Ricky Johnson is one of the most popular and richest Race Car Driver who was born on July 6, 1964 in El Cajon, California, United States. Champion motorcycle racer, who is a member of both the American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame (AMHA) and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
Former world champion Roger De Coster was his manager. , a former world champion, was his manager.
Johnson was born in El Cajon, California where his father was an avid motorcyclist who bought his son a mini-bike when he was 3 years old. When he turned 16 in 1980, he earned his pro license. He won his first 250cc class national championship in 1984 for the Yamaha factory motocross team. For the 1986 season, he was offered a job with the Honda team by team manager and five time former world champion Roger De Coster. He battled his Honda teammate David Bailey throughout the 1986 season, coming away with the 250 title and the Supercross crown. During this season Johnson and Bailey were part of one of the most epic battles in Supercross history at the Anaheim stadium. De Coster picked Johnson, Bailey and another Honda teammate Johnny O’mara to represent the US in the Motocross des Nations in Maggiora, Italy. Team U.S.A. won with a clean sweep. Back home, he finished second to Bailey in the 500 class. Unfortunately, the rivalry was short-lived as just prior to the start of the 1987 season Bailey was paralyzed in a practice crash.
Johnson dominated the 1987 season, winning both the 250 and 500 crowns. In 1987, Johnson also won what is considered one of Supercross history’s greatest races in the Super Bowl of Motocross at the L.A. Coliseum. After crashing in the first corner Johnson came back from near dead last to pass Jeff Ward and eventually privateer Guy Cooper on the penultimate lap to squeeze the win. Johnson followed this performance by adding the 1988 Supercross and 500 titles to his name.
He was born in El Cajon (California).
