40 Day Countdown To AMA Motocross Opener: 2007
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 | 4:20 PM
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The fortieth season of American motocross is almost here, with the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship rolling into Hangtown this Saturday morning! You can watch the races live on Fuel TV and Alli Sports, and later motos on Speed and NBC. American motocross has never been covered as completely as you will see in 2011. We’re counting down the days, and today brings us to 2006.
Grant Langston stepped up down the stretch and delivered the 2007 AMA Motocross Championship for Yamaha.
Photo: Simon Cudby
2007 NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Timmy Ferry came darned close to getting the crown, as did Mike Alessi and Andrew Short.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
GL8 proved he could ride a big bike with the same success he had on 125s and 250Fs.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
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The 2007 AMA Motocross series was a series in transition, as Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael was racing a part-time schedule as he eased his way into retirement. Just because he was getting the rocking chair ready didn’t mean he was slacking off, though, as RC still managed to win nine of the twelve motos (and every overall) he raced in, with Kawasaki’s James Stewart capturing the first moto at Hangtown, RedBud, and Budds Creek. It was a frustrating season for Stewart—he didn’t quite have enough to beat RC, but he sure gave it his all trying!
In 2007, Carmichael managed to do something else very few athletes can claim: he left on top.
Photo: Simon Cudby
There were some epic battles at High Point and RedBud between those two, who would stretch out a massive lead on whoever was in third. Even though he held the points lead after RedBud, Carmichael stuck to his guns and started getting into his truck-racing career with no second thoughts. Carmichael did come back for one more race at a track he always liked—Millville, Minnesota. He went 1-1 and that was it. The curtain was down on the most successful motocross career in history.
Once RC left, the title was Stewart’s for the taking, but at the very next race at Unadilla, Stewart crashed hard and was unable to race either moto, allowing his pursuers to make up some points. The next week, in Colorado, Stewart struggled in the first moto and came back to get second in moto two, holding on to win his first overall win of the season. Hanging on to the points lead, Stewart won the first moto at Washougal but, while all alone trying to hold onto a solid finish in the second moto, he fell in a slow turn and twisted his knee pretty badly. That was it for Stewart in ’07.
Stewart gave Carmichael everthing he had during the first half of the season, and seemed set for the title when RC retired. But a knee injury did him in.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Taking advantage was Stewart’s teammate Tim Ferry, who won the overall that day with a 2-2, good enough for the overall points lead in this season of attrition. Ferry, Yamaha’s Grant Langston, KTM’s Mike Alessi, and Honda’s Andrew Short all smelled blood in the water, and the chase was on.
Langston, the former AMA 125 Motocross Champion, started slowly on the Yamaha 450 but, with the help of some suspension and chassis changes, was slowly getting better and catching fire. At Millville, Langston went 2-2 behind Carmichael, then swapped moto wins (but got the overall) with Alessi at Steel City. The series moved into Texas, where Short won the first moto but crashed in moto two. GL got another overall win, and the momentum was on his side. Ferry suffered from bad starts and would later remark that he was riding the same speed as always, but the other riders had stepped up once Stewart went out.
The 250 class launches at Washougal. All four of these guys are still very fast.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Langston led the points going into the Glen Helen finale, and he came through with a clutch first-moto win. Short and Alessi were right there as well. The veteran Kevin Windham won the second moto, but Langston’s third was enough to get him the title. With that, the South African had won every major American racing title aside from 450 SX.
In the 250 outdoors, it was all Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto and his teammate Ben Townley. The two raced each other hard but with respect, taking twenty-two of twenty-four motos between them (Factory Connection Honda’s Josh Grant and Yamaha’s Broc Hepler were the only other riders to win).
Villopoto was the defending champion and had a bit of an edge most times, although Ryan’s points lead took a hit when he tipped over at Unadilla and put a hole in his radiator. In the end, Villopoto claimed another outdoor championship.
Ryan Villopoto took on his biggest Lites challenge in Ben Townley, and came out on top in a season-long battle.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Grant and Yamaha of Troy’s Jason Lawrence battled for third, although Lawrence would drop out of the series with an injury near the end and had to settle for fourth. Fifth went to first-year Suzuki rider Ryan Dungey, who also missed some races with injuries. After Loretta Lynn’s, amateur riders Trey Canard, Austin Stroupe, and Nico Izzi all made their debuts, with Canard scoring the highest among the three.
It was an unpredictable year of racing in both classes and a bit of a changing of the guard in the 450 class. The Pro Circuit team seemed set in the 250s with Villopoto, and Stewart was looking to avenge his loss the next year. Come back tomorrow to see what happened then!
Grant Langston stepped up down the stretch and delivered the 2007 AMA Motocross Championship for Yamaha.
