Ep. #14 When We Were Kings: Team USA wins the 1981 Trophée & Motocross des Nations

09/06/21 • 60 min

Forty years ago a quartet of young Americans traveled to Europe and turned the World Motocross community on its head. Danny LaPorte, Chuck Sun, Donnie Hansen and Johnny O’Mara won the Trophée des Nations (250) on Sept. 6, 1981 in Lommel, Belgium and then the Motocross des Nations (500) a week later in West Germany.

Episode #14 is a special collaboration between Racer X Illustrated and We Went Fast. “When We Were Kings”, was an article that ran in the September/October 1998 issue of Racer X Illustrated. Yes, 1998, when Racer X was in its first year as a full color glossy and only printing 6 times a year. “When We Were Kings” is the story behind how the team was formed and how they pulled off the most stunning upset in motocross history.

“Team USA Shocks the World” is available as a 12×16-in. print. Click the photo to visit the product page.

Here’s a brief synopsis if you’re not already familiar: In 1981, for the third year in a row, the AMA wasn’t even going to send a team. Then a magazine editor named Dick Miller stepped in to take over the organizing efforts and whipped up interest. The man literally held bake sale-style events to raise money.

Winning one of the events would have been massive. Winning both was shocking. Be sure leave a review and rating and share this show with a friend.

And if you find this story inspiring, you’ll love the new print available at wewentfast.com/shop. The newest art collaboration between Tim Glasspool and We Went Fast pays homage to the 1981 Team USA quartet who brought home America’s first victory at the Trophee and Motocross des Nations. It’s available at wewentfast.com/shop. Or click the photo above.

Johnny O’Mara, Danny Laporte, Chuck Sun and Donnie Hansen on the podium at the MXoN 1981 – Henny Ray Abrams Photo
Johnny O’Mara (r) and Danny Laporte, Chuck Sun at the MXoN 1981 in West Germany – Henny Ray Abrams Photo
Donnie Hansen at the Trophee des Nations in 1981 in Lommel – Henny Ray Abrams Photo
Johnny O’Mara, Danny Laporte, Chuck Sun and Donnie Hansen relax between motos at the MXoN 1981 – Henny Ray Abrams Photo
Chuck Sun, Donnie Hansen MXoN 1981

“Team USA Shocks the World” is available as a 12×16-in. print. Click the photo to visit the product page.

Winning one of the events would have been massive. Winning both was shocking. Be sure leave a review and rating and share this show with a friend.

Johnny O’Mara, Danny Laporte, Chuck Sun and Donnie Hansen on the podium at the MXoN 1981 – Henny Ray Abrams Photo
Johnny O’Mara (r) and Danny Laporte, Chuck Sun at the MXoN 1981 in West Germany – Henny Ray Abrams Photo
Donnie Hansen at the Trophee des Nations in 1981 in Lommel – Henny Ray Abrams Photo
Johnny O’Mara, Danny Laporte, Chuck Sun and Donnie Hansen relax between motos at the MXoN 1981 – Henny Ray Abrams Photo
Chuck Sun, Donnie Hansen MXoN 1981

Previous Episode

Ep. #14 When We Were Kings: Team USA wins the 1981 Trophée & Motocross des Nations

Forty years ago a quartet of young Americans traveled to Europe and turned the World Motocross community on its head. Danny LaPorte, Chuck Sun, Donnie Hansen and Johnny O'Mara won the Trophée des Nations (250) on Sept. 6, 1981 in Lommel, Belgium and then the Motocross des Nations (500) a week later in West Germany.

Episode #14 is a special collaboration between Racer X Illustrated and We Went Fast. “When We Were Kings”, was an article that ran in the September/October 1998 issue of Racer X Illustrated. Yes, 1998, when Racer X was in its first year as a full color glossy and only printing 6 times a year. "When We Were Kings" is the story behind how the team was formed and how they pulled off the most stunning upset in motocross history.

Next Episode

Ep. #15 No Planes in the Sky: The Grounding of Team USA 2001

We all remember where we were and what we were doing on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Beyond those chilling hours of trying to make sense of the news and horrific images it gets fuzzy.

This is a story about what the members of Team USA 2001 did on the morning of Sept. 11. How they reacted, where they went, what decisions they made. Or didn’t make.

It’s difficult to write a story about something that didn’t happen. Team USA didn’t go to Belgium for the 2001 Motocross of Nations. Heck, it’s hard to remember the story behind something that didn’t happen.

And that’s why I wrote a story about a team that didn’t go, about bikes that didn’t get ridden, about memories difficult to unpack. Telling stories isn’t always easy, especially when it’s something nobody really wants to remember.

Thank you to the 21 people interviewed for this and those who helped with the photo assets. Want to read the print story and see more of the photos of the Team USA bikes?

You can find that at this link.

Help us continue to tell stories such as this one by checking out our apparel, hats and artwork at shop.wewentfast.com