Stoner elevated to elite group in a Hall of Fame special event at the Melbourne F1 GP

In becoming a legend, Stoner joins an elite quartet that includes Sir Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, and Mick Doohan. The ceremony was presided over by Tim Schenken OAM, who inducted the new awardees, while Mick Doohan AM elevated Stoner to Legend status. The HoF also inducted two-time AMA Supercross champ Chad Reed, International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) heroes Jessica Gardiner, Tayla Jones and Jemma Wilson, and eight-time Top Fuel motorcycle champ Chris Matheson.

Born on October 16, 1985, in Southport, Queensland, Stoner was destined for a life of speed and adrenaline. He began racing at an early age and quickly made a name for himself in junior dirt track championships. His ascent to the world stage was meteoric; by the time he was 18, he was competing in the 125cc World Championship, where he won his first GP races.

Stoner’s first 125cc GP victory came at Valencia in 2003

Stoner went on to win MotoGP titles for Ducati and Honda, and is widely regarded as one of the most talented riders in the sport’s history. He began his championship-winning journey in 2007 as a member of the Factory Ducati Team, where he claimed his first premier-class victory in the season opener in Qatar. Stoner dominated that season, securing ten race wins and six pole positions and ultimately clinching his first MotoGP title by a remarkable margin of 125 points over Dani Pedrosa. He also became the first rider to win the premier class title for a non-Japanese manufacturer since 1974.

Celebrating the 2007 championship with Ducati

In 2008, Stoner’s title defense secured him six wins, after some memorable clashes with Valentino Rossi, with a then-record high points total of 280 points for a non-title-winning season. Despite strong performances, he faced setbacks including injuries and crashes throughout his career. After a promising start in 2009, he was eventually sidelined by health issues that limited his performance for much of the season, though he would still claim victories at the Australian and Malaysian Grand Prix upon his return.

Stoner’s 23 victories with Ducati were made all the more remarkable given his celebrated teammates over those four years could only manage 1 win between them – Loris Capirossi’s flag-to-flag Motegi victory in 2007.

Stoner winning in style at the 2008 British GP

Stoner transitioned to the Repsol Honda team in 2011, winning the title for the second time and solidifying his place in MotoGP history. He dominated the season with 10 victories and 16 podiums from the 17 races, his only non-finish coming in Spain after an ‘ambitious’ braking manoeuvre by Valentino Rossi took them both down. In his final season in 2012, Stoner won at Jerez and Estoril before an ankle injury at Indianapolis that required surgery ruled him out of championship contention. Despite being hampered by the injury, Stoner would go on to claim a incredible sixth straight victory at Phillip Island later in the year.

Stoner claims the 2011 MotoGP crown on his birthday at Phillip Island

Stoner announced his retirement from MotoGP in May 2012 at the peak of his powers, citing a loss of passion for the sport. Despite lucrative offers to continue racing, Stoner chose to prioritise his family, building a new life with his wife Adriana and daughters Alessandra and Caleya. A decade later, his legend continues to grow as one of the greatest racers of his generation.

Motorsport Australia’s Legend gong adds to a long list of accolades for Stoner, including:

●  Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours

●  Designated a MotoGP Legend by the FIM in October 2013

●  Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in October 2015

●  The third turn at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is named in his honour

Never has there been a more fitting turn to be named after a rider than the iconic Stoner Corner at Phillip Island