Important Events in American MX
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 | 4:00 PM
Share
Comment
Email
Print
Pulpmx's Tony Blazier wrote a well crafted story of some of the moments he thinks shaped American motocross to where we are today. Click here to read.
Share this article:
Did you like this article?
Check out BAD BOY CLUB
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
One of Europe’s fastest young racers, 18-year-old Dutch Red Bull KTM rider Jeffrey Herlings talks about his life, his career ... and his occasional outbursts. Page 160.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
Well done article, a lot of good information on the history of our sport. It reminds me how lucky I am, to have been witness to the birth of motocross in our country. Though the writing of Popular Cycling, Dirt Bike, Dirt Rider and Motocross Action I was able to follow the progress of this sport. Motocross and Supercross have grown larger than either creator could have imaged, as now it is covered in all types of media, even on live broadcasts. A lot has changed in motocrorss over the last forty two years, almost all of it good, I hope to enjoy its continued growth for the next forty two...
@BD25 - agree completely. A really well written article. I started riding in '68 and feel fortunate to have started in the sport when I did. Lots of changes in a short time.
Would love to see Tony Blazier spend more time developing the "what next" recommendations in section #10. The "where do we go from here" portion left me wanting more discussion about how help the sport and professional racing grow. Hope he will write more about that in the near future.
that was thew best article ive ever read period! i started following this sport in 2003 and am always so fascinated about the history of motocross and its past champions can say that reall helped me get soime knowledge up to scratch
With all the riding places disappearing including mx tracks it looks like a downhill slide from here on. While I do like the 4 strokes a lot they cost a fortune to maintain and for all this you get added weight. The sales of motorcycles were based on fun riding and those days have slipped on by.
@Claxton....you bring up two key points with respect to the downfall of American MX. That is 1) a lack of riding space. In the day (60's, 70's, 80's) there was ample space to ride, and learn the art of dirt bike riding, and, there were many tracks available, with differing talent levels of terrain, to choose from. Unfortunately with land closures and legal litigations, the current generation of riders / racers are severly handicapped. 2) the "FUN" factor is missing. I can vividly remember being able to ride with my buddies at a whim. Just load up the bikes and go.....the competition was good, and fun. The locations were varied and accesible.
I truly feel that these two factors have contributed to the lessening of the available talent pool from young to old. Add in the economics, and, it is too expensive for families anymore. Thats all you used to see were families racing on the weekends.
1) cost of racing; 2) available land to ride (learn); 3) the fun factor of riding with your buddies and sharing / competing (High School MX teams) remember those, I sure do!!!!!! 74, 75, were my fondest years of racing because of High School MX. It was big in Texas in the D/FW area.........just my few thoughts.
Have a stock 250 class 2 and 4 stroke combined.(fork and shock springs only) and pay some outrageous purses and you will have some of the best racing and talent crawling out of the woodwork...halftime 1 20 lap moto ,40 riders
Also...fantastic article Tony.thank you.one of the best i've read in awhile.....which will help some of the rookies on here have a better understanding of what went on before they got their bike and riding gear last year.
@ SeventiesRacer & Claxton - Wish we could go back to the future with bikes like this one.
http://youtu.be/Y91Jms6MyCY
Pick6-Roger posted this link to a fuel injected CR500 engine in a YZF450 chassis with Ohlins suspension. Talk about fun...
Good read, i often wonder why the history of mx ignores the early days of new england mx. i know they were racing mx in the fifties and sixties around new england. find some old cycle sport magizines for your research or talk to bob hicks or andy calisewski for more info. i hope i'm not a looser that gets drug to the woodshed! i think its supposed to be loser and dragged.