by Davey Coombs
40 Day Countdown To AMA Motocross Opener: 1980
Wednesday, April 20, 2011 | 12:20 PM
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Welcome back to the forty-day countdown to the 40th year of American motocross. The 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship begins on Saturday, May 21, at Hangtown in Rancho Cordova, California. Racer X Online is counting down the days and years to the opener by reviewing each of the previous seasons of AMA Motocross.
(Click HERE to view previous years)
Today we focus on 1980 and a changing of the guard. The previous season ended on a somber note, as highly respected veteran Gaylon Mosier, winner of the '79 High Point 500cc National on a factory Kawasaki 500, was killed in a training accident near Unadilla before the Trans-USA race there when he was hit by a truck while riding a bicycle.
Gaylon Mosier was killed in the fall of '79 while bicycling on a road near Unadilla.
In 1980 a couple of new tracks joined the AMA Motocross circuit, and one is still there: Washougal, high above the banks of the Columbia River, will host its thirty-first Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross National on July 23. Broome-Tioga in Binghamton, New York, also joined the tour and would remain on it for more than twenty years.
When Bob Hannah broke his leg water-skiing after another dominant season, the door was wide open for someone to step in and take over as the leader in this nation. In AMA Supercross it was Hannah's young Yamaha teammate Mike Bell who ended up champion, as he swept the first two rounds at the old Seattle Kingdome and then rode a good, consistent series—and by then the SX tour had grown to seventeen rounds!
Kent Howerton took the 1980 AMA 250cc Motocross title.
Bell was solid outdoors too, but not as fast as Suzuki's Kent Howerton was. The “Rhinestone Cowboy” from Texas won all but one round of the seven-round tour, and the only race he lost—RedBud—went to another Texan in the form of Team Honda's Steve Wise. Howerton would also win the Trans-USA tour, now all the way down to just four rounds, including two current AMA National tracks in Unadilla and RedBud. There was not a single European rider in the top ten that year, as the series was no longer of great importance to the factories.
The 500-class title would go to Chuck Sun, nicknamed the “Rising Sun” due to his Asian roots. The Honda-backed Sun, who hailed from Oregon, was the first minority rider to win a major AMA title and would not be matched until James Stewart came along in 2002. Sun topped Goat Breker and the veteran Marty Smith, now on a Suzuki after spending most of his career at Honda.
One other moment that year is mostly lost to history: Ohio's Denny Swartz won the RedBud National on a Maico, marking the last win in the once-proud German brand's history.
“Flyin'” Brian Myerscough was fast but also had some health issues.
The 125 class saw the biggest upset, though, as three-time champion Broc Glover was finally stopped in his tracks by Mark “The Bomber” Barnett, as the Suzuki rider ended the Golden Boy's dominant streak. He had some early support from teammate Brian Myerscough, but the former minicycle hotshoe suffered from blood disorder called hypoglycemia that robbed him of his energy, though he did win the Saddleback National.
Nineteen eighty was a big year for American motocross on the global stage. Brad Lackey was in contention for the 500cc FIM World Championship, Marty Moates shockingly swept both motos of the U.S. Grand Prix at Carlsbad on a privateer LOP Yamaha to become the first American to win that race, and in another huge upset, Mugen Honda privateer Johnny O'Mara won the 125cc U.S. GP at Mid-Ohio. But Team USA could not get their act together, and for the second year in a row there was no U.S. entry at the Motocross and Trophee des Nations.
That would change—as would the balance of power in world motocross—in 1981. More on that tomorrow.
Check out Johnny O'Mara on that sweet Mugen Hon!
