Motocross History Ten best & worst moments

project racer 5/17/2010 11:14am
5/17/2010 11:14am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 10:52pm
Best- Team Yamaha sweeping all three national outdoor class titles along with the SX Championship in '78.

Worst- Jim West at Saddleback Trans-AMA in '75.
THE mx addict 5/17/2010 11:59am
5/17/2010 11:59am
robkinuk wrote:
Got me thinking, what were the 10 best and worst moments in Motocross history? Here's my list, what's yours??? Best Moments 1/ Danny Magoo Chandler winning...
Got me thinking, what were the 10 best and worst moments in Motocross history?
Here's my list, what's yours???

Best Moments
1/ Danny Magoo Chandler winning all 4 motos of Trophee & Motocross des Nations 1982.
2/ Ricky Carmichael's undeated 24 moto season (twice)
3/ Travis Pastrana double backflip X Games.
4/ Anaheim 86 SX battle between RJ and David Bailey.
5/ Budds Creek MXDN Promoter Jonathon Beasley set the bar for event standards.
6/ Stefan Everts farewell double moto win at Matterley Basin, easily beating Bubba.
7/ Jean Michel Bayles clean sweep of SX, 250 and %00 Nationals in 1991 season.
8/ Team USA underdogs Omara, Hansen, Sun Laporte winning Lommel Trophee and Mx des nations a week later.
9/Marty Moates winning 1980 USGP Carlsbad as a privateer.
10/ Bob Hannah's race with Roger DeCoster Unadilla Trans AM 1978.

Worst moments
1/ David Bailey's injury in 87, how could smoothest rider get hurt?
2/ USA MXDN cancelation at Sonoba Indian reserve 2002.
3/Russians ganging up on Jaroslav Falta final 250 GP denying his title.
4/ Closing of Namur track, so much history.
5/ Mike Alessi's crash with Tedesco at Glen Helen then trying to stop his bike!
6/ Ake Jonnson's Maico spark plug blew out at final GP moto robbing him of world title.
7/ Josh Coppins Czech 2006 GP crash & broken shoulder when he was 100 points ahead in title race, lost out to Ramon.
8/ Cancelation of flooded Kenworthy's National, we never got to see Langston, Hughes battle play out.
9/ Doug Henry's Supermoto crash after such a career.
10/ Ernesto Fonseca crash

Ps Lists are not in any particular order of importance.
Josh Coppins crash in Czech Republic was in 2007.

Wink
JW381
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JW381 5/17/2010 12:09pm
5/17/2010 12:09pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 10:52pm
Best - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC trippling over James to take the lead.


Worst - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC separating his shoulder right before the MXdN's. Imagine the James vs Stefan battle that should have been the Ricky vs Stefan battle.
rcm406
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rcm406 5/17/2010 12:35pm
5/17/2010 12:35pm
rcm406 wrote:
James winning every AMA c'ship possible(only rider to do it) and being the first african american to win in MX/SX would go under "best moments" for...
James winning every AMA c'ship possible(only rider to do it) and being the first african american to win in MX/SX would go under "best moments" for me.

John Birch wrote:
You mean Jeff Ward winning every AMA championship ever possible right?
I'm pretty sure Jeff never won 125E or W SX titles. 500 class wasn't possible when James was racing so yea, I meant James and not Ward.Whistling

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rcm406
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rcm406 5/17/2010 12:39pm
5/17/2010 12:39pm
JW381 wrote:
Best - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC trippling over James to take the lead. Worst - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC separating his shoulder right before...
Best - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC trippling over James to take the lead.


Worst - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC separating his shoulder right before the MXdN's. Imagine the James vs Stefan battle that should have been the Ricky vs Stefan battle.
I don't think RC would have had anything for Everts on that day and on that track! Everts was at his very best that day! JMHO
anniebertmojo
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anniebertmojo 5/17/2010 1:20pm
5/17/2010 1:20pm
Best - Pro Circuit bachelor parties from the 80's. Totally out of control fun.

Worst - Having Payton's mom go on a yelling rampage after seeing the shop from the night before of fun. Typically it 2 days to clean the place up....
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mcphilly 5/17/2010 2:14pm
5/17/2010 2:14pm
rcm406 wrote:
James winning every AMA c'ship possible(only rider to do it) and being the first african american to win in MX/SX would go under "best moments" for...
James winning every AMA c'ship possible(only rider to do it) and being the first african american to win in MX/SX would go under "best moments" for me.

