Cam Jeffrey Emig (born December 1, 1970) is an
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
former professional
motocross
Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom.
History
Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...
racer.
He competed in the
AMA Motocross Championship
The AMA Motocross Championship (commercially known as Lucas Oil Pro Motocross) is an American motorcycle racing series. The motocross race series was founded and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1972. The series is th ...
s from 1988 to 1999. He was one of the top American motocross racers of the 1990s.
During his motorcycle racing career, Emig won four
AMA Motocross Championship
The AMA Motocross Championship (commercially known as Lucas Oil Pro Motocross) is an American motorcycle racing series. The motocross race series was founded and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1972. The series is th ...
s, an
FIM
FIM may refer to:
Organizations and companies
* Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, the International Motorcycling Federation
* Flint Institute of Music, in Michigan, United States
* Fox Interactive Media, now News Corp. Digital Media
* ...
World
Supercross
The AMA Supercross Championship (commercially known as Monster Energy AMA Supercross) is an American motorcycle racing series. Founded by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1974, the AMA Supercross Championship races are held from ...
title and was a six-time member of the U.S.
Motocross des Nations
The Motocross des Nations (in French) is an annual team motocross race, where riders representing their country meet at what is billed as the "Olympics of Motocross". The event has been staged since 1947, where the team of Bill Nicholson, Fred Rist ...
team.
He was inducted to the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association, recognizing individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction, or motorcycling in general. It also displays motorcycles ...
in 2004.
Motorcycle racing career
Emig was born in
Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City, abbreviated as "KCK", is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas, and the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is an inner suburb of the older and more populous Kansas City, Missouri, after which it is named. As of ...
where he began trail riding on motorcycles with his family.
He followed his older brother in taking up the sport of motocross.
He was successful as an amateur racer winning four titles at the
AMA Amateur Motocross Nationals at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Tennessee.
In 1990, Emig joined the
Kawasaki factory racing team earning a fifth-place finish in the 1990 125cc national championship.
His impressive results earned him a contract to ride for the
Yamaha Yamaha may refer to:
* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services, established in 1887. The company is the largest shareholder of Yamaha Motor Company (below).
** Yamaha Music Foundation, an organization estab ...
factory racing team in 1991.
1991 was also the year in which he began his career long rivalry with
Jeremy McGrath
Jeremy McGrath (born November 19, 1971) is one of the most popular American Motocross/Supercross champions in the history of the sport, racking up seven Supercross championships. He was most active in the 1990s earning the title the "King of S ...
.
In 1992, Emig won his first AMA national race in the 125 class in Buchanan, Michigan then, went on to win six of the seven nationals to earn his first AMA National Championship.
In 1996, Emig returned to the Kawasaki team and had one of his best seasons in 1997. In the 13 round series he won seven races, finished second five times, and had one fifth-place finish.
He won 17 of the 26 motos that year claiming the 250cc motocross national championship as well as the 250cc supercross championship.
In 1999, Emig was arrested for marijuana possession.
Emig pled guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia, and the charges for marijuana possession were dropped however, he lost his job with the Kawasaki racing team.
Emig gained respect from his peers for taking full responsibility for his actions and blaming only himself.
He would return as a privateer with a few sponsors and riding a Yamaha YZ250. He had his last major victory just a few weeks after being dropped by Kawasaki; winning the US Open of Supercross in
Las Vegas
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
.
On December 30, 1999, at the track of fellow Yamaha rider and neighbor Stephane Roncada in Riverside County, California, Emig came up short on a triple jump, reportedly snapping both forearms above the wrist. The end of Emig's career came on May 4, 2000, when he was preparing for the National Motocross Championship later that year. Emig suffered another horrific crash where he crushed a vertebra in his back and compound fractured his right lower leg, forcing him into retirement.
Emig's starting prowess was legendary. His clutch control and first corner fearlessness saw him lead many races into the first turn in the 1990s. He was notoriously hard to pass, and always rode with his elbows high up in an outward position. During his 11-year professional career, Emig earned 37 AMA national wins.
He is still involved in motocross on several levels, including television color commentary on Speed and CBS. Emig was inducted into the
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association, recognizing individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction, or motorcycling in general. It also displays motorcycles ...
in 2004.
Jeff Emig's involvement with the world of motocross continues. Mid year 2016 it was announced that Jeff will become Husqvarna ambassador and spokesman.
Quote: Husqvarna Motorcycles strongly believes in the importance of this foundation and Emig's involvement will only bring forward momentum to this industry-wide initiative. Current advisor and acting president of the USMCA, Mark Blackwell, also sees the connection between Emig and association critical to success.
Lately, Emig has announced for AMA Supercross. For 2019, Emig is currently tv color commentating/broadcasting the "World MotoCross GP".
Major titles
*Multi-time Amateur National Motocross Champion
*1992 125 AMA National Motocross Champion (Yamaha)
*1996 250 AMA National Motocross Champion (Kawasaki)
*1997 250 AMA Supercross Champion (Kawasaki)
*1997 250 AMA National Motocross Champion (Kawasaki)
*1997 King of Bercy (Kawasaki)
*1999 US OPEN champion (Yamaha)
*1992-1997 member of the mx of nations for team USA
Total Career AMA Wins
*13 Wins in 125/250 AMA Motocross 6-1992 5-1993 2-1994
*7 Wins in 250/450 AMA Supercross 1-1995 1-1996 5-1997
*16 Wins in 250/450 AMA Motocross 1-1995 4-1996 7-1997 4-1998
*36 Total AMA Wins 6-1992 5-1993 2-1994 2-1995 5-1996 12-1997 4-1998
*Has won his class in the Motocross of Nations on every displacement 125,250 and 500
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Emig, Jeff
1970 births
Living people
Sportspeople from Kansas City, Kansas
American motocross riders
AMA Motocross Championship National Champions