GP’s Classic Steel #76: Classic Threads

For this week’s GP’s Classic Steel (Threads) we are going to take a look back at some more of Greg’s motocross memorabilia collection.

In 1991, Mike Kiedrowski made the switch from Factory Honda to Factory Kawasaki. That was probably a step back in equipment, but at least he no longer had to run Honda’s ugly TX-10 MX apparel.

After missing out on the 1990 125 MX title by a single point to Guy Cooper, the MX Kied would come roaring back in 1991 on his new Kawasaki’s. By season’s end, he would finish a solid fourth overall in Supercross and be the 1991 125 Outdoor Motocross champion.

Because Kiedrowski was always thought of as a serious and buttoned down sort of guy, it was nice to see him show a bit of his funny side in these Answer ads.

While I generally loved this Answer stuff at the time (I actually owned the neon yellow Elite gear. Hey it was the ‘90’s, so sue me), even I had to draw the line at the bizarre alligator print stuff. WTF were they thinking?

Jeff Emig wore this Thor gear in 1996, on his way to his first 250 MX title. These early “gel printed” jerseys were extremely colorful to look at, but incredibly hot to wear. Compared to a modern jersey, this old school F-1 feels more like a sweatshirt.

After spending his entire pro career with Thor, Jeffro would make the jump to Fox’s new startup, Shift for the 1997 season. With Jeff as a spokesman, Shift would quickly become the “it” gear of late nineties moto.

Thor’s heritage stretches all the way back to 1968. Originally known as Torsten Hallman Original Raceware, they switched to just Hallman for a time, before eventually settling on the acronym THOR, in the late eighties.

Riding for Mitch Peyton’s powerhouse Splitfire Pro Circuit squad in 1999, DeWitt, Michigan’s Nick Wey scored the best outdoor finish of his career with a solid forth overall in the 125 class.

Wey’s win at the ’99 Millville round would prove to be the only one of his lengthy career.

In 1999, Team Pro Circuit made the switch to Thor from long-time sponsor AXO. Fourteen years later, the team is still using Thor as their gear supplier.

Today, most people don’t think of Steve Lamson as one of the sport’s greats, but for a time in the mid-nineties, he was nearly unbeatable. On his Cliff White tuned CR125R, Lammy would win nine of thirteen events and score his second 125 National Motocross title in 1996.

In 1995, Fox Racing was given the contract to provide the gear for Team Honda’s motocross program. This meant team riders Steve Lamson and Jeremy McGrath had to drop their individual gear deals with Yoko and Sinisalo for the’95 season. On the bright side, the ’95 and ’96 Fox Red Riders gear was some of the coolest on the track during those seasons.