by Aaron Hansel
The Vault: History From Southwick
Thursday, August 9, 2012 | 10:35 AM
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PrintWe’ve been talking about The Vault for months now, yet it’s come to our attention that some of you still haven’t taken the time to familiarize yourself with this rich resource of racing records. So, while you’re trying to say, “rich resource of racing records,” five times fast, click on over to The Vault and have a peak around. What you’ll find is the most comprehensive list of results in existence from from our sport’s history, bar none. We’re talking every result from every race in the history of professional AMA motocross and supercross here, so whether you need to settle a bench racing argument, want to know how many races your favorite rider has won, or you simply had a few too many cold ones to remember what happened at RedBud last year, have no fear; the info is in The Vault.
With the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship resuming this weekend at The Moto-X 338 National in Southwick, Mass., it’s time to once again step into The Vault for a look at some of the great races that have taken place at the only sand track on the circuit.
The first race at Moto-X 338 was held in 1976, and it was won by Pierre Karsmakers on a Honda. It would be the final AMA win of Karsmakers’ career.
[Click for results]
Two of Larry Ward’s four National wins took place at Moto-X 338. The first came in 1989, but he won again there in 1992. Ward’s other two wins took place at Washougal and RedBud.
[Click for results]
In 1986, Keith Bowen won the first National of his career in the 125 Class at Moto-X 338. He seemed destined for stardom at the time, and the Michigan Mafia rider even had a heated rivalry brewing with none other than Bob Hannah. Two weeks later, he took the win at Lakewood Sports Center in Colorado. But, Bowen would never win another.
[Click for results]
In 1995, Jeff Emig took the first 250 Class (now 450) win of his career at Southwick by going 1-3. Jeremy McGrath and Mike LaRocco finished second and third.
[Click for results]
Every track on the circuit has locals that go especially fast, but at Southwick, the specialists really shine. In 2009, local hero John Dowd took third overall, and at age 44, became the oldest rider in AMA history to stand on the National podium. Also worthy of note is Matt Goerke, who took the first and only National win of his career that day.
Doug Henry, another local specialist, won back-to-back 125 Class races at Moto-X 338 in 1993 and 1994. Steve Lamson pulled a back-to-back feat of his own at Moto-X 338 in 1995 and 1996, while Travis Pastrana did there it in 2000 and 2001.
[Click for Doug Henry results]
[Click for Steve Lamson results]
[Click for Travis Pastrana results]
Speaking of consecutive wins, nobody has won more wins in a row at Moto-X 338 than Ricky Carmichael. Starting in 2000, the Goat won every single premier class race at Southwick through 2007. That’s eight straight races! He also won the 125 Class in 1999, so you could say he won nine straight races at The ‘Wick.
[Click for Ricky Carmichael results]
Although he took to supercross immediately, it took Chad Reed a long time to find the groove in AMA Motocross. He got his first taste of victory in the premier class at Southwick in 2005 when he won the first moto after Carmichael went down.
[Click for results]
In keeping with the recurring theme of riders getting their first National wins at Moto-X 338, Brett Metcalfe took the first (and only, so far) win of his career last year. Metcalfe was actually on pace to win the first moto at Moto-X 338 in 2010, but experienced heartbreak when he ran out of gas on the final lap after leading every lap prior.
Metty got redemption at Southwick last year after a heart-breaking loss in 2010.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Listing all of Moto-X 338’s unique and great moments would take up way too much space (after all, the place has been hosting Nationals since 1976!), and we’re know there’s a few great races that we’ve missed. With that in mind, head on over to The Vault and fill in the blanks via the comments section below.
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I love the way sunlight shined through the plastics of the '92-'94 Hondas. Made for some great shots. That's a great shot of Carmichael too.
Don't forget local boy Rich Coon winning a moto and finishing second overall in 1980.
Come on, Dowdy! 15 more points to secure that #16 for 2013!
@fiftyone50,, Chad did not have a vesectomy, the other guy did... New to twitter?? hahaha..
@fiftyone50,, hahaha, I agree, Chad needs to find another hobby when he's hurt. His fingers will probably be worn down to nubs from Twitter by the time A1 rolls around..
At the top of this story, it states that 1976 was the first year with Pierre K winning. The first race was in 1975, with Pierre winning, reason being, B.Lackey was back from the GP races on his Husky, and this raced was filmed for the movie 'One Chance to Win', which documents the 1975, 500cc Championship. The races in that 1975 season Championship were: Mexico N.Y. race in Ohio, Southwick, Axton Virgina, and New Orleans, on Labor Day weekend. Great movie!
@rickc, I have that movie. It is awesome. I went to my first professional race that year (1975). Funny, we thought those box vans were the coolest things on the planet back then. To see them again in the movie makes me realize just how far the sport has come. But you are right, those guys DID race Southwick that year. While I think the vault is awesome and impressive, it is not always dead-on accurate. According to the vault, the first Supercross race at Anaheim Stadium was in 1976. But I still have my ticket stub from the ACTUAL first race that was held December 13, 1975. Hey @rickc, how'd you like the way Lackey messed with Karsmakers at the New Orleans round so that a European wouldn't win the AMA National Championship? I read an interview with Karsmakers from many years later and he was STILL angry about it. Lol.
As much as I give Bubba crap I've never seen anyone faster on a 125 smoker than he was at the Wick. I've been to every national there for 20 years and Bubba absolutely dominated the 125 class (even against 250F's).
Tom you are dead nuts accurate, and like you I've been there since '76. His PC pipe was positively glowing! I've never seen speed like that before or since. I had to recalibrate what I though was possible when turning a dirt bike. I'll never forget it.
I would venture to guess that Southwick has more one-national-winners than any other track.
Someone with more time on their hands can verify.
Matt Goerke's 2009 win was also the last win for the "Factory" Yamaha Team.
HandlebarDragger
Why does JS7 wreck so many times in whoops?
All his fingers are to short to reach clutch!
Check out cover of LL official yearbook and about any other photo.
You should probably say Goerke's "first win" instead of "first and only win". You don't know the future...and Goerke is hauling in the sand better than ever now. Not too far fetched to imagine another for him if it rains at the wick...