1980 250cc National Motocross
3/23 Sacramento, CA Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX Suz
3/30 Irvine, CA Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX Suz
5/18 Southwick, MA Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX Suz
5/25 Mt. Morris, PA Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX Suz
6/1 Buchanan, MI Steve Wise, Pharr, TX Hon
6/8 Atlanta, GA Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX Suz
6/15 Lakewood, CO Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX Suz
1980 250cc AMA Motocross Point Standings
1.) Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX 336
2.) Mike Bell, Lakewood, CA 259
3.) Steve Wise, Pharr, TX 222
4.) Warren Reid, Westminster, CA 200
5.) Darrell Shultz, Trinidad, CA 178
6.) Larry Wosick, San Jose, CA 160
7.) Mike Guerra, Bolton, CT 152
8.) Marty Tripes, Santee, CA 130
9.) Jim Ellis, E. Hampton, CT Yam 103
10.) Steve Martin, St. Petersburg, FL Yam 98
1980 500cc AMA Motocross Championship
5/25 Mt. Morris, PA Chuck Sun, Sherwood, OR Hon
6/1 Buchanan, MI Denny Swartz, Marietta, OH Maico
6/8 Atlanta, GA Chuck Sun, Sherwood, OR Hon
6/15 Lakewood, CO Goat Breker, Anaheim, CA Kaw
6/29 Sonoma, CA Chuck Sun, Sherwood, OR Hon
7/6 Washougal, WA Chuck Sun, Sherwood, OR Hon
8/24 Binghamton, NY Chuck Sun, Sherwood, OR Hon
8/31 St. Petersburg, FL Danny LaPorte, Yucca Valley, CA Suz
1980 500cc AMA Motocross Point Standings
1.) Chuck Sun, Sherwood, OR 307
2.) Goat Breker, Anaheim, CA 247
3.) Marty Smith, San Diego, CA 233
4.) Rick Burgett, Sandy, OR 231
5.) Jim Gibson, Orange, CA 216
6.) Arlo Englund, Denver, CO 213
7.) Danny LaPorte, Yucca Valley, CA 178
8.) Denny Swartz, Marietta, OH 175
9.) Gary Semics, Laguna Beach, CA 172
10.) Marty Moates, San Diego, CA 147
1980 125cc AMA Motocross Championship
3/23 Sacramento, CA Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL Suz
3/30 Irvine, CA Brian Myerscough, Calimesa, CA Suz
5/18 Southwick, MA Broc Glover, El Cajon, CA Yam
6/29 Sonoma, CA Broc Glover, El Cajon, CA Yam
7/6 Washougal, WA Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL Suz
8/24 Binghamton, NY Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL Suz
8/31 St. Petersburg, FL Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL Suz
1980 125cc AMA Motocross Point Standings
1.) Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL 314
2.) Broc Glover, El Cajon, CA 305
3.) Jeff Ward, Mission Viejo, CA 219
4.) Brian Myerscough, Calimesa, CA 214
5.) Richard Coon, Ghent, NY 186
6.) Scott Burnworth, Jamul, CA 151
7.) Donnie Cantaloupi, Stockton, CA 138
8.) Chappy Blose, Phoenix, AZ 124
9.) Jim Holley, Northridge, CA 122
10.) Ron Sun, Lake Grove, OR 12
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Very kool! Remember those days well.
It's good to see Denny Swartz getting some love. I know Denny and he is still fast, not to mention one of the nicest people you'll ever meet
Loving this stuff, DC. It's the first thing I look for everyday. :-)
DC ,
Do a liitle piece on Maggo creating the uphill double jump at the Saddleback National. I think Chandler was the first to go . That jump was a game changer dont you think ? Also , wonder why Jeff Jennings never took that last step into moto hierarchy.
Dirt
the Mugen is way too cool...
but what aout the other two cool white things... the "painted NASCAR tires"
and O'Mara's "GATORS"
thatswhatimtalkinbout
ifyouknowhatimsayin'
\\m//>_
Thank you very much DC/RacerX you have given me a GOOD reason to sign on my computer. Born and raised in So Cal did some racing in the 70's at CMC events. What a thrill it was to see many of these same riders racing Saddleback/Carlsbad when they did not have National events to attend. I miss those days, thanks again for the memories.
