Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1503475
VOLUME ISSUE JULY , P125 The Southwick track, now called "The Wick 338" and regarded as the only true sand track on the AMA MX circuit, has been the site of many memo - rable moments in AMA moto- cross history. Future MX and Supercross Champion Jeff Emig captured his first career 250cc- class win at Southwick, and local legend John Dowd became the oldest rider to stand on an AMA National podium at 44. He ac - complished that feat in 2009. Chad Reed won his first 250cc AMA National MX moto at South - wick in 2005, and Brett Metcalfe also collected his first 250cc MX overall win here. And it was an emotional day at Southwick in 2002 when Danny Smith, on the factory Blimpie Suzuki RM125, captured his first career win in the 125cc class just a few days after the unexpected passing of his brother, Kip. "I think I have a broken heart," Smith said that day. During the race, Smith benefited from James Stewart's broken bike. "James Stewart earned my re - spect today," Smith said after his emotional victory. "He came over before the race and said how sorry he was about my brother, and when his bike broke [in the second moto for the second Na - tional in a row], there he was on the side of the track waving me on! It was really cool." In 2011 at Southwick, the same year Metcalfe won his first and only National, Ryan Dungey had a moment he'll never forget when, after winning the first moto, he showed up to the start line for the second moto without his motorcycle, which was nothing out of the ordinary. Little did he know, however, that after having walked to the start line to mark his spot, his bike was refusing to fire back in the Suzuki pits. While wondering where his bike was, the Suzuki's techs were frantically trying to fix the problem. By the time that happened, the race had already started, and Dungey had spotted the field nearly three-quarters of a lap. Remarkably, Dungey remained calm throughout the ordeal and finished the moto in seventh for third overall. And all this oc - curred while Hurricane Irene was rapidly closing in and drenching the track with water. It was one of the sport's most memorable moments, without a doubt. Many classic clashes have taken place on the Southwick battleground over the years, too many to list here, but how can you forget the one between Ricky Carmichael and James Stew - art in 2006? Unfortunately for Stewart, his day ended when his bike seized at the worst possible moment—while approaching the top of a downhill jump at speed— causing a scary crash that he remarkably walked away from, albeit slowly. Southwick is also known for producing several of the sport's best local motocross talents, like JoJo Keller, Keith Johnson, Mike Treadwell, Tony Lorusso, and of course, eventual superstars Doug Henry and John Dowd. Ricky Carmichael is the most successful racer the Southwick track has ever seen. In the 2000s, Carmichael won eight straight rac - es at the sandbox, which makes sense, having cut his racing teeth in Florida. He has a grand total 10 wins at Southwick, which is six more than anyone else. The Southwick National should be on every motocross fan's bucket list. It's well worth the trip however far it might be from you. CN SOUTHWICK Subscribe to nearly 50 years of Cycle News Archive issues: www.CycleNews.com/Archives Karsmakers went on to win both motos at Southwick in 1976, while Tony DiStefano wrapped up the second of his three consecutive AMA 250cc Motocross Championships.