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Difference between revisions of "Motorcross"
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Motocross was introduced to the USA in 1966 when Swedish champion, [[Torsten Hallman]] rode an exhibition event against the top American TT riders at the [[Ray "Crash" Corrigan#Corriganville |Corriganville Movie Ranch]] also known as Hopetown in Simi Valley, California. The following year Hallman was joined by other motocross stars including [[Roger DeCoster]], [[Joël Robert]], and Dave Bickers. They dominated the event placing their light weight 2-strokes into the top six finishing positions.<ref>[http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/exhibits/mx/history3.asp History of Motocross; Part 3]</ref><ref>[http://employees.oxy.edu/jerry/corrigan/granprix.htm CORRIGANVILLE/HOPETOWN MOTORCYCLE RACES]</ref> | Motocross was introduced to the USA in 1966 when Swedish champion, [[Torsten Hallman]] rode an exhibition event against the top American TT riders at the [[Ray "Crash" Corrigan#Corriganville |Corriganville Movie Ranch]] also known as Hopetown in Simi Valley, California. The following year Hallman was joined by other motocross stars including [[Roger DeCoster]], [[Joël Robert]], and Dave Bickers. They dominated the event placing their light weight 2-strokes into the top six finishing positions.<ref>[http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/exhibits/mx/history3.asp History of Motocross; Part 3]</ref><ref>[http://employees.oxy.edu/jerry/corrigan/granprix.htm CORRIGANVILLE/HOPETOWN MOTORCYCLE RACES]</ref> | ||
By the late 1960s, Japanese motorcycle companies began challenging the European factories for supremacy in the motocross world. [[Suzuki]] claimed the first world championship for a Japanese factory when it won the 1970 250 cc crown.<ref>[http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/hofbiopage.asp?id=260 Joel Robert wins 1970 championship for Suzuki - AMA Hall of Fame]</ref> Motocross also began to grow in popularity in the United States during this period, which fueled an explosive growth in the sport. The first stadium motocross event was held in 1972 at the | By the late 1960s, Japanese motorcycle companies began challenging the European factories for supremacy in the motocross world. [[Suzuki]] claimed the first world championship for a Japanese factory when it won the 1970 250 cc crown.<ref>[http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/hofbiopage.asp?id=260 Joel Robert wins 1970 championship for Suzuki - AMA Hall of Fame]</ref> Motocross also began to grow in popularity in the United States during this period, which fueled an explosive growth in the sport. The first stadium motocross event was held in 1972 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.<ref>[http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/122_0903_the_first_supercross/index.html The First Supercross - Motorcyclist Online]</ref> In 1975, a 125 cc world championship was introduced.<ref>[http://www.motorsportsetc.com/champs/fim_mx2.htm FIM motocross championship winners]</ref> European riders continued to dominate motocross throughout the 1970s but, by the 1980s, American riders had caught up and began winning international competitions.<ref>[http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/hofbiopage.asp?id=311 1981 Motocross des Nations team]</ref> | ||
During the early 1980s, Japanese factories presided over a technology boom in motocross. The typical two-stroke air-cooled, twin-shock rear suspension machines gave way to machines that were [[Water cooling#Automotive_usage|water-cooled]] and fitted with monoshock rear suspension. By the 1990s, increasingly stringent environmental laws in California forced manufacturers to develop environmentally friendly four-stroke technology. At the turn of the century, all the major manufacturers have begun competing with four-stroke machines. European firms also experienced a resurgence with [[Husqvarna Motorcycles|Husqvarna]], [[Husaberg]] and [[KTM]] winning world championships with four-stroke machinery. | During the early 1980s, Japanese factories presided over a technology boom in motocross. The typical two-stroke air-cooled, twin-shock rear suspension machines gave way to machines that were [[Water cooling#Automotive_usage|water-cooled]] and fitted with monoshock rear suspension. By the 1990s, increasingly stringent environmental laws in California forced manufacturers to develop environmentally friendly four-stroke technology. At the turn of the century, all the major manufacturers have begun competing with four-stroke machines. European firms also experienced a resurgence with [[Husqvarna Motorcycles|Husqvarna]], [[Husaberg]] and [[KTM]] winning world championships with four-stroke machinery. | ||