This week, we’re using The Vault to highlight the history of this weekend’s host site for the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Washougal Motocross Park in Washougal, WA. Known as the most scenic stop on the circuit, Washougal is known for its hills, deceptively slick dirt and infamous late-day shadows cast by the massive fir trees that surround the track. Let’s grab a gear and wheelie into the Racer X Vault and take a look at some memorable moments in Washougal’s history.
Held in 1980, the first race at Washougal was won by 125cc extraordinaire Marc Barnett on a Suzkuki. In the 500 class, Chuck Sun took the win over Todd “Goat” Brecker and Marty Moates. Sun is legend up in these parts!
Check out this poster from the first ever race at Washougal in 1980.
In 1985, Washougal was the final race of the season. Ron Lechien, who only lost two 125 races the entire year thanks to a DNF and a flat tire, jumped into the 250 Class, allowing A.J. Whiting to take the first and last 125 National win of his career. And Lechien? He went 9-2 for third overall behind Johnny O’Mara and Jeff Ward.
The final year of 500 Class racing came in 1993, and the action at the Washougal round was intense. As the end of the second moto drew near, Mike LaRocco, Jeff Stanton, Steve Lamson and Mike Kiedrowski were all battling for the win. The finishing order of the second moto, LaRocco, Stanton, Lamson and Kiedrowski, would mirror the overall results that day.
In 1999, the Washougal fans were treated to some great racing in both classes. Brock Sellards went 1-3 on a 125 to take the first National win of his career, while local hero Jason McCormick was victorious in the second moto, finishing third overall behind Ricky Carmichael. RC has absolutely horrible starts in both motos and logged amazing charges--coming up just short of the overall win. In the 250 Class, Jimmy Button topped the field with a 3-1, handing him the only National victory of his career.
In 2003, and many other years for that matter, Ricky Carmichael was nearly unstoppable, but Kevin Windham was able to edge RC twice that year. The first time came at Unadilla, and the second was at Washougal.
Local boy Jason McCormick won the second 125 moto in 1999.
Washougal photo
James Stewart won the first moto at Washougal in 2007, but a knee injury in the second caused him to pull out of the race, and later, the series altogether. Grant Langston would go on to win moto two, but it was veteran Tim Ferry who took the overall by way of 2-2 finishes. It ended up being the final victory of Ferry’s career. And, famously, he was aided when Windham mistook the white flag for the checkers and pulled over, allowing Ferry to steal second in the moto and the overall win!
The last time any team other than Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki or GEICO Powersports Honda won a 250 National was when Ryan Dungey won Washougal in 2009. Positions two, three, four and five of course, were all held by GEICO and PC riders.
RV and RD engaged in an epic battle at Washougal last year.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Last year turned out to be a fantastic race between Ryan Dungey and Ryan Villopoto. Dungey had closed on Villopoto in the first moto, and in the final stages of the race was applying an incredible amount of pressure on RV2 before spinning out. Inspired, Dungey came back and led every single lap of the second moto to take the overall.
There are far more great racing moments that have taken place at Washougal than we can list, so be sure to check out The Vault and share your findings in the comments section below.