John Birch wrote:
You mean Jeff Ward winning every AMA championship ever possible right?
rcm406 wrote:
I'm pretty sure Jeff never won 125E or W SX titles. 500 class wasn't possible when James was racing so yea, I meant James and not...
I'm pretty sure Jeff never won 125E or W SX titles. 500 class wasn't possible when James was racing so yea, I meant James and not Ward.Whistling
Jeff ward was on a 250 long before they even had a 125 supercross class so that doesnt apply...... Ward was the first Smile
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DANIELINS 5/17/2010 2:26pm
5/17/2010 2:26pm
the kyle flemming/ bruce bunch/ rick hemme thing would have to be at the top along side jim west getting killed at saddleback and gaylon mosier getting killed on that bicycle ride,
robkinuk
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robkinuk 5/17/2010 3:56pm
5/17/2010 3:56pm
On a personal note I wanted to include 1976 Doddington Park British 500cc GP where a teenage Brit Graham Noyce won the first moto and Pierre Karsmakers showed up with his works fire engine red Honda for first time.
That and 1987 500cc GP at Farleigh castle where Dave Thorpe went from last in first corner crash to first place in just 3 laps! are etched in the minds of every British fan!
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MX479Guy 5/17/2010 3:57pm
5/17/2010 3:57pm
Travis Pastrana jumping that huge jump at the MXDN's..

Anyone have pics or video?
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Ddavis 5/17/2010 4:11pm
5/17/2010 4:11pm
Where he jumps over stephane roncada?
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Cygnus 5/17/2010 4:19pm
5/17/2010 4:19pm Edited Date/Time 5/17/2010 4:20pm
Best or Worst? James Stewart's and Chad Reed's crash Phoenix 2010.
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andymoto 5/17/2010 4:24pm
5/17/2010 4:24pm
Jim Pomeroy first American to win a World MX GP overall; Spain 1973.

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Sully 5/17/2010 4:29pm
5/17/2010 4:29pm
mr50racer wrote:
I would say on of the worst moments would have been in 1982 when you lost 3 young racers that would have made an impact on...
I would say on of the worst moments would have been in 1982 when you lost 3 young racers that would have made an impact on the national and world stage........Bruce Bunch, Rick Hemme, and Kyle Fleming all died at Ponca CIty.....Bruce Bunch would of had some AMA championships no doubt.......
adamdf wrote:
They all died in the same year at the same event? Thats crazy! I never heard of that....
There's a multi-page thread in Old School about the accident. One of the best threads on this site if you ask me.
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wreckitrandy 5/17/2010 6:40pm
5/17/2010 6:40pm
rcm406 wrote:
James winning every AMA c'ship possible(only rider to do it) and being the first african american to win in MX/SX would go under "best moments" for...
James winning every AMA c'ship possible(only rider to do it) and being the first african american to win in MX/SX would go under "best moments" for me.

John Birch wrote:
You mean Jeff Ward winning every AMA championship ever possible right?
rcm406 wrote:
I'm pretty sure Jeff never won 125E or W SX titles. 500 class wasn't possible when James was racing so yea, I meant James and not...
I'm pretty sure Jeff never won 125E or W SX titles. 500 class wasn't possible when James was racing so yea, I meant James and not Ward.Whistling
Ward has seven real titles. Regional titles are like,,,,World SX titles, they don't even count. Don't mention James' name in the same breath as Ward. Jeff races more NOW than Bubba does.Woohoo
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KAWboy14 5/17/2010 6:42pm
5/17/2010 6:42pm
1) bauer beating bobbym in most of their races
2) Gman beating bobbym in most of their races
3) bobbym retiring
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`ol Ger 5/17/2010 7:02pm
5/17/2010 7:02pm
John Birch wrote:
You mean Jeff Ward winning every AMA championship ever possible right?
rcm406 wrote:
I'm pretty sure Jeff never won 125E or W SX titles. 500 class wasn't possible when James was racing so yea, I meant James and not...
I'm pretty sure Jeff never won 125E or W SX titles. 500 class wasn't possible when James was racing so yea, I meant James and not Ward.Whistling
wreckitrandy wrote:
Ward has seven real titles. Regional titles are like,,,,World SX titles, they don't even count. Don't mention James' name in the same breath as Ward. Jeff...
Ward has seven real titles. Regional titles are like,,,,World SX titles, they don't even count. Don't mention James' name in the same breath as Ward. Jeff races more NOW than Bubba does.Woohoo
twue
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RocketLab 5/17/2010 7:25pm
5/17/2010 7:25pm
al8 wrote:
Ricky Carmichael lapping the field.
under best or worst?

