2025 INDUCTEE ANTHONY “AC” CHAMBERS

Anthony Chambers began his long journey of BMX racing in 1974 by riding with friends at trails near his Golden Hills neighborhood in Bellevue, Nebraska. In 1975, they built a series of BMX courses and jumps in a forested area. These “Golden Hills Trails” became a legendary hot-spot of early BMX activity. Riders would showcase their BMX jumping skills on big downhill and uphill jumps.

Anthony organized his own BMX races at Golden Hills in 1975 and created hand-made trophies for the winners. This was one year prior to any official sanctioned BMX races in Nebraska.

In 1976, Anthony attended a race at Nebraska’s first BMX track called Yankee Hill BMX near Lincoln, Nebraska. Then later that summer, began competing at Omaha’s first BMX track called Spinnin’ Spokes. The BMX fire had taken hold of him. Anthony’s long career in BMX had just begun.

For Anthony, it has always been about spreading the fun and excitement of BMX to others. His contagious smile and positive attitude attracted many new friends from all walks of life. He formed a lifelong friendship with riders from other parts of Omaha, throughout the state and beyond. He and his friends would load up their vehicle with neighborhood kids and head out each weekend to local and regional BMX races in Nebraska and surrounding states.

The list of sponsorships Anthony had is impressive. His first sponsor was with local bottling company VESS Soda. Bicycle shop sponsors included most of the local bicycle shops such as Triple A Lock & Bike, Cycle Shack, Olympia Cycle, The Bike Rack, Randy’s Cycle Shop and Earl’s Bicycle Factory. He was co-sponsored by Redline during the 1979-1980 seasons. It was his ride with Earl’s Bicycle Factory that catapulted him to regional fame in the Midwest.

Earl became known as one of the leading suppliers of BMX bikes and components in the Midwest. Based in Bellevue, his shop did business with BMX’ers throughout the country. Earl always had the best of the best equipment. He was a savvy businessman. He quickly understood that Anthony would make not only an outstanding rider for his products, he would also be a better “salesman” than any other rider around. Anthony would win races on Sunday and Earl would sell what Anthony was riding on Monday!

By 1982, Earl was a leading supplier of Kuwahara Bicycles. He arranged for Anthony to ride a Kuwahara on the Kuwahara National Team. For several years, Earl and Anthony sold many Kuwaharas throughout the Midwest.

Anthony continued to race BMX in the 1990’s and was the BMX Brand Manager at Omaha’s Bike Rack bicycle shop. He was co-sponsored by SE Racing and Oakley during this time.

In the early to mid-2000’s as more riders in their 30’s and 40’s were getting serious about over 30 Cruiser class racing, Anthony was gearing up for another major push. He teamed up with XS Energy to create the Transformed Racing Team. His Transformed team was sponsored by Kuwahara Bicycles, J. Skinner Bakery, XS Energy, Fly Racing, Snap Racing Products, Big Wheel Racing Products and Big Ox Energy. Anthony and Transformed sponsored top BMX athletes from all over the USA. Anthony was the District #1 Cruiser rider for the state of Nebraska.

Although Anthony continued to race through the 2010’s, it was in the 2020’s that he stepped up his game again to compete at national level events. In 2020 and 2021, he achieved podium finishes at prestigious events such as the USABMX Gold Cup in Kansas City, Missouri and the USABMX Mid America National in Omaha, Nebraska.

During the 2023 BMX season, Anthony discovered vintage BMX racing. This involves racing vintage 1970’s and 1980’s BMX bikes on tracks designed like early downhill tracks of the past. Races on these tracks are more like modern day mountain bike racing. They are created entirely with dirt, with no paved turns and starting hills like modern BMX tracks. This style of riding brings BMX back full circle to what it was intended to be, and Anthony was thrilled to take on this new chapter in BMX.

In June, he traveled with fellow rider Tim Lillethorup to Texas Classic BMX Days in Floresville, Texas. Anthony won first place in the 20” 1976 to 1979 class on a restored 1979 Roger DeCoster BMX bike and took third place in the 20” Suspension class on a 1976 Huffy Monoshock. The stage was set for the Vintage BMX final event at Frogtown Classic BMX Days in September.

At Frogtown Classic BMX Days held in Angels Camp, California, Anthony had podium finishes in both of his classes. For the season championship points he finished National Number One in 20” 1976-1979 and National Number Three in 20” Suspension.

For Anthony, BMX isn’t just about winning races and having a good time. Perhaps more than most people, Anthony participates in these events for the camaraderie, the experience of constantly meeting new friends and spreading the word about health and fitness. Throughout his long career, he has focused on helping others, teaching kids, putting on BMX skills clinics, and showing the next generations about dedication, determination and striving to be the best you can be. These lessons have helped countless kids to stay off the streets, keep away from drugs and grow into successful human beings. Anthony is a real world example of an ambassador of BMX racing.