Jim Ryan Named a 2026 Living Legend of Rock Motorsports
Ryan’s career in automotive & motorsports media has been influential in bringing Jeeping & rock crawling to a national audience…
The Rock Motorsports Hall of Fame (RMSHOF) announced that longtime automotive publishing and motorsports executive Jim Ryan has been named a 2026 Living Legend of Rock Motorsports, recognizing decades of work that helped bring Jeeping, rock crawling and competitive rock crawling to a national audience.
The Living Legends of Rock Motorsports is separate from induction into the Hall of Fame and recognizes individuals whose contributions have had a significant and continuing impact on rock motorsports, according to a press release.
Ryan’s Early Career in Media
Ryan’s career in automotive and motorsports media spans nearly five decades. After beginning in advertising sales with Cycle News in 1977, he joined Petersen Publishing in 1980 and went on to spend nearly two decades helping lead some of the most influential enthusiast publications in the four-wheel-drive industry.
His positions at Petersen included Off-Road group manager, publisher of 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine and Truck Group publisher. He later served in publishing and group leadership positions with EMAP Publishing, Primedia, Advanstar Communications and Source Interlink Companies.
During those years, recreational Jeeping and rock crawling were evolving rapidly, the release noted. Purpose-built vehicles became increasingly capable, organized competitions emerged and a new generation of drivers, fabricators and manufacturers began pushing the limits of what four-wheel-drive vehicles could accomplish.
Publishing’s Influence on Jeeping & Rock Crawling
Before social media gave competitors, builders and events a direct connection to an audience, enthusiast magazines played a critical role in determining which stories reached the broader four-wheel-drive community. Coverage introduced readers to new vehicles and technology, documented competitions and personalities, and gave manufacturers supporting the emerging sport a national platform.
Ryan was instrumental in ensuring that Jeeping, rock crawling and competitive rock crawling had a place in that media landscape, Rock Motorsports Hall of Fame officials said.
His influence continued as the sport matured. Ryan became Off-Road group director at Advanstar Communications and later president and CEO of Ryan Communications Group. He subsequently served as Off-Road group publisher for Source Interlink Companies.
Ryan Today
Today, Ryan continues his involvement in motorsports as vice president of marketing & sales for SCORE International Off-Road Racing, where he previously served as marketing & sales director. His responsibilities have included marketing, branding, sponsorship, promotions and publishing of SCORE Journal.
“Rock motorsports was built by more than the people behind the wheel,” said RMSHOF co-founder Ranch Pratt. “It took builders, manufacturers, promoters and people who were willing to tell their stories. Jim understood early that what was happening in Jeeping and rock crawling mattered. He helped give the sport a platform and put the people, vehicles and companies building it in front of a much larger audience.”
Ryan will be recognized alongside the other 2026 Living Legends of Rock Motorsports during the Rock Motorsports Hall of Fame celebration on Sept. 29, 2026, at the Rock Bowl at Sand Hollow Resort in Hurricane, Utah.
