by Chase Stallo
Loretta Lynn Custom Moments, Monday
Monday, July 30, 2012 | 4:35 PM
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PrintThe 31st Annual Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship presented by AMSOIL kicked off bright and early this morning, with the world’s fastest amateur riders taking to the track for practice. Each day we will be bringing you “Custom Moments” of the day’s action. There are sure to be many spectacular, emotional, surprising and fun moments throughout the week, and we've got boots on the ground at the Ranch to catch them. But with racing not beginning until tomorrow morning we decided to take a look back at some great riders in history, past and present, to grace the legendary Loretta Lynn Ranch.
Ricky Carmichael (34) won an incredible nine titles during his time at the Ranch and will be going after another this week, as he returns to Loretta's in the 25 Plus Class hoping to capture his tenth title. Check out how small RC is here as he made the move to big bikes!
Photo by DC
After tearing through the Super Mini Class in 2010 and 2011—racking up one title and two top three finishes—Cooper Webb will make his B Class debut at Loretta’s this week. The highly touted North Carolina native, who signed with Star-Valli Rockstar Yamaha last year, and in what could be his last full year in the amateur ranks, is looking to leave the Ranch with another championship.
Photo by Garth Milan
With nine Loretta Lynn titles already to his credit, Adam Cianciarulo is already one of the most highly decorated amateur riders in history. Signed to an unprecedented 5-year deal with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, Cianciarulo is the unquestionable favorite this week in the Super Mini Classes.
Photo by Garth Milan
GEICO Honda has raided the amateur ranks the past few seasons—picking up the likes of Trey Canard, Blake Wharton, Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac and 2011 Horizon Award winner Justin Bogle (pictured above). GEICO’s newest recruit is Zach Bell. He is expected to make his pro debut after Loretta’s, has a lot to live up to this week. Bell has struggled with injuries for the majority of 2012, but if healthy, should be in the running for the highly coveted Horizon Award.
Photo by Garth Milan
This is not a photo from this year (the No Fear gear gives it away), but it might as well be. You can pretty much count on at least one day of rain and mud throughout five days of racing. Only the best all-around talent gets a championship at Loretta's!
Photo by Simon Cudby
After going winless at Loretta’s from 1996-2005, Trey Canard ripped off four straight titles in his last two years in the amateur ranks. A strong 2006 led him to become the first amateur rider to be scooped up by the Factory Connection/GEICO Honda squad, and he delivered more wins in 2007. Canard has bled red ever since—recently re-signing with Honda Muscle Milk through the 2014 season. It was Factory Connection's early signing of Canard--and the immediate success he had as a pro--that has led so many pro teams to sign so many top amatuers today.
Photo by Simon Cudby
Many seem to forget that Nick Wey was one of the best amateur riders around during the 90s. After capturing eight titles in his career at the Ranch, Wey has gone on to a highly productive career in the professional ranks. Michigan Mafia forever!
Photo by Thom Vetty
Ryan Dungey wasn’t the most highly touted amateur prospect—his only title at Loretta’s coming in 2005—but Roger DeCoster and Suzuki took a chance on the likeable Minnesota native and it paid off to the tune of four championships for the yellow squad. His breakthrough moment came with that '05 Schoolboy championship on an RM125.
Photo by Simon Cudby
Doug Dubach may have raced more races and turned more laps on a motocross bike than any other human being walking the planet. But he had never turned a wheel at Loretta's until 2006, after his 40th birthday. He figured the place out quickly and has quitely begun racking up one title after another--seven so far, with the potential for more this week. Dr. D also hosts seminars at the Ranch on bike setup, fitness and race strategy. You should listen, because he knows his stuff!
Photo by Simon Cudby
Photo by Simon Cudby
Robbie Reynard was dominant during the late 80s and early 90s at Loretta’s. The Oklahoma native would capture six titles at the Ranch during his amateur career, and signed a lucarative (for the time) pro deal to head straight into the factory Kawasaki rig as soon as he turned pro. Now, Reynard works with Justin Bogle on the pro side, but also still rides himself. This week, he'll take on Carmichael in the 25 Plus Class, still running the #67.
Photo by Fran Kuhn
With eleven Loretta Lynn titles to his credit (tied with Mike Alessi for the most titles of any rider who hasn't competed in the Vet/Senior/Masters divisions) James Stewart was one of the most accomplished amateur riders in history. But the numbers, as impressive as they are, don't tell the whole story. Stewart didn't win motos, he didn't dominate them, he obliterated the comp. He blew them away! This week, seasoned bench-racers will probably still be telling stories of how fast Bubba went through certain sections, even though it has been more than a decade since he raced at the Ranch.
Photo by Simon Cudby
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I thought number 1-10 were reserved for riders that finished 1-10 the previous year at the national. I have no problem with Ricky going back in the Over 25 class, but he should get treated just like every other rider at the national and have to run a number between 11-99, if he did not finish in the top 10 the year before.
Lmao. Really? It is a slow day in the mx world. I say protest. Thanks for the laugh
@zoom where did it say he would be running a number within 1-10. Wasn't in this article.
@chase stallo - As impressive a rider James Stewart was on an 80cc, I remember him going to Europe for some World mini race. They had at the time reigning 250cc champion Frederick Bolley step onto an 80 for fun to race against the kids. I remember thinking there is no way even an adult rider of Fredericks capacity could stick with James Stewart. Interestingly enough Bolley was 2-3secs a lap faster than JS. Although I was wrong in thinking JS would still be faster (I was only young at the time), thinking back now it was quite incredible that a child could ride an 80 that fast against someone with that much experience and maturity.
Is there any raw footage of the Stewart races at Loretta's? I would love to see that stuff.
Please bring "The Spot" to Loretta"s!! please just bring it back at least for these last few outdoor rounds! This is amazing footage. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0PsNucfXTI
@groundy056 - Look at the entry list on MX Sports, RC was given #4 even though the guy who finished 4th last year is still racing.
I can tell you the guys who laugh it off that RC walks into the class with a single digit without earning it the year before like everyone else certainly never turned a wheel at the ranch or have any idea what that means. It may not be the pros but getting a top 10 in any class at a national is something to have pride in, and I'd be pissed if I had to give up my number because the greatest of all time wanted to drop back down to a Vet class and run it.
I agree, RC needs to earn the # like eveyone else. Like Shawn said I too would be VERY pissed if I earned #4 and could not use it.
Interesting, the winner of the Plus 25 class last year Clark Stiles can run the #1 this year and is running the #34 again.
so how many riders are wearing the # 1 plate at lorettas. is ryder difrancesco the only one
As far as the # thing goes - RC can do whatever the hell he wants. If I earned #4 and RC showed up to race me I'd give it to him in a second. Any racer would do the same.
Interesting article.
@groundy506
What race did Frederick Bolley ride an 80 at? I haven't heard that story before. I know that James was beaten by young Belgian Kevin Strijbos on 80's at the Junior world cup in '99 or '00. I think it was muddy.
Poor old Kevin Walker can't get no love.
@TOMKTM......Well said bro! Well said...can't people just step back and admire the fact that we're lucky enough to still see RC throw a leg over that RMZ and still go play with the boys?? There will come a day that we wont see that anymore. Happy the GOAT wants to go race for the pure love of riding a motorcyle still, just like everyone else that rides does.