Photo: Simon Cudby
2007 AMA Motocross Championship
Date Location Winner Machine
May 20 Sacramento, CA Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL Suzuki
May 27 Mt. Morris, PA Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL Suzuki
June 10 Southwick, MA Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL Suzuki
June 17 Budds Creek, MD Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL Suzuki
July 1 Buchanan, MI Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL Suzuki
July 15 New Berlin, NY Kevin Windham, Centreville, MS Honda
July 22 Lakewood, CO James Stewart, Haines City, FL Kawasaki
July 29 Washougal, WA Timmy Ferry, Largo, FL Kawasaki
August 12 Millville, MN Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL Suzuki
August 26 Delmont, PA Grant Langston, Clermont, FL Yamaha
September 2 Wortham, TX Grant Langston, Clermont, FL Yamaha
September 10 San Bernardino, CA Grant Langston, Clermont, FL Yamaha
Timmy Ferry came darned close to getting the crown, as did Mike Alessi and Andrew Short.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
2007 AMA Motocross Championship Point Standings
Pos. Name, hometown Machine Pts.
1 Grant Langston, Clermont, FL Yamaha 439
2 Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA KTM 423
3 Andrew Short, Smithville, TX Honda 421
4 Timmy Ferry, Largo, FL Kawasaki 417
5 Kevin Windham, Centreville, MS Honda 363
6 Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL Suzuki 291
7 James Stewart, Haines City, FL Kawasaki 290
8 Michael Byrne, Newnan, GA Suzuki 230
9 Gavin Gracyk, Cochocton, OH Honda 218
10 David Vuillemin, Murrieta, CA Honda 207
GL8 proved he could ride a big bike with the same success he had on 125s and 250Fs.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
2007 AMA Motocross Lites Championship
Date Location Winner Machine
May 20 Sacramento, CA Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, WA Kawasaki
May 27 Mt. Morris, PA Joshua Grant, Riverside, CA Honda
June 10 Southwick, MA Ben Townley, Tallahassee, FL Kawasaki
June 17 Budds Creek, MD Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, WA Kawasaki
July 1 Buchanan, MI Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, WA Kawasaki
July 15 New Berlin, NY Ben Townley, Tallahassee, FL Kawasaki
July 22 Lakewood, CO Ben Townley, Tallahassee, FL Kawasaki
July 29 Washougal, WA Ben Townley, Tallahassee, FL Kawasaki
August 12 Millville, MN Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, WA Kawasaki
August 26 Delmont, PA Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, WA Kawasaki
September 2 Wortham, TX Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, WA Kawasaki
September 10 San Bernardino, CA Ben Townley, Tallahassee, FL Kawasaki
2007 AMA Motocross Lites Championship Point Standings
Pos. Name, hometown Machine Pts.
1 Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, WA Kawasaki 544
2 Ben Townley, Tallahassee, FL Kawasaki 525
3 Joshua Grant, Riverside, CA Honda 346
4 Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, CA Yamaha 277
5 Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN Suzuki 267
6 Jake Weimer, Rupert, ID Honda 255
7 Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, CA Kawasaki 242
8 Thomas Hahn, Decatur, TX Honda 220
9 Martin Davalos, Cairo, GA KTM 203
10 Broc Oneal Tickle, Cary, NC Yamaha 201
When Carmichael retired, he held the series' lead.
Photo: Simon Cudby
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Matthes, that was excellent... Especially considering how many tears must have been falling on your keyboard as you typed that last, poignant part about Timmy Ferry. Sigh.
Just kidding, good stuff!
DC
Holeshot?
I was at that Hangtown Race...The 1st moto was one of the best races I had ever seen. Stewart finally passed RC by over jumping this double by 30-40 ft.
I'm going to go ahead and claim the holeshot check due to DC's posting up on the doghouse........or protest it!
That 250 title was a lot closer than you make it sound. Those two Kawi guys were generally miles in front of third and split moto wins unless the other crashed/bike probs. It was a great fight.
The 450 title was like the SX this year. Any of those guys could have won it. Good work from Langston to come on when it mattered late in the season though.
Carlsbad, it's all you -- mine was pure luck. Didn't want to miss a chance to tease Mr. Matthes about his favorite rider.
DC
MX Sports
Was at Budd's Creek that year.....A great battle between Carmichael and Stewart. Carmichael dropped him with about 10 minutes to go in the second moto. Classic!
Too bad about GL#8, he is / was a good dude. Very Jeff Wardish with his (unlimited) Supermoto title.
He flat-out shocked me (probably others as well) with his mid-season turn around and title run. Another Alessi Championship snatched away from him........
That is very humble of you DC, so humble in fact, that I DON'T want the holeshot now..............Dangit!!!
Everyone knows it's not as satisfying taking out the nice guy..........nor is the holeshot given, it must be earned...............CRAP!!!!!
