Ari Henning’s father, Todd Henning, a racing legend, left an enduring mark on motorcycle history.

Todd Henning stands as one of the most accomplished figures in vintage motorcycle racing, with an impressive record of over 50 wins at Daytona alone.

His racing career spanned decades, during which he expertly developed and raced various motorcycles, including the Honda CB350 and the legendary Drixton 450.

Todd’s mechanical ingenuity matched his racing prowess – he was known for his meticulous modifications and technical expertise, often writing detailed notes directly on his machines about valve lash, engine rev limits, and other critical specifications.

Throughout the 1990s, Todd pursued championships across the United States, Canada, and even Europe, competing in prestigious organizations like the American Historical Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) and the United States Classic Racing Association (USCRA).

His dedication to the sport went beyond personal achievement; he created a unique racing environment that would profoundly influence his son’s future.

Ari Henning’s path to motorcycling success took an unconventional turn when, at age 19, he chose adventure over academia.

Instead of attending college, he invested his savings into a six-month, 20,000-mile exploration of America’s back roads on his Suzuki Bandit 600.

This journey led him to California, where he landed a position as a test rider at Motorcyclist magazine, marking the beginning of his professional career.

Over the next decade, Ari established himself as both a skilled writer and multimedia content creator, helping develop and host popular series like “MC Garage” and “On Two Wheels.”

Beyond his journalism work, he has proven himself an accomplished self-taught mechanic and roadracer, carrying forward the mechanical aptitude and racing passion inherited from his father.

Ari’s career continues to evolve as he dedicates himself to motorcycle maintenance, inspiring others, and pursuing new motorcycling adventures.

The Crash That Changed a Father and Son: Todd and Ari Henning’s Journey

Todd Henning’s racing career took a devastating turn on April 18, 1999, at Sears Point.

During the AHRMA’s Premier 500 class race, his Drixton 450 stalled in Turn 4, leading to a crash that would forever alter his life.

While Todd survived the accident, the brain injury he sustained transformed him into a different person, creating a complex emotional journey for both father and son.

Before the accident, Todd was known for his energetic personality and seemingly unstoppable determination.

He had built a reputation not just as a champion racer but as an innovative mechanic who could transform vintage motorcycles into race-winning machines.

His technical knowledge was evident in every bike he worked on, from his championship-winning Honda CB350 to the meticulously modified Drixton 450.

The impact of Todd’s racing career on his son Ari began in infancy.

Young Ari traveled extensively with his father to racing events, absorbing the culture and excitement of the racing world.

Their unique father-son bond was forged in the paddocks and pit lanes of racetracks across continents.

In 1996, when Ari was just ten years old, he accompanied his father to Belgium for the MZ Skorpion Cup Series, where he proved himself an integral part of his father’s support team.

The relationship between father and son evolved significantly after Todd’s accident.

While the physical presence of his father remained, Ari had to navigate the emotional complexity of connecting with someone who had fundamentally changed.

This led him on a journey of discovery, seeking to understand who his father was through conversations with Todd’s childhood friends, competitors, and colleagues.

Today, Todd Henning continues to attend racing events, though quieter than before.

His legacy lives on through his son, who has not only inherited his father’s mechanical aptitude but also his passion for racing.

The physical manifestation of their connection remains in Todd’s racing machines, particularly in the Drixton 450, which now resides in the Barber museum.

In a poignant tribute to his father’s legacy, Ari recovered, rebuilt, and raced the very Drixton 450 that was involved in his father’s accident.

This emotional journey helped him process his grief while honoring his father’s racing career.

Through racing his father’s bikes and carrying forward the Henning racing legacy, Ari maintains a profound connection with the man his father once was, finding healing and purpose in the sport that both shaped and changed their lives.

Additional Information

• His early motorcycle experience began with a Honda Z50, but he quickly moved to a Yamaha YZ80 because he wanted to replicate the sound of upshifts he heard his father make on the racetrack. Due to noise complaints from neighbors, he later switched to a quieter Suzuki DR100.
• One of his most memorable experiences as a motojournalist was during photo shoots when photographers would request wheelies. He also had the opportunity to bowl with Gary Nixon and chase Jay Springsteen around a mini-oval.
• His worst experience in motojournalism occurred before he was even hired – he crashed the magazine’s Suzuki GSX-R750 during a test ride.