I remember it very well, as it was my first ever Motocross des Nations as a media guy. Australia had only joined the MXdN journey a few years early in 1984, when Aussie legend, Stephen Gall was joined by Trevor Williams, Vaughan Style and David Armstrong. If I am honest, despite being a huge motocross fan, I didn’t know much about this event, but once the Aussies started competing, it became somewhat better known in Australia.

Held on the weekend of 15-16 September 1984 in Varberg, Sweden, the Aussies were clearly outridden. Due to the high costs of sending an Aussie team to Europe, Team Australia only competed in the Trophee des Nations in Sweden. It was felt that Australia would have a better chance of success in the 250cc class.

The Aussies were competitive, but due to a series of mechanical failures, including a rare stator coil failure on Williams Kawasaki in the qualifying heats, the Australian team was relegated to the B final, but more importantly, they were now involved and knew what to expect in the following years. Stephen Gall and Trevor Williams finished in third and fourth places, respectively, Australia finished in third last position as Armstrong and Style dropped out due to mechanical issues.

Just two years later, at the Maggiora circuit in Italy, Craig Dack finished fourth in a moto and fourth overall in the 250 class and Australia finished fourth overall. A year later in USA, at a very muddy Unadilla event, it was a different story, as they struggled big time and never showed anything of their 1986 form.

Rain played a major factor in the 87 Motocross des Nations, which was held for the first time ever in the United States. The hilly course turned into a quagmire, giving what many thought was an advantage to the Europeans. But when it was all over, the U.S. prevailed with two points to spare over the Dutch team consisting of Dave Strijbos, Kees Van der Ven and John Van Den Berk. Third place fell to the Belgians with Marc Velkeneers, Erik Geboers and Georges Jobe; Germany and France rounded out the top five. Team U.S.A. totaled five points, Netherlands seven and Belgium nine.

Because of the rains and muddy track conditions, the decision to run a different race format came after practice. The original plan to run the 125, 250 and 500cc classes together in three motos, counting the best six scores of each country was discarded. Instead, a two-class, three moto format was used.

The first moto included the 125 and 500cc riders, the second moto the 125 and 250ccs, and the final moto the 250cc and 500ccs. Thus, riders would only have to race twice and there would be less racers on the track at one time. After completing all motos, the top four (out of a possible six) motos of each country were added, and the country with the lowest point total was declared the winner.

The overall winner in the first 125/500cc moto was 1987 500cc World Champion Jobe, while French rider Jean-Michel Bayle topped the 125cc race with a fifth overall. The next two motos were aced by Johnson, while the 125cc and 500cc winners were Hannah and Van der Ven, respectively.

After the first moto, the U.S. team was in third place, three points behind both the Dutch and Belgians, but Johnson sparked the U.S.A team and the American crowd to life with the overall moto victory in heat two. Hannah, meanwhile, became the crowd favourite by topping the 125cc class with an incredible third overall. Going into the final moto, the U.S. team was tied for the lead with Belgium, but Johnson’s class victory was enough to capture the Motocross des Nations Championship.

A steady downpour made the Unadilla course extremely difficult to ride, and with the Europeans known to be such strong mud riders, it was felt by many observers that this would be the year the U.S.’s win streak would come to an end.

Everything was on the line for the start of the third and final moto. It was the 250/500cc heat, and to clinch the title for the U.S., either Johnson or Ward had to win their class. But when the gate dropped, it was Van der Ven jamming into the lead followed by Johnson, Geboers, Van Den Berk, Nicoll and Ward. In the first turn, Johnson. and Ward almost collided.

In the next couple of turns, Ward was running sixth behind Van der Ven, Johnson, Geboers, Van Der Berk and Nicoll. On the same lap, Jobe ended Belgium’s hopes for the title when he went off the course and got banners wrapped around his rear wheel.

The unscheduled stop put Jobe far back in the pack. Geboers was having problems himself. He fell in the mud during the second lap, and eventually fell a coupIe of more times before the race was through. At this point, six minutes into the race, Ward was on the move, and Johnson was cruising out in front. Ward set out after, and passed Nicoll and Van Den Berk, then began reeling in Van der Ven.

Late in the race, near the 25-minute point, Ward had gained noticeably on Van der Ven and was searching for a line around the KTM rider in the thick and slimy mud. Although Ward got close, he could never launch a serious attack against the Dutchman, especially on the last lap when Ward crashed. Well in command of the lead, three laps from the finish, Johnson into the mechanics’ area, but there were no goggles to be found. Goggleless, Johnson crossed the finish line cleanly ahead of Van der Ven (first 500cc), Ward (500cc), Nicoll,Van DenBerk (second 250cc) and Geboers. American had again won the biggest race in the motocross calendar.

Unadilla, USA - September 1987

Race 1 (125/500) Top 15

1. Georges Jobé (Belgium/Honda 500)

2. Kees Van Der Ven (Netherlands/KTM 500)

3. Jeff Ward (USA/Kawasaki 500)

4. Kurt Ljunqvist (Finland/500)

5. Jean-Michel Bayle (France/Honda 125)

6. Dave Strijbos (Netherlands/Cagiva 125)

7. Ditmar Lacher (Germany/Honda 500)

8. Marc Velkeneers (Belgium 125)

9. Bob Hannah (USA/Suzuki 125)

10. Tonus (Switzerland/500)

11. Peter Hansson (Sweden/125)

12. Arto Pantilla (Germany/125)

13. Corado Maddii (Italy/125)

14. Svendsen (Denmark/500)

15. Stig Thingaard (Denmark/125)

Race 2 (125/250) Top 15

1. Rick Johnson (USA/Honda 250)

2. Eric Geboers (Belgium/Honda 250)

3. Bob Hannah (USA/Suzuki 125)

4. Corado Maddii (Italy/125)

5. Marc Velkeneers (Belgium 125)

6. Arto Pantilla (Germany/125)

7. John Van Den Berk (Netherlands/Yamaha 250)

8. Roland Diepold (Germany/250)

9. Yannig Kervella (France/Honda 250)

10. Soren Mortensen (Denmark/250)

11. Peter Johansson (Sweden/250)

12. Peter Hansson (Sweden/125)

13. Michele Rinaldi (Italy/Suzuki 250)

14. Simo Taimi (Finland/250)

15. Pasi Hagstrom (Finland/Kawasaki 125)

Race 3 (250/500) Top 15

1. Rick Johnson (USA/Honda 250)

2. Kees Van Der Ven (Netherlands/KTM 500)

3. Jeff Ward (USA/Kawasaki 500)

4. Kurt Nicoll (Great Britain/Kawasaki 500)

5. John Van Den Berk (Netherlands/Yamaha 250)

6. Eric Geboers (Belgium/Honda 250)

7. Roland Diepold (Germany/250)

8. Mortensen (Denmark/250)

9. Yannig Kervella (France/Honda 250)

10. Ditmar Lacher (Germany/Honda 500)

11. Peter Johansson (Sweden/250)

12. Romano Nannini (Italy/500)

13. Michele Rinaldi (Italy/Suzuki 250)

14. Giovanni Cavatorta (San Marino/500)

15. Dennis Birrer (Switzerland/250)

Nations Top Three

1. USA (Rick Johnson, Jeff Ward, Bob Hannah)

2. Netherlands (Kees Van Der Ven, Dave Strijbos, John Van Den Berk)

3. Belgium (Georges Jobé, Eric Geboers, Marc Velkeneers)