IN
THE
WIND
P48
Doffo Winery Hosts 1981 MXdN
40th Anniversary
F
orty years ago, Team USA
shocked the world at the
Motocross des Nations, taking
a first-ever win on the interna-
tional stage with riders Chuck
Sun, Danny Laporte, Donnie
Hansen and Johnny O'Mara.
To commemorate the 40th
anniversary, and the forthcom-
ing feature-length documen-
tary film "1981: The Story of
America's 1981 Motocross des
Nations Team," Doffo Winery
in Temecula, California played
host to a press conference
celebrating America's land-
mark win at the historic event.
In attendance were all four
racers, Sun, Laporte, Hansen
and O'Mara, along with team
members Roger DeCoster
and Dave Arnold. It is said that
the Doffo event was the first
time all six have been reunited.
Hosted by Laurette Nicoll, the
conference-style event included
accounts from all, including
some lesser-known back stories
from the Lommel race, such as
worrying that the bikes wouldn't
go the distance on the sandy
power-robbing track, and scram-
bling to find parts and support
for the team. Roger DeCoster
even took the time to explain why
he punched a man in the face
during the race—yes, the rumor
is true.
The Europeans called it a
fluke when the Americans won in
Belgium, but when Team USA—
discounted as a "B Team"—won
again in Germany and sealed the
1981 MXdN overall win, it turned
the international motocross
scene on its head, setting in mo-
tion a 13-year win streak.
The live event at Doffo Win-
ery offered food and drinks to
attendees, as well as commemo-
rative posters featuring photog-
raphy from Henny Ray Abrams
and an autograph session by the
entire 1981 MXdN team.
Did you miss it? Check out
the live stream from the 1981
MXdN Press Conference at
Doffo Winery on Facebook.
Look for more info coming on
the movie, "1981: The Story of
America's 1981 Motocross des
Nations Team," from Pipeline
Digital Media, creators of "The
Motocross Files," "Penton: The
John Penton Story" and "The
Carlsbad USGP: 1980," at the
official movie Facebook page.
Production is scheduled to begin
in 2022.
Jean Turner
(L-R) Roger DeCoster, Chuck Sun,
Danny Laporte, Donnie Hansen, Johnny
O'Mara and Dave Arnold made for an
entertaining panel in the 1981 MXdN
reunion press conference.
