1970 Trans-AMA motocross series

Last updated

The 1970 Trans-AMA motocross series was an international series established by the American Motorcyclist Association as a pilot event to help establish motocross in the United States. [1] [2] The motocross series was an invitational based on a combined 250 and 500cc engine displacement formula, run on American tracks featuring the top riders from the F.I.M. world championship against the top American riders.

Contents

BSA factory rider Dave Nicoll claimed the championship without winning a single event, due to his consistent results. The Suzuki team of Joel Robert and Olle Petterson didn't join the event until the third race of the series. Robert went on to dominate, but his late start hurt his chances to claim the overall championship. As a result of his being the highest placed American rider at fourth overall, Dick Burleson, was crowned the first-ever American motocross national champion.

1970 Trans-AMA final standings

PlaceRiderCountryTeamPointsWins
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Nicoll United Kingdom BSA 45500
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Banks United Kingdom BSA 45350
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Smith United Kingdom BSA 45152
4 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Burleson United States Husqvarna 39250
5 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Kenney United States Husqvarna 37600
6 Flag of Sweden.svg Gunnar Lindstrom Sweden Husqvarna 36750
7 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Joel Robert Belgium Suzuki 35906
8 Flag of Sweden.svg Olle Petterson Sweden Suzuki 33600
9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Keith Hickman United Kingdom BSA 33500
10 Flag of the United States.svg Sonny DeFeo United States ČZ 33450

[1] [2]

1970 Trans-AMA Round 1

LaRue, Ohio (250cc)

PlaceRiderCountryTeam
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Smith United Kingdom BSA
2 Flag of Sweden.svg Gunnar Lindstrom Sweden Husqvarna
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Nicoll United Kingdom BSA
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Banks United Kingdom BSA
5 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Thompson United States Ossa
6 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Weinert United States ČZ
7 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Kenney United States Husqvarna
8 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Burleson United States Husqvarna
9 Flag of the United States.svg David Aldana United States BSA
10 Flag of the United States.svg Wyman Priddy United States Bultaco

1970 Trans-AMA Round 2

Unadilla, New York (250cc)

PlaceRiderCountryTeam
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Smith United Kingdom BSA
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Keith Hickman United Kingdom BSA
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Banks United Kingdom BSA
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Nicoll United Kingdom BSA
5 Flag of the United States.svg Peter Lamppu United States Montesa
6 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Thompson United States Ossa
7 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Kenney United States Husqvarna
8 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Burleson United States Husqvarna
9 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Weinert United States ČZ
10 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ron Keyes Canada ČZ

1970 Trans-AMA Round 3

Delta, Ohio (500cc)

PlaceRiderCountryTeam
1 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Joel Robert Belgium Suzuki
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Nicoll United Kingdom BSA
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Smith United Kingdom BSA
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Banks United Kingdom BSA
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Keith Hickman United Kingdom BSA
6 Flag of Sweden.svg Gunnar Lindstrom Sweden Husqvarna
7 Flag of Sweden.svg Olle Pettersson Sweden Suzuki
8 Flag of the United States.svg Brad Lackey United States ČZ
9 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Kenney United States Husqvarna
10 Flag of the United States.svg Doug Rodrigues United States ČZ

1970 Trans-AMA Round 4

Franklin, Georgia (500cc)

PlaceRiderCountryTeam
1 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Joel Robert Belgium Suzuki
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Banks United Kingdom BSA
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Nicoll United Kingdom BSA
4 Flag of Sweden.svg Olle Pettersson Sweden Suzuki
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Keith Hickman United Kingdom BSA
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Smith United Kingdom BSA
7 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Weinert United States ČZ
8 Flag of the United States.svg Sonny DeFeo United States ČZ
9 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Kenney United States Husqvarna
10 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Burleson United States Husqvarna

1970 Trans-AMA Round 5

Lewisville, Texas (250cc)

