Cycle News Grand Prix Motocross: – Dirt Rider Magazine

This large, softcover book published by Cycle News is very unusual, even for a “new” tome which covers a race season from more than 30 years ago.In 1972, author Terry Pratt traveled the European MX circuit and sent reports back to U.S. magazines of the time. In addition to race coverage of 250cc and 500cc GPs and the Trophee des Nations (half of the two-part event that has become the modern MXoN), Pratt also visited with some factory and race teams. The odd part is that each of the chapters remains in original form as written in 1972 with no additional commentary. The only editorial look at the compiled history is the author’s foreword. Nevertheless, the book will be intensely interesting to motocross fans who revere the era of Joel Robert and Roger DeCoster.As Pratt points out in the foreword, 1972 was a pivotal year, as the Japanese brands arrived in full force and the suspension revolution began. As interesting as the time-capsule text is, the 300 large-format black-and-white photographs are the real treasure here. Considering camera equipment and film of the era, the photos are of outstanding quality. There are plenty of personality and background images, in addition to the excellent race shots. With tax and shipping the $39.95 book will ding you for nearly $50, but if you care about the era, the price is probably not an issue. I love my copy and share it often. -Karel Kramer714.751.7433