Jim Pomeroy
Encyclopedia
Jim Pomeroy was a professional motocross
racer. In 1973, he became the first American
rider to win a FIM
world championship motocross race when he rode a Bultaco
Pursang to victory in the 1973 250cc Spanish motocross Grand Prix. At the time, European riders still dominated the sport of motocross and Americans weren't considered as talented. The news of his victory created a huge wave of excitement in America where motocross was undergoing an explosive growth in popularity. His victory signaled that American motocross riders were ready to compete with the best in the world. He retired from competitive motocross in 1980.
In 1987, Pomeroy was a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a crash that left him with permanent damage to his back. Still, his involvement with the sport remained constant as he competed in vintage events conducted motocross schools throughout the Northwest. His extremely outgoing nature and tremendous sense of humor made Jim a most welcome speaker at motocross events worldwide. Pomeroy was inducted into the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in 1999. He raced with AHRMA till his death after mid-Ohio in 2006.
On August 6, 2006 Pomeroy was killed when his Jeep rolled in a single vehicle accident near Yakima, Washington.
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
racer. In 1973, he became the first American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rider to win a FIM
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
world championship motocross race when he rode a Bultaco
Bultaco
Bultaco was a Spanish manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles from 1958 to 1983.-Origins:The origin of the Bultaco motorcycle company dates back to May 1958. Francisco "Paco" Bultó was a director of the Montesa motorcycle company founded in 1944. After several years of steady growth and road racing...
Pursang to victory in the 1973 250cc Spanish motocross Grand Prix. At the time, European riders still dominated the sport of motocross and Americans weren't considered as talented. The news of his victory created a huge wave of excitement in America where motocross was undergoing an explosive growth in popularity. His victory signaled that American motocross riders were ready to compete with the best in the world. He retired from competitive motocross in 1980.
In 1987, Pomeroy was a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a crash that left him with permanent damage to his back. Still, his involvement with the sport remained constant as he competed in vintage events conducted motocross schools throughout the Northwest. His extremely outgoing nature and tremendous sense of humor made Jim a most welcome speaker at motocross events worldwide. Pomeroy was inducted into the AMA
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
in 1999. He raced with AHRMA till his death after mid-Ohio in 2006.
On August 6, 2006 Pomeroy was killed when his Jeep rolled in a single vehicle accident near Yakima, Washington.
Career Highlights
- The first American to win an FIM World Championship MX Event (Spain 1973)
- The first rider to win his debut World GP MX race (Spain 1973)
- The first American to lead the World MX Championship (Spain 1973)
- The first rider to win a World MX GP on a Spanish MX bike (Bultaco)
- The first winner of an indoor SupercrossSupercrossSupercross is a motorcycle racing sport involving off-road motorcycles on an artificially-made dirt tracks consisting of steep jumps and obstacles. Professional supercross contest races are held almost exclusively within professional baseball and football stadiums.-History:Supercross was derived...
race (Houston, 1974) - The first American to lead the Trans-AMA Championship (1975)
- The first American to win a moto at the U.S. 500cc GP race (Carlsbad 1977)
- The first non-world champion to win the Trophies des-Nations event (1974)
Motocross Grand Prix Results
- 1973 250cc Motocross World Championship - 7th (BultacoBultacoBultaco was a Spanish manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles from 1958 to 1983.-Origins:The origin of the Bultaco motorcycle company dates back to May 1958. Francisco "Paco" Bultó was a director of the Montesa motorcycle company founded in 1944. After several years of steady growth and road racing...
) - 1974 250cc Motocross World Championship - 14th (BultacoBultacoBultaco was a Spanish manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles from 1958 to 1983.-Origins:The origin of the Bultaco motorcycle company dates back to May 1958. Francisco "Paco" Bultó was a director of the Montesa motorcycle company founded in 1944. After several years of steady growth and road racing...
) - 1975 250cc Motocross World Championship - 7th (BultacoBultacoBultaco was a Spanish manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles from 1958 to 1983.-Origins:The origin of the Bultaco motorcycle company dates back to May 1958. Francisco "Paco" Bultó was a director of the Montesa motorcycle company founded in 1944. After several years of steady growth and road racing...
) - 1976 250cc Motocross World Championship - 4th (BultacoBultacoBultaco was a Spanish manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles from 1958 to 1983.-Origins:The origin of the Bultaco motorcycle company dates back to May 1958. Francisco "Paco" Bultó was a director of the Montesa motorcycle company founded in 1944. After several years of steady growth and road racing...
) - 1977 250cc Motocross U.S. Championship - 3rd (HondaHondais a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
) - 1978 250cc Motocross U.S. Championship - 5th (HondaHondais a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
)