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RocketLab
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RocketLab 5/17/2010 7:35pm
5/17/2010 7:35pm
robkinuk wrote:
Got me thinking, what were the 10 best and worst moments in Motocross history? Here's my list, what's yours??? Best Moments 1/ Danny Magoo Chandler winning...
Got me thinking, what were the 10 best and worst moments in Motocross history?
Here's my list, what's yours???

Best Moments
1/ Danny Magoo Chandler winning all 4 motos of Trophee & Motocross des Nations 1982.
2/ Ricky Carmichael's undeated 24 moto season (twice)
3/ Travis Pastrana double backflip X Games.
4/ Anaheim 86 SX battle between RJ and David Bailey.
5/ Budds Creek MXDN Promoter Jonathon Beasley set the bar for event standards.
6/ Stefan Everts farewell double moto win at Matterley Basin, easily beating Bubba.
7/ Jean Michel Bayles clean sweep of SX, 250 and %00 Nationals in 1991 season.
8/ Team USA underdogs Omara, Hansen, Sun Laporte winning Lommel Trophee and Mx des nations a week later.
9/Marty Moates winning 1980 USGP Carlsbad as a privateer.
10/ Bob Hannah's race with Roger DeCoster Unadilla Trans AM 1978.

Worst moments
1/ David Bailey's injury in 87, how could smoothest rider get hurt?
2/ USA MXDN cancelation at Sonoba Indian reserve 2002.
3/Russians ganging up on Jaroslav Falta final 250 GP denying his title.
4/ Closing of Namur track, so much history.
5/ Mike Alessi's crash with Tedesco at Glen Helen then trying to stop his bike!
6/ Ake Jonnson's Maico spark plug blew out at final GP moto robbing him of world title.
7/ Josh Coppins Czech 2006 GP crash & broken shoulder when he was 100 points ahead in title race, lost out to Ramon.
8/ Cancelation of flooded Kenworthy's National, we never got to see Langston, Hughes battle play out.
9/ Doug Henry's Supermoto crash after such a career.
10/ Ernesto Fonseca crash

Ps Lists are not in any particular order of importance.
# 8 #9 and #2 were extremely important as far as the effect it had on world MX. It was the dawn of American MX competitiveness and dominance on the world stage. I would add Lackey's and Laporte's world titles along with that.

#3 not so much.

Would also like to see Joel Robert and Decoster on that list as well for their accomplishments.
look out below
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look out below 5/17/2010 7:53pm
5/17/2010 7:53pm
1996 MxdN at Spain, MC, Lammy and Fro kicked every ones ass! The huge downhill quad that was turned into a double was awesome.
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SCR 5/17/2010 8:05pm
5/17/2010 8:05pm
rcm406 wrote:
I'm pretty sure Jeff never won 125E or W SX titles. 500 class wasn't possible when James was racing so yea, I meant James and not...
I'm pretty sure Jeff never won 125E or W SX titles. 500 class wasn't possible when James was racing so yea, I meant James and not Ward.Whistling
wreckitrandy wrote:
Ward has seven real titles. Regional titles are like,,,,World SX titles, they don't even count. Don't mention James' name in the same breath as Ward. Jeff...
Ward has seven real titles. Regional titles are like,,,,World SX titles, they don't even count. Don't mention James' name in the same breath as Ward. Jeff races more NOW than Bubba does.Woohoo
`ol Ger wrote:
twue
Jeff Ward: 7 Titles 125MX, 250MX, 500MX, 250SX. Seven time MX Des Nations champion.
Thats a straight flush Nothing beats it. Just in case there is any doubt throw in a couple SuperMoto championships and a X-Games gold medal for Supermoto and he did that in his mid forties.
James might be the fastest man alive. And Ricky is the GOAT. But Ward will also stand alone in the record books.
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Casemark 5/17/2010 8:33pm
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adamdf wrote:
They all died in the same year at the same event? Thats crazy! I never heard of that....
DownSouth wrote:
As I recall they were all in the same car and had an accident with a train at a railroad crossing after the event. Truly tragic.
robkinuk wrote:
Seem to recall Larry Brooks planned to get a ride back into town with them, or was it someone else?
Larry Brooks was in the car and going to town with them, but got out to do a radio interview, and stayed at the track. When he got out, Kyle Flemming got in. They never returned. Brooks' parents didn't know that he had got out of the car and thought he was involved in the accident, until the police showed up at the track and he came walking up to see what was going on.

