines of his own race-tuned machines, blending heritage design with modern performance.
Hall of Fame recognition and lasting legacy
In acknowledgment of his multifaceted contributions—five Grand National victories, a dominant TT record, a celebrated stunt portfolio, and a devotion to preserving vintage racing—Eddie Mulder was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. The Hall of Fame’s statement, released from Pickerington, Ohio, expressed deep condolences to his family and friends, marking the end of an era for a rider who embodied the spirit of motorcycling for more than six decades.
