MITCH PAYTON’S SUPERSONIC PLAYBOOK: PART TWO

Casting one’s eyes upon championship-winning motocross bikes—the actual bikes that crossed finish lines to win number-one plates—can be, if one is open to it, a mesmerizing crash course in moto history. Nowhere is this dynamic more evident than in the lobby of the big white building visible from the 91 freeway in Corona, California. Motocross Action swung by Pro Circuit to catch up with Pro Circuit overlord and mastermind Mitch Payton. We let Mitch hand picked six of the bikes in his museum. Here is bike number one.

By Eric Johnson/Photos: Ryne Swanberg

MICKAEL PICHON’S 1995 TEAM SPLITFIRE/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI KX125

ON MICKAEL: “In 1993, Mickael Pichon came over to race in America. He was riding a Honda, but we helped him out by taking his bike in our truck to three Supercross races, and he won the third race at San Diego and then went home to France. I said, ‘Man, we’ve got to get that kid.’ I went to the 1994 French GP, and it snowed and rained and it was miserable. Mickael won both motos by 20 or 30 seconds. It was a phenomenal ride, and I convinced him to come to the United States.

LIVING IN AMERICA: It wasn’t easy for him. He didn’t speak English very well. That’s one of the reasons why I respect any of the Euros, Aussies, Kiwis or South Africans. They leave their family and friends and move to a strange country. That’s hard. But, Mickael made it work, and he won the 1995 125cc East Supercross Championship on this bike. We’re still friends to this day. He was awesome. I loved his talent. He could ride Supercross really well. The way he rode it was real easy—very mellow and fast.”

To read Part One on Jeremy McGrath’s 1992 Team Peak Honda, click here.

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