So, where does Eli fit in the top 10 great AMA riders of all time?

Forty
Posts
2783
Joined
7/27/2009
Location
Saint Paul, MN US
9/6/2022 12:51pm Edited Date/Time 9/9/2022 7:25am
He has to be in the top 10.

Reluctantly, I’ll place him in the top 5. There isn’t enough room. Some old favorite has to drop down in rank.

If he wins at MXoN and has great seasons next year then where do we put him?
8
2
|
9/6/2022 12:58pm
At MX Mt Rushmore, he's still paying entrance fees, but getting a very good seat.
7
9
zehn
Posts
7212
Joined
1/15/2013
Location
Anchorage, AK US
9/6/2022 1:00pm Edited Date/Time 9/6/2022 1:00pm
Easily top 5 all time when you consider his entire career of 250 and 450 and MX and SX

I can’t tell you the ranks of the top 5 except for #1 obviously
9
FHKRacingZ
Posts
299
Joined
10/28/2006
Location
Boise, ID US
9/6/2022 1:07pm
Just my opinion, feel free to roast away.

1. RC
2. McGrath
3. Stewart
4. RV
5. Tomac
6. Reed
7. Dungey
8. Johnson
9. Hannah
10. Roczen
15
Pop Shmoke
Posts
599
Joined
6/17/2020
Location
Framingham, MA US
9/6/2022 1:11pm
FHKRacingZ wrote:
Just my opinion, feel free to roast away. 1. RC 2. McGrath 3. Stewart 4. RV 5. Tomac 6. Reed 7. Dungey 8. Johnson 9. Hannah...
Just my opinion, feel free to roast away.

1. RC
2. McGrath
3. Stewart
4. RV
5. Tomac
6. Reed
7. Dungey
8. Johnson
9. Hannah
10. Roczen
Pretty good list imo
2

The Shop

Forty
Posts
2783
Joined
7/27/2009
Location
Saint Paul, MN US
9/6/2022 1:15pm
USA or world?

USA between 5-7.

World probably 10-15.
My mistake. AMA riders.
Hudd_421
Posts
645
Joined
2/17/2015
Location
TX US
9/6/2022 1:18pm
Lol 10-15? GTFO. Hurlings is regarded as the fastest outdoor rider ever in MXGP and I think he would say Eli is on-close to his level.

2
str8line
Posts
3660
Joined
9/20/2018
Location
Sandy, UT US
9/6/2022 1:28pm
Close to #3 overall I'd say. Let's see if he can tie or beat Bubba for 450 SX wins.
6
1
str8line
Posts
3660
Joined
9/20/2018
Location
Sandy, UT US
9/6/2022 1:33pm
Do we compare competition? I think Eli had tougher competition than MC overall.
3
OldPro277
Posts
1612
Joined
11/9/2009
Location
Avonmore, PA US
9/6/2022 1:34pm
I'm assuming you're meaning Top 10 AMA guys ? That list isn't horrible, but I certainly wouldn't have Roczen (2 titles) in there above guys like Barnett (4 titles) Glover (6 titles), etc. Keep in mind that you can't just go by race "wins" as back in the day, the series were split into 3 classes and there were many years that the Nationals only had 10 rounds and many seasons had even less .
TalinH112
Posts
688
Joined
1/30/2022
Location
Belgrade, MT US
9/6/2022 1:51pm
#4 all time, with 4,7 and 2 ahead of him. Ryan Villopoto is ahead because had he been healthy he would have at least 4 outdoor titles to match Supercross. But Eli’s longevity is one his strongest traits and the fact that he was there to battle is important, but that also means he was beaten straight up a couple times. His competition was all time as well though, mostly battling the Diesel his entire career and one of the most naturally talented riders ever in Roczen.
5
4
9/6/2022 1:52pm
FHKRacingZ wrote:
Just my opinion, feel free to roast away. 1. RC 2. McGrath 3. Stewart 4. RV 5. Tomac 6. Reed 7. Dungey 8. Johnson 9. Hannah...
Just my opinion, feel free to roast away.

