Northern California Legend Steve Lamson Named Grand Marshal of 56th Hangtown Motocross Classic

Former 125cc Champion is a Four-Time Winner of the Prestigious Event

MORGANTOWN, WV – May 28, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc., in conjunction with event organizer the Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club, has announced that Northern California racing legend and two-time Pro Motocross 125cc Champion Steve Lamson will be honored as Grand Marshal of this weekend’s Michael’s Reno Powersports Hangtown Motocross Classic, the second race of the 2025 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. In this role, Lamson will participate in several engagements at the event, for which he is the co-winningest 125cc racer with four victories that spanned across the 1992 through 2000 seasons.

“We look forward to the opportunity to bring deserved recognition to one of Northern California’s most beloved racers, who proudly represented his home and enjoyed tremendous success in front of the local crowd here at Hangtown,” said Bob Messer, Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club. “His role as Grand Marshal will provide a memorable way to celebrate his career and contributions to building a passion for motocross within the region.”

A native of Pollock Pines, California, which sits less than 40 miles from Prairie City SVRA, the host venue of the Hangtown Motocross Classic, Lamson is one of a handful of racers that are synonymous with Honda’s storied legacy in American motocross thanks to his incredible success as a “Red Rider.” He became one of all-time greats of the hallowed 125cc division, where he captured back-to-back AMA National Championships in 1995 & 1996 and amassed 20 career wins, which places him fourth all-time alongside Jeremy Martin, a racer he guided to back-to-back class titles as team manager at Yamaha Star Racing.

Lamson was a back-to-back 125cc AMA National Champion in 1995 & 1996.
Photo Courtesy Racer X Archives

Lamson’s career started in 1988, and he captured his first career win in a hometown triumph at Hangtown in 1992 at the age of 21, riding for Suzuki. After a move to Honda and a season contesting the premier division, Lamson returned to the 125cc division in 1994 and began a memorable seven-year run with the Japanese marque that brought immense accolades. Along the way, he won the 1996 Hangtown Classic at the age of 25, the 1998 Hangtown Classic at the age of 27, and finally the 2000 Hangtown Classic at the age of 29 for his final career win that cemented his legend status. He also carries the distinction of being the first racer to win a moto outright aboard a 125cc motorcycle at the Motocross of Nations. Lamson’s career spanned an impressive 19 seasons (1988-2007), during which he made an incredible 108 career starts in the 125cc division.

Upon retirement, Lamson served as team manager for several race teams, most notably the aforementioned Yamaha Star Racing unit. He helped guide the brand’s resurgence into the elite of the 250 Class, where Jeremy Martin and Cooper Webb blossomed into champions.

“I’m certainly honored that the Dirt Diggers invited me to be Grand Marshal for Hangtown, but most of all I’m just really excited to be a part of what is sure to be an amazing race,” said Lamson. “This event is very special to me and there’s no better racetrack on the planet, in my opinion. I cannot wait to be a part of it all and look forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces.”

Lamson is a NorCal and Hangtown legend, having won the event four times in 1992, 1996, 1998, and 2000, which included both his first and last career Pro Motocross victories.
Photo Courtesy Racer X Archives

The Michael’s Reno Powersports Hangtown Motocross Classic will serve as Round 18 of the SMX World Championship this Saturday, May 31, from Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova, California.

Tickets are now available for all 11 rounds and can be purchased by visiting www.ProMotocross.com.

For information about the Pro Motocross Championship, please visit ProMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the Pro Motocross social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:

MX Sports Pro Racing

MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc., manages and produces the world’s premier motocross racing series – the Pro Motocross Championship sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. MX Sports Pro Racing is an industry leader in off-road powersport event production and management, whose mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc., organizes events for thousands of racing athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators.

Visit MXSportsProRacing.com for more information.

Pro Motocross Championship

The Pro Motocross Championship sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing features the world’s fastest outdoor motocross racers, competing aboard homologated bikes from one of eight competing manufacturers on a collection of the roughest, toughest tracks on the planet. Racing takes place each Saturday afternoon, with competition divided into two classes: one for 250cc machines, and one for 450cc machines. MX Sports Pro Racing, the industry leader in off-road powersports event production, organizes the Pro Motocross Championship series.

More information can be found at ProMotocross.com.

SMX World Championship

The SMX World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series in the world that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SMX World Championship Series combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the Pro Motocross Championship sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing into a 28-round regular season that culminates with the season-ending SMX World Championship Playoffs.

Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

AMA Pro Racing

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization for North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. It serves as the sanctioning body of the Pro Motocross Championship.

Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at AMAProRacing.com.

Source: MX Sports Pro Racing

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Northern California Legend Steve Lamson Named Grand Marshal of 56th Hangtown Motocross Classic