Looking at the photo at the top of this and anyone else recall RPM out of Toledo Ohio? I think almost everybody in the Michigan Mafia had their bikes done by them.......or sure seemed like it.
And there was a Goat before RC........LOL
Dave, thanks for the memories. I love this stuff. Hopefully it will be a yearly event. Having raced in the 70s I miss the smell of two-strokes and open face helmets. I agree with Warren, I look forward to seeing what the next day brings in the countdown.
Keep up the great work!
Good stuff...that looks like Gary Pustalack (sp?) an old rival of mine with the RPM jersey.
Gary Chaplin it seems like was the guy behind RPM. He would hack the heck out of the transfers and raise the exhaust port.
Yes, there were a lot of Michigan guys running the RPM stuff. Luckily I had an in
house deal with LOP when Eric Gorr and Terry Varner were their motor guys.
They could make the Yamaha's rip!
Good stuff...that looks like Gary Pustalack (sp?) an old rival of mine with the RPM jersey.
Gary Chaplin it seems like was the guy behind RPM. He would hack the heck out of the transfers and raise the exhaust port.
Yes, there were a lot of Michigan guys running the RPM stuff. Luckily I had an in
house deal with LOP when Eric Gorr and Terry Varner were their motor guys.
They could make the Yamaha's rip!
@ Witmer
I remember you from when I used to make the long trek acrossed Michigan from Canada to race at Red Bud back in 82-83.
I couldn't recall who was behind RPM, I just recall an awful lot of people running them when I raced D-14 those two seasons.
I think I still have some stickers from there in a drawer somewhere, along with some other stickers from that era.
Another great trip down memory lane. In my opinion Howerton was one of the greatest ever - totally underated. Super nice guy too - the Texan's were all good guy's. Stackable, Wise, Howerton. Kent pulled my van out of the mud when I was stuck in the pits at the Rio Bravo National in '76. I bet a Cali factory rider would never do that.Good to see Arlo Englund's name in there too - another good guy.
MX Math
Hannah + Johnson + Carmichael
Dirt
Dynamo...heck I'm still hanging out at Red Bud announcing and racing
the age divisions. Come up and say Hi at the Nationals in the tower if you
come this year!
(You HAD to know this was coming) I know these write-ups are about the Nats but, only 27 words on Marty Moates' Cindarella ride @ Carlsbad? O'Mara & Moates' rides @ the '80 U.S.G.P's were watershed moments and enough cannot be said about these historic performances (especially period-wise pertaining to these articles). Suzuki was on the pipe for '80-'81 and those Factory RH's were definitely a cut above the other offerings. it certainly didn't hurt them having the "Bomber" and the "Limestone Cowboy" (I'm still laughing over that one) pulling duty in the 125/250 classes. As much of a Honda fan as I was back then, those RH's just looked RIGHT.
Great "Countdown" series D.C. !
All of these articles, along with the pictures, are bringing back so many memories of my midwest AMAteur racing days of the late 70's early 80's.
(Though it would have been good to see a couple of "1980's" pix of CHUCK SUN & MARK BARNETT for today's column, D.C.; seeing how they were the respective 500cc & 125cc class National Champions).
Lots of PRO Riders with 'personality' back then, who influenced so many of us. Reading about them in the popular 'rags' of the day (C.N. & MXA) was one thing; but when we saw them in person ''riding'' at tracks like RED BUD (Nationals or Trans-AMs), Midland, MI or the U.S.G.P. in Lexington OH it was just outta-this-world-cool!
DeCoster, Lackey, Pomeroy, Hannah, Smith, DiStefano, Weinert, Zart, Karsmakers, Wolsink, Chandler, Ellis, Eierstedt, LaPorte, Stackable, Tripes, Semics, Staten, Croft, Breker, Glover, Reid, O'mara, Wise, Ward..., I'll miss somebody's name so I'm stopping there. Too many Moto Heros of old!
