by Davey Coombs
The List: Brotherly Love
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 | 2:00 PM
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PrintSomething very rare happened on Saturday night in Atlanta. When GEICO Honda's Wil Hahn won the 250 SX main event, leading all 15 laps, it marked his first-ever win as a professional on the AMA circuit. It also meant that his name would go in the record books as a winner alongside his older brother Tommy, who won the 2009 Steel City 450 National. Add it all up and the Hahns were just the third set of brothers in the past 42 years to each have a win in SX/MX. Here's a List of other very fast brothers, including a few that have come close to both winning, yet still haven't...
Bill and Bob Grossi: The Grossi boys from Santa Cruz were both factory riders at one point, and both have outdoor national wins. Bob won the '73 Daytona race on a Husqvarna, which actually counted as the opening round of the '73 AMA Motocross Championships, and Billy, otherwise known as “Sugar Bear,” won the '74 opener at Hangtown on a Honda.
Gary and Dwayne Jones: Before there was even an AMA circuit, the Jones boys were very, very fast. Gary was a three-time 250cc National MX Champion (four if you count the '71 Inter-Am Series' top American). He and Dwayne were both Honda factory riders in 1973, and then Can-Am factory riders, and then even partners on the Mexico-made Amex. The best race of their lives, and the best a pair of finishes brothers ever had in U.S. motocross, came on June 17, 1973, at Lake Whitney Cycle Ranch, when Gary and Dwayne went 1-2 in the 250 National.
Gary Jones (1) and his brother Dwayne once finished first and second in a 250 National at Lake Whitney, Texas.
Racer X Archives photo
Jim and Ron Pomeroy: Both factory Bultaco riders in the seventies, Jim would become the first American to win an FIM World Motocross Championship and became a Hall of Famer. Ron reached the podium outdoors twice, once at RedBud and once at Delta, Ohio, both in 1974.
Chuck and Ron Sun: Hailing from Oregon, Chuck Sun become the 1980 500cc National Motocross Champion while riding for Team Honda. He also was a part of the famous 1981 Team USA, which won the Motocross and Trophee des Nations for the first time. And like Chuck, Ron made it to the factory level for both Husqvarna and Honda, but he never quite cracked the top five.
The Bigelow brothers: Okay, there were four of these boys, charter members of the Michigan Mafia, and all four were very fast! Kirk was the oldest, Kris was a Yamaha and Husqvarna factory rider who finished fourth on a 250 in 1981, Kreg was the 125 Amateur National Champ in 1979 in the pre-Loretta Lynn days, and Kip was a national minicycle champion, rode pro for Team Dynamic, and is the current Motocross Manager for the America Motorcyclists Association.
That's Kip Bigelow, longtime fast man and current AMA Amateur Motocross Manager.
Racer X Archives photo
Tyson and Tallon Vohland: The best supercross day in history for brothers probably came back in 1991 when Tallon and Tyson Vohland finished first and third, respectively, in the 125 class at the Houston Astrodome. Splitting the Vohland brothers on the box was second-place Jeremy McGrath. Both Vohlands won titles at Loretta Lynn's as amateurs and then raced the Grand Prix circuit in Europe. Tallon also won 125 Nationals and GP races.
Blake and Tyler Wharton: The Wharton boys certainly had some good weeks down at Loretta Lynn Ranch as amateurs, as both won a few titles there (the Stewart, Hahn, and Alessi boys came close but were not quite able to double up within the family). As a pro, Blake has two Lites SX wins in his career. Tyler raced professionally from 2008 through 2010 before stepping away from the pro scene as a racer, but you’ll still see him at some races nowadays hanging out with his bro.Mike and Jeff Alessi: Current fans are very familiar with the Alessi boys, as Mike has won multiple outdoor nationals over the years and has been a title contender since 2005. Younger brother Jeff has had trouble staying healthy and was never quite able to reach the great expectations many had for both brothers.
James and Malcolm Stewart: James had won plenty of races—as recently as the 450 SX class last weekend in Atlanta. His younger (but not littler) brother Malcolm has shown flashes of brilliance during his three seasons as a pro, but hasn’t delivered a win or podium finish yet. He’s cracked the top five indoors and out, though.
James (near) has garnered multiple wins and titles in his career, while Malcolm (far) is still searching for his first win.
Simon Cudby photo
Tommy and Wil Hahn: The whole idea for this List came on Saturday night when our buddy Wil rode to a solid win at the Atlanta SX over Dean Wilson and Marvin Musquin. That moves him into the wins column with older brother Tommy, who has an outdoor national win from 2009. They are only the third set of brothers that each have an AMA MX or SX win. (Here's a nod to Europe, where the Geboers brothers—Sylvain and Eric—were superstars in the seventies and eighties—and the Pourcel brothers, Christophe and Sebastien, who are the only brothers in MX history to sweep both classes on the same day of a GP, National or Supercross. They did it in Italy on July 15, 2007, Christophe winning the MX2 class, Seb MX1, and then they did it again in Belgium).
Josh and Justin Hill: Josh is in the record books for winning the Minneapolis SX a few years back, and Justin is just breaking into the pro ranks with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team. The Hills, like the Whartons, each have titles at Loretta’s under their belt. They may very well be the next team of brothers who each have a win in the pro records books.
That’s our List for this week. Who else you got in a battle of brotherly love?
