Company messages

 Kramer must file for bankruptcy.
BPS is attempting to replace SWM with Gori.
Keith McCarty becomes manager of Yamaha USA Racing Division. He joined Yamaha USA in 1977 as a mechanic for Bob Hannah.
Jacky Martens receives his first factory contract. He is signed by KTM for the 125cc class.
Cagiva signs Jan Witteven. He will be responsible for racing activities (motocross and GP). He previously worked for Gilera.
Frenchman Gilles Burgat wins the Trial World Championship on an SWM. It was a historic moment, as he broke the decades-long dominance of Spanish brands (Bultaco, Montesa).

Motocross

Models in this year
fim_wc.png125ccm Cross WM
Suzuki signed the experienced Harry Everts to a two-year contract with improved terms for the 125cc class. They did not yet believe the young Geboers was capable of winning the title. Everts, who actually preferred to compete in the 250cc or 500cc class, had to fight hard this season. In the end, however, experience prevailed against the strong competition.
In just his second season, young Eric Geboers had already earned himself a strong reputation. Of course, the advice of his teammate Harry Everts and his brother Sylvain in the Suzuki team had helped him along the way. Now he was ready for the next big step.
Last year's runner-up Michele Rinaldi, now riding the big Gilera, raised high expectations, especially in Italy. Like Nani, Perfini, and Rahier before him, Michele Rinaldi decided against the Bicilindra.
Just as Everts forms a team at Suzuki with the young Geboers as an experienced rider, Gilera also has a powerful team at the start with the veteran Gaston Rahier and the extremely talented Michele Rinaldi. Gaston is getting better and better with the Gilera, but has to fight hard to keep up with the young wild ones. After all, he has been internationally successful for 16 years!
fim_wc.png250ccm Cross Trophée des Nations
Lommel, Belgien, 5.+6. September

  1. USA
  2. Belgien
  3. Niederlande
  4. Luxembourg
  5. Schweden
  6. Deutschland
  7. Finnland
  8. Großbritannien
france.png125ccm Cross France Inter / Elite
Alain Fura brings TGM its first attention with the vice-championship.
italy.png125ccm Cross Campionato italiano
Franco Perfini wins his third national 125cc title. After Simonini in 1978 and Gilera in 1980, now for the third Italian manufacturer: Cagiva.
Michele Rinaldi, who is focusing on the World Championship, remains in fourth place in the national championship behind his Gilera teammate Michele Margarotto.
Maurizio Dolce, the Italian 500cc champion on Maico, rides a TGM in the 125cc class.
World champions of the year
Europe and US champions
National champions