12 Things You Didn’t Know About British Supercross
April 04, 2007
1. The Birmingham NEC was the venue for the greatest night in British SX in 1989, when a young Brit by the name of Warren Edwards lead American superstar Rick Johnson for most of the race – the crowd was on their feet and Warren certainly didn’t disappoint.
2. The following year it wasn’t the racing that let the event down, it was the bolt-together seating which was deemed unsafe and the crowd had to be evacuated – then the race was cancelled. At the 1992 race, former 250 World and AMA champion Greg Albertyn will always be remembered for his NEC appearance. Albie cased a double jump and hit it so hard his crash helmet came off after he forgot to fasten the straps. Another spectacular supercross moment from the South African.
3. One of the earliest British Supercross races was held at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge in May 1984. Reigning World 250cc Champion Georges Jobe and ex 250cc Champion Danny LaPorte were among the star names to enter the event. Jobe went onto achieve notoriety on a wet miserable evening blocking the muddy track, which was built on the outside of the pitch, in a private protest. Australian Stephen Gall won the main event. The World Masters of Supercross sponsored by Dr. Pepper was not revived.
4. The first (and only) British Masters Stadiumcross Championship was held later that year at Reading’s Smallmead Speedway Stadium. The following year’s 500cc World Champion Dave Thorpe was crowned Champion. Future GP stars Rob Andrews and Mark Banks rounded out the podium.
5. The mid 80s also saw Hallencross come to the UK, at the NEC Arena. A form of supercross on boards, riders were forced to use road-tyres instead of knobblies. The Brits were blown away by their more-experienced European counterparts, where races were growing on the mainland, and even being run on the banks of indoor cycling tracks.
6. Technically a rider from the British Isles has won an AMA Supercross Championship! The 1985 and 1987 250cc Champion Jeff Ward was actually born in Glasgow, Scotland.
7. Rob Herring burst onto the Supercross scene winning on the first day of the 1986 Belle Vue Speedway Stadium race in Manchester. He beat among others AMA Champion Jeff Ward and multi World Champions Eric Geboers and Georges Jobe. Ward won the Sunday race, with ‘Fish’ taking second.
8. Nine times World Champion Stefan Everts raced the Sheffield Supercross in 1999. He replaced Jeff Emig, who was sacked by Kawasaki in the weeks leading up to the event. Everts finished in third, behind Jeremy McGrath and Mike Larocco.
9. In the 1960s speedway promoters tried to boost flagging attendances by starting a series called Moto Rodeo which consisted of wooden jumps and a couple of turns on the infield.
10. Current MX2 British Champion Carl Nunn’s father Stuart rode in the first ever Supercross at the LA Coliseum, named the Superbowl Of Motocross.
11. In the late eighties there were two attempts at running a Supercross series in the UK. Matchams Park and Worcester were the venues, both had a good following but interest later fizzled out…
12. The King of Supercross Jeremy McGrath made his competitive Yamaha debut in Sheffield at the end of 1997. The event was a great success, and is now an annual spectacular.
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