1. RC
2. McGrath
3. Stewart
4. RV
5. Tomac
6. Reed
7. Dungey
8. Johnson
9. Hannah
10. Roczen
I can't agree with Reed over Dungey. RD5 has as many Supercross titles as Reed and Stewart combined.

Now what happens if we compare Dungey's outdoor stats to Reeds?
Warlock
Posts
226
Joined
7/11/2019
Location
West Middlesex, PA US
Fantasy
1004th
9/6/2022 2:01pm
How can you put Reed ahead of Dungey?
1
FHKRacingZ
Posts
299
Joined
10/28/2006
Location
Boise, ID US
9/6/2022 2:03pm Edited Date/Time 9/6/2022 2:05pm
I can't agree with Reed over Dungey. RD5 has as many Supercross titles as Reed and Stewart combined. Now what happens if we compare Dungey's outdoor...
I can't agree with Reed over Dungey. RD5 has as many Supercross titles as Reed and Stewart combined.

Now what happens if we compare Dungey's outdoor stats to Reeds?
Yea to me it was a toss up between Reed and Dungey.

I just think its very impressive for Reed to have the success he had during a prime RC and JS. Dungey was the king of consistency and placing him over Reed works for me.

Honestly I think Reed, Dungey, Tomac slide in behind the Top 4 and could be interchanged depending on your opinion.
3
4
Park Boys
Posts
3559
Joined
3/23/2012
Location
MH US
Fantasy
53rd
9/6/2022 2:10pm Edited Date/Time 9/6/2022 2:11pm
1. RC
2. RV
3. RJ
4. MC
5. Hannah
6. Stew
7. RD
8. Tomac
9. Ward
10. Stanton

1 is obvious, 2-5 you could make arguments for each guy being 2nd and IMO could move around easily.
Can’t put Stew lower than 6th I just can’t you could make a case for Eli above RD but Dungey’s bad days where 4th. Eli’s are 11th. Too many bad days to put Eli above RD.

Another thing is Wins get brought up to much and not Win percentages. Modern guys have more races for the most part. For Example Hannah won 27 SX races in his career. But if you plug his win percentage from 77 to 79 in todays 17 race season he would have won 27 in those years alone.
18
str8line
Posts
3660
Joined
9/20/2018
Location
Sandy, UT US
9/6/2022 2:12pm
TalinH112 wrote:
#4 all time, with 4,7 and 2 ahead of him. Ryan Villopoto is ahead because had he been healthy he would have at least 4 outdoor...
#4 all time, with 4,7 and 2 ahead of him. Ryan Villopoto is ahead because had he been healthy he would have at least 4 outdoor titles to match Supercross. But Eli’s longevity is one his strongest traits and the fact that he was there to battle is important, but that also means he was beaten straight up a couple times. His competition was all time as well though, mostly battling the Diesel his entire career and one of the most naturally talented riders ever in Roczen.

RV had a lot of injuries but Eli was looking next-level when he wrecked his shoulders in Colorado. And didn't he barely lose a SX title to RD even after some mishaps? Was that the years his pants came undone?
1
1
prozach
Posts
987
Joined
7/1/2008
Location
Eureka, CA US
9/6/2022 2:31pm
Top 3-4 seem to kinda separate themselves...then a group from 5-8, then a whole bunch who could fill out the top 10. IMO.

