AMA Motocross Championship

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The AMA Motocross Championship is an American motorcycle racing series. The motocross race series was founded and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1972.[1] The series is the major outdoor motocross series in the United States and is managed by MX Sports Pro Racing.

The series began in 1972 with the introduction of two classes based on 500 cc and 250 cc engine formulas.[2] A 125 cc class was added in 1974. As motocross technology developed, 500 cc two-stroke motocross bikes became too powerful for the average rider and, faced with diminishing numbers of competitors, the A.M.A. discontinued the 500 cc class after the 1993 season. A women's national championship series was introduced in 1996.[3]

Due to the low relative power output of a four stroke engine, compared to the then-dominating two stroke design, the A.M.A. had increased the allowable displacement capacity for four-stroke engines. By 1994, the displacement limit of a four stroke power motocross bike was up to 550cc in the 250 class, to incentivize manufactures to further develop the design for use in motocross. [4] In 2006, the 250 cc division was renamed the MX Class, with an engine formula allowing for 150–250 cc two-stroke or 250–450 cc four-stroke machines.[5] The 125 cc class was renamed the MX Lites Class, allowing 0–125 cc two-stroke or 150–250 cc four-stroke engines. In 2009, the MX class was renamed the 450 Class and the MX Lites class was renamed the 250 Class, to reflect the fact that all the competing manufacturers had adopted four-stroke machinery.

National Champions[edit]

References:[3][6][7]

