1971 Inter-AMA motocross series

The 1971 Inter-AMA motocross series was an international racing series established by the American Motorcyclist Association as a pilot event to help establish motocross in the United States. The six-round series replaced the previous Inter-AM Motocross Series promoted by the American distributor for Husqvarna Motorcycles Edison Dye.[1] The motocross series was an invitational based on a 250cc engine displacement formula, run on American tracks featuring some of the top competitors from the Motocross World Championships racing against the top American riders.[2]

ČZ factory team rider Vlastimil Válek won 4 out of 6 races to finish the series as the overall winner ahead of second place Dave Bickers (ČZ).[3] The third-place finisher, Gunnar Lindström (Husqvarna), was born in Sweden but was residing in the United States; therefore, he was given the First American title; however, Gary Jones (Yamaha) was the top American-born rider.[3][4] As the AMA Motocross Championship would not be established until 1972, Jones was crowned the U.S. 250 Motocross National Champion, based upon being the highest placed American born rider in the series.[5][6]

1971 Inter-AMA rounds

Round Date Location Overall Winner Top American
1 27 June Castaic, California Vlastimil Válek Tom Rapp
2 4 July Denver, Colorado James Wicks James Wicks
3 11 July Houston, Texas Vlastimil Válek Gunnar Lindström
4 18 July Orlando, Florida Vlastimil Válek Gunnar Lindström
5 25 July Linnville, Ohio Dave Bickers Mark Blackwell
6 1 August New Berlin, New York Vlastimil Válek Peter Lamppu
Sources:[3]

1971 Inter-AMA final standings

Pos Rider Machine 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pts
1 Vlastimil Válek ČZ 1 4 1 1 6 1 1,430
2 Dave Bickers ČZ 3 5 6 1 2 1,170
3 Gunnar Lindström Husqvarna 2 9 4 3 4 5 1,060
4 Jan-Erik Sallqvist Husqvarna 5 3 2 2 1,052
5 Keith Franzen Husqvarna 6 2 3 5 2 6 969
6 Chris Horsfield ČZ 7 7 7 8 4 596
7 Gary Jones Yamaha 9 6 6 10 8 458
8 Christer Lindblom Husqvarna 7 10 8 7 414
9 Jimmy Weinert Maico 4 5 380
10 James Wicks Maico 1 375
11 Mark Blackwell Husqvarna 3 344
12 Peter Lamppu Montesa 10 3 325
13 Jos DeWit Husqvarna 9 7 290
14 Jim West Husqvarna 9 9 287
15 Bill Silverthorn Husqvarna 10 10 8 279
16 Gary Meyers Husqvarna 5 10 265
17 Tom Rapp Bultaco 4 224
18 Willie Dassen Husqvarna 178
19 Barry Higgins ČZ 8 159
20 Wyman Priddy Husqvarna 9 119
Sources:[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Edison Dye at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  2. ^ "SOLVING THE TRANS-AM, TRANS-AMA, INTER-AM, INTER-AMA AND TRANS-USA CONFUSION". motocrossactionmag.com. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d American Motorcyclist Assoc (September 1971). "Válek, Lindstrom Top Inter-AMA".
  4. ^ "Gunnar Lindstrom at the AMA Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  5. ^ "Gary Jones at the AMA Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  6. ^ "First Americans". motocrossactionmag.com. Retrieved January 1, 2026.