Carmichael Will Be Pursuing Perfection

Championships have already been decided in the two AMA outdoor motocross series, but a pair of remarkable winning streaks will be on the line today in the season finale at Glen Helen Raceway Park in Devore.

Ricky Carmichael clinched his fifth consecutive 250cc title last week and will attempt to complete his second undefeated season on the hillside course. The Honda rider from Havana, Fla., went undefeated in 2002, a feat never before accomplished.

“No one thought a perfect season could be done, but now that we know it is possible I’m looking forward to doing it again,” he said.

Carmichael, 24, will ride two 30-minute motos, plus two laps of the treacherous Glen Helen course, which features two of the steepest hills in the series. Two wins would give him 24 without a loss.

Carmichael has won three times at Glen Helen and also earlier won the 125cc support class a record three times. It will be his final ride on a Honda.

Starting with the U.S. Open next month in Las Vegas, Carmichael will ride for Suzuki.

Back of Carmichael, Australian Chad Reed, on a Yamaha, will be trying to hold off Honda’s Kevin Windham in a battle for second place. When Reed fell last week at Demont, Pa., Windham closed to within six points of second place.

Before moving up to the 250cc class, Carmichael held every record on a 125cc bike. Then along came James “Bubba” Stewart, a teenager from Haines City, Fla., who wiped out the last of Carmichael’s records last week when he won his 27th career event on a Kawasaki.

Today will be Stewart’s last ride on a 125. He is moving up to challenge Carmichael on a 250 next year. He clinched his third championship two events ago.

Stewart will be on a new motorcycle for his final 125cc outing. Instead of his familiar two-stroke, he will ride a factory Kawasaki KX250F four-stroke for the first time in competition.

“I figured I’d give it a try to do something different,” Stewart said. “With those big hills at Glen Helen I figure I’ll need the extra power.”