| Mike LaRocco | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | February 12, 1971 (age 53) Michigan City, Indiana |
| Motocross career | |
| Years active | 1988 - 2006 |
| Teams | Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki |
| Championships | AMA 500cc - 1993AMA 250cc - 1994FIM World Supercross - 2000 |
Michael Wayne “Mike” LaRocco (born February 12, 1971) is an American former professional motocross and supercross racer.[1] He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1988 to 2006. During his nineteen-year professional motocross career, LaRocco won two AMA Motocross Championships and one FIM World Supercross title.[1] He was inducted to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2014.[1]
Born in Michigan City, Indiana, LaRocco competed professionally from 1988 to 2006.[1][2] LaRocco began his motocross racing career riding a Yamaha then, signed a contract to race for the Suzuki factory racing team and placed third in the 1990 AMA 250cc national championship.
In 1992, he switched to the Kawasaki team and won the 1993 500cc Motocross national championship, becoming the final AMA 500cc champion when the AMA discontinued the class after the 1993 season.[1][2] LaRocco also won the 1994 250cc Motocross national championship, the 2000 World Supercross title and the 2002 U.S. Open Supercross Championship.[1] In 2002 another rider caused LaRocco to crash at a small town Supercross event. The accident caused LaRocco to dislocate his wrist and tear ligaments in his leg. The injury caused him to discontinue the Supercross season, the first time in seven years he had not participated.
He retired in 2006 with 53 podium appearances in the 450cc class and 16 in the 125cc class.[1] At the time of his retirement, he had finished in the top five 145 times.[3] LaRocco was inducted to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2014.[1][4]
In 1991, a 120 ft triple jump was constructed at Red Bud motocross track in Buchanan, Michigan. It was modeled after "Kong", a large jump found at LaRocco's personal track. Track co-owner Tim Ritchie decided to build a replica of the jump at the Red Bud track. It was later named after LaRocco as he became the first person to clear it, doing so on a 125cc motorcycle.