SUPERCROSS - AMASupercross.com

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle.
AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to
the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization,
the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the
committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member
clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle
recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving
discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services as well as on gear and
apparel, bike rentals, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA
preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.
A History of AMA Supercross
AMA Supercross is featured in high-profile stadiums across North America. However, this exciting
bar-banging, high-flying sport has its roots on the outdoor, natural terrain tracks of motocross.
When motorcycle racing resumed following World War II, U.S. motorcycle racing focused primarily
on flat track, as it had before the war. Races were held on the numerous dirt ovals and horse tracks
across the country, along with a limited schedule of AMA National roadracing events. Meanwhile, the
first motocross races were being organized in post-war Europe.
In 1947, the Federation Internationale Motocyclisme (FIM) created the Motocross des Nations, an
annual event to determine the World Team Motocross Champions. In 1957, the FIM fully embraced
motocross by creating an individual World Motocross Championship Series.
Early motocross machines were relatively primitive by today’s standards. They were heavy,
underpowered and equipped with rudimentary suspension systems that did little to smooth out the
rough terrain. But motocross had two undeniable elements that promised future success: It provided
an affordable but highly challenging sport for participants, and offered incredible, up-close action for
spectators.
In the late 1960s, the European masters of motocross began to export their talents and technology
to North America, where a related discipline of “rough scrambles” had developed independently. In a
matter of a few years, motocross had taken hold in America.
The AMA held a variety of amateur and Pro-Am motocross races in the late 1960s. By 1972,
American racers had motocross fever, and the AMA established a formal National Championship
Motocross Series.
At the time, U.S. riders could only dream of beating their more experienced European counterparts.
But international stars, led by Belgium’s Roger DeCoster, gave the Americans an exciting target. And
by the time the 1980s rolled around, the Americans had learned the lessons well enough to dominate
the sport. During this decade of motocross racing, the United States delivered to the motorcycling
world a new development that has changed the very face of the sport.
In 1971, the AMA conducted a professional motocross race on a temporary track at Daytona
4