Year 500cc 250cc 125cc
1972 United States Brad Lackey (Kawasaki) United States Gary Jones (Yamaha)
1973 Netherlands Pierre Karsmakers (Yamaha) United States Gary Jones (Honda)
1974 United States Jimmy Weinert (Kawasaki) United States Gary Jones (Can-Am) United States Marty Smith (Honda)
1975 United States Jimmy Weinert (Yamaha) United States Tony DiStefano (Suzuki) United States Marty Smith (Honda)
1976 United States Kent Howerton (Husqvarna) United States Tony DiStefano (Suzuki) United States Bob Hannah (Yamaha)
1977 United States Marty Smith (Honda) United States Tony DiStefano (Suzuki) United States Broc Glover (Yamaha)
1978 United States Rick Burgett (Yamaha) United States Bob Hannah (Yamaha) United States Broc Glover (Yamaha)
1979 United States Danny LaPorte (Suzuki) United States Bob Hannah (Yamaha) United States Broc GloverYamaha)
1980 United States Chuck Sun (Honda) United States Kent Howerton (Suzuki) United States Mark Barnett (Suzuki)
1981 United States Broc Glover (Yamaha) United States Kent Howerton (Suzuki) United States Mark Barnett (Suzuki)
1982 United States Darrell Schultz (Honda) United States Donnie Hansen (Honda) United States Mark Barnett (Suzuki)
1983 United States Broc Glover (Yamaha) United States David Bailey (Honda) United States Johnny O'Mara (Honda)
1984 United States David Bailey (Honda) United States Rick Johnson (Yamaha) United States Jeff Ward (Kawasaki)
1985 United States Broc Glover (Yamaha) United States Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) United States Ron Lechien (Honda)
1986 United States David Bailey (Honda) United States Rick Johnson (Honda) United States Micky Dymond (Honda)
1987 United States Rick Johnson (Honda) United States Rick Johnson (Honda) United States Micky Dymond (Honda)
1988 United States Rick Johnson (Honda) United States Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) United States George Holland (Honda)
1989 United States Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) United States Jeff Stanton (Honda) United States Mike Kiedrowski (Honda)
1990 United States Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) United States Jeff Stanton (Honda) United States Guy Cooper (Suzuki)
1991 France Jean-Michel Bayle (Honda) France Jean-Michel Bayle (Honda) United States Mike Kiedrowski (Kawasaki)
1992 United States Mike Kiedrowski (Kawasaki) United States Jeff Stanton (Honda) United States Jeff Emig (Yamaha)
1993 United States Mike LaRocco (Kawasaki) United States Mike Kiedrowski (Kawasaki) United States Doug Henry (Honda)
Year 250cc 125cc Women's MX
1994 United States Mike LaRocco (Kawasaki) United States Doug Henry (Honda)
1995 United States Jeremy McGrath (Honda) United States Steve Lamson (Honda)
1996 United States Jeff Emig (Kawasaki) United States Steve Lamson (Honda) United States Shelly Kann
1997 United States Jeff Emig (Kawasaki) United States Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) United States Tracy Fleming
1998 United States Doug Henry (Yamaha) United States Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) United States Dee Wood
1999 South Africa Greg Albertyn (Suzuki) United States Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) Italy Stefy Bau
2000 United States Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) United States Travis Pastrana (Suzuki) United States Jessica Patterson
2001 United States Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) United States Mike Brown (Kawasaki) New Zealand Tania Satchwell
2002 United States Ricky Carmichael (Honda) United States James Stewart Jr. (Kawasaki) Italy Stefy Bau
2003 United States Ricky Carmichael (Honda) South Africa Grant Langston (KTM) Germany Steffi Laier
2004 United States Ricky Carmichael (Honda) United States James Stewart Jr. (Kawasaki) United States Jessica Patterson
2005 United States Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki) United States Ivan Tedesco (Kawasaki) United States Jessica Patterson
Year MX Class MX Lites Class Women's MX
2006 United States Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki) United States Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) United States Jessica Patterson
2007 South Africa Grant Langston (Yamaha) United States Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) United States Jessica Patterson
2008 United States James Stewart Jr. (Kawasaki) United States Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) United States Ashley Fiolek
Year 450 Class 250 Class Women's MX
2009 Australia Chad Reed (Suzuki) United States Ryan Dungey (Suzuki) United States Ashley Fiolek
2010 United States Ryan Dungey (Suzuki) United States Trey Canard (Honda) United States Jessica Patterson
2011 United States Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) Scotland Dean Wilson (Kawasaki) United States Ashley Fiolek (Honda)
2012 United States Ryan Dungey (KTM) United States Blake Baggett (Kawasaki) United States Ashley Fiolek (Honda)
2013 United States Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) United States Eli Tomac (Honda) United States Jessica Patterson(Honda)
2014 Germany Ken Roczen (KTM) United States Jeremy Martin (Yamaha) United States Marissa Markelon (Kawasaki)
2015 United States Ryan Dungey (KTM) United States Jeremy Martin (Yamaha) United States Kylie Fasnacht (Kawasaki)
2016 Germany Ken Roczen (Suzuki) United States Cooper Webb (Yamaha) United States Kylie Fasnacht (Kawasaki)
2017 United States Eli Tomac (Kawasaki) United States Zach Osborne (Husqvarna)
2018 United States Eli Tomac (Kawasaki) United States Aaron Plessinger (Yamaha)

Most wins by Rider[edit]

Source:[8]

