List of AMA motocross champions
Encyclopedia
The AMA Motocross Championship is the major motocross
series of the United States
, held since 1972. It is sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association
and 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. 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.
Facing tightening emissions regulations, in 1997, the A.M.A. increased the allowable displacement capacity for four-stroke engines, in an effort to encourage manufacturers to develop environmentally friendlier four-stroke machines. In 2006, the 250 cc division was renamed the MX Class, with an engine formula allowing for 150–250 cc two-stroke or 251–450 cc four-stroke machines. 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.
:Category:AMA National Motocross Champions
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...
series of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, held since 1972. It is sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association
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...
and 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. 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.
Facing tightening emissions regulations, in 1997, the A.M.A. increased the allowable displacement capacity for four-stroke engines, in an effort to encourage manufacturers to develop environmentally friendlier four-stroke machines. In 2006, the 250 cc division was renamed the MX Class, with an engine formula allowing for 150–250 cc two-stroke or 251–450 cc four-stroke machines. 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
| Year | 500cc | 250cc | 125cc |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 |  Brad LackeyBrad Lackey Brad Lackey is a former professional motocross racer and the first American to win the 500cc Grand Prix Motocross World Championship. He was known as "Bad Brad" to his fans.... (Kawasaki Kawasaki Heavy Industries is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa.... ) |
Gary Jones Gary Jones (motorcyclist) Gary Jones is an American former professional motocross racer. He won the first three AMA 250cc Motocross National Championships, riding three different brands of motorcycles, a feat that has never been repeated.... (Yamaha Yamaha Motor Company , is a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company. Yamaha Motor is part of Yamaha Corporation and its headquarter is located in Iwata, Shizuoka. Along with expanding Yamaha Corporation into the world's biggest piano maker, then Yamaha CEO Genichi Kawakami took Yamaha into the field of motorized... ) |
|
| 1973 |  Pierre Karsmakers (Yamaha) |
Gary Jones (Honda Honda is 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... ) |
|
| 1974 | Jimmy Weinert Jimmy Weinert Mitchell Nelson Weinert was a pioneering motocross and supercross rider in the early years of the sport in the United States. In the 1970s he won 22 AMA Nationals and three AMA championships. In 1973, Weinert became the first American to defeat international-level riders in the Trans-AMA motocross... (Kawasaki) |
Gary Jones (Can-Am Can-Am motorcycles Can-Am is a motorcycle producing subsidiary of the Bombardier Recreational Products, a Canadian corporation.In 1973, under the direction and leadership of an American Engineer named Gary Robinson and former motocross World Champion, Jeff Smith working with a team of California desert racers,... ) |
Marty Smith Marty Smith Marty Smith is a former professional motocross racer. He won three AMA National Motocross championships, all aboard Hondas, and was runner-up twice... (Honda) |
| 1975 | Jimmy Weinert (Yamaha) |
Tony DiStefano Tony DiStefano Tony DiStefano was a top motocross champion of the 1970s. He won three AMA 250cc National Motocross Championships.... (Suzuki Suzuki is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines... ) |
Marty Smith (Honda) |
| 1976 | Kent Howerton Kent Howerton Kent Howerton was one of the top American motocross racers in the 1970s and 1980s. He won three AMA national championships.... (Husqvarna Husqvarna Motorcycles Husqvarna Motorcycles, a subsidiary of BMW, is a company manufacturing motocross, enduro and supermoto motorcycles. The company began producing motorcycles in 1903 at Huskvarna, Sweden, as a branch of the Husqvarna armament firm which had supplied the Swedish army with rifles since 1689.-History:As... ) |
Tony DiStefano (Suzuki) |
Bob Hannah Bob Hannah Robert "Hurricane" Hannah was one of the most successful motocross racers in American history. He won a total of seven AMA national championships.... (Yamaha) |
| 1977 | Marty Smith (Honda) |
Tony DiStefano (Suzuki) |
Broc Glover Broc Glover Broc Glover was a leading motocross racer in the 1970s and early 1980s. Glover earned six AMA National Motocross Championships, a record which stood for nearly 20 years until 2003, when Ricky Carmichael finally eclipsed the mark... (Yamaha) |
| 1978 | Rick Burgett (Yamaha) |
Bob Hannah (Yamaha) |
Broc Glover (Yamaha) |
| 1979 | Danny LaPorte Danny LaPorte Danny LaPorte was one of the top American motocross racers in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the first American to win a 250cc motocross world championship.... (Suzuki Suzuki is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines... ) |
Bob Hannah (Yamaha) |
Broc Glover (Yamaha) |
| 1980 | Chuck Sun Chuck Sun Chuck Sun is a former professional motocross racer. In 1980, Sun won the AMA 500cc National Motocross Championship. He is the only Asian American to have won a national championship in American professional motorcycle racing... (Honda) |
