Factory Riders:
For 1983, Yamaha contracted three riders to ride the new works OW125 for the upcoming 1983 season.
In the USA, Ron Lechein (U.S.A) was contracted to ride the AMA championships.
In Europe, Jim Gibson(U.S.A) and Pekka Vehkonen (Finland) were contracted to ride the GP's.
In the USA, Ron Lechein (U.S.A) was contracted to ride the AMA championships.
In Europe, Jim Gibson(U.S.A) and Pekka Vehkonen (Finland) were contracted to ride the GP's.
Ron Lechien:
Jim Gibson:
Pekka Vehkonen
The Championships:
For the 1983 125cc World Titles, Jim Gibson was the most successful Yamaha works riders with a third overall for the year.
The final placings were as follows.
1) Eric Geboers (Suzuki)
2) Michéle Rinaldi (Suzuki)
3) Jim Gibson (Yamaha)
For the 1983 125cc AMA Titles, Lechien placed 4th overall for the year. From RacerX:
"The 125 class saw Mark Barnett’s three year reign end. He was still fast, as he actually won more races than the year before, but ended the series third in the championship chase. A slow 125 and some DNF’s would haunt the Bomber, and he would have to hand his crown over to Honda’s Johnny O’Mara. O’Mara was a budding superstar on a very fast Honda who trained just as much as Barnett and used speed and consistency to win the title. Jeff Ward was right there also, and those three had to deal with a 16-year old rookie from El Cajon, California named Ronnie Lechien.
Lechien won three nationals this season and even held off Barnett at the finale in Millville for 40 minutes—a shocker. Barnett needed that moto win, also, as the Suzuki rider was going for the all-new Grand National Championship title, which combined motocross and supercross points. The winner would wear a new yellow on blue number one plate for the 1984 season. Lechien’s win in Minnesota was a clear signal that the kids were now in command in the 125 class"
The final placings were as follows.
1) Johnny O'Mara (Honda)
2) Jeff Ward (Kawasaki)
3) Mark Barnett (Suzuki)
4) Ron Lechien (Yamaha)
The final placings were as follows.
1) Eric Geboers (Suzuki)
2) Michéle Rinaldi (Suzuki)
3) Jim Gibson (Yamaha)
For the 1983 125cc AMA Titles, Lechien placed 4th overall for the year. From RacerX:
"The 125 class saw Mark Barnett’s three year reign end. He was still fast, as he actually won more races than the year before, but ended the series third in the championship chase. A slow 125 and some DNF’s would haunt the Bomber, and he would have to hand his crown over to Honda’s Johnny O’Mara. O’Mara was a budding superstar on a very fast Honda who trained just as much as Barnett and used speed and consistency to win the title. Jeff Ward was right there also, and those three had to deal with a 16-year old rookie from El Cajon, California named Ronnie Lechien.
Lechien won three nationals this season and even held off Barnett at the finale in Millville for 40 minutes—a shocker. Barnett needed that moto win, also, as the Suzuki rider was going for the all-new Grand National Championship title, which combined motocross and supercross points. The winner would wear a new yellow on blue number one plate for the 1984 season. Lechien’s win in Minnesota was a clear signal that the kids were now in command in the 125 class"
The final placings were as follows.
1) Johnny O'Mara (Honda)
2) Jeff Ward (Kawasaki)
3) Mark Barnett (Suzuki)
4) Ron Lechien (Yamaha)