Most Championships
450/250 Class Titles 250/125 Class Titles 500 Class Titles
United States Ricky Carmichael 7 United States Ryan Villopoto 3 United States Broc Glover 3
United States Ryan Villopoto 2 United States Ricky Carmichael 3 United States Jeff Ward 2
United States Jeff Stanton 3 United States Mark Barnett 3 United States Ricky Johnson 2
United States Ricky Johnson 3 United States Broc Glover 3 United States David Bailey 2
United States Tony Distefano 3 United States Jeremy Martin 2 United States Jimmy Weinert 2
United States Gary Jones 3 United States James Stewart Jr. 2 United States Mike LarRocco 1
Germany Ken Roczen 2 United States Steve Lamson 2 United States Mike Kiedrowski 1
United States Ryan Dungey 2 United States Doug Henry 2 France Jean-Michel Bayle 1
United States Jeff Emig 2 United States Mike Kiedrowski 2 United States Darrell Schultz 1
United States Jeff Ward 2 United States Micky Dymond 2 United States Chuck Sun 1
United States Kent Howerton 2 United States Bob Hannah 2 United States Danny LaPorte 1
United States Bob Hannah 2 United States Marty Smith 2 United States Rick Burgett 1
United States Eli Tomac 2 United States Zach Osborne 1 United States Marty Smith 1
Australia Chad Reed 1 United States Cooper Webb 1 United States Kent Howerton 1
United States James Stewart 1 United States Eli Tomac 1 Netherlands Pierre Karsmakers 1
South Africa Grant Langston 1 United States Blake Baggett 1 United States Brad Lackey 1
South Africa Greg Albertyn 1 Scotland Dean Wilson 1
United States Doug Henry 1 United States Trey Canard 1
United States Jeremy McGrath 1 United States Ryan Dungey 1
United States Mike LaRocco 1 United States Ivan Tedesco 1
United States Mike Kiedrowski 1 South Africa Grant Langston 1
France Jean-Michel Bayle 1 United States Mike Brown 1
United States David Bailey 1 United States Travis Pastrana 1
United States Donnie Hansen 1 United States Jeff Emig 1
United States Guy Cooper 1
United States George Holland 1
United States Ron Lechien 1
United States Jeff Ward 1
United States Johnny O'Mara 1
Most Overall Wins
450/250 Class Wins 250/125 Class Wins 500 Class Wins
United States Ricky Carmichael 76 United States James Stewart Jr. 28 United States Broc Glover 19
United States Ryan Dungey 39 United States Ricky Carmichael 26 Netherlands Pierre Karsmakers 16
United States Bob Hannah 27 United States Mark Barnett 25 United States Brad Lackey 16
United States Ricky Johnson 22 United States Steve Lamson 20 United States David Bailey 15
United States James Stewart Jr. 20 United States Ryan Villopoto 19 United States Jeff Ward 12
United States Kent Howerton 18 United States Guy Cooper 16 United States Ricky Johnson 11
United States Jeff Emig 16 United States Blake Baggett 14 United States Jimmy Weinert 9
Germany Ken Roczen 15 United States Broc Glover 14 United States Jeff Stanton 8
United States Jeremy McGrath 15 United States Jeremy Martin 13 United States Chuck Sun 7
United States Jeff Ward 13 United States Jeff Emig 13 United States Mike Bell 6
United States Ryan Villopoto 12 United States George Holland 13 United States Rick Burgett 6
United States Mike Kiedrowski 12 United States Eli Tomac 12 United States Danny LaPorte 5
United States Jeff Stanton 12 United States Jeff Ward 11 United States Kent Howerton 5
United States Mike LaRocco 11 United States Mike Kiedrowski 10 France Jean-Michel Bayle 4
Australia Chad Reed 10 United States Ron Lechien 10 United States Danny Chandler 4
United States Kevin Windham 10 South Africa Grant Langston 9 United States Mike Kiedrowski 3
United States Eli Tomac 17 France Marvin Musquin 8 United States Darrell Schultz 3
United States Doug Henry 7 United States Mike Brown 8 United States Gary Semics 3