Anyone who rode RED BUD 'back-in-the-day' must remember the hi-tech-finish-line-scoring YELLOW SCHOOL BUS too! ... a Red Bud LANDMARK.
After your moto, the RITCHIES' (or other track personnel) would kindly 'scotch-tape' the hand-written-on-a-legal-pad-of-yellow-paper moto results onto the outside windows of the Bus for you to see a lap-by-lap accounting of your race -and where you finished. Ah, the best of times.
Like the age-less Larry Witmer mentioned somewhere here in a Racer-X column over the last couple of days, I remember seeing the Team Honda riders in Elkhart, Indiana (think they hung out at the CYCLE-RAMA shop) at a little practice track area behind the old ELK VAN Conversions plant (where I later worked for a short time with Larry and Tim Kauffmann, another very good amateur rider from those days).
Remember spotting mechanics like Jon R., Dave Arnold (and others), along with various TEAM HONDA Riders prepping for Red Bud. Some very cool memories you're stirring up for lots of Us, D.C.!
All Fantastic stuff! Thanks for taking us all back in time a little bit.
True 'feel good' moments. Keep 'bringing' it! We love it!
Great articles DC, keep 'em comin! I'm just curious about where you are able to find all this cool info about old moto, considerin that your mag didnt come around until 1998.
How many pairs of Scott boots can you get in a set of pics?! They were awesome - I loved mine. I agree with Carlsbad, those RH Suzukis were cool.
Is it just me, or do those old tracks look way more killer than the tracks of today? Just lookit those juicy berms!! Gassin Gaylon is on it!!
Great series !! The photo of Johnny "o" on the mugen reminds me of his big breakout win the 1980 usgp. All the press back in the day left the impression that johnny o dominated. Go back and watch the coverage it was a massive mudder and Ron Sun dominated the first moto until his bike sucked water at the end of the first moto. Ron ran away with the second moto..
KG I totally agree with you. Going to a race today is nothing like it was back in those days. No MX was even on TV yet- so to see our 'heroes' in person out on the track, just blew us all away (and we were a lot closer to the action too!). The thrill of watching #111 Roger DeCoster or #39 hurricane hannah go whizzing by, is something you don't get out of goin to your local sx race anymore.
I remember Johnny O's first race on that Mugen. It was at the 1980 Golden State National round at Indian Dunes. He completely dominated both moto's. He was riding so fast that day it was almost scary. He barely slowed for the corners, sometimes not even backing off the throttle. It was amazing watching him with his unique riding style rail around the International track in all white riding gear on an all white bike with a bright red engine.
Joe dirt.. It was Phil Larson that jumped the giant uphill at saddleback first. His dad has the MXA article in a frame at his shop. The first time he bounced into the wall hard. Phil was built like a wrestler.
Thanks again for reading. I am a student of the sport and was around for a lot of this, even if I was only riding amateur day then and yellow-flagging at the nationals. And I read every issue if Cycke News, MXA, Moto Cross, DBR from England.... Anything I could get my hands on.
As far as Marty and Johnny go, those were seminal moments indeed, but this series is about the 40-year history of AMA Motocross. Maybe next time around, we will get more into the cool one-off wins like this amigo moments!
DC
Thanks again for reading. I am a student of the sport and was around for a lot of this, even if I was only riding amateur day then and yellow-flagging at the nationals. And I read every issue if Cycke News, MXA, Moto Cross, DBR from England.... Anything I could get my hands on.
As far as Marty and Johnny go, those were seminal moments indeed, but this series is about the 40-year history of AMA Motocross. Maybe next time around, we will get more into the cool one-off wins like this amigo moments!
DC
Surprised to see Jim Gibson's name in the 500 class. He was a smaller guy. I thought he was more into smaller bikes early on but I guess he could rip it back then too.
Hey DC !
Settle this one , Who was the first rider at a National to turn the 2 step ups at the backside uphill at Saddleback inot a double?