1. RC
2. McGrath
3. Stewart
4. Villopoto

5. Rick johnson
6. Eli tomac
7. Ryan Dungey

8. Bob Hannah
9. Jeff Ward
10. Broc Glover
5
motomike137
Posts
6887
Joined
4/22/2010
Location
Fenton, MI US
9/6/2022 2:58pm
Let's see where Eli stands after Des Nations and 23 SX. He might just shoot up the chart some more Wink
5
Darrin Willis
Posts
664
Joined
11/16/2020
Location
Red Deer County, AB CA
9/6/2022 3:02pm
Total national titles should be the #1 criteria. Followed by wins. 250f and 125 sx titles and wins should mean nothing imo. Eli has 7 titles? Puts him ahead of all but rc and mc?
5
R VanKamp77
Posts
507
Joined
8/15/2022
Location
Portland, TN US
9/6/2022 3:04pm
Prepared to get annihilated for this one but I think it’s time to distinguish between the old generation and new generation of motocross racing. Draw the line at RC when the training facility lifestyle sort of began. We changed paradigms then. Don’t tell me Eli and bob hannah are similar.
Darrin Willis
Posts
664
Joined
11/16/2020
Location
Red Deer County, AB CA
9/6/2022 3:07pm
Im 54 years old so I tend to think back to the 80s with a lot of nostalgia. Barnett had 3 125 titles and a sx title. Ward won titles in every class. Sx.125.250.500. 7 total? Stew won 5 titles. Glover had 6. Not sure on bailey . Johnson had 5 0r 6? I could not in good conscience rate stew higher then ward or Glover.
8
Darrin Willis
Posts
664
Joined
11/16/2020
Location
Red Deer County, AB CA
9/6/2022 3:09pm
I like Reed but he does not belong in the top 10. 3 titles does cut the mustard.
2
9/6/2022 3:09pm Edited Date/Time 9/6/2022 3:16pm
Prepared to get annihilated for this one but I think it’s time to distinguish between the old generation and new generation of motocross racing. Draw the...
Prepared to get annihilated for this one but I think it’s time to distinguish between the old generation and new generation of motocross racing. Draw the line at RC when the training facility lifestyle sort of began. We changed paradigms then. Don’t tell me Eli and bob hannah are similar.
I have a take:
Eli and Bob Hannah are incredibly similar:

3
3
9/6/2022 3:11pm
Total national titles should be the #1 criteria. Followed by wins. 250f and 125 sx titles and wins should mean nothing imo. Eli has 7 titles...
Total national titles should be the #1 criteria. Followed by wins. 250f and 125 sx titles and wins should mean nothing imo. Eli has 7 titles? Puts him ahead of all but rc and mc?
Dungey has 8 and RV has 9
2
Press516
Posts
3409
Joined
9/11/2018
Location
Gilbert, AZ US
Fantasy
111th
9/6/2022 3:15pm
Must be a lot of younger guys posting here... To see Glover barely on a list and not on most lists is remarkable. He tops nearly every 500cc statistic. The guy has 6 freakin' titles and raced against some really bad dudes. He's got to be in the 7-8 range IMHO... And nothing against Reed, but I don't think he belongs on a top 10 all time AMA list.

Stewart won so many races but failed to put the titles together... Obviously just a bunch of opinions, including mine.

1. RC
2. RV
3. McGrath
4. RD
5. Eli
6. James
7. RJ
8. Broc
9. Wardy
10. Hannah

Worth looking at... http://mxbob.com/AllTime/AllTimeHome.htm
9
R VanKamp77
Posts
507
Joined
8/15/2022
Location
Portland, TN US
9/6/2022 3:18pm
Prepared to get annihilated for this one but I think it’s time to distinguish between the old generation and new generation of motocross racing. Draw the...
Prepared to get annihilated for this one but I think it’s time to distinguish between the old generation and new generation of motocross racing. Draw the line at RC when the training facility lifestyle sort of began. We changed paradigms then. Don’t tell me Eli and bob hannah are similar.
I have a take: Eli and Bob Hannah are incredibly similar: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/09/06/567320/s1200_BobHannahjumpingRickBurget_1.jpg[/img]
I have a take:
Eli and Bob Hannah are incredibly similar:

