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Famous Motocross Riders
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Published: September 29, 2006
The sport of motocross is one that has been around for a long time. Not only American riders race motocross bikes, but overseas as well. There are many famous motocross riders in the world. Some are gone. Yet many still get their goggles dirty and let their adrenaline rush whenever possible.
One of the pioneers of motocross racing was Nick Nicholson. Nicholson was a multi-faceted racer, racing on dirt tracks, hillclimb races, road races, and enduros. Nicholson raced on any surface available. He raced in the Catalina Grand Prix, Daytona Beach, the Isle of Man, the Southern California trials, and competed in road races in Belgium and Germany. Aside from racing in various locations, Nicholson raced on both 250cc and 500cc bikes.
Later in life his career moved from racing to helping rookie riders get their start. With Nicholson's help, up and coming European riders Malcolm Smith, Gary Bailey, Preston Petty, and Jim Rice earned their racing stripes; all thanks to Nicholson's mentoring. Nicholson never stopped riding after he retired from racing. He raced right up until his death in 1994 at the age of 70.
There was an upsurge in motorcycle use in Great Britain during the time of the American Great Depression of the 1930s because the Ford automobile was cheap, basic transportation for Americans. The opposite effect occurred in the UK. Motorcycles with sidecars were widely used by British riders. Therefore, the popularity of motorcycles as transportation drifted from the highway to the speedway. Red Marley, Rushmore, Lilleshall and other tracks witnessed the speed of Ariels, Ridges, New Imperials, as well as other machines. John Draper, Bill Nicholson, Jeff Smith, and Fred Rist achieved victory over a dozen times in the Motocross des Nations, beginning in 1947.
In the late 1950s, Belgium and Sweden produced victorious riders. Belgian Victor Leloup, as well as Rene Braeton achieved victory. Swedish riders Bill Nilsson, and Rolf Tibblin also brought home titles. More and more bikers from country after country got into the motocross action, earning championships, trophies, and praise from fans and colleagues alike.
The motocross circuit could be compared to a tennis tournament with American rider "Bad Brad" Lackey and Belgian motocross racer Andre Vromans. A revolving door of victories occurred between the two magnificent motocrossers. When "Bad Brad" crossed the finish first in one race, Vromans followed suit by winning the next race. Lackey answered back with his own win, and then Vromans responded. Match for match, moto for moto, Vromans and Lackey fought back and forth in a motocross victory tug of war. It all came down to a final race in Luxemburg. Vromans, like the rabbit in the Tortoise and the Hare story, flew out of the starting line for an early lead. However, Vromans took a wrong turn on the track and went in the wrong direction. Vromans lost his lead to Lackey and the other riders. The mistake cost Vromans the race and was beaten by an American.
There are many great Motocross racers in the world both past and present. These are but a few of the more notable of the famous motocross riders who have stories to tell.
"Nick Nicholson." Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Copyright 2004. Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Motorcyclemuseum.org. September 29, 2006. http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/hofbiop age.asp?id=371
Youngblood, Ed. "History of Motocross Part two: 1947 through 1965. Motocross goes International, England's Golden Era, and the coming of the Swedish Storm." AMAMotocross.com. June 15, 2004. Copyright 2005. AMA Pro Racing. September 29, 2006.
http://www.amamotocross.com/article.php?UID=1YJt 8L8e1ZqXwdswTRRIZ6tk1RvkHC&sc=1202&aid=407 />
James, Michael. "Almost Famous: The Early Years of Motocross GP." European Motorcycle Universe. Modified September 29, 2006. Copyright 2006. Dropbears.com. September 29, 2006. http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/articles/almost_fam ous.htm
One of the pioneers of motocross racing was Nick Nicholson. Nicholson was a multi-faceted racer, racing on dirt tracks, hillclimb races, road races, and enduros. Nicholson raced on any surface available. He raced in the Catalina Grand Prix, Daytona Beach, the Isle of Man, the Southern California trials, and competed in road races in Belgium and Germany. Aside from racing in various locations, Nicholson raced on both 250cc and 500cc bikes.
Later in life his career moved from racing to helping rookie riders get their start. With Nicholson's help, up and coming European riders Malcolm Smith, Gary Bailey, Preston Petty, and Jim Rice earned their racing stripes; all thanks to Nicholson's mentoring. Nicholson never stopped riding after he retired from racing. He raced right up until his death in 1994 at the age of 70.
There was an upsurge in motorcycle use in Great Britain during the time of the American Great Depression of the 1930s because the Ford automobile was cheap, basic transportation for Americans. The opposite effect occurred in the UK. Motorcycles with sidecars were widely used by British riders. Therefore, the popularity of motorcycles as transportation drifted from the highway to the speedway. Red Marley, Rushmore, Lilleshall and other tracks witnessed the speed of Ariels, Ridges, New Imperials, as well as other machines. John Draper, Bill Nicholson, Jeff Smith, and Fred Rist achieved victory over a dozen times in the Motocross des Nations, beginning in 1947.
In the late 1950s, Belgium and Sweden produced victorious riders. Belgian Victor Leloup, as well as Rene Braeton achieved victory. Swedish riders Bill Nilsson, and Rolf Tibblin also brought home titles. More and more bikers from country after country got into the motocross action, earning championships, trophies, and praise from fans and colleagues alike.
The motocross circuit could be compared to a tennis tournament with American rider "Bad Brad" Lackey and Belgian motocross racer Andre Vromans. A revolving door of victories occurred between the two magnificent motocrossers. When "Bad Brad" crossed the finish first in one race, Vromans followed suit by winning the next race. Lackey answered back with his own win, and then Vromans responded. Match for match, moto for moto, Vromans and Lackey fought back and forth in a motocross victory tug of war. It all came down to a final race in Luxemburg. Vromans, like the rabbit in the Tortoise and the Hare story, flew out of the starting line for an early lead. However, Vromans took a wrong turn on the track and went in the wrong direction. Vromans lost his lead to Lackey and the other riders. The mistake cost Vromans the race and was beaten by an American.
There are many great Motocross racers in the world both past and present. These are but a few of the more notable of the famous motocross riders who have stories to tell.
"Nick Nicholson." Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Copyright 2004. Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Motorcyclemuseum.org. September 29, 2006. http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/hofbiop age.asp?id=371
Youngblood, Ed. "History of Motocross Part two: 1947 through 1965. Motocross goes International, England's Golden Era, and the coming of the Swedish Storm." AMAMotocross.com. June 15, 2004. Copyright 2005. AMA Pro Racing. September 29, 2006.
http://www.amamotocross.com/article.php?UID=1YJt 8L8e1ZqXwdswTRRIZ6tk1RvkHC&sc=1202&aid=407 />
James, Michael. "Almost Famous: The Early Years of Motocross GP." European Motorcycle Universe. Modified September 29, 2006. Copyright 2006. Dropbears.com. September 29, 2006. http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/articles/almost_fam ous.htm
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