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1982 was the only year in MX history that there were two American world champions in GP motocross.
So Cal native Ron Burgundy won the 250 world title that year for the United States as well.
I thought Danny Laporte was 1st American world champion (250gp) by 2 weeks before Lackey (500gp) ? Thanks for the video.
Pretty sure Laporte was 2 weeks later
I was at that race, I remember it was very dusty so tough to see the track in places. It was amazing when he crossed the line and was mobbed by fans. He got a LOT of respect in Europe for that.
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Other way around. From MXA:
Within one weeks time in 1982, America celebrated not one, but two, World Motocross Championship titles when after more than a decade of trying “Bad” Brad Lackey finally claimed his long sought after 500cc title and, one week later Danny LaPorte brought home the 250cc title in his rookie year on the GP Circuit.
MXA said that? Well that settles it, Danny was definitely first.
Laporte is in this video spectating... I think they mention something about him racing the last 250 race in a few weeks time, and make no mention that he is 250 world champ yet.
What a season that was for us . 2 World Champs, Magoo sweeping the MX and Trophee des Nations . I wish more of our guys would aspire to be World Motocross Champions today .
From the Racer X Vault:
The power shift from Europe to America continued with not one but two Americans winning world titles in 1982, as '72 AMA Motocross Champion Brad Lackey finally realized his decade-long crusade to win a 500cc world title, then watched Danny LaPorte also win a title two weeks later in the 250cc class over Belgium’s Georges Jobe. It was the Yamaha mounted LaPorte’s first year over there. In contrast, Lackey’s life-quest was over and he wasn’t able to find a ride to his liking to defend his title and he would ride off into the sunset with the title.
https://vault.racerxonline.com/1982/mx/intro
Work more for less pay and longer periods away from family/familiarity? Easy to see why US riders aren't signing up to ship over there.
The Kings of throttle control right there. 500cc 2 strokes on flat corners lap after lap roosting on the border of traction and tossing it away.
Wouldn't Eddie Lawson be the first American world champ?
Lawson didn't win his first world championship until 1984. And yes, maybe i should have specified MX.
This guy won a world championship in 1981.
Kenny Roberts 1978 world 500cc GP road racing champ
On the other hand, if you can find the old On Any Sunday II vid released before this, Brad is talking about his quest and seeing Bengt Aberg's title stuff, and Hannah is pretty much why, I am getting paid here. It just depends on the guy and the opportunity I guess. It definitely would be cool to see the different series' best talent mix it up more, but they have a short window to max earnings even without injury risk.
Lackey is a bad man. I read an interview where he said when he first went overseas to ride for Husky they just gave him a cabin to live in and he had to hunt his own food. Read that again.
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if you told any 19 year old that today, most likely they would turn around and laugh at you and go home. Just shows how bad he wanted it.
Lackey was my American hero. Meet him a couple times. Real down to earth and easy to talk to. I got this autograph picture from that second Moto. His butt patch says "Good As Gold". Yes he was.
Sorry I was being sarcastic.
If I remember right that was for CZ, he worked in the factory and was given only the basics needed for survival: Beer and pickles. Lackey did a great interview a year or two ago with Ping or Matthes covering his career, well worth a listen
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