Southwick
Southwick, MA
The sandbox of the Pro Motocross circuit, Southwick takes its name from the quaint southern Massachusetts town (population < 10,000!) where the course lies. Known for its rough and treacherous conditions, The Wick 338 is the track where locals shine the most. Its origins date back to the early 70s when a group of dads from the American Legion Post 338 carved out a course for their children.
Fast Facts
Venues
Southwick held its very first NESC motocross race in 1972 to raise money for some local charities. This event was held down the road from the track’s current location.
One year later, Bernie Yelin and a group of fathers and volunteers cleared the woods behind the American Legion Post 338 and created a course on the same property where Pro Motocross races today.
The Wick 338 held its first Pro Motocross round just three years after Yelin and crew created the original layout. While the venue has undergone many changes and tweaks (even track direction) Southwick has been an almost constant presence on the schedule (1976-1982, 1986-2013, 2016-present).
It is currently operated by the Johnson family, with local legend Keith Johnson managing the racetrack.
The inaugural Southwick MX was the finale of the 250 Pro Motocross season and was, fittingly, dominated by Dutch sand master Pierre Karsmakers who went 1-1. The Dutch rider put his Honda near the front in the first moto, applying pressure to Bob Hannah and Brad Lackey. Hannah, who was on break from the 125MX series, led the first half of the race before fading back as Lackey and Karsmakers battled. Late in the race, Lackey washed the front end of his motorcycle which gave away the win.
Karsmakers controlled the second moto, taking the lead on lap three and pulling away.
Tony DiStefano claimed his second of three consecutive 250MX titles after Jimmy Weinert missed the final round due to injury.
The 1998 Southwick National was a muddy one, but was also a race that made the New England fans happy. Connecticut’s Doug Henry scored a brilliant 1-1 victory aboard his Yamaha YZ400F. Henry tracked down Honda’s Ezra Lusk in the first moto, passing him halfway through the race. Henry pulled the holeshot in the second moto and slowly pulled away from teammate Kevin Windham to take the checkered flag.
In the 125 class, Massachusetts’ own John Dowd secured a 1-1 day of his own. After several runner-up finishes in the weeks leading up to Southwick, Dowd’s mud racing expertise helped him put on a clinic as Ricky Carmichael was knocked out of the first moto with a bike issue and finished 2nd in moto 2. Dowd’s win would be the only time from 1997-2007 that Carmichael didn’t win the Southwick National in his class, and the Junkyard Dog’s triumph is still remembered by the Southwick faithful.
With Ryan Villopoto and Mike Alessi injured early in the season and James Stewart on a Supercross-only deal, 2009 was already shaping up to be a wild and wide open season. Then the series wen to The Wick looked where Australians Chad Reed, Jake Moss and Michael Byrne, went 1-2-3 in moto 1.
Just as Reed looked set to dominate the second moto, he went down in the muddy conditions and handed the lead to Yamaha fill-in rider Matt Goerke(!?). The Floridian scored his one and only overall win with a 6-1 finish, holding off local hero, 44-year-old John Dowd to take the moto win and the overall. Dowd’s 10-2 was good enough for 3rd overall, the last ever podium in his long career.
In the 250 class, teenager Justin Barcia spoiled the Ryan Dungey/Christophe Pourcel title fight by taking his first Pro Motocross victory.
The Goat, Ricky Carmichael absolutely dominated at Southwick, winning all eight appearances in the premier 250/450 class between 2000-2007. RC averaged 48 (out of 50) points per race in that span.
In the 125 class, Carmichael won in 1997 and 1999, giving him 10 overall wins in his 11 appearances. What’s completely bonkers is that Southwick wasn’t even RC’s best venue on the metric of points scored and motos won…
This interactive table details the all-time leaders at Southwick. Who has the most starts, wins, podiums and points. Filter by class. On mobile, slide left to access more columns. To see all years of data, become a member of the We Went Fast Garage and help us continue (and expand) these unique views of the sport’s history.
All-Time Leaders
This interactive table details the Southwick winners history. Who won in what year and what round was this venue. Filter by class. On mobile, slide left to access more columns. To see all years of data, become a member of the We Went Fast Garage and help us continue (and expand) these unique views of the sport’s history.