Kent Howerton Kent Howerton Kent Howerton was one of the top American motocross racers in the 1970s and 1980s. He won three AMA national championships.... (Suzuki) |
Mark Barnett Mark Barnett Mark Barnett was one of the top American motocross racers in the early 1980s. He won three consecutive AMA 125cc national championships between 1980 and 1982. He was a rider for team America in the 1983 Motocross des Nations Championship.Born in Bridgeview, Illinois, Barnett began racing as an... (Suzuki) |
| 1981 | Broc Glover Broc Glover Broc Glover was a leading motocross racer in the 1970s and early 1980s. Glover earned six AMA National Motocross Championships, a record which stood for nearly 20 years until 2003, when Ricky Carmichael finally eclipsed the mark... (Yamaha) |
Kent Howerton (Suzuki) |
Mark Barnett (Suzuki) |
| 1982 | Darrell Schultz (Honda) |
Donnie Hansen (Honda) |
Mark Barnett (Suzuki) |
| 1983 | Broc Glover (Yamaha) |
David Bailey David Bailey (motocross) David Bailey is a broadcaster, motocross school instructor and former professional motocross racer, born December 31, 1961 in San Diego, California. He is the adopted son of Gary "Professor" Bailey, also a former professional motocrosser.... (Honda) |
Johnny O'Mara (Honda) |
| 1984 | David Bailey (Honda) |
Rick Johnson (Yamaha) |
Jeff Ward Jeff Ward (motocross) Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship... (Kawasaki) |
| 1985 | Broc Glover (Yamaha) |
Jeff Ward Jeff Ward (motocross) Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship... (Kawasaki) |
Ron Lechien (Honda) |
| 1986 | David Bailey (Honda) |
Rick Johnson (Honda) |
Micky Dymond (Honda) |
| 1987 | Rick Johnson (Honda) |
Rick Johnson (Honda) |
Micky Dymond (Honda) |
| 1988 | Rick Johnson (Honda) |
Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) |
George Holland (Honda) |
| 1989 | Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) |
Jeff Stanton Jeff Stanton Jeff Stanton is a three-time AMA 250cc Motocross and Supercross National Champion, winning the titles in 1989, 1990 and 1992. Stanton rode for Honda for the better part of his career, earning all of his championships with them. Before team Honda, he rode a Yamaha as a privateer... (Honda) |
Mike Kiedrowski Mike Kiedrowski Mike Kiedrowski is a four-time AMA Motocross national champion. He was one of only two riders in AMA history to win national championships in the 125, 250 and 500 classes. He was also a four-time member of the U.S... (Honda) |
| 1990 | Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) |
Jeff Stanton (Honda) |
Guy Cooper (Suzuki) |
| 1991 |  Jean-Michel BayleJean-Michel Bayle Jean-Michel Bayle is a semi-retired French professional motorcycle racer. He was one of the most successful riders of his era, achieving success at the highest levels in both motocross and road racing.... (Honda) |
Jean-Michel Bayle (Honda) |
Mike Kiedrowski Mike Kiedrowski Mike Kiedrowski is a four-time AMA Motocross national champion. He was one of only two riders in AMA history to win national championships in the 125, 250 and 500 classes. He was also a four-time member of the U.S... (Kawasaki) |
| 1992 | Mike Kiedrowski Mike Kiedrowski Mike Kiedrowski is a four-time AMA Motocross national champion. He was one of only two riders in AMA history to win national championships in the 125, 250 and 500 classes. He was also a four-time member of the U.S... (Kawasaki) |
Jeff Stanton (Honda) |
Jeff Emig Jeff Emig Cam Jeffrey Emig was one of the premier motocross racers of the 1990s with 4 major titles for Yamaha and Kawasaki. His main rival was Jeremy McGrath. Emig won more motocross races than any other competitor in the 1990s with 36 wins and 4 titles... (Yamaha) |
| 1993 | Mike LaRocco Mike LaRocco Mike LaRocco is a former professional Supercross and Motocross racer. He is often referred to as "LaRocket" or "the rock" and raced a Kawasaki 125, 250, 500cc two strokes and a Honda 450cc four-stroke dirt bike.Mike LaRocco was a pro from 1988 to 2006, a record 19 seasons. He made his 214th start... (Kawasaki) |
Mike Kiedrowski (Kawasaki) |
Doug Henry (Honda) |
| Year | 250cc | 125cc | Women's MX |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Mike LaRocco (Kawasaki) |
Doug Henry (Honda) |
|
| 1995 | Jeremy McGrath Jeremy McGrath Jeremy McGrath is one of the most popular American Motocross/Supercross champions in the history of the sport. He was most active in the 1990s earning the title the "King of Supercross." His tricks during jumps on the supercross track, the most famous of which he called the "Nac Nac", helped spawn... (Honda) |
Steve Lamson (Honda) |
|
| 1996 | Jeff Emig Jeff Emig Cam Jeffrey Emig was one of the premier motocross racers of the 1990s with 4 major titles for Yamaha and Kawasaki. His main rival was Jeremy McGrath. Emig won more motocross races than any other competitor in the 1990s with 36 wins and 4 titles... (Kawasaki) |
Steve Lamson (Honda) |
Shelly Kann |
| 1997 | Jeff Emig (Kawasaki) |
Ricky Carmichael Ricky Carmichael Ricky Carmichael is a racer known for his success in Motocross. He is currently competing in NASCAR. He drives the #4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado for Turner Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series and the #30 Chevrolet Impala part-time for Turner Motorsports in the Nationwide Series... (Kawasaki) |