Netherlands Pierre Karsmakers 7 United States Micky Dymond 8 United States Goat Breker 3
United States Jimmy Weinert 7 United States Bob Hannah 8 United States Michael Hartwig 3
United States John Dowd 6 United States Marty Smith 8 United States Bob Hannah 2
United States Damon Bradshaw 6 United States Joey Savatgy 7 United States Mike LaRocco 2
United States Ron Lechien 6 United States Cooper Webb 7 United States Ron Lechien 2
United States Marty Tripes 6 France Christophe Pourcel 7 United States Marty Smith 2
South Africa Greg Albertyn 5 United States Ryan Dungey 7 United States Tony Distefano 2
United States Jimmy Ellis 5 United States Travis Pastrana 7 United States Gaylon Mosier 2
United States Tony Distefano 5 United States Kevin Windham 7 United States Rex Staten 2
France Marvin Musquin 4 United States Doug Henry 7 United States Barry Higgins 2
South Africa Grant Langston 3 United States Erik Kehoe 7 United States Mike Runyard 2
France David Vuillemin 3 United States Johnny O'Mara 7 United States Steve Stackable 2
France Sebastien Tortelli 3 United States Zach Osborne 6 United States Tommy Croft 2
United States Ezra Lusk 3 South Africa Tyla Rattray 6 United States Marty Tripes 1
United States David Bailey 3 United States Mike LaRocco 6 United States Alan King 1
United States Donnie Hansen 3 New Zealand Ben Townley 5 United States Bill Grossi 1
United States Blake Baggett 2 Scotland Dean Wilson 5 United States Rich Thorwaldson 1
United States Justin Barcia 2 United States Trey Canard 5 United States Bryan Kenney 1
United States Mike Alessi 2 United States Broc Hepler 5 United States Denny Swartz 1
United States Tim Ferry 2 United States Ryan Hughes 5 United States Eric Eaton 1
France Jean-Michel Bayle 2 United States Robbie Reynard 5 United States Wyman Priddy 1
United States Johnny O'Mara 2 United States Larry Ward 4
United States Broc Glover 2 France Stephane Roncada 4
United States Marty Smith 2 United States Damon Bradshaw 4
United States Gary Bailey 2 United States Jake Weimer 3
United States Gunnar Lindstrom 2 United States Andrew Short 3
United States Sonny Defeo 2 United States Mike Alessi 3
Netherlands Jeffrey Herlings 1 United States Damon Huffman 3
United States Justin Bogle 1 France Jean-Michel Bayle 3
United States Trey Canard 1 United States Donny Schmit 3
Australia Bret Metcalfe 1 United States Danny LaPorte 3
United States Tommy Hahn 1 United States Justin Barcia 3
United States Matt Goerke 1 United States Aaron Plessinger 2
United States Josh Grant 1 Germany Ken Roczen 2
United States Ivan Tedesco 1 United States Ivan Tedesco 2
United States Jimmy Button 1 United States Broc Sellards 2
France Mickael Pichon 1 United States John Dowd 2
United States Jeff Matiasevich 1 United States Jeremy McGrath 2
United States Alan King 1 United States Eddie Warren 2
United States Billy Liles 1 United States Keith Bowen 2
United States Kenny Keylon 1 United States Brian Myerscough 2
United States Steve Wise 1 United States Tim Hart 2
United States Ken Zahrt 1 United States Austin Forkner 1
United States Bill Grossi 1 United States Adam Ciancurulo 1
United States Rich Thorwaldson 1 United States Josh Grant 1
United States Tim Hart 1 United States Craig Anderson 1
United States John DeSoto 1 United States Danny Smith 1
United States Jim Pomeroy 1 Australia Chad Reed 1
United States Kelly Smith 1
United States Nick Wey 1
United States Tallon Vohland 1
United States Scott Sheak 1
United States Tim Ferry 1
United States James Dobb 1
United States Brian Swink 1
United States Jeff Matiasevich 1
United States A.J. Whitling 1
United States Gaylon Mosier 1
United States Warren Reid 1
United States Steve Wise 1
United States Jimmy Ellis 1

