FLASHBACK FRIDAY: RICKY CARMICHAEL — THE EARLY YEARS

Ricky Carmichael’s first professional race was at Steel City in 1996. He placed 8th overall. 

Many of the greatest racers in motocross started their career on a Kawasaki. Some, like Ryan Villopoto, raced their whole career on a Kawasaki. Others, like Jeff Emig, started their careers on a Kawasaki, left for another brand, and came back after an extended period. Ricky Carmichael raced a Kawasaki since his dominant amateur days. He turned Pro at Steel City in 1996 and was part of Mitch Payton’s Pro Circuit Kawasaki team. Carmichael made no reservations in proving his worth in the 1997 season. Six races into the 125 Eastern Regional Supercross series, Ricky climbed atop the podium in Atlanta. Carmichael’s skills were on full display in the 125 East/West Shootout in Las Vegas, where he was all over 125 West Champion, Kevin Windham, like a cheap suit. While Windham ultimately won the race, Carmichael made his presence known. Little did Kevin Windham know that he would have to deal with Ricky for the next decade.

In 1997 Ricky went on to win the 125cc National title. 

While Carmichael had silenced the naysayers in the 1997 Supercross with a third overall in the 125 East, his talents were more suited for the great outdoors. Back in the 1990’s, the opening round of the National series was held in Gainesville, Florida, during the middle of the Supercross season. The 125 National opener was epic. Kevin Windham, Mike Craig and Robbie Reynard were up front, while Carmichael was mired back in the pack with two-time defending 125 National Champ, Steve Lamson. The two charged to the front, while others faltered. Ricky had hoped to wear down Lamson, but Steve was undeterred. The Honda rider powered away with the first moto victory, while Carmichael finished second. In the second moto RC got away early and went 2-1 for his first overall victory. It would turn out to be victory number one of 26–a record that would stand until James Stewart came along.

Ricky with the number 1 plate in 1998. 

Carmichael ended up toppling the competition in the 1997 AMA 125 Nationals, finishing 95 points ahead (nearly two full rounds) of Kevin Windham. It would be the first 125 National Championship for Mitch Payton’s Pro Circuit Kawasaki team, and the first title for Carmichael. A year later he won eight of 12 rounds to clinch his second consecutive 125 National title. In 1998 he also won every round of the 125 East. He was the first rider in history to win every single 125 Regional Supercross round in a year.

Ricky in his rookie year on a 250 racing Supercross in 1999. 

By 2001, Carmichael had four National Championships and a 125 East Supercross title. He moved up to the 250 Supercross class in 1999, but went through the meat grinder and only managed 16th overall in the standings. However, he returned to the 125 Nationals and once again blew away the field. In 2000, he had much greater success in the 250 class. He finished fifth in Supercross, won at Daytona, and won nine of 12 Nationals en route to his first 250 National title. The 2001 Supercross series was a changing of the guard.

Ricky holeshoting the sea of 250 riders in 2000. 

Jeremy “Showtime” McGrath had basically owned the Supercross series since 1993. However, the student (Carmichael) surpassed the master at Anaheim 3. The two had flip-flopped race wins through the opening four rounds. The battle came to a head at A3 in what shall forever be known as a passing of the Supercross torch. From that point forward Carmichael owned the series, winning the remaining rounds. In total, he would capture 14 main event victories in 2001. It was unreal. While 2001 was his last year on a Kawasaki, Carmichael had established himself as the dominant Champion. Apparently the brand of bike didn’t matter to “The GOAT!”

Ricky Carmichael went on to dethrone the king of Supercross Jeremy McGrath in 2001.

Ricky Carmichael watches his bike being serviced at Washougal in 2001. That’s Chad Watts changing out the triple clamp in the foreground. 

Ricky Carmichael celebrates one of his many wins at Unadilla in 2001.