The Trans-AMA motocross series were the motocross series held from 1970 to 1978.

History The championship was an international series established by the American Motorcyclist Association as a pilot event to help establish motocross in the United States. The series was based on a 500cc engine displacement formula, although the first year of the event featured both 250 and 500cc events. The races run on American tracks to international standards, featuring the top riders from the F.I.M. world championship against the top American riders. In 1970 and 1971, the highest placing American rider at the end of the series was considered the A.M.A. national champion.

By 1978, American riders had improved to the point where it became more of a challenge for European riders to secure an easy victory. Since riders were paid based upon their results rather than starting money paid in European races, fewer European riders were motivated to make the costly trans-atlantic voyage. After 1978 the series was renamed the Trans-USA series, but had fewer European riders participating. The Inter-AMA series was a similar year-end championship, but used a 250cc engine displacement formula.

Trans-AMA champions Year Rider Country Machine1970 Dave Nicoll United Kingdom BSA1971 Sylvain Geboers Belgium Suzuki1972 Åke Jonsson Sweden Maico1973 Adolf Weil West Germany Maico1974 Roger De Coster Belgium Suzuki1975 Roger De Coster Belgium Suzuki1976 Roger De Coster Belgium Suzuki1977 Roger De Coster Belgium Suzuki1978 Bob Hannah United States Yamaha

Trans-USA champions Year Rider Country Machine1979 Kent Howerton United States Suzuki1980 Kent Howerton United States Suzuki1981 Broc Glover United States Yamaha1982 Dave Hollis United States Suzuki

Inter-AMA champions

YearAmerican Motorcyclist, February 1982, Vol. 36, No. 2, ISSN 0277-9358 Rider Country Machine Ref1969 Arne Kring Sweden Husqvarna 1970 Åke Jonsson Sweden Maico 1971 Vlastimil Válek Czechoslovakia CZ 1972 Gary Jones United States Yamaha 1973 Heikki Mikkola Finland Husqvarna 1974 Zdeněk Velký Czechoslovakia CZ 1975 Tony DiStefano United States Suzuki

See also List of AMA motocross national champions Supercross World Championship Motocross World Championship

References