PlaceRiderCountryTeam
1 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Joel Robert Belgium Suzuki
2 Flag of Sweden.svg Olle Pettersson Sweden Suzuki
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Smith United Kingdom BSA
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Banks United Kingdom BSA
5 Flag of Sweden.svg Gunnar Lindstrom Sweden Husqvarna
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Nicoll United Kingdom BSA
7 Flag of the United States.svg Brad Lackey United States ČZ
8 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Burleson United States Husqvarna
9 Flag of the United States.svg Sonny DeFeo United States ČZ
10 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Rapp United States Bultaco

1970 Trans-AMA Round 6

Irvine, California (500cc)

PlaceRiderCountryTeam
1 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Joel Robert Belgium Suzuki
2 Flag of Sweden.svg Olle Pettersson Sweden Suzuki
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Keith Hickman United Kingdom BSA
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Banks United Kingdom BSA
5 Flag of Sweden.svg Gunnar Lindstrom Sweden Husqvarna
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Nicoll United Kingdom BSA
7 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Clements United States Husqvarna
8 Flag of the United States.svg Gary Harris United States Husqvarna
9 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Burleson United States Husqvarna
10 Flag of the United States.svg Jim O'Neal United States ČZ

1970 Trans-AMA Round 7

Carlsbad, California (250cc)

PlaceRiderCountryTeam
1 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Joel Robert Belgium Suzuki
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Malcolm Davis United Kingdom AJS
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Smith United Kingdom BSA
4 Flag of Sweden.svg Olle Petterson Sweden Suzuki
5 Flag of Sweden.svg Gunnar Lindstrom Sweden Husqvarna
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Nicoll United Kingdom BSA
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Keith Hickman United Kingdom BSA
8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Banks United Kingdom BSA
9 Flag of the United States.svg Gary Bailey United States Greeves
10 Flag of the United States.svg Peter Lamppu United States Montesa

1970 Trans-AMA Round 8

Puyallup, Washington (500cc)

PlaceRiderCountryTeam
1 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Joel Robert Belgium Suzuki
2 Flag of Sweden.svg Gunnar Lindstrom Sweden Husqvarna
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Smith United Kingdom BSA
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Banks United Kingdom BSA
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Nicoll United Kingdom BSA
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Keith Hickman United Kingdom BSA
7 Flag of the United States.svg Sonny DeFeo United States ČZ
8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Malcolm Davis United Kingdom AJS
9 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Kenney United States Husqvarna
10 Flag of Sweden.svg Olle Pettersson Sweden Suzuki

Related Research Articles

The AMA Supercross Championship (commercially known as Monster Energy AMA Supercross) is an American motorcycle racing series. Founded by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1974, the AMA Supercross Championship races are held from January through early May. Supercross is a variant of motocross which involves off-road motorcycles on a constructed dirt track consisting of steep jumps and obstacles; the tracks are usually constructed inside a sports stadium. The easy accessibility and comfort of these stadium venues helped supercross surpass off-road motocross as a spectator attraction in the United States by the late 1970s.

Jim Pomeroy was an American professional motocross racer. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1972 to 1973 and in the Motocross World Championships from 1973 to 1976, before returning to compete in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1977 to 1978. Pomeroy is notable for being the first American competitor to win an overall victory in an FIM Motocross World Championship Grand Prix race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger De Coster</span> Belgian motorcycle racer

Roger De Coster is a Belgian former professional motocross racer and current Motorsport Director of KTM and Husqvarna North America. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1966 to 1980, most prominently as a member of the Suzuki factory racing team where he won five FIM 500cc Motocross World Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heikki Mikkola</span> Finnish motorcycle racer

Heikki Antero Mikkola is a Finnish former professional motocross racer and motocross team manager. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1967 to 1979, most prominently as a member of the Husqvarna factory racing team where he became the first competitor to win both the 250cc and 500cc world championships.

