The 1978 Houston Supercross, held at the Astrodome as part of the Toyota Supercross Series, featured multiple rounds and was dominated by Yamaha's Bob Hannah, who won both main events, showcasing his legendary "Hurricane" form against rivals like Marty Tripes and Tony DiStefano.

Hannah's victories in Houston were key to his dominant 1978 season, where he also secured the AMA 250cc Motocross and Trans-AMA titles, marking a huge year for Yamaha.

On a side note, MXLarge owner, Geoff Meyer was at Houston those nights and left the stadium very disappointed as his childhood hero, Marty Smith crashed in the main event and was never the same.

Key Highlights – Houston 1978

Dominant Rider: Bob Hannah (Yamaha).

Podium Finishers: Marty Tripes (Honda) and Tony DiStefano (Suzuki) were consistent top contenders, though DiStefano had a significant crash at the first Houston event. Broc Glover (Yamaha) also finished strong in later rounds.

Major Drama: Marty Smith, the first real superstar of AMA racing was coming off a very tough 1976 season, where he raced in both USA and Europe. The former AMA 125cc in 1974 and 1975 and defending AMA 500cc from1977 crashed out in the main event and his career was never the same again.

Venue: Houston Astrodome.

Series Context: The Houston rounds were crucial in the Toyota Supercross Series, with Hannah eventually sweeping both events and going on to win the overall Supercross title that year.

In 1978, Bob "Hurricane" Hannah delivered what is widely considered the most dominant single season in American motocross history. Racing for the Yamaha factory team on the iconic YZ250 (model 0W38), Hannah revolutionized the sport with his aggressive "feet-off-the-pegs" riding style and relentless physical conditioning.

Major Achievements in 1978

Triple Crown Success: Hannah became the first rider to win the AMA 250cc Motocross National Championship, the AMA Supercross Championship, and the Trans-AMA Series in the same calendar year.

Historic Win Streaks: He set a then-record by winning eight consecutive 250cc outdoor nationals. In Supercross, he won six consecutive races on a production-based YZ250.

Dominance at Hangtown: At the season opener, Hannah lapped the entire field up to second place, winning the first moto by a staggering 86 seconds.

Athlete of the Year: For his unparalleled performance, he was named the AMA Professional Athlete of the Year at the 1978 awards banquet.

Key Events and Rivalries

The Pittsburgh Mud Race: Hannah won the inaugural Pittsburgh Supercross at Three Rivers Stadium, a race famous for its "Mudville" conditions and a last-lap pass on Marty Tripes.

Battle with Mike Bell: The 1978 Superbowl of Motocross at the LA Coliseum featured a legendary duel between Hannah and his young teammate Mike Bell. Although they were teammates, Hannah famously stated they "were not friends" on the track.

International Competition: At the Motocross des Nations in Germany, Hannah faced legendary Finnish rider Heikki Mikkola. Despite leading and putting up a fierce fight, Hannah finished second in the first moto and fifth in the second after a crash.