Jett Lawrence (born August 7, 2003, in Landsborough, Queensland, Australia) is an Australian Motocross racer.[1][2] Competing in the AMA Supercross & Motocross Championships; a one-time 450cc AMA Supercross & 450cc AMA Motocross Champion, a two-time 450cc SMX, 250cc AMA Motocross, & 250cc AMA Supercross Champion.[3][4]
Jett was the 2020 Marty Smith Pro Rookie of the year in the 250cc class for the AMA Motocross Championship. He also received the Ricky Carmichael Award at the 2022 Motocross des Nations.[5]
Personal Life
Jett's brother Hunter Lawrence is also a competitive motocross racer.
[6]
Originating in Australia, the family moved to Europe at the end of 2015 to pursue motocross.
At the time of the move, Jett Lawrence was just 12 years old and Hunter was 16. It would be three years later before they would move again to America. [7]
In 2016, Lawrence raced the German ADAC series as well as the 85cc Motocross World Championship.
2018
In 2018 Lawrence at age 14 moved up to race in the 250 European Motocross Championship, where he won his first overall at the final round in Assen, going 1-1 in both motos.
250cc career
2020
Supercross
2020 was Lawrence's first full AMA Supercross and Motocross season. However in his third Supercross race, he broke his collarbone, which put him out for six weeks. After returning, he made his maiden supercross podium at Salt Lake City 5 at only 16 years old. He finished the season 10th overall.
Motocross
For AMA Motocross, Lawrence had a solid debut season, finishing in the top 5 four times and winning his first overall at round 9 at Fox Raceway. This put him at 4th in the final standings and won him the 2020 Marty Smith Rookie of the year award.
2021
Prior to the 2021 season, it was announced that Lawrence would sign a factory deal with HRC Honda, and also sign a sponsorship deal with Red Bull.
Supercross
In supercross, Lawrence won his first race in the 250cc class at round 2, then again at round 7 and 17. He finished on the podium at 5 of the 8 rounds he raced, which would place him 3rd overall for the year.
Motocross
In Pro Motocross, Lawrence won his first AMA championship. He won 4 rounds and finished on the podium 8 times.
2022
Supercross
2022 was a year of domination in 250cc East Supercross as well as 250cc Motocross. Lawrence won the East title at round 15. He won 4 races and had a 100% podium percentage.
Motocross
Lawrence with 18 years old began the nationals by winning the first 4 rounds until a bike malfunction at round 5 in Red Bud. He responded by winning 5 out of the next 7 rounds and at Fox Raceway II, he successfully defended the 250cc title.
2023
Before the '23 season, it was announced that Lawrence wouldn’t defend his East title, but switch coasts to the West, in an effort to become one of the select few to have won titles on both coasts.
Supercross
Lawrence clinched the 250cc West title at round 16, Denver. He raced his final 250cc race the following week at Salt Lake City, which he won.
450cc career
2023
Motocross
Lawrence became the youngest rider to win his 450cc AMA Motocross professional debut at round one of the nationals with a 1-1 score, in Fox raceway, Pala. Lawrence clinched the 2023 450cc AMA Motocross Championship in his rookie season at round nine, Unadilla. He ended the season undefeated in moto scores at 22-0, an achievement that hasn’t been accomplished since James Stewart in 2008, and is the first rookie to reach the achievement.
SuperMotocross
At round one of the SMX championship, Lawrence struggled in the first moto, but persevered and ended the day 7-2, for 4th.
Round two saw Lawrence win race one, and lead race two for a majority, before making a controversial decision in which he waved Ken Roczen by, believing that the races scored individual points.
Round three of the SMX championship saw a return to LA Coliseum for the first time since 1998. Lawrence ended the evening with a 1-1 score, the inaugural SuperMotocross Championship, and $1 million dollars.
2024
Supercross
Lawrence became the first rider in Supercross history to win their 450cc debut at the opening round in Anaheim 1. He became only the third rider in Supercross history to win the premier class championship as a rookie after Jeremy McGrath (1993) and Ryan Dungey (2010).
