Throwback Thursday: MX National in the Nevada Desert (1985)
Larry Lawrence | October 27, 2016
Photo by Mitch Friedman
A half-decade before Sam Boyd Stadium hosted an AMA Supercross, there was Las Vegas MX Park, which hosted an AMA Motocross National in 1985. The track wasn’t actually in Las Vegas, but about 30 miles south of town in the remote desert. It was more of a Supercross-type layout instead of a traditional motocross track. The May 1985 race weekend hosted 125, 250 and 500cc nationals. This photo by Mitch Friedman shows riders starting a 500cc moto with Scott Manning (31) leading the way on his Yamaha. Giving chase are Phil Larson (62), Kent Howerton (15), Greg Zitterkopf (86), Jo Jo Keller (55), Jimmy Ellis (72), Mike Fisher (80) and others. David Bailey won the overall on his factory Honda.
The national at Las Vegas MX Park was short-lived. After this national in 1985 the championship never again visited the venue.
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