by Aaron Hansel
Bench Racing Ammo: Opening Winners
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 | 9:45 AM
MOTOREX is used by factory teams worldwide, by independent pros and by top amateurs who demand the best performance from their race machines. The complete MOTOREX line includes a broad range of synthetic engine oils, lubricants, aerosol sprays, cleaners and care products. MOTOREX is available at dealerships nationwide.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
PrintWith the 2012 Lucas Oil Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, season about to commence, we thought it’d be interesting to take a look at how some of the past premiere-class champions have faired at the first race of the series. Listed below are the results from every single season opener since 1972, along with the corresponding champion.
| Year | Round 1 Winner | Series Chamion |
| 1972 | Sonny DeFeo | Gary Jones |
| 1973 | Bob Grossi | Gary Jones |
| 1974 | Bill Grossi | Gary Jones |
| 1975 | Kent Howerton | Tony DiStefano |
| 1976 | Jimmy Ellis | Tony DiStefano |
| 1977 | Marty Smith | Tony DiStefano |
| 1978 | Bob Hannah | Bob Hannah |
| 1979 | Bob Hannah | Bob Hannah |
| 1980 | Kent Howerton | Kent Howerton |
| 1981 | Kent Howerton | Kent Howerton |
| 1982 | Ricky Johnson | Donnie Hansen |
| 1983 | Bob Hannah | David Bailey |
| 1984 | Bob Hannah | Rick Johnson |
| 1985 | Jeff Ward | Jeff Ward |
| 1986 | Rick Johnson | Rick Johnson |
| 1987 | Rick Johnson | Rick Johnson |
| 1988 | Jeff Ward | Jeff Ward |
| 1989 | Jean Michel Bayle | Jeff Stanton |
| 1990 | Rick Johnson | Jeff Stanton |
| 1991 | Jeff Stanton | Jean Michel Bayle |
| 1992 | Jeff Stanton | Jeff Stanton |
| 1993 | Mike Kiedrowski | Mike Kiedrowski |
| 1994 | Mike LaRocco | Mike LaRocco |
| 1995 | Jeremy McGrath | Jeremy McGrath |
| 1996 | Jeremy McGrath | Jeff Emig |
| 1997 | Jeff Emig | Jeff Emig |
| 1998 | Mickael Pichon | Doug Henry |
| 1999 | Sebastien Tortelli | Greg Albertyn |
| 2000 | Ricky Carmichael | Ricky Carmichael |
| 2001 | Tim Ferry | Ricky Carmichael |
| 2002 | Ricky Carmichael | Ricky Carmichael |
| 2003 | Ricky Carmichael | Ricky Carmichael |
| 2004 | Ricky Carmichael | Ricky Carmichael |
| 2005 | Ricky Carmichael | Ricky Carmichael |
| 2006 | James Stewart | Ricky Carmichael |
| 2007 | Ricky Carmichael | Grant Langston |
| 2008 | James Stewart | James Stewart |
| 2009 | Ryan Villopoto | Chad Reed |
| 2010 | Chad Reed | Ryan Dungey |
| 2011 | Chad Reed | Ryan Villopoto |
If you use this data to predict the 2012 champ after round one, you won’t have much to go on, as the season’s first winner has won the title nineteen times in forty races. In other words, the win ratio is split almost completely down the middle, and that percentage is heavily influenced by Ricky Carmichael winning both the opener and the title five times.
Interestingly enough, when the gate drops at the FMF Hangtown Motocross Classic this weekend, the only past winner of an opening round that will be present is James Stewart, and that opening round win took place at Hangtown a full six years ago! With a scenario like this and the inconclusive data above, there’s a good chance that we’ll have just as many questions after Hangtown as we do now!
Did you like this article?
Check out LONE STAR RISING
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
The James Stewart Freestone AMA Spring Classic in Texas has quickly earned a place on the list of must-attend springtime amateur events. Page 182.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
1st RD
2nd JS
3rd JW
These stats are not really viable considering there use to be a 250 and a 500 class. and in the old days 70's early 80's the premier class was the 500 then it shifted to the 250. It's about 50/50 at best on how important a win at Hangtown is. I would say it's more important on how well you don't do at hangtown then if you win or not, look at the lites results talk about topsy terby results it's more like what crazy things will happen at Hangtown. I
Just hopeing for some good close raceing between RD and JS. Would like to think someone else could be up there with them but don't think so.
only thing this tells me is RC was one bad a## mofo
yea, and reminds me how unfortunate it was with Langston's eye. We have missed out on several years seeing a top guy race. Good fellow, too.
Can't wait for Moto 1....James will be fast no doubt... The conditioning will be the factor of who takes the OA
@ the 1 eyed jackJoker
I'll go with Deadmau 5 prediction!!!!
Rapid Reaction
Mrs_Mx wrote:6:42pm May 7, 2012
Mrs_Mx Mr_Mx
Hangtown Overall: Hangtown Overall:
1. Stewart 1. Stewart
2. Dungy 2. Dungy
3. Short 3. Weimer
Deadmau5
Hangtown Overall
1. Dungey
2. Stewart ( if stays on 2 wheels ) if not A. Short
3. Weimer
Weimer will not be in top 5 and even better prediction is that he finishes outside top 10 in one moto. justin brayton and milsaps will both be in top 5..... dark horse is tommy hahn for a podium.
