Jimmy Weinert
Encyclopedia
Mitchell Nelson Weinert was a pioneering motocross
and supercross
rider in the early years of the sport in the United States
. In the 1970s he won 22 AMA
Nationals and three AMA championships. In 1973, Weinert became the first American to defeat international-level riders in the Trans-AMA motocross series. That victory marked a turning point that brought American motocross up to par with the then dominant European riders.
Weinert was the son of a motorcycle
dealer and began riding at an early age. Early in his career, he split his time between motocross and dirt track oval racing however, an injury while racing on the high speed dirt track ovals convinced him to concentrate on the burgeoning sport of motocross. Weinert began racing professionally in 1970 riding a CZ
. In 1972 he finished runner up to Gary Jones
in the AMA 250cc motocross national championship. Weinert earned a place on the Kawasaki
factory
racing team and went on to win the 1974 AMA 500cc national championship. He successfully defended his title in 1975. He also won the 1976 AMA 250cc Supercross championship. Injuries began to take their toll and he retired during the 1980 season.
Weinert continues his involvement in the sport competing in vintage motocross events. In 1999, he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
.
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...
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...
rider in the early years of the sport in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In the 1970s he won 22 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...
Nationals and three AMA championships. In 1973, Weinert became the first American to defeat international-level riders in the Trans-AMA motocross series. That victory marked a turning point that brought American motocross up to par with the then dominant European riders.
Weinert was the son of a motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
dealer and began riding at an early age. Early in his career, he split his time between motocross and dirt track oval racing however, an injury while racing on the high speed dirt track ovals convinced him to concentrate on the burgeoning sport of motocross. Weinert began racing professionally in 1970 riding a 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:...
. In 1972 he finished runner up to Gary Jones
Gary Jones (motorcyclist)
Gary Jones is an American former professional motocross racer. He won the first three AMA 250cc Motocross National Championships, riding three different brands of motorcycles, a feat that has never been repeated....
in the AMA 250cc motocross national championship. Weinert earned a place on the 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....
factory
Factory-backed
Factory-backed is a term commonly used in motorsports to describe a sponsored racing team, car, motorcycle or driver that competes with official sanction and financial support, or "backing" from a manufacturer. As motorsports competition is an expensive endeavor, some degree of factory support is...
racing team and went on to win the 1974 AMA 500cc national championship. He successfully defended his title in 1975. He also won the 1976 AMA 250cc Supercross championship. Injuries began to take their toll and he retired during the 1980 season.
Weinert continues his involvement in the sport competing in vintage motocross events. In 1999, he was inducted into the AMA 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...
.