AMA Supercross[edit]

In the 1970s promoters such as Bill France started bringing motocross races in from the country to stadiums within cities. Instead of being built upon natural terrain, dirt was imported into the stadiums where promoters tried to emulate the motocross tracks. In 1972 Mike Goodwin and Terry Tiernan, the president of the AMA, put on one of these stadium races in the Los Angeles Coliseum. The race was dubbed as the Super Bowl of Motocross. Eventually this form of racing evolved into its own sport and series with the name Supercross which was a shortening of the original "Super Bowl of Motocross". American motocross racing distinguished itself from European motocross by having two different season championships run each year for each class both sanctioned by the AMA. Currently[when?] the AMA runs their 17-round Supercross championship from the first weekend in January to the first weekend in May and then the 12-round outdoor Motocross championship from mid-May through late August.

Whereas AMA Motocross is two 30-minute plus 2 lap motos per each round with the winner being the rider with the highest combined points total for the two motos, in Supercross there is only one points-paying race per round. Around 40 riders qualify for each Supercross round. Heat races and LCQs are used to bring the field down to 22 riders for a points-paying main event for each round. A main event is 20 minutes plus 1 lap for the 450 class and 15 minutes plus 1 lap for the 250 class. There is no 250 Supercross national champion like there is for motocross. The 250 class in Supercross is split into East and West divisional rounds with an All Star race combining the top riders of each division at the final round in Las Vegas.

AMA Motocross and Supercross Champions[edit]

Year 450 MX
(formerly 250 cc 2-stroke)
450 SX
(formerly 250 cc 2-stroke)
250 MX
(formerly 125 cc 2-stroke)
250 SX West
(formerly 125 cc 2-stroke)
250 SX East
(formerly 125 cc 2-stroke)
500 MX
1972 United States Gary Jones United States Brad Lackey
1973 United States Gary Jones Netherlands Pierre Karsmakers
1974 United States Gary Jones Netherlands Pierre Karsmakers United States Marty Smith United States Jimmy Weinert
1975 United States Tony DiStefano United States Jimmy Ellis United States Marty Smith United States Jimmy Weinert
1976 United States Tony DiStefano United States Jimmy Weinert United States Bob Hannah United States Kent Howerton
1977 United States Tony DiStefano United States Bob Hannah United States Broc Glover United States Marty Smith
1978 United States Bob Hannah United States Bob Hannah United States Broc Glover United States Rick Burgett
1979 United States Bob Hannah United States Bob Hannah United States Broc Glover United States Danny LaPorte
1980 United States Kent Howerton United States Mike Bell United States Mark Barnett United States Chuck Sun
1981 United States Kent Howerton United States Mark Barnett United States Mark Barnett United States Broc Glover
1982 United States Donnie Hansen United States Donnie Hansen United States Mark Barnett United States Darrell Schultz
1983 United States David Bailey United States David Bailey United States Johnny O'Mara United States Broc Glover
1984 United States Rick Johnson United States Johnny O'Mara United States Jeff Ward United States David Bailey
1985 United States Jeff Ward United States Jeff Ward United States Ron Lechien United States Bobby Moore United States Eddie Warren United States Broc Glover
1986 United States Rick Johnson United States Rick Johnson United States Micky Dymond United States Donny Schmit United States Keith Turpin United States David Bailey
1987 United States Rick Johnson United States Jeff Ward United States Micky Dymond United States Willie Surratt United States Ron Tichenor United States Rick Johnson
1988 United States Jeff Ward United States Rick Johnson United States George Holland United States Jeff Matiasevich United States Tod DeHoop United States Rick Johnson
1989 United States Jeff Stanton United States Jeff Stanton United States Mike Kiedrowski United States Jeff Matiasevich United States Damon Bradshaw United States Jeff Ward
1990 United States Jeff Stanton United States Jeff Stanton United States Guy Cooper United States Ty Davis United States Denny Stephenson United States Jeff Ward
1991 France Jean-Michel Bayle France Jean-Michel Bayle United States Mike Kiedrowski United States Jeremy McGrath United States Brian Swink France Jean-Michel Bayle
1992 United States Jeff Stanton United States Jeff Stanton United States Jeff Emig United States Jeremy McGrath United States Brian Swink United States Mike Kiedrowski
1993 United States Mike Kiedrowski United States Jeremy McGrath United States Doug Henry United States Jimmy Gaddis United States Doug Henry United States Mike LaRocco