Joe Dirt
To the best of my memory the riders in the top photo are as follows: left to right- 38-Steve Stackable (I think Denny Swartz is behind Stack)40 -Goat Breker, 1 -LaPorte (behind Breker), 22-Rick Burgett, Gary Semics on the LOP Yamaha's behind Burgett, Jim Gibson behind him w/blue Jofa, 92-Gary Pustelak, 25-Marty Moates.
To be fair to Broome Tioga's Mario MasciRelli and Jack Skutnik, 1980 was their second year with a national. AMA had the '79 national listed as Center Lilse
Hey mxjoe99 Just googled it , your right Phil Larson 1983 National did the jump first that day followed by
Eric Eaton (500), Jeff Ward (125) then not sure of the order
Goat Breker (500), Broc Glover (500), Warren Reid (500), Danny Chandler (500), Billy Liles (250), Bob Hannah (250), Ricky Johnson (250), Mike Bell (250) and Tom Carson (250).
Jeff Ward on a 125 !
Dirt
I always wonder what Bob Hannah would have done in 1980 had it not been for that broken leg at the end of 1979. Probably more of the same would be my guess.
Eric Eaton was the first to clear that jump, Phil came up short twice but cleared it- I remember David Bailey saying that jump scarred the shit out of him, you had to hit that thing wide open in 4th gear! I believe that Jeff Ward was the only 125 guy to clear it.
Hey Scott !
Guess I've taken to many dirt naps , Don't remember the exact year that the guys started doing that jump at the Nats . something tells me 1981 but.......... what year was it.
Dirt
I had some Scott boots. Remember Heckel? Those were nice and the plastic was more like leather boots.
125 Final Point Standings 8th Chappy Blose (Chris Bloses's Uncle) 10th Ron Sun (Brother to 1980 500cc Mx Champ Chuck Sun)
Jojo.
Hannah and Johnson both had more chanmpionships left in them for sure. Remeber Rick gave a couple away. Im an San Diego guy but it got kinda boring watch RJ just crush people.
I always believed Hannah - Johnson and Carmichael are the bad asses of Amercan MX .
Dirt
Heckel boots...........my gawd.......you just pulled something out from deep inside my decaying grey matter.
I had a pair of I think Vendemini boots in 79 and 80.
Was sooooo glad to get High Points back on my feet after the plastic boot craze fizzled
THIS STUFF IS TOO GOOD!
Bring back the 500cc 2-strokes. These new guys in MX would get scared to death if they had to race those monsters. Wicked fast doesn't even begin to describe those days of outdoors moto-cross.
I'm going with '83, that was the last year I raced, Hannah was on a Honda, Reid was on a Yamaha, Larson had a support ride with Honda, but it was split with Goat Brecker, one guy got the motor and the other guy got the suspension. Eaton was riding for his dad's shop in Puallup, and he kicked my ass every week!
Ok, I misspelled Puyallup, I've only lived here for 35 years!
Goay Brecker won his Colorado National at Castle Rock, not the current National track at Lakewood.
Tried the red/blue SCOTT Boots for several months (78/79?)...
Just could not get comfortable in them. Sold them to a buddy.
Stayed with leather Hi-Points w/metal shin-plate protector.
then...
Hallman Boots w/ blue/red/white striped shin-plate protectors
& the oval shaped gold Hallman "H" logo at the top.
(maybe some of you guys had them too).
Forgot about the Heckel (Bultaco?) boot (saw very few of them).
Weird looking. Weren't they made from fiberglass?
Very first pair of MX boots: 'Full Bore' (by Sidi)...
Other cool stuff from way back:
HALLMAN 'Peak' Visors...
ELECTRO Helmets...
JOFA snap on Mouth Guards for open face helmets...
CARRERA '98' Goggles...
GOLD BELT Kidney Belts...
Hodakas...
OURY Grips...
PRESTON PETTY Front Fenders...
Moto-X-Fox AIR SHOX...
GRIFFS Motocross Pants...
JT Racing...
YOKO Gloves...