This was very tragic and a day that we are would like to forget. But we can't and will never forget our friends that we all lost that day.
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JW381 5/17/2010 10:59pm
5/17/2010 10:59pm
Worst: Supercross only contracts.
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SMITH201 5/18/2010 6:47am
5/18/2010 6:47am
JW381 wrote:
Best - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC trippling over James to take the lead. Worst - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC separating his shoulder right before...
Best - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC trippling over James to take the lead.


Worst - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC separating his shoulder right before the MXdN's. Imagine the James vs Stefan battle that should have been the Ricky vs Stefan battle.
rcm406 wrote:
I don't think RC would have had anything for Everts on that day and on that track! Everts was at his very best that day! JMHO
Yeah, just like RC wouldnt have anything for Everts in his home country on a bored out 450 with RC on a 2 smoke. Good bet! Wink
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JW381 5/18/2010 11:34am
5/18/2010 11:34am
JW381 wrote:
Best - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC trippling over James to take the lead. Worst - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC separating his shoulder right before...
Best - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC trippling over James to take the lead.


Worst - Glen Helen 450's 2006, RC separating his shoulder right before the MXdN's. Imagine the James vs Stefan battle that should have been the Ricky vs Stefan battle.
rcm406 wrote:
I don't think RC would have had anything for Everts on that day and on that track! Everts was at his very best that day! JMHO
SMITH201 wrote:
Yeah, just like RC wouldnt have anything for Everts in his home country on a bored out 450 with RC on a 2 smoke. Good bet...
Yeah, just like RC wouldnt have anything for Everts in his home country on a bored out 450 with RC on a 2 smoke. Good bet! Wink
ZING!

I know there's a pic of it out there. I have it on my old computer somewhere.
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jtiger12 5/18/2010 11:46am
5/18/2010 11:46am
umm, if we are including travis' backflip, lets include one of my top ten worst moments in motocross..

bubbas world
senorsquirrel 5/18/2010 1:24pm
5/18/2010 1:24pm
I didn't see anything about Lackey winning the world championship in '82 ... and LaPorte winning the 250 title the same year .... the MXDN team was listed but no one mentioned Donnie Hansen's career ended with a practice crash in Germany.... and David Bailey got his big break and never looked back.

I guess the year 82 could be standalone event on a list. :-)

Or... I guess it was the already mentioned '86 that Johnny O beat David Thorpe's 500 ... Johnny was on a 125.

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JW381 5/18/2010 2:22pm
5/18/2010 2:22pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 10:53pm
rcm406 wrote:
I don't think RC would have had anything for Everts on that day and on that track! Everts was at his very best that day! JMHO
SMITH201 wrote:
Yeah, just like RC wouldnt have anything for Everts in his home country on a bored out 450 with RC on a 2 smoke. Good bet...
Yeah, just like RC wouldnt have anything for Everts in his home country on a bored out 450 with RC on a 2 smoke. Good bet! Wink
JW381 wrote:
ZING!

I know there's a pic of it out there. I have it on my old computer somewhere.
robkinuk
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robkinuk 5/20/2010 3:37am
5/20/2010 3:37am
Cheers for all suggestions, keep em coming!
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wreckitrandy 5/20/2010 5:06am
5/20/2010 5:06am
Hannah finally winning the Trans AMA series from Roger could be a best or, worst moment depending on how you look at it. I think it pretty much killed the euro's interest in contesting the series.

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