James Dobb
Encyclopedia
James 'Jamie' Dobb is a former British motocross
racer. Amongst his achievements, he was crowned 125cc (now MX2) Motocross World Champion in 2001, and was a top rider in the AMA
motocross and supercross
series during the mid 1990s.
Born into a motocross family, Dobb excelled at youth level, winning a host of domestic and European youth motocross titles. He turned professional in 1987, aged 15, signing a contract with the factory Cagiva
team, widely acclaimed as a future world champion. In 1989, he won his first major adult title, the British 125cc Motocross championship, winning the 250cc category in 1990.
In 1992, he was offered the chance to race in America, for the Pro-Circuit Kawasaki
team, headed by Mitch Payton. During his five-year stint in America, Dobb would race for Pro-Circuit Kawasaki, Suzuki
America and the Honda
of Troy team. Whilst not winning any major titles, he was one of the series' top riders, winning an AMA National at Southwick
.
Unfortunately, injury affected his 1996 season, and he was left without a ride for 1997. Disenchanted with the sport, he briefly pursued a modelling career in New York
, before receiving an offer to return to Europe, competing for the Suzuki UK team. Dobb excelled on his return to Europe, winning the 1998 British 125cc Motocross championship, and a best finish of fifth in the World 125cc Motocross championship in 1999. His good form saw him move to the factory KTM
team in 2000, a move which gave him the momentum to challenge for the 125cc world title. He was second to fellow KTM rider Grant Langston
in 2000, before dominating the 2001 championship, securing his, and Great Britain's, first title in the 125cc World Championship. Dobb's title victory was a welcome relief for British motocross in 2001, with much of the domestic season cancelled due to the country's foot and mouth outbreak.
He moved to the premier MX1 class in 2002, but injury, and an uncompetitive KTM 250 machine, meant that he was unable to challenge Stefan Everts
for the title. After a lacklustre 2003 season, he returned to MX2, with the RWJ Honda team for 2004. However, unable to mount a serious title challenge, Dobb retired from professional motocross mid-way through the 2004 season.
Since retiring from motocross, Dobb has pursued a successful business career in sports management. He is currently mentoring his motocross protege, MX2 factory rider Tommy Searle
, as he seeks to emulate Dobb in MX2.
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. Amongst his achievements, he was crowned 125cc (now MX2) Motocross World Champion in 2001, and was a top rider in the 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...
motocross and supercross
Supercross
Supercross is a motorcycle racing sport involving off-road motorcycles on an artificially-made dirt tracks consisting of steep jumps and obstacles. Professional supercross contest races are held almost exclusively within professional baseball and football stadiums.-History:Supercross was derived...
series during the mid 1990s.
Born into a motocross family, Dobb excelled at youth level, winning a host of domestic and European youth motocross titles. He turned professional in 1987, aged 15, signing a contract with the factory Cagiva
Cagiva
Cagiva is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It was founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni in Varese, originally producing small metal components. It went into the motorcycle industry in 1978. The name is a portmanteau derived from the founder and the founding location, i.e. CAstiglioni GIovanni...
team, widely acclaimed as a future world champion. In 1989, he won his first major adult title, the British 125cc Motocross championship, winning the 250cc category in 1990.
In 1992, he was offered the chance to race in America, for the Pro-Circuit 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....
team, headed by Mitch Payton. During his five-year stint in America, Dobb would race for Pro-Circuit Kawasaki, 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...
America and 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...
of Troy team. Whilst not winning any major titles, he was one of the series' top riders, winning an AMA National at Southwick
Southwick, Massachusetts
Southwick is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,502 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
.
Unfortunately, injury affected his 1996 season, and he was left without a ride for 1997. Disenchanted with the sport, he briefly pursued a modelling career in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, before receiving an offer to return to Europe, competing for the Suzuki UK team. Dobb excelled on his return to Europe, winning the 1998 British 125cc Motocross championship, and a best finish of fifth in the World 125cc Motocross championship in 1999. His good form saw him move to the factory KTM
KTM
KTM Sportmotorcycle AG is an Austrian motorcycle, bicycle and moped manufacturer.The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. It started out as a metal working shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen...
team in 2000, a move which gave him the momentum to challenge for the 125cc world title. He was second to fellow KTM rider Grant Langston
Grant Langston (motorcyclist)
Grant Langston , is a former Grand Prix motocross world champion.Langston began competing in the world championships in 1998, and by 2000, he had won the F.I.M. 125cc world championship as a member of the KTM factory racing team. He moved to the United States in 2001 to compete in the A.M.A...
in 2000, before dominating the 2001 championship, securing his, and Great Britain's, first title in the 125cc World Championship. Dobb's title victory was a welcome relief for British motocross in 2001, with much of the domestic season cancelled due to the country's foot and mouth outbreak.
He moved to the premier MX1 class in 2002, but injury, and an uncompetitive KTM 250 machine, meant that he was unable to challenge Stefan Everts
Stefan Everts
Stefan Everts is a motocross racer from Belgium, who retired in 2006 after securing his record 10th World Title. He also holds several other motocross records....
for the title. After a lacklustre 2003 season, he returned to MX2, with the RWJ Honda team for 2004. However, unable to mount a serious title challenge, Dobb retired from professional motocross mid-way through the 2004 season.
Since retiring from motocross, Dobb has pursued a successful business career in sports management. He is currently mentoring his motocross protege, MX2 factory rider Tommy Searle
Tommy searle
Tommy Searle is a British motocross racer who competes in the MX2-GP Motocross World Championship for the CLS Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit team.- First stint In The FIM MX-GP2 Series :...
, as he seeks to emulate Dobb in MX2.