Motocross
Lawrence won round 1 of the Motocross season with a 1-1 score, extending his moto win streak to 24. After holeshotting Race 1 at Round 2, Lawrence misjudged a downhill section which resulted in a crash that subsequently ended his 24 moto win streak & relegated him to 24th. He ended the day with scores of 24-6 for 12th. After the injury sustained at round 2, Lawrence would win the next 3 rounds before being sidelined due to Ucl injury to his thumb.
SuperMotocross
On his return to racing, Lawrence won the opening round of the SMX Championship with 2-1 scores. Round 2, moto 1 saw Lawrence battle his brother Hunter & Eli Tomac, in what would be one of the best races of the year. Lawrence ended the day with 3-2 scores for 3rd. Heading into the finale, Lawrence was 9 points behind Hunter & 8 behind Chase Sexton. An early racing incident in moto 1 saw Sexton unable to continue, therefore leaving the brothers to battle for the $1 million. Jett secured his 2nd 450cc SuperMotocross Championship with a 1-1 finish.
Motocross des Nations participation
2022
The 2022 Motocross Des nations was held at Red Bud MX, in Buchanan.
Lawrence, then 19 years old, raced on a 450 for the first time professionally in his career. He went 1-2 to win the open class as well as lead team Australia to a 3rd place finish.
2023
The 2023 Motocross Des nations was held in Ernee, France. Lawrence raced in the MXGP class and placed 2nd in the qualifying race on Saturday. During race one, Lawrence fell in one of the first corners, but fought back to 6th place after a last turn pass on Tim Gajser. Lawrence then won race three, which helped place team Australia 2nd overall.
2024
The 2024 Motocross Des Nations was held at Matterley Basin, Winchester, England. Lawrence was chosen for the Open class and won his qualifying race on Saturday. Jett went 1-2 on the day to win his class as well as grant team Australia’s Maiden Motocross Des Nations victory.
AMA Supercross/Motocross results
Year
Rnd 1
Rnd 2
Rnd 3
Rnd 4
Rnd 5
Rnd 6
Rnd 7
Rnd 8
Rnd 9
Rnd 10
Rnd 11
Rnd 12
Rnd 13
Rnd 14
Rnd 15
Rnd 16
Rnd 17
Average Finish
Podium Percent
Place
2020 250 MX
6
34
5
6
6
4
4
6
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.00
11%
4th
‡2021 250 SX-E
6
1
3
4
DNS
5
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
1
2.87
62%
3rd
2021 250 MX
1
2
2
3
6
4
4
1
2
1
1
5
-
-
-
-
-
2.66
66%
1st
2022 250 SX-E
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
3
1
1
1
-
2
3
2
-
OUT
1.75
100%
1st
2022 250 MX
1
1
1
1
9
1
1
1
4
3
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
2.08
83%
1st
¶2023 250 SX-W
1
1
1
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
-
2
-
3
1
1.44
100%
1st
2023 450 MX
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
1.00
100%
1st
2024 450 SX
1
9
4
6
1
3
4
1
1
1
3
8
5
1
1
1
7
3.35
59%
1st
2024 450 MX
1
12
1
1
1
OUT
OUT
OUT
OUT
OUT
OUT
-
-
-
-
-
-
3.20
80%
9th
Notes:
1) The AMA Motocross Season (MX) is 12 rounds, but as of 2023, it is 11 Rounds. The AMA Supercross Season (SX) is 17 Rounds. East and West in the 250 class usually split the events with a few Showdowns where both coasts combine and race each other.
‡Lawrence suffered a number of crashes, including a big one in his heat race. The Australian lined up for the LCQ and won, but opted to not start the main event with a painful right shoulder. he returned for the next round.
¶ Lawrence didnt not win three races in a row to start the 2023 SX-West season. The 2nd round of the 2023 SX (SMX) series (Oakland, CA) was rescheduled to take place after the 6th round due to flooding; but is still classified as the 2nd round.