Tracy Fleming |
| 1998 | Doug Henry (Yamaha) |
Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) |
Dee Wood |
| 1999 |  Greg AlbertynGreg Albertyn Greg Albertyn , is a former World Champion motocross racer. He is now a real estate developer in Riverside, California.... (Suzuki) |
Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) |
 Stefy BauStefy Bau Stefy Bau is a former Motocross and Supercross racer but due to a career-ending injury, she is now the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Women's World Motocross Championship General Manager. While racing professional Motocross and Supercross, her nickname was the Female G.O.A.T... |
| 2000 | Ricky Carmichael Ricky Carmichael Ricky Carmichael is a racer known for his success in Motocross. He is currently competing in NASCAR. He drives the #4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado for Turner Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series and the #30 Chevrolet Impala part-time for Turner Motorsports in the Nationwide Series... (Kawasaki) |
Travis Pastrana Travis Pastrana Travis Alan Pastrana is an American motorsports competitor and stunt performer who has won championships and X Games gold medals in several events, including supercross, motocross, freestyle motocross, and rally racing. He runs a show called Nitro Circus with some of his friends... (Suzuki) |
Jessica Patterson |
| 2001 | Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) |
Mike Brown Mike Brown (motorcyclist) Mike Brown is an American former AMA motocross national champion.Brown won his first professional race in 1994. In 1999, he finished third in the F.I.M. 125cc world championship. He followed that performance with another third place in the 2000 125cc world championship.Brown competed in the United... (Kawasaki) |
 Tania Satchwell |
| 2002 | Ricky Carmichael (Honda) |
James Stewart Jr. James Stewart Jr. James Stewart Jr., also known as Bubba Stewart is an American professional motocross racer competing in supercross. He is known for being the first African-American to have success at the very top level of any major motorsports association.-Amateur and Lites Class:Stewart was born in Bartow,... (Kawasaki) |
Stefy Bau |
| 2003 | Ricky Carmichael (Honda) |
Grant Langston Grant Langston (motorcyclist) Grant Langston , is a former Grand Prix motocross world champion.Langston began competing in the world championships in 1998, and by 2000, he had won the F.I.M. 125cc world championship as a member of the KTM factory racing team. He moved to the United States in 2001 to compete in the A.M.A... (KTM KTM KTM Sportmotorcycle AG is an Austrian motorcycle, bicycle and moped manufacturer.The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. It started out as a metal working shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen... ) |
 Steffi Laier |
| 2004 | Ricky Carmichael (Honda) |
James Stewart Jr. James Stewart Jr. James Stewart Jr., also known as Bubba Stewart is an American professional motocross racer competing in supercross. He is known for being the first African-American to have success at the very top level of any major motorsports association.-Amateur and Lites Class:Stewart was born in Bartow,... (Kawasaki) |
Jessica Patterson |
| 2005 | Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki) |
Ivan Tedesco Ivan Tedesco Ivan Lee Tedesco is an American born motocross and supercross motorcycle rider. He is nicknamed "Hot Sauce", and he races on a number 9 bike.- Biography :... (Kawasaki) |
Jessica Patterson |
| Year | MX Class | MX Lites Class | Women's MX |
| 2006 | Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki) |
Ryan Villopoto Ryan Villopoto Ryan Villopoto is a motocross and supercross champion who currently competes in the AMA Supercross series and the AMA Lucas Oil Motocross series. He resides in Mennifee California and will race for Kawasaki in the 2012 supercross and outdoor motocross series... (Kawasaki) |
Jessica Patterson |
| 2007 | Grant Langston (Yamaha) |
Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) |
Jessica Patterson |
| 2008 | James Stewart Jr. James Stewart Jr. James Stewart Jr., also known as Bubba Stewart is an American professional motocross racer competing in supercross. He is known for being the first African-American to have success at the very top level of any major motorsports association.-Amateur and Lites Class:Stewart was born in Bartow,... (Kawasaki) |
Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) |
Ashley Fiolek |
| Year | 450 Class | 250 Class | Women's MX |
| 2009 |  Chad ReedChad Reed Chad Mark Reed AM is an Australian motocross and supercross racer. He is a multi-time supercross and motocross champion. He was taught from a young age as being capable of competing at the sports most elite level. He has proven to be the most consistent supercross/motocross racer in the 2000-2009... (Suzuki) |
Ryan Dungey Ryan Dungey Ryan Dungey is a professional motocross racer competing in the AMA Supercross and Motocross championships.His hometown is Belle Plaine, Minnesota, although he currently resides in Tallahassee, Florida, so he can take advantage of the good weather for riding with 15-time AMA Champion Ricky... (Suzuki) |
Ashley Fiolek |
| 2010 | Ryan Dungey (Suzuki) |
Trey Canard (Honda) |
Jessica Patterson |
| 2011 | Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) |
 Dean Wilson (Kawasaki) |
Ashley Fiolek (Honda) |
See also
:Category:AMA National Motocross Champions