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/1543318
I n last week's issue of Cycle News, Archives reflected on the famous Houston Astrodome hosting the AMA's top dirt track racers in the 1972 TT and Short Track competition. The Astro- dome welcomed all types of motorcycle racing, and for several years, the 'Dome was home to AMA Supercross, as well. In 1976, the newly named Su- percross series (Cycle News called it "Astro-cross" in its 1974 coverage of the event) stopped by to race in the eighth wonder of the world. Race-day formats for Supercross and moto- cross were as fluid as five-weight fork oil in the 1970s. Three motos? Two motos? What was the best format for determining who was the best rid - er on the track that day? Today's Supercross stars battle their way through heats for a one-moto final, except for a few Triple Crown events to mix things up, but in 1976, the AMA experimented with an unusual four-moto program. Two motos on Friday, two more on Saturday, with all finishes counting toward overall positions. Cycle News estimated the crowd at 80,000 for the two nights of rac - ing, and those fans were treated to some knuckle- bustin' Texas bar bangin' on a track that CN called a "tight and twisty one-minute serpentine that offered few passing opportunities to the timid." Like dirt tracking in 1972, Pro Motocross racing was undergoing a metamorphosis of its own in 1976. Early '70s stars like Mark Blackwell, Gary Jones, Mike Runyard and others had either disap- peared or were fading fast from the scene. Young- sters like Marty Smith, Tony DiStefano and Bob Hannah were the new young cats on the prowl. There was still, however, one old lion in the jungle: Team Kawasaki rider Jim Weinert remained one of the sport's fastest and most consistent riders, as well as one of the oldest racers on the track. In 2026, AMA Supercross is being dominated by veterans. Youngsters born in this century are eat- ing roost from seasoned pros who, while not quite eligible for the early bird special at Denny's, are still all on the wiser side of 30. Thanks to 21st-century training techniques, healthy food choices or just good genes, some of the best riders in the sport are even old enough to remember two-strokes. A half-century ago, however, motocross was a young buck's game. Smith, DiStefano and Hannah CNIIARCHIVES P120 BY KENT TAYLOR Still Jammin' IN 1976, THE "OLD GUY," JIMMY WEINERT, STILL HAD A LOT LEFT IN THE TANK. In 1976, Jimmy "The Jammer" Weinert won the Houston Supercross on a factory Kawasaki when it was a four- moto over two days format. n last week's issue of Cycle News, Archives reflected on the famous Houston Astrodome bustin' Texas bar bangin' on a track that CN called a "tight and twisty one-minute serpentine that offered few passing opportunities to the timid." was undergoing a metamorphosis of its own in Supercross on a factory Kawasaki when it was a four- moto over two days format.