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AMA: 1999 Mazda Trucks Motocross Nationals Heads to Hangtown

3 June 1999

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- With Sebastien Tortelli leading a Honda-mounted trio at the top of the points standings, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Mazda Trucks Motocross Nationals move from the steep face of Mt. St. Helen at Glen Helen Raceway to the rolling hills of Hangtown Raceway outside Sacramento. Given the tight racing at Glen Helen, Hangtown is sure to fuel more handlebar-to-handlebar action as the national riders move to round two.

At Glen Helen, the 250cc class was dominated by Honda, as Honda pilots secured the top five overall spots. Although nursing an injured hand from the final rounds of the 1999 AMA Supercross season, Frenchman Tortelli won both motos, easily outdistancing the competition as he showcased his agility and skill in navigating the punishing outdoor terrain of Glen Helen.

Factory Connection/Honda/ONeal rider Mike LaRocco, coming off a stellar AMA Supercross season, finished second overall, rallying from a ninth-place finish in the first moto to finish right behind Tortelli in the second. Fellow Frenchman Mickael Pichon, in what may be his last season on American soil, rounded out the top three with two strong finishes. Ezra Lusk, fresh off his runner-up status in the AMA Supercross Series, and Ryan Hughes, taking a break from his duties abroad in the World Grand Prix, rounded out the top five.

Of note, in his one and only appearance on the outdoor circuit this season, Mazda/Chaparral/Yamaha rider Jeremy McGrath pulled out a second place in the first moto, but dropped to 19th in the second, plunging him a tenth place overall finish.

In the 125cc class, Kawasakis Ricky Carmichael, back on 125s after struggling through the AMA Supercross Series aboard a 250, showed that he still has the talent and competitive drive that has made him an AMA champion. With a clean sweep of both motos, Carmichael secured the overall win. Splitfire/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Nick Wey finished third in both motos, propelling him to the second overall position. Rounding out the top three, Tallon Vohland of FMF/Honda/Thor blazed to a second-place finish in the final moto putting him on the small step of the podium.

With the 1999 outdoor season still in diapers, look for the series standings to fluctuate week to week. Hangtown will serve as proving ground for those riders who had success at Glen Helen, while riders who struggled, such as reigning champ Doug Henry of Yamaha, will look to rebound.

Follow the 1999 AMA/Mazda Trucks Motocross Nationals at www.mazdausa.com or at the Pro Racing pages of AMADirectlink at http://www.ama-cycle.org. In addition, both the Glen Helen and Hangtown races will appear on ESPN2. Check local listing for dates and times.

PAST WINNERS
                     PRAIRIE CITY SVRA PARK

Sacramento, CA
250 cc Motocross
Date                  Winner, Hometown                       Machine
May 17, 1998          Jeremy McGrath, Menifee, CA            Yamaha
May 4, 1997           Greg Albertyn, South Africa            Suzuki
May 5, 1996           Jeremy McGrath, Menifee, CA            Honda
May 7, 1995           Mike Kiedrowski, Canyon Country, CA    Kawasaki
May 1, 1994           Mike Kiedrowski, Canyon Country, CA    Kawasaki
June 20, 1993         Mike Kiedrowski, Canyon Country, CA    Kawasaki
June 14, 1992         Damon Bradshaw, Moorseville, NC        Yamaha
March 24, 1991        John Dowd, Chicopee, MA                Honda
April 1, 1990         Jeff Ward, San Juan Capistrano, CA     Kawasaki
April 23, 1989        Jeff Stanton, Sherwood, MI             Honda
March 27, 1988        Rick Johnson, El Cajon, CA             Honda
March 22, 1987        Rick Johnson, El Cajon, CA             Honda
April 6, 1986         Rick Johnson, El Cajon, CA             Honda
March 31, 1985        Jeff Ward, Mission Viejo, CA           Kawasaki
April 8, 1984         Alan King, Troy, MI                    Honda
March 27, 1983        Bob Hannah, Carson City, NV            Honda
March 28, 1982        Rick Johnson, El Cajon, CA             Yamaha
March 29, 1981        Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX         Suzuki
March 23, 1980        Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX         Suzuki
March 25, 1979        Bob Hannah, Carson City, NV            Yamaha
125cc Motocross
Date                  Winner, Hometown                       Machine
May 17, 1998          Steve Lamson, Riverside, CA            Honda
May 4, 1997           Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL           Kawasaki
May 5, 1996           Steve Lamson, Pollock Pines, CA        Honda
May 7, 1995           Ryan Hughes, Escondido, CA             Kawasaki
May 1, 1994           Damon Huffman, Saugus, CA              Suzuki
June 20, 1993         Jeremy McGrath, Murrieta, CA           Honda
June 14, 1992         Steve Lamson, Pollock Pines, CA        Honda
March 24, 1991        Doug Henry, Fairfield, CT              Yamaha
April 1, 1990         Guy Cooper, Stillwater, OK             Suzuki
April 23, 1989        Damon Bradshaw, Charlotte, NC          Yamaha
March 28, 1988        Guy Cooper, Stillwater, OK             Suzuki
March 22, 1987        George Holland, Kerman, CA             Suzuki
April 6, 1986         Erik Kehoe, Granada Hills, CA          Suzuki
March 31, 1985        Ron Lechien, El Cajon, CA              Honda
April 8, 1984         Jeff Ward, Mission Viejo, CA           Kawasaki
March 27, 1983        Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL           Suzuki
March 28, 1982        Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL           Suzuki
March 29, 1981        Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL           Suzuki
March 23, 1980        Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL           Suzuki
March 25, 1979        Brian Myerscough, Calimesa, CA         Suzuki

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