Returning to USA

With the 2017 Monster Energy MXGP of USA just two weeks away, it thought it might be a good idea to look at a little history of this important event. Held this year at a brand-new facility for the MXGP series, the WW Ranch complex in Florida will bring together the likes of Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Eli Tomac up against the best in the world.

Of course, it was back in 1973 when America held their first ever 500cc Grand Prix at the famous Carlsbad circuit. The hard pack of Carlsbad held 500cc GP’s from 1973 until 1986, then after missing a year in 1987 it moved to Hollister Hills in 1988 and 89, then the final two being held at Glen Helen in 1991 and 92.

Dutch rider Gerrit Wolsink won a magnificent four times at Carlsbad and is still the winningest rider in the USGP for 500cc bikes. Others to have success in the 500cc USGP were German rider Willy Bauer who won the very first in 1973, Heikki Mikkola who won twice in 1977 and 1978, Marty Moates who was the first ever American winner in 1980, and then the Americans took over, winning seven of the next 11 races.

Jean Michel Bayle capped it off for European riders though, winning the final two at Glen Helen in 1991 and 1992. Eric Geboers was also a two-time winner in 1988 at Hollister Hills and 1990 at Glen Helen.

In 1978 the 250cc class held its first GP at the famous Unadilla circuit and they ran the USGP there 15 times until 1992. Names such as Johnny O’Mara, Ricky Johnson, Bob Hannah and Jeff Stanton had success at Unadilla, with Johnson winning in 1987, 1988, 1989 and Stanton winning in 1990, 1991 and 1992.

The final three 250cc GP’s were run at Budds Creek in Maryland, and in 1993, 94 and 99 Stefan Everts clinched victory in 1993, before finishing equal first in 1999, but losing on a count-back as Kevin Windham won the second moto. Everts went 1-2 and Windham 2-1. The 1994 race went to Yves Demaria of France.

The last 125cc Grand Prix was in 1987 at the Delmont circuit, but prior to that the USGP for 125cc bikes was always held at the famous Lexington circuit. The first was in 1975 and they held it at Lexington in 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81. While it was American Marty Smith who won the first two in 1975 and 1976, Gaston Rahier won in 1977, and then wins went to Broc Glover, Mark Barnett, Johnny O’Mara, Barnett again and Eric Kehoe.

Youthstream knew the importance of the USGP on the world scene, and returned to America after more than a decade with the USGP returning to Glen Helen in 2010, 2011 and 2015, before heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway last year.

As mentioned, this year event we head to WW Ranch on Florida, and you can be sure, when the gate drops the best in the world will battle for victory. Just as they did back in the 1970’s and 80s.

Author:

Geoff Meyer