Brad Lackey

Brad Lackey
Nationality United States United States
Born July 8, 1953 (age 61)
Berkeley, California, U.S.
Motocross career
Years active 1970 - 1982
Teams ČZ, Kawasaki, Husqvarna, Honda, Suzuki
Championships 500cc - 1982
Wins 7

Brad Lackey (born July 8, 1953 in Berkeley, California) is a former professional motocross racer and the first and only American to win the 500cc Grand Prix Motocross World Championship.[1][2] He was known as "Bad Brad" to his fans.

In 1970, Lackey received sponsorship from a local CZ dealer and by 1971, he finished second in the AMA 500cc motocross national championship.[2] In 1971, CZ sent Lackey to Czechoslovakia to enter a training camp. He also got his first taste of the World Championship Motocross Grand Prix circuit when he raced in a few 250cc GP races while attending the training camp.[2] The Kawasaki factory offered him a sponsored ride in 1972 and he won the AMA 500cc motocross national championship in dominating fashion and, was the highest placed American rider in the 1972 Trans-AMA motocross series.[2] However, he had his sights set on the world championship Grand Prix events held in Europe. In 1973, Lackey set out on what would eventually be a ten-year quest for a 500cc Motocross World Championship, which at the time was the most prestigious class in motocross competition.[3] Over the years, he rode for several different factories including, Kawasaki, Husqvarna, Honda and Suzuki, finishing as high as second in the world in 1978 and 1980. He often encountered bad luck with bike failures at inopportune times,[2][4] prompting the European motorcycling press to dub him "Bad Luckey."[5] It seemed as if he would never attain his goal. Finally, in 1982, after a ten-year struggle, he was able to clinch his first and only 500cc Motocross World Championship aboard a Suzuki.[3][6] After his triumph, Suzuki scaled back their racing efforts and Lackey was left without a sponsor. He decided to retire on top, as world champion.

Lackey was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.[2] Today, Lackey continues his involvement in the sport of motocross taking part in vintage motocross racing.

Motocross championships

References

  1. ↑ Brad Lackey career profile
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Motorcycle Hall of Fame
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 It's Lackey At Last, by Bill Amick, American Motorcyclist Magazine, October 1982
  4. ↑ Early years of Motocross GP
  5. ↑ Brad Lackey; Victory At Long Last, by Don Phillipson, Cycle, October 1982
  6. ↑ Motocross Action, November 1982

External links

Preceded by
André Malherbe		 F.I.M. 500cc Motocross World Champion
1982 		Succeeded by
Håkan Carlquist