Noble ended up having a very varied career. He initially made his name on snowmobiles, becoming a snowmobile champion, before racing, and indeed winning, in the Mazda Cup. He founded a company in 1972, called Starting Line Products (or SLP), which is an aftermarket/performance company that is now a top manufacturer for snowmobile exhaust systems, engine kits, skis and many other products. Jim actually began by racing motorcycles in flat track racing in his home state of Washington, before serving in Vietnam. He then competed in motocross and snowmobiles, before retiring in 1976 to concentrate on his business. Jim was based in Idaho Falls, Idaho, for many years. He died in a plane crash in 1999. Noble was a stunt pilot, and was flying a Pitts Special aerobatic plane, practicing for an air show, when it crashed and caught fire. Jim continued racing until the mid-1990's in a variety of series.

Biography last updated 21 Dec 2021