third for series. In the 500cc class, Hannah went into the last round just six points behind Marty Smith for the championship, but his motorcycle’s throttle cable malfunctioned while leading the first moto and left him unable to finish, ending his chances for the championship. Hannah never really had a chance at the 250cc National title. The AMA - fearing a Hannah sweep of every championship - stopped holding single class Nationals, combining them on the same day causing Yamaha to defer Hannah to the 125cc class when the two conflicted. The move by the AMA combined with the enormity of competing in so many races contributed to Hannah being a non-factor in the 250cc series, finishing overall in seventh place. However, Hannah became the first AMA competitor to win races in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc classes in just one season. Hannah capped off the 1977 season by finishing second to Roger DeCoster in the Trans-AMA series barely holding off rival Marty Smith for the runner-up spot. For the 1978 season, the AMA adopted a new rule that required all professional riders declare their class for the year putting an end to multiple class racing. Hannah chose to race in the 250cc class for which he would mostly compete for the remainder of his professional career. After underperforming in the first three rounds of the Supercross series, Hannah reeled off six consecutive victories and ran away with the championship. He continued to dominate his competition by winning eight consecutive 250cc outdoor Nationals, at that time a record. Hannah’s point lead became so insurmountable, he claimed the National title even while sitting out the last two rounds to heal an injured wrist. Later that year, Hannah became the first American to win the Trans-AMA series by taking four of the seven rounds and ending Roger DeCoster’s four-year reign. Tapped again to race for Team USA at the Motocross des Nations and Trophee des Nations, Hannah let reigning 500cc World Champion Heikki Mikkola know that he (Hannah) was going to win but only managed fifth and second moto finishes at the Motocross des Nations and a third in a moto at the Trophée des Nations. Water-skiing accident and troubles with Yamaha The 1979 campaign was a continuation of the prior year. Hannah won his third consecutive AMA Supercross series title and successfully defended his outdoor National title by earning victories in