Page Content Updated 9/29/2009

Tribute To The 1985 Novices

The Novice Division was the entry-level professional flat track racing division from the early 1920s until 1986, when the AMA dissolved the classification. The number of "first year professionals" dwindled significantly after the shift from 250cc to 500cc engines in 1984, and in 1985 only 119 individuals held Novices licenses. This page recognizes those riders who composed the final class of AMA professional Novices back in 1985.

In 1985, the AMA changed the number plate scheme for Novices from the traditional red-on-white to white-on-red. The Junior designation remained unchanged: black-on-yellow/orange.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Craig Grismore, Dave Hoenig, Dante D'Ambruoso, Bob Herrick, and Pete Giammalvo for assisting me with this collecting and verifying information.

In the table below, all riders who competed with a Novice competition license in 1985 are listed, sorted by their 1985 Novice competition number. If the rider advanced to the Junior Division during the 1985 season, the rider's Junior competition number is shown in the second column, using the black-on-orange designation for the Junior plate. If the rider continued competing in 1986, the rider's competition number(s) are shown in the fifth and sixth columns. The AMA redesignated the "Novice" classification as "Pro-Am" for 1986, yet maintained the although the designataion Pro-Am (white-on-red) or a Junior (black-on-orange). The fifth column indicates the highest rank that rider achieved in their professional career.

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