S
ometime between Septem-
ber of 1974 and September
of 1975, American moto-
cross underwent a metamor-
phosis. Every MX fan knows the
story of the famous Battle of New
Orleans, the dramatic conclu-
sion to the 1975 500cc National
Championship series. That day
offered up real-life collisions and
rumors of collusion, as Yamaha's
Jim Weinert won the title over
a fast group of contenders. The
tension on the track that day
hung as heavy as the humidity in
the air, and the motojournalists
present made note of this drama.
For better or worse, AMA Moto
-
cross had changed.
Flip that calendar back just 12
months, to the 250/500cc AMA
National held at the same track.
Bultacos, Ossas and CZs crack
the top 10. A rider who was still
in the hunt for a championship
casually switches brands dur
-
ing the week. Two major teams
don't even think enough of the
AMA Motocross scene to even
show up. If 1975 was the Battle
of New Orleans, 1974 at New
Orleans was a thumb war. What
a difference a year can make!
The fight for the 250cc Na
-
tional title was still up for grabs
when the series visited the New
Orleans track. Team Honda's Billy
Grossi had been running away
with the championship before
suffering a broken leg, so the
title chase had been left to Gary
Jones and Marty Tripes, two
other former Honda team racers.
Jones, on the then-new Can-Am
machine, had yet to win a race all
season, but consistent finishes
had moved him into the points
lead heading into the final round.
CNIIARCHIVES
P148
BY KENT TAYLOR
THE THUMB WAR OF
NEW ORLEANS
When Can-Am
swept the
championship
podium and
the Honda and
Yamaha factory
teams didn't
even show up.
In 1974, Honda
rider Marty Tripes
was in the title fight
going into the last
round of the AMA
250cc Motocross
Championship in
Louisiana. Can-Am
convinced him to
change brands just
before the race.
