Jeff Emig
Cam Jeffrey Emig (born December 1, 1970) is an American former professional motocross racer. Born in Kansas City, Kansas, he was one of the premier motocross racers of the 1990s with four major titles for the Yamaha and Kawasaki factory racing teams. His main rival was Jeremy McGrath. Emig won more motocross races than any other competitor (besides McGrath) in the 1990s with 36 wins and 4 titles. He was also the only rider in the 1990s to win back to back 250cc motocross national championships in 1996 and 1997. He was a six-time member of the United States Motocross des Nations team, with the U.S. team winning the Championship in 1992, '93, and '96. In 1998 he was injured after a five race span in which he won four, and placed second in the other. He was often overshadowed by McGrath in the indoor supercross series.
In 1997 Emig had one of his best seasons. In the 13 round series he won seven races finished second five times and had one fifth place. He won 17 of the 26 motos that year. In 1999, Emig was dropped by the Kawasaki racing team. 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.
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 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. 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 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.
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