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Europe wise a mention to the King Brothers - Both have multiple victories in the Open class with Shayne being World Champion in 1996 and Darryl having 2 runner up finishes.
Alex and Jeremy Martin.
I meant to say that i feel like they will be on the list by the end of the year. Havent won one yet, but i see it coming
One brother is always faster. Usually it's the older brother. But sometimes it's the younger guy that will become a faster rider than his brother, because he tries harder. Speed may change with age but usually one guy has it & the other does not. Look at the Alessi's (where's Jeff?).
P.S. My (younger) brother is a slug! I can smoke him. I just wish he knew how to ride a motorcycle lol
The "Hahns were just the third set of brothers in the past 42 years to each have a win in SX/MX." The Hahns, the Grossis, and ...?
bowen brothers keith and greg both loretta lynn champs. keith won a 125 national and greg was top 3 in points for 125 supercross before getting injured.
Marty and Mike Tripes. We all know HOFer Marty and although Mike's career was pretty short-lived, he did finish 20th in the 1983 500 series, with a high finish of 11th out at Saddleback.
DANG!! In the Gary Jones photo, the guy on the far right isn't wearing gloves! Imagine riding one of those tanks, with all 4 inches of (harsh) travel for two 45 minute motos with no gloves... Old school riders were ALL bad dudes!
Phil and Mike Larson from Washington state had some strong national finishes in the early 80's.
Nick and Nate Diaz, both amazing talents... Just hope GSP doesn't lay and pray on Nick.
How about fathers and sons who have won AMA races? Obviously Donny and Josh Hansen. Can't think of any others. I bet there are a few in europe....Everts? Or was Harry Everts his uncle? Goboers?
Hey guys below are some PA natives, that came to mind.
Some have made it to the pro ranks while others were fast in the local western PA racing scene.
Darryn and Shane Durham both have tons of speed and talent
Brian and Dave Stuebgen local fast guys in district 5 racing mid 80-90s
Davey and Timmy Coombs- davey did awesome back in 92 or 93 at loretta's in the 125 A Stock class on a Cernic's Suzuki Rm 125 that year and timmy has a pretty impressive racing career also.
Local district 5 racer's Justin & Eric Paris had lots of good battles with these guys over the years also.
I know im probably forgetting some.
How about the Sipes bros! From Kentucky!
The Wanket Brothers from SoCal competed together on the Nationals in the late 70's both earning a top 100 number
In 1970 Ake Jonsson and his brother Tore Jonsson competed in the Inter-Ams with Tore in the support class
Pierre Karsmakers and his brother Toon won many races and titles in their native Holland
Travis and Shane Sewell
What about Ryan and Tyler Villopoto , Ryan won a sx and Tyler won an arenacross main on the same night !
@jesus you and me both, but you know it will happen
Ivan and Gio Tedesco
I think the only Father/Son act to win national races are the Baileys- Gary won a couple 250 nationals in 1972. If Christian Craig can win a national, then he and his dad Mike, will be the second pair to make the list.
Michael and Chris Blose
Davey, there was a pair of brothers who rode Kawasakis in the Nationals back in the 70s. Do you know who they were?
Dustin and Devin Davis
BOOOM!
The most succesful pair of direct relatives is...
· Harry and Stefan Everts
Harry (Stefan's father) won 3 World MX title and like 30 races while his son won TEN WORLD TITLES and over 100 races... and I'm not counting their MxdN wins (both class and team) or Stefan's overall win at the ISDE
Sylvain and Eric Geboers were superstars, Gary and David Bailey were masters... but the mind-blowing amount of trophies won by the Everts can't be surpassed
Can't wait till Liam (Stefan's son) starts racing, I've heard he likes it a lot and rides a bit like his father
How about the Pourcel brothers, Christophe and Sebastian????
@jw621557 I think maybe you are talkinng about the Blastin' Benolkins'. Tommy Benolkin (spelling?) and his bro were from Mn.
What about Jeff and Kyle Glass?
What about Jeff and Kyle Glass?
Gary and DeWayne Jones did not place 1-2 at the Whitney National. Yamaha won both classes that day with Tim Hart in 250 and Pierre Karsmakers in 500. Also, Jim Pomeroy was the first American to win a European Grand Prix race (Spanish GP in 1973). He did NOT win a World Championship. Finally, John and Ron DeSoto are MX racing brothers who were very fast in their time. Pete and Tony Wanket are two others.
Back in the 70's and 80's desert District 37. The Brook,s brothers, the Pfier brothers and the Foster brothers.
Danny and Dale Storbeck. Danny was a factory Yamaha rider in 1986 and 1987 I believe. Dale was super talented and won a lot of GNC championships but never signed a factory contract. They are both doing really well in San Antonio Texas.
Denny and Mike Hartwig from the 70's..Denny now works for Feld, not sure what Mike is doing....
Chuck and Guy Cooper....cant forget fellow Okies
How about brothers and sisters?
On a side note, there was a girl whose brother outdid her in everything they did. I taught her motocross and she beat her brother and eventually turned pro and won a bunch of titles, LOL, gave her a little redemption. He'll never catch up. I love it when women work hard and reach their potential. She beat 35-rider classes of men at SoCal tracks and they gave her standing ovations at the trophy presentations. Heck of a girl. In a way, I feel a little guilty for not reaching out to him more and keeping him ahead of his sister, but hey. She was hot. What can I say?