1994 United States Mike LaRocco United States Jeremy McGrath United States Doug Henry United States Damon Huffman United States Ezra Lusk
1995 United States Jeremy McGrath United States Jeremy McGrath United States Steve Lamson United States Damon Huffman France Mickael Pichon
1996 United States Jeff Emig United States Jeremy McGrath United States Steve Lamson United States Kevin Windham France Mickael Pichon
1997 United States Jeff Emig United States Jeff Emig United States Ricky Carmichael United States Kevin Windham United States Tim Ferry
1998 United States Doug Henry United States Jeremy McGrath United States Ricky Carmichael United States John Dowd United States Ricky Carmichael
1999 South Africa Greg Albertyn United States Jeremy McGrath United States Ricky Carmichael United States Nathan Ramsey Costa Rica Ernesto Fonseca
2000 United States Ricky Carmichael United States Jeremy McGrath United States Travis Pastrana United States Shae Bently France Stephane Roncada
2001 United States Ricky Carmichael United States Ricky Carmichael United States Mike Brown Ecuador Ernesto Fonseca United States Travis Pastrana
2002 United States Ricky Carmichael United States Ricky Carmichael United States James Stewart United States Travis Preston Australia Chad Reed
2003 United States Ricky Carmichael United States Ricky Carmichael South Africa Grant Langston United States James Stewart United States Branden Jesseman
2004 United States Ricky Carmichael Australia Chad Reed United States James Stewart United States Ivan Tedesco United States James Stewart
2005 United States Ricky Carmichael United States Ricky Carmichael United States Ivan Tedesco United States Ivan Tedesco South Africa Grant Langston
2006 United States Ricky Carmichael United States Ricky Carmichael United States Ryan Villopoto South Africa Grant Langston United States Davi Millsaps
2007 South Africa Grant Langston United States James Stewart United States Ryan Villopoto United States Ryan Villopoto New Zealand Ben Townley
2008 United States James Stewart Australia Chad Reed United States Ryan Villopoto United States Jason Lawrence United States Trey Canard
2009 Australia Chad Reed United States James Stewart United States Ryan Dungey United States Ryan Dungey France Christophe Pourcel
2010 United States Ryan Dungey United States Ryan Dungey United States Trey Canard United States Jake Weimer France Christophe Pourcel
2011 United States Ryan Villopoto United States Ryan Villopoto Scotland Dean Wilson United States Broc Tickle United States Justin Barcia
2012 United States Ryan Dungey United States Ryan Villopoto United States Blake Baggett United States Eli Tomac United States Justin Barcia
2013 United States Ryan Villopoto United States Ryan Villopoto United States Eli Tomac Germany Ken Roczen United States Will Hahn
2014 Germany Ken Roczen United States Ryan Villopoto United States Jeremy Martin United States Jason Anderson United States Justin Bogle
2015 United States Ryan Dungey United States Ryan Dungey United States Jeremy Martin United States Cooper Webb France Marvin Musquin
2016 Germany Ken Roczen United States Ryan Dungey United States Cooper Webb United States Cooper Webb United States Malcolm Stewart
2017 United States Eli Tomac United States Ryan Dungey United States Zach Osborne United States Justin Hill United States Zach Osborne

Rookie Season Champions[edit]

2010 Ryan Dungey became the only rider to capture both the Supercross and Motocross titles in his rookie year.[10]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "1972 Motocross Season". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  2. ^ The First Sixty Years: An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association. American Motorcyclist. Books.Google.com. January 1984. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Women's Motocross National". Women's Motocross Association. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  4. ^ Counting Strokes. American Motorcyclist. Books.Google.com. June 1997. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  5. ^ "Motocross Rule Book" (PDF). AMA. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  6. ^ AMA Motocross Champions. American Motorcyclist. Books.Google.com. February 1986. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  7. ^ "Every Champ There Ever Was". Motocross Action. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  8. ^ 2017 AMA Supercross media guide
  9. ^ https://www.dropbox.com/s/qzi5lvjoe7bia71/2016%20Lucas%20Oil%20Pro%20Motocross%20Media%20Guide_WEB.pdf?dl=0
  10. ^ Moore, Eli (May 18, 2017). "Ryan Dungey: An Epic Career Part 2". redbull.com. Retrieved Aug 6, 2017.

External links[edit]