1974 AMA Motocross National Championship season

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

Contents

Summary

The AMA Motocross continued to expand in 1974 with the addition of the 125cc class. [1] The AMA made a controversial decision allowing only American citizens to compete for the motocross national championship. [1] The decision would exclude the defending 500cc national champion Dutchman Pierre Karsmakers who, was credited with helping raise the level of American motocross by stressing the importance of physical fitness and machine preparation. [2]

Although he was excluded from the overall results, Karsmakers competed for Yamaha in the 250cc class and won three of the nine rounds. [1] Despite not having won a race overall, Can-Am's Gary Jones rode consistently to secure his third consecutive 250cc national championship riding three different brands of motorcycles. [3] Can-Am hired second-ranked Marty Tripes away from the Husqvarna team before the last race of the season. With Can-Am rider Jimmy Ellis finishing the season ranked third, Can-Am would sweep the top three positions in the 250cc national championship although, Tripes rode most of the season for Husqvarna. [1]

In the 500cc national championship, privateer rider Tony DiStefano led the championship for most of the year on a ČZ before an injury relegated him to second place behind Kawasaki factory rider Jimmy Weinert. [1] [4] The Honda factory team dominated the inaugural 125cc championship with rider Marty Smith leading a Honda sweep of the top four positions. [1]

Nationals

RoundDateLocation500cc250cc125ccReport
WinnerTeamWinnerTeamWinnerTeam
1April 8 Rancho Cordova, California Flag of the United States.svg Mike Hartwig Yamaha Flag of the United States.svg Billy Grossi Honda Flag of the United States.svg Marty Smith Honda Report
2April 14 Moorpark, California Flag of the United States.svg Tony DiStefano ČZ Flag of the Netherlands.svg Pierre KarsmakersYamaha Report
3April 28 Buchanan, Michigan Flag of the United States.svg Mike HartwigYamaha Flag of the United States.svg Kenny Zahrt Bultaco Report
4May 5 Bruceton Mills, West Virginia Flag of the United States.svg Tony DiStefanoČZ Flag of the Netherlands.svg Pierre KarsmakersYamaha Report
5May 19 Hamersville, Ohio Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Weinert Kawasaki Flag of the Netherlands.svg Pierre KarsmakersYamaha Report
6June 30 Salt Lake City, Utah Flag of the United States.svg Marty Smith Honda Report
7July 6 Baldwin, Kansas Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Ellis Can-Am Report
8July 21 Lexington, Ohio Flag of the United States.svg Tim HartYamaha Report
9August 11 Delta, Ohio Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy WeinertKawasaki Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Ellis Can-Am Report
10August 18 Mexico, New York Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy WeinertKawasaki Flag of the United States.svg Marty Tripes Husqvarna Report
11August 25 Hillsboro, Ohio Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy WeinertKawasaki Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy EllisCan-Am Report
12September 2 New Orleans, Louisiana Flag of the United States.svg Gary SemicsHusqvarna Flag of the United States.svg Kent Howerton Husqvarna Report

[5]

Final standings

[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "1974 Motocross Season". racerxonline.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  2. "Pierre Karsmakers at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  3. "Gary Jones at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  4. Assoc, American Motorcyclist (1976). Tony D - Enjoying the Good Life. American Motorcyclist. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  5. "1974 AMA Motocross National Championship results". racerxonline.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  6. "1974 AMA Motocross National Championship overall standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.