Gary Jones (motorcyclist)
Encyclopedia
Gary Jones is an American former professional motocross
racer. He won the first three AMA
250cc Motocross National Championships, riding three different brands of motorcycle
s, a feat that has never been repeated.
The son motorcycle dealer Don Jones, he began racing professionally at the age of 15. By 1969, he earned a place on the Yamaha
factory's
American racing team. Although there was no American motocross championship series in 1971, he is recognized as the 250cc National Champion by virtue of being the top-placed American rider in the Inter-AMA series which featured European riders touring America after the European-based World Championship season had ended.
The following year, the AMA introduced a 250cc and a 500cc outdoor national championship. Jones won the 1972 title on a Yamaha, becoming the first 250cc U.S. Motocross National Champion. He also competed in the 500cc class, finishing second behind Brad Lackey
. Also in 1972, he was a member of the first team to represent the United States at the Motocross des Nations
. The following season, he accepted a job riding for the Honda
factory racing team and successfully defended his 250cc crown riding the Honda CR250M
. In 1973 he would ride for the newly formed Can-Am
team and went on to win his third consecutive 250cc national championship.
Having retired from professional competition, Jones continues his involvement in the sport by working for motorcycle accessory companies and as a test rider for motorcycle magazines. He competes in motocross and desert races, winning World Vet Championships several times. In 2000, he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
, and in 2004, he was inducted into the Motocross Walk Of Fame.
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
racer. He won the first three AMA
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
250cc Motocross National Championships, riding three different brands of motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s, a feat that has never been repeated.
The son motorcycle dealer Don Jones, he began racing professionally at the age of 15. By 1969, he earned a place on the Yamaha
Yamaha Motor Company
, is a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company. Yamaha Motor is part of Yamaha Corporation and its headquarter is located in Iwata, Shizuoka. Along with expanding Yamaha Corporation into the world's biggest piano maker, then Yamaha CEO Genichi Kawakami took Yamaha into the field of motorized...
factory's
Factory-backed
Factory-backed is a term commonly used in motorsports to describe a sponsored racing team, car, motorcycle or driver that competes with official sanction and financial support, or "backing" from a manufacturer. As motorsports competition is an expensive endeavor, some degree of factory support is...
American racing team. Although there was no American motocross championship series in 1971, he is recognized as the 250cc National Champion by virtue of being the top-placed American rider in the Inter-AMA series which featured European riders touring America after the European-based World Championship season had ended.
The following year, the AMA introduced a 250cc and a 500cc outdoor national championship. Jones won the 1972 title on a Yamaha, becoming the first 250cc U.S. Motocross National Champion. He also competed in the 500cc class, finishing second behind Brad Lackey
Brad Lackey
Brad Lackey is a former professional motocross racer and the first American to win the 500cc Grand Prix Motocross World Championship. He was known as "Bad Brad" to his fans....
. Also in 1972, he was a member of the first team to represent the United States at the Motocross des Nations
Motocross des Nations
The Motocross des Nations is an annual team motocross race, where riders representing their country meet at what is billed as the "Olympics of Motocross"...
. The following season, he accepted a job riding for the Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
factory racing team and successfully defended his 250cc crown riding the Honda CR250M
Honda CR250M
The Honda CR250M Elsinore is a two-stroke motorcycle first manufactured by Honda in March 1973, with 29 horsepower and weighing 229 pounds. It was Honda's first two-stroke bike, the first competition bike that Honda built from scratch instead of adapting a street bike, and the first production...
. In 1973 he would ride for the newly formed Can-Am
Can-Am motorcycles
Can-Am is a motorcycle producing subsidiary of the Bombardier Recreational Products, a Canadian corporation.In 1973, under the direction and leadership of an American Engineer named Gary Robinson and former motocross World Champion, Jeff Smith working with a team of California desert racers,...
team and went on to win his third consecutive 250cc national championship.
Having retired from professional competition, Jones continues his involvement in the sport by working for motorcycle accessory companies and as a test rider for motorcycle magazines. He competes in motocross and desert races, winning World Vet Championships several times. In 2000, he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
, and in 2004, he was inducted into the Motocross Walk Of Fame.