Everyone is forgetting Rattray on a 450 at last year's MXDN. Conditioning-wise, he is a bull and just gets faster as the moto winds down. He is going to be on a lot of overall podiums.
In three days the wait will be over and the gates will fall and we will see who has been putting in the workl...Dungey and Stewart will have the most speed, but Alessi goes good at Hangtown and may have some thing for the big two..Short Milsaps, Brayton, Hahn, Rattray, Sipes and Wiemer will be battleing inside the a tight top ten..Gonna be a Good one !!!
@ Elsinore
I haven't forgot Rattray....or any of the others. As I posted on another thread.....everyone is handing this to Dungey or Stewart and disregarding a group of well conditioned guys with something to prove......I expect to see more than a few different race winners as the series goes on.
I'd include Metcalfe in the list of guys in the 3-6 cluster. Rattray and Hahn may take a few races to find their groove.
DUNGEY RULES! (going retro)
Tomac in the 250s
Overall
1. RD
2. JW
3. JB
4. JS
5. DM
JS will be fast, but I don't see him pushing the pace. I don't know if he'll let it all hang out right now and jeopardize his 2013 season. Especially if, he's not getting paid. Now if he's in the hunt come the last few races, then I see him going after that #1 plate.
whether or not JS7 takes risks or "pushes" it is one thing...but these guys, ALL of these guys go out there to win....I think James is just trying to play possum and releive some of the pressure....and avoid the backlash he recieved in SX after saying he was going after MC's record....James will be up front and the biggest enemy will be the training and conditioning.....who knows...he could pull a holeshot...gap the field (like villopoto does) in the first 15 minutes then cruise..... but I am waiting for the gate to drop
JS
RD
JG
JW
NI
AS
JB
The 800 is hauling ass right now. If he can not get too excited and mash himself in practice I see him on the box. Not sure what we will get from the 7. Will he keep racing if he gets smoked? Will he win by 50 seconds? I predict it's gonna be a long hot summer, and Dungey is real tough, real consistent, and real fast. He won't let the 7 get comfy out there. Constant pressure = mistakes.
Lites: If Dean's shoulder can hold, it's gonna be tough to get that 1 plate from him.
GO DEANO!
Wilson is done outdoors is a waste just get the thing fixed now, or is it just a James Stewart broken hand deal.I never seen a guy heal so fast come on
Ripdown I have heard you say that a few times now. My question is Who is going to run that speed? Last year RV & RD put over a min on 3rd place many times. I just don't see ANY of these guys making up that much time sence last year. Sure there will be races where RD and JS get bad strarts ECT but head to head I don't see anyone who can stay with them.... I HOPE I am wrong but don't think so.
TR is a strong finisher, but i don't think he can match the pace right out of the gate and could be the 3rd place guy but he will have to pass a few to get there.
MA800 great hole shot-er, but can he get one on a nonfactory ride? No disrespect to his team.
3rd thru 6th = WH,TR, AS, MA
If I were to put money on who I think would win the title right now, I would put it on Dungey. With Stewart there are too many unknowns, we don't know if the Suzuki is going to fix his problem, we don't know if his fitness is up to par and we don't know how consistent he can be. We basically know he will be fast. With Dungey we know he's fit, we know he's consistent, I'm sure he's confident after winning Vegas by checking out and he's always going to be there no matter what. The only question is if the KTM is good Outdoors, which if we go off of the GP's, it sure is a good bike.
@Faceman - All of your posts talking about someone being injured, or talking about how much money you were making when you were 16. I think you should just leave...
I think Dungey & Stewart's mentality will be "go for the wins at the drop of the first gate". I see some of the others sorting themselves out rather gingerly.
Guys like Hahn & Rattray don't want to wad themselves right away with the opportunities they have on the line. A solid, injury-free season will pay big dividends for those guys so, I'm thinking top 5-7 for Ratters & Hahn.
There are others (#800 for example) that have nothing to lose and will be "Hammer down!" from the first gate drop.
My prediction is all of the racers will make it through (at least) the first round injury-free.......hope, hope, hope.
Thats a funny one.
shibibly
M.r Socko eats shiliblies for breakfast !!!!!!!!
Hangtown 450's
1. Orange
2. Yellow
3. Green
According to Deadmau 5 , Short will only beat Weimer if Stewart crashes?
@ VistaJim
Thats what socko says GOOD READ!!!
Hey VistaJim you remember this guy !!!! My dad used to drag with him
http://www.headerflames.com/jungle/
Maybe before your time ......
http://www.headerflames.com/jungle/
I will be suprised if Ratray places less than third, I will not be suprised if he does even better. He consistantly put in identacal lap times as the second tier 450 racers and that was on a 250, I really expect him to be halfway between RD and Milsaps and gang. By end of season better, I am ready for sat !!!
The Styla might be the only competition for RD5 by mid season....
Yeah, I remember Jungle Jim.I built a Revell model of that car back in the day.