Was at Budds as well that year. I remember RC's corner speed was so much better than Stewart's that day.
I wasn't at Budds that year so I wouldn't know..so don't ask....
Bummed at no mention of the BC des nations? Best race I'd been to in 30 years! To my knowledge, that was RC's last, Red dogs best, and a preview of the future in RV, IMO.
JW
You gotta love how RC just didn't care about the title. He completely dominates and could have had his 8th 450 outdoor title in a row but just didn't feel like it. He didn't even enter his first car race until after the outdoor season.
Another thing is that Langston and Alessi were horrible at the start of this series. Then Langston got the 2008 Yamaha frame and Alessi got a shock from David Phillipaerts' bike in Europe and both caught fire.
When you think about it- 800 was second in his 2 outdoor lites seasons- then second in his first outdoor 450 -then was running second to Stewart til he became a 'road kill' at red bud - and was leading early in 2009 til he wrecked his knee- If he brings a 450 this time around- he might be up there. Maybe this is what they mean by 'coming in under the radar'.
Wow, 07 and nothing about the MXDN at Buds Creek? Villopoto's wins. Carmichael's final race. Davey Combs must be writing these reviews.
It is interesting to consider how the GOAT era would have been if Robbie Reynard, Travis Pastrana, and even KW have remained healthy and 100% committed.
And the GOAT still beat lil'Stew by 1 point. lil'Stew could not bring it home even when it was giving to him.
6 Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL Suzuki 291
7 James Stewart, Haines City, FL Kawasaki 290
lil'Stew will likely need psychiatric care for the rest of his life. lil'Stew, like his fantards, is likely suppressing the abuse his over inflated ego suffered at the hand of the GOAT. How long will it take lil'Stew's psychologist to figure out the meaning of the "red goat" which haunts lil'Stew.
c'mon Matthes!! Nothing about the MXDN on American soil!! RV stomped everyone that day!! I thought you were better than that!!
other than that great article though
Out of respect and to acknowledged what the GOAT taught us about being and man, the true fans of the sport should say that the GOAT won 15.5 national title in recognition for his 2007 session.
But the lil'Stew fantards are likely to claim that the GOAT only won 11 titles because lil'Stew is the "fast man on the planet" and should have won the 2005 and 2006 MX/SX titles if it not not been for {fill in the excuse}.
@白龙, While your premise of considering other racers health / commitment is interesting, I would only take Pastrana on that list (and add Tortelli). Reynard was too mercurial and Windham is Windham, someone's gotta play "always the bridesmaid never a bride" role and it seems that's what Mr. 2nd place's lot in life was / is.
Pastrana was a real phenom and I think RC may have had to counter his SX technique & speed, while T.P. would've had to come to grips with RC's speed & conditioning in MX.
Tortelli was game for such a short time, we never really got to see his AMA MX proficiency but, he smoked when he was on and I also believe he was a legit threat to RC's (MX) crowns*.
While there were threats to the RC era of dominance
RC's health, longevity, consistency, good luck, track smarts and so many other intangibles that made his title run(s) successful are record-worthy as well, and were as much to credit his titles to as his flat-out speed........His DNF/DNQ/ mechanical DNF ratio has got to be a record as well. I mean really, the guy NEVER broke down, who does that?
Like this series of reports and nearly got to here in the comments section without someone been a wanker. Also why would there be anything here about the MXON. It is an AMA national story.
Has Bubba ever beat RC outdoors without RC crashing? The one time I am not sure about is 07 at Budds Creek(I think), Stewart beat him but I remember RC had to throw his goggles away, was that because of a crash?
I only expected the mention of the MXON B/C:
It is the outdoor wrap-up of the world scene!
It was RC's last pro-performance (I think)!
We dominated!
Oh, and it was a very improtant year as the MXON returned to US soil after 30 years!!!!!!
For me, there was nothing like playing beer pong in the pits that week with the guy's from Astonia, and Ireland!
MXers from around the globe: awesome!
Also, the writers have mentioned the MXON in other years during this series.
BTW despite my critique I love this series racer X.
Thanks,
JW
@jk9,
Maybe you mean Estonia.
I think that High Point race was when Stewy jumped out to a huge lead in Moto 1, and Carmichael chased him down from way back and stole his soul that day. Also, wasn't Budd's Creek RC's 100th national win that season?
Yet another MX series where RC waxed Bubba.
Oh, my goodness!!!! I had never taken notice that RC still beat JS7 in the points standings even in his farewell abbreviated tour. RC races half the season, beats Stewart (and everyone else) for every overall attempted, retires while holding the points lead and STILL BEATS STEWART BY ONE POINT IN THE STANDINGS. The fact that it was only one point makes it even better. That's not just a point, it's an exclamation point!!!!!!! Stewart fans, where ya at?