Anything on your bike from DG or FMF...
ERG Gookinaid Energy Drink...
GOLDEN SPECTRO Oil...
GUNNAR GASSER Throttle Assemblies...
duct-taping a clear goggle lense across the end of your visor for roost protection at a 'mud-race'...
Jeff WARD's Mini-Bike Wheelie in ON ANY SUNDAY.
I worked in a dealership back then and got to try on all the plastic boots (including Heckel - don't remember if that's the right spelling), but I stuck with my trusty Hi-Points. Eventually switched from black to blue. Also - thanks to Johnny O' - I ended up with JT gators. I bought a blue and a white pair and wore one of each! ... No doubt Hannah would have continued to win, but I think the severity of his broken leg took away a lot of wins - even after he came back he didn't seem quite the same. Of course, Yamaha was so dumb that they stuck him back on a 125 (did the same to Dowd much later). But the Hannah vs. Howerton battles are coming....
Also, we New Yorkers were loving the arrival of Richie Coon on the scene.
Yes we can pnly wonder what Hanna would have donewithout the sking injury another what if momenent. Iused to wear those boot gators even until I retired in 94.I have all of the posters from 1980Made it to a coulpe of mationals and the Dallas supercross.
It was another slow year for me as far asracing goes I only raced a few times iln the 125 itermidiates here in TX but epirimented racing a barrowed YZ426 in the Open Itermidiates it was fun to ride and and I could get holeshots again the 77 yz did not have a chance in 80. I was finnaly able to start making good money as Texas instruments gave me a job in the Reserch and developement division. Lost of overtime and worke many Sundqays.I was put on the team that was working with the first LCD's Liqid crystal display that is mow the norm, Got to meet Jack Kilby the inventor of the Intigrated circuit that we call the IC. He was checking out outr progress on the LCD's The highlit of my year!!!!
Yeah those WERE the days. I looked pretty cool sporting my yellow and black JT Hannah replica gear with my yellow Bell moto star 3. Also got a VERY LITTLE Kawasaki jersey right off Jeff Wards back at Hangtown in 79, still have it today.
Hey KG, Carlsbad and jairtime:
That year the O'show rode the rC500 Honda at the USGP to a 1 4 was '81, I think...my friends and me were lining the uphill under the bridge (in the shade!) screaming at him every time he powered by, seemingly floating over those gnarly whoops. In 1980, wasn't that the year Mike Bell, after dominating the first moto streaked to a huge lead in the 2nd moto only to succumb to heat prostration?
What about whoop de chews
Gary Jones wheel foam
Webco cylinder heads for 125s
23~inch front wheels
Snail pipes
racing brothers that roosted from back in the day
The Gillmans (Mike, Scott)
The Larsons (Mike, Phil)
The Bigelows (Michigan Mafia)
The Grossis (Bob, Billy)
The Dircks (Drey, Gary)
The Wankets (Pete, Tony)
Jojo Keller King of MX338
tHANKS FOr the memories DC
UGH! Another soul crusher was Glover losing to Carlquist on elapsed times and then Lechien (who was well on his way to ruling the MX world) wadding himself on the RC500.....brutal! That kid (Lechien) blasted off like his bike was benzyne powered! Too bad he couldn't hold on the whole race.........HEY! I could totally be talking about another certain #7 HA!
Hey Carlsbad:
The nastiest crash I witnessed at the USGP was in 1973, when Jim Pomeroy (who had already won practice, btw) endo'd off the jump on the downhill on the first lap while battling Arne Kring (!) for the lead, twisting that beautiful factory Bul into a ruined mess...snif
Those were the days of the all~night party at the track on the day before the race...a "Mama Told Me Not to Come (?!) happening if there ever was one lol
Ahhhh...those were some good times.
barnett was the baddest back then, the kids today have no idea how good he was
To a moto kid growing up in Yucaipa/Calimesa in the late 70s/early 80s, Myerscough was GOD.