I honestly don’t know anything about him or anyone past 2008, but I mean to distinguish the differences in the eras. Probably should have just said that in the first place but I’ll leave the post for posterity’s sake lol.
Phillip_Lamb
Posts
1923
Joined
12/14/2010
Location
ORANGEVALE, CA US
Fantasy
2511th
9/6/2022 3:21pm
Hudd_421 wrote:
Lol 10-15? GTFO. Hurlings is regarded as the fastest outdoor rider ever in MXGP and I think he would say Eli is on-close to his level.

dan marino was one of the best quarterbacks. any QB with a title no matter how crappy is intantly rated above him.

being fast is great but doenst matter when you dont win
OldPro277
Posts
1612
Joined
11/9/2009
Location
Avonmore, PA US
9/6/2022 3:25pm
Prepared to get annihilated for this one but I think it’s time to distinguish between the old generation and new generation of motocross racing. Draw the...
Prepared to get annihilated for this one but I think it’s time to distinguish between the old generation and new generation of motocross racing. Draw the line at RC when the training facility lifestyle sort of began. We changed paradigms then. Don’t tell me Eli and bob hannah are similar.
I have a take: Eli and Bob Hannah are incredibly similar: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/09/06/567320/s1200_BobHannahjumpingRickBurget_1.jpg[/img]
I have a take:
Eli and Bob Hannah are incredibly similar:

I definitely agree with your take. Both worked their ass’s off ( prob harder than their competitors) Both focused on winning with zero outside distractions. If social media existed back in Hurricanes day, you can bet he wouldn’t have been anywhere near a computer/phone screen
prozach
Posts
987
Joined
7/1/2008
Location
Eureka, CA US
9/6/2022 3:27pm
Press516 wrote:
Must be a lot of younger guys posting here... To see Glover barely on a list and not on most lists is remarkable. He tops nearly...
Must be a lot of younger guys posting here... To see Glover barely on a list and not on most lists is remarkable. He tops nearly every 500cc statistic. The guy has 6 freakin' titles and raced against some really bad dudes. He's got to be in the 7-8 range IMHO... And nothing against Reed, but I don't think he belongs on a top 10 all time AMA list.

Stewart won so many races but failed to put the titles together... Obviously just a bunch of opinions, including mine.

1. RC
2. RV
3. McGrath
4. RD
5. Eli
6. James
7. RJ
8. Broc
9. Wardy
10. Hannah

Worth looking at... http://mxbob.com/AllTime/AllTimeHome.htm
The only knock on the guys from the 80s IMO is that there were 3 national titles to be won each mx season, not two. This diluted the field some and gave more opportunity to win an extra title each year. Just like the new generation has more races to rack up total wins. But less opportunity to win championships.
3
9/6/2022 3:27pm Edited Date/Time 9/6/2022 3:28pm
Prepared to get annihilated for this one but I think it’s time to distinguish between the old generation and new generation of motocross racing. Draw the...
Prepared to get annihilated for this one but I think it’s time to distinguish between the old generation and new generation of motocross racing. Draw the line at RC when the training facility lifestyle sort of began. We changed paradigms then. Don’t tell me Eli and bob hannah are similar.
I have a take: Eli and Bob Hannah are incredibly similar: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/09/06/567320/s1200_BobHannahjumpingRickBurget_1.jpg[/img]
I have a take:
Eli and Bob Hannah are incredibly similar:

I honestly don’t know anything about him or anyone past 2008, but I mean to distinguish the differences in the eras. Probably should have just said...
I honestly don’t know anything about him or anyone past 2008, but I mean to distinguish the differences in the eras. Probably should have just said that in the first place but I’ll leave the post for posterity’s sake lol.
Bob is obviously a bit more outspoken, but in terms of competitive drive, fitness, focus, and skill these guys are clearly cut from the same cloth.

Post a reply to: So, where does Eli fit in the top 10 great AMA riders of all time?

The Latest