1974 AMA Motocross National Championship season

The 1974 AMA Motocross Championship season was the 3rd AMA Motocross National Championship season.

1974 AMA Motocross Championship season
Previous: 1973 Next: 1975

Summary

The AMA Motocross continued to expand in 1974 with the addition of the 125cc class.[1] The AMA made a controversial decision allowing only American citizens to compete for the motocross national championship.[1] The decision would exclude the defending 500cc national champion Dutchman Pierre Karsmakers who, was credited with helping raise the level of American motocross by stressing the importance of physical fitness and machine preparation.[2]

Although he was excluded from the overall results, Karsmakers competed for Yamaha in the 250cc class and won three of the nine rounds.[1] Despite not having won a race overall, Can-Am's Gary Jones rode consistently to secure his third consecutive 250cc national championship riding three different brands of motorcycles.[3] Can-Am hired second-ranked Marty Tripes away from the Husqvarna team before the last race of the season. With Can-Am rider Jimmy Ellis finishing the season ranked third, Can-Am would sweep the top three positions in the 250cc national championship although, Tripes rode most of the season for Husqvarna.[1]

In the 500cc national championship, privateer rider Tony DiStefano led the championship for most of the year on a ČZ before an injury relegated him to second place behind Kawasaki factory rider Jimmy Weinert.[1][4] The Honda factory team dominated the inaugural 125cc championship with rider Marty Smith leading a Honda sweep of the top four positions.[1]

Nationals
Round Date Location 500cc 250cc 125cc Report
Winner Team Winner Team Winner Team
1 April 8 Rancho Cordova, California Mike Hartwig Yamaha Billy Grossi Honda Marty Smith Honda Report
2 April 14 Moorpark, California Tony DiStefano ČZ Pierre Karsmakers Yamaha Report
3 April 28 Buchanan, Michigan Mike Hartwig Yamaha Kenny Zahrt Bultaco Report
4 May 5 Bruceton Mills, West Virginia Tony DiStefano ČZ Pierre Karsmakers Yamaha Report
5 May 19 Hamersville, Ohio Jimmy Weinert Kawasaki Pierre Karsmakers Yamaha Report
6 June 30 Salt Lake City, Utah Marty Smith Honda Report
7 July 6 Baldwin, Kansas Jimmy Ellis Can-Am Report
8 July 21 Lexington, Ohio Tim Hart Yamaha Report
9 August 11 Delta, Ohio Jimmy Weinert Kawasaki Jimmy Ellis Can-Am Report
10 August 18 Mexico, New York Jimmy Weinert Kawasaki Marty Tripes Husqvarna Report
11 August 25 Hillsboro, Ohio Jimmy Weinert Kawasaki Jimmy Ellis Can-Am Report
12 September 2 New Orleans, Louisiana Gary Semics Husqvarna Kent Howerton Husqvarna Report

[5]

Final standings

[6]

See also

References
  1. "1974 Motocross Season". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  2. "Pierre Karsmakers at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  3. "Gary Jones at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  4. Assoc, American Motorcyclist (1976). Tony D - Enjoying the Good Life. American Motorcyclist. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  5. "1974 AMA Motocross National Championship results". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  6. "1974 AMA Motocross National Championship overall standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
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