One Race, One Page

For any professional racer, there’s a never a bad time for that break-through maiden win, right? Some wait a very long time to get that first big win in AMA Supercross; for too many others—Steve Lamson, Mike Alessi, Michael Byrne, Tyla Rattray, and Brett Metcalfe—it never actually comes. For our friend and former contributor David Pingree, his time came on June 3, 1995 in San Jose, California, a little less than three years after his professional debut. Riding for Mitch Payton’s Splitfire/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team, Pingree had yet to even reach a podium before that fateful night in Spartan Stadium, making his first trophy as a pro all the more special. He was even given a brilliantly bright hand-sewn bomber jacket on the podium from one of the event’s sponsors.