RJ SAYS: US Grand Prix of Motocross, Glen Helen, 1990

The US Grand Prix of Motocross. Just the name of it makes me think 'big time'.

For years, the US round of the World Motocross Championships for 500's was held at Carlsbad Raceway. I won there in 1986 at the USGP.

There was a few years where we (the USA) didn't have a Grand Prix. But guess who stepped up and made them happen? A lot of people, but one of the most influential, and the promoter of the 1990 500 Grand Prix was 5 - time World Motocrosss Champion Roger De Coster.

Here's you'll see the video, and then below, you'll see my personal commentary.

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And ... here is my RJ SAYS column and comments about that race - the 1990 US Grand Prix of Motocross:

I remember going out for my first practice, and thinking 'Damn - there are a lot of people here!' Plus, I was still recovering from a wrist injury that ultimately would end my professional motorcycle racing career the following year. I think you (and I certainly was) are always a bit more nervous when racing a race that's near your home, your friends, etc. ... so I was a bit nervous. You just want to perform well for all of them.

I think that showed in the first moto - I just couldn't find a good rhythm. In the second moto, which I won, I felt much more at ease, and I was riding smoother, yet quicker. But more on that later ...

There is a certain flair, a certain 'flavor' at a GP, even in the USA, but certainly much more so in Europe. The fans at Glen Helen that day were expecting (I believe) an American dominance of the race. Ideallly, every country there is a certain national pride where you want 'your' guys to win!

People didn't expect the 'foreigners' to be competitive, let alone win.

So, in the first moto, it's Johnny O'Mara, now riding for Kawasaki, on the number 69 the early leader, with Eric Geboers right behind in second. I languished back around sixth towards the end of the first lap.

Eric would work past Johnny, and into the lead. O'Mara would be close the entire race, even putting on a late charge to overtake Eric. But to no avail. Eric was STRONG. Everyone was expecting a 'Euro' to wilt because of the hot weather, and because us Americans run a different pace at the start of a race because of our 'supercross style'. But Eric put all those thoughts to rest. As I mentioned, he rode STRONG. (Although he didn't win the second moto, I think he rode even stronger then to secure the overall win. He knows exactly how to use a 40 minute plus 2 lap moto to his advantage, and made passes at the end of that second moto to take the overall victory.)

Hey - how do you like those 'factory pits' back in 1990? There wasn't always 'big rigs' at the races : )

As Roger (De Coster) was being introduced before the race, there was a few of us nearby waiting to be introduced as well. The crowd was so anxious to see GP racing - it was really neat.

In the first moto, I was able to get around a few guys and into third position, but Eric and Johnny finished ahead of me. (I love the sound of the 500cc two-strokes - they bring back a lot of memories!)

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There was a 125cc support race. I remember team-mate Mike Kiedrowski was the defending National 125cc Motocross Champion ... but I forget who won the race ... I was back in my truck mostly trying to cool off and relax before our next 500 moto.

You see that 'triple crown' on the back of Eric Geboer's helmet? He's the first rider in history to win the 125 World Motocross Championship, the 250 World Motocross Championship, and the 500 World Motocross Championship. The Triple Crown!

The second 500 GP moto - the early leader was Jeff Leisk, #2. I was feeling good though. Felt really comfortable on the bike, and felt like a was in a good ... no .. great rhythm for the race. I knew I was going to be strong. Jeff rode with the number 2, signifying that he finished second in the world championships the previous year. I believe Dave Thorpe was the 500 title in 1989.

Jeff 'Chicken' Matiasevich. #68 on a Kawasaki, would take over the lead in that second moto. (Hey Jeff - didn't we have some bet about a helmet in this race????)

I closed up on Jeff, and made the pass for the lead. It was one of those motos where you are just 'feeling it'. Everything was going so smoothly for me. I ended up winning the moto .... but Eric Geboers put on a tremendous late moto charge to pass quite a few guys and get second position behind me. That wrapped up the overall victory for Eric as well.

I was happy winning that second moto. But Eric was the man that day. Some of you might know that Eric is the team manager of the Teka Suzuki World Motocross Team based in Lommel, Belgium, with riders Steve Ramon & Ken de Dycker. Also, Eric will soon have probably one of the most talented motocross riders to come along in quite a while - 15 year old GP winner Ken Roczen!

Hope you enjoyed it!

RJ

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Source: http://www.supercross.com/rj-says/rj-says-us-grand-prix-of-motocross-glen-helen-1990

Carl Nunn Johnny O Mara Zach Osborne