Brad Lackey is an American former professional motocross racer. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1970 to 1972 and, in the Motocross World Championships from 1973 to 1982. Lackey was notable for becoming the first and only American to win the 500cc motocross world championship, in 1982. Nicknamed "Bad Brad", Lackey was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and, in 2013 he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Hannah</span> American motorcycle racer

Robert William Hannah is an American former professional motocross racer. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1975 to 1989, most notably as a member of the Yamaha factory racing team. He was one of the most successful motocross racers in AMA history, with 70 AMA National race victories and seven motocross National Championships.

Marty Tripes is an American former professional motocross racer. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1972 to 1980. He was one of the leading American motocross and supercross racers during the 1970s. Tripes rose to national prominence in 1972 as a teenage prodigy when, he defeated some of the best riders in the world to win the first-ever stadium supercross race in the United States.

Jimmy Weinert is an American former professional motocross and supercross racer. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1972 to 1980. Weinert won 22 AMA Nationals and three AMA national championships during his racing career. In 1973, Weinert became the first American to defeat international-level riders in the Trans-AMA motocross series. That victory marked a turning point that brought American motocross up to par with the then dominant European riders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AMA Motocross Championship</span>

The AMA Motocross Championship (commercially known as Lucas Oil Pro Motocross) is an American motorcycle racing series. The motocross race series was founded and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1972. The series is the major outdoor motocross series in the United States and is sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing and managed by MX Sports Pro Racing.

Gary Jones is an American former professional motocross and desert racer. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1971 to 1976. Jones is notable for winning the inaugural AMA 250cc motocross national championship in 1972. Jones then successfully defended his national championship in 1973 and 1974, winning three consecutive 250cc motocross national championships while competing on three different brands of motorcycles, a feat which has never been repeated in AMA motocross history. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000.

Richard Burleson is an American former motorcycle enduro racer. He is considered one of the top competitors in AMA history, winning a record eight consecutive Enduro National Championships. His domination of the national enduro series earned him the nickname King Richard. Burleson was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and was named an AMA Legend in 2016.

Sylvain Geboers is a Belgian former professional motocross racer and motocross racing team manager. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1968 to 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Banks (motorcyclist)</span>

John Banks is a British former professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1963 to 1977. A four-time 500cc British national champion, Banks was twice runner-up in the 500cc motocross world championship.

The 1971 Trans-AMA motocross series was the second annual international series established by the American Motorcyclist Association as a pilot event to help establish motocross in the United States. The motocross series was an invitational based on a 500cc engine displacement formula, run on American tracks featuring the top riders from the F.I.M. world championship against the top American riders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1974 Trans-AMA motocross series</span>

The 1974 Trans-AMA motocross series was the fifth annual international series established by the American Motorcyclist Association as a pilot event to help establish motocross in the United States. The motocross series was an invitational based on a 500cc engine displacement formula, run on American tracks featuring the top riders from the F.I.M. world championship against the top American riders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Flat Track</span>

American Flat Track is an American motorcycle racing series. The racing series, founded and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1954, originally encompassed five distinct forms of competitions including mile dirt track races, half-mile, short-track, TT steeplechase and road races. The championship was the premier motorcycle racing series in the United States from the 1950s up until the late 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1972 Trans-AMA motocross series</span>

The 1972 Trans-AMA motocross series was the third annual international series established by the American Motorcyclist Association as a pilot event to help establish motocross in the United States. The motocross series was an invitational based on a 500cc engine displacement formula, run on American tracks featuring the top riders from the F.I.M. world championship against the top American riders.

Dave Nicoll was an English professional Grand Prix motocross racer and at the time of his death in March 2023 the incumbent FIM's world championship Clerk of the Course.

The 1974 AMA Motocross Championship season was the 3rd AMA Motocross National Championship season.

References

  1. 1 2 Youngblood, Ed (December 1970). Trans-AMA: A Pilot Program For International Activity. American Motorcyclist. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  2. 1 2 Youngblood, Ed (January 1971). Burleson, Nicoll Champions Of AMA's Pilot Project For International Activity. American Motorcyclist. Retrieved 29 July 2012.