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AMA National Motocross Preview: Binghamton

20 August 1997


R97092			
August 20, 1997		
For Immediate Release	

EMIG ON THE VERGE ON WINNING HIS SECOND 
AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AT BINGHAMTON
  

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- One year ago, Jeff Emig was known primarily as the
rider who could occasionaly beat the great Jeremy McGrath. But these days
Emig plays second fiddle to no one. Emig started his streak in the final
race to win the 1996 American Motorcyclist Association 250cc National
Motocross Championship, when he beat McGrath,  and then, this year, Emig
broke McGrath's string of four AMA Supercross titles by winning that
championship in May. This Saturday at Binghamton, New York's, Broome-Tioga
Sports Center, Emig is set to race his Kawasaki to his third straight AMA
National title in the span of less than a year.

In order to win this year's AMA 250cc National Motocross Championship, Emig
needs only to finish in the top 20 in either of the two motos. The only
rider who even has the slightest mathematical chance of catching Emig is
Yamaha's John Dowd. The 32-year-old Dowd, one of the oldest regulars on the
circuit, has had a spectacular year, surprising motocross fans by winning
two 250cc nationals. The 1994 Binghamton winner could make this year his
best ever in the 250cc series if he could win again this weekend.

Two-time Binghamton 250cc winner McGrath is third in the standings coming
into Sunday's race. The Suzuki rider's season has been solid by most
riders' standards, but sub-par for a champion of McGrath's status. McGrath
be shooting for his first outdoor national win of the season. If he does
come out on top, McGrath will be the first rider ever to win three straight
nationals at Binghamton.

Sunday will also mark the first chance to watch newly crowned 125cc
National Champ Ricky Carmichael. Even though the 17-year-old Floridian
already has the title, he still has much to race for. Carmichael still has
the chance to match Steve Lamson's 1996 record nine wins in one season in
the 125cc class.

Kevin Windham will try to defend his 125cc Binghamton title. Windham is
about the only rider to make a dent in steamroller Carmichael. The Yamaha
rider has two 125cc victories this season.

PAST WINNERS
BROOME-TIOGA SPORTS CENTER
Binghamton, NY
250cc  Motocross
August 25, 1996	Jeremy McGrath, Menifee, CA	Honda
August 27, 1995	Jeremy McGrath, Murietta, CA	Honda
August 28, 1994	John Dowd, Chicopee, MA	Yamaha
July 28, 1985	Johnny O'Mara, Gardnerville, NV	Honda
July 22, 1984	Rick Johnson, El Cajon, CA	Yamaha
June 5, 1983	Bob Hannah, Carson City, NV	Honda

125cc Motocross	
August  25, 1996	Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, LA	Yamaha
August  27, 1995	Steve Lamson, Pollock Pines, CA	Honda
August  28, 1994	Doug Henry, Oxford, CT	Honda
August  29, 1993	Doug Henry, Oxford, CT	Honda
August 30, 1992	Jeff  Emig, Highland, CA	Yamaha
September 22, 1991	Mike LaRocco, La Porte, IN	Kawasaki
September 2, 1990	Mike Kiedrowski, Canyon Country, CA	Honda
September 24, 1989	Damon Bradshaw, Charlotte, NC	Yamaha
July 10, 1988	Guy Cooper, Stillwater, OK	Honda
August 2, 1987	George Holland, Kerman, CA	Suzuki
August 3, 1986	Eddie  Warren, Clio, MI	Kawasaki
July 28, 1985	Ron Lechien, El Cajon, CA	Honda
July 22, 1984	Jeff Ward, Mission Viejo, CA	Kawasaki
June 5, 1983	Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL	Suzuki
June 27, 1982	Johnny O'Mara, Canyon Country, CA	Honda
June 28, 1981	Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL	Suzuki
August 24, 1980	Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL	Suzuki

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Connie Fleming
American Motorcyclist Association
Public Relations Administrator
http://www.ama-cycle.org