Brad Lackey
Encyclopedia
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.
In 1970, Lackey received sponsorship from a local CZ
dealer and by 1971, he finished second in the U.S. National 500cc class. 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. The Kawasaki factory offered him a sponsored ride in 1972 and he won the 500cc U.S. motocross crown in dominating fashion and, was the highest placed American rider in the 1972 Trans-AMA motocross series
. 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. 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, prompting the European motorcycling press to dub him "Bad Luckey." 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. 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. Today, Lackey continues his involvement in the sport of motocross taking part in vintage motocross racing.
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 and the first American to win the 500cc Grand Prix Motocross World Championship. He was known as "Bad Brad" to his fans.
In 1970, Lackey received sponsorship from a local CZ
Ceská Zbrojovka Strakonice
Česká zbrojovka is a Czech firearms manufacturer also known for making ČZ motorcycles. ČZ was established as a branch of the Škoda Works Armament in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia in September 1919.-History:...
dealer and by 1971, he finished second in the U.S. National 500cc class. In 1971, CZ sent Lackey to Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
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. The Kawasaki factory offered him a sponsored ride in 1972 and he won the 500cc U.S. motocross crown in dominating fashion and, was the highest placed American rider in the 1972 Trans-AMA motocross series
1972 Trans-AMA motocross series
The 1972 Trans-AMA motocross series was the third annual international series established by the American Motorcyclist Association as a pilot event to help establish motocross in the United States. The motocross series was an invitational based on a 500cc engine displacement formula, run on...
. 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. Over the years, he rode for several different factories including, Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
, Husqvarna
Husqvarna Motorcycles
Husqvarna Motorcycles, a subsidiary of BMW, is a company manufacturing motocross, enduro and supermoto motorcycles. The company began producing motorcycles in 1903 at Huskvarna, Sweden, as a branch of the Husqvarna armament firm which had supplied the Swedish army with rifles since 1689.-History:As...
, 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...
and Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
, finishing as high as second in the world in 1978 and 1980. He often encountered bad luck with bike failures at inopportune times, prompting the European motorcycling press to dub him "Bad Luckey." 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. 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
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...
in 1999. Today, Lackey continues his involvement in the sport of motocross taking part in vintage motocross racing.
Motocross Championships
- 1972 A.M.A.American Motorcyclist AssociationThe 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...
500cc Motocross National Champion - 1982 F.I.M.Fédération Internationale de MotocyclismeThe Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
500cc Motocross World Champion - 2000 Over 40 AHRMA Champion