The news of nine-times AMA motocross and supercross champion Ryan Villopoto moving to the FIM motocross world championship in 2015 really should make for some amazing racing and adds to the already strong Grand Prix series.

It was “Bad” Brad Lackey and Jim Pomeroy who really started the whole Americans visiting the Grand Prix scene. These were young riders who got to watch ‘name’ riders such as De Coster, Robert, Aberg and Hallman race in California and other parts of America, and wanted to race against the best.

It was 40 years ago that these young American men made the step to Europe and began their own legacies in this great sport. Pomeroy the first ever American racer to win a Grand Prix, and Lackey (along with Danny Laporte in the 250cc class) the first American to win an FIM motocross world championship.

Lackey (pictured here) was the first and only American to win the 500cc Grand Prix Motocross World Championship and he didn’t find success in the GPs straight away. In fact, it took him more than 10 years to find his feet and finally break the European stranglehold on the series.

In 1970, Lackey received sponsorship from a local CZ dealer and by 1971, he finished second in the AMA 500cc motocross national championship. In 1971, CZ sent Lackey to Czechoslovakia to enter a training camp. He also got his first taste of the World Championship Motocross Grand Prix circuit when he raced in a few 250cc GP races while attending the training camp.

The Kawasaki factory offered him a sponsored ride in 1972 and he won the AMA 500cc motocross national championship in dominating fashion and, was the highest placed American rider in the 1972 Trans-AMA motocross series. However, he had his sights set on the world championship Grand Prix events held in Europe.

In 1973, Lackey set out on what would eventually be a 10-year quest for a 500cc Motocross World Championship, which at the time was the most prestigious class in motocross competition. Finally, in 1982, after a ten-year struggle, he was able to clinch his first and only 500cc Motocross World Championship aboard a Suzuki.

In 1976 the American 125cc champion from 1974 and 1975 tried to add an FIM 125cc motocross championship to his list of achievements, unfortunately he found it a lot tougher than he expected and if could only manage a top five finish. Smith would return to America and have success, winning the 1977 AMA 500cc championship.

1979 AMA 500cc champion Danny Laporte also ventured to the Grand Prix scene and found himself as 1982 World 250cc champion, while he did it quicker than Lackey had done, it was a very difficult experience, but one he would never want to change.

Multiple 125cc and 500cc AMA champion Broc Glover tried America as his career was coming to an end and didn’t find the same success as in the prime of his legendary American career.

Now, some 42 years after Lackey set out on his GP dream, another AMA champion in Ryan Villopoto enters the FIM motocross world championship with the same goals as Lackey, a victory in the biggest motocross series in the world.

Whether he wins or just competes, the world will be watching and hoping he can be as competitive as Lackey was back in his golden era. It’s a big ask, but if anyone can do it, Villopoto can.

Words courtesy Geoff Meyer

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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