One Time Ago.....: Roger De Coster

Roger De Coster - 1986 Danny Magoo Chandler benefit event – Tom Stover Photo

Over the decades, I, like hundreds of thousands of other Roger De Coster fans, all around the World have asked and graciously received Roger’s autograph for the past almost 60+ years.

Roger De Coster was a successful motocross racer, winning five 500cc Motocross World Championships and multiple Grand Prix and Trans-AMA titles. He was also part of numerous winning Belgian MXON and Trophee des Nations teams. He is recognized in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

My appreciation and respect for Roger De Coster, started way back in 1971 at the Trans AMA Carnegie track in Livermore, California. I was 11 years old and was in awe that day watching him race around the track. He retired from racing in 1983 and since then he has been a motocross team manager for decades now and I see Roger at the Hangtown Nationals every so often.

(I live about 20 minutes from Hangtown track – Started Racing local MX races there at the Old McGill’s Track / Prairie City SVRA back in 1975.

I make it a point to make it to the pits to say hi to “The Man” and sometimes ask for his Autograph.

I have gotten autographs on a Bell Helmet and my MX Cartoon poster I recreated using Motocross’s most prolific Cartoon Legend Curt Evan’s iconic 1976 Motocross Action Magazine Cartoon of the 1975 Trans AMA top six finishers of that series back then

Roger & Me at Hangtown 2016 – Tom Stover Photos

The Very First Autograph I got from Roger was at that 1971 Trans AMA event. After the races were over I wanted to go to the pits and get Autographs but I had nothing to put autographs on so I looked around and saw some track banners laying on the track in the mud, so I picked them up and brushed the mud off and quickly ran to the pits! I got Roger De Coster’s – Joel Roberts – Sylvan Gobeors – Dick Mann’s and eventually a few weeks later, Brad Lackeys autograph on them. – The two Motocross banners are waiting to be displayed at the International Motocross Museum in Chicago when it opens.

– I’m not that 11 year old kid any longer and I have grown to respect Roger more and more over the years, not only because of his accomplishments in Motocross but as the respectable gentleman that he is towards me and to every single one of his fans as well.

Roger & me at Hangtown 2021 – Tom Stover Photo

in 2024 I was part of the Hangtown MX museum and I asked Roger if he would like to come over and check it out, which he did and the highlight of my day of course was when Roger gave me a thumbs up after checking out the 150+ photos I printed for the event and specifically a few I took of him from previous years at Hangtown.

Hangtown Museum 2024 – my reflection in his sunglasses -

Tom Stover Photo

So the other day I was thinking… How many Autographs has Roger De Coster signed throughout his illustrious motocross career and extended role as team manager with Honda, Suzuki, and KTM so far?

I was thinking about asking him the next time I see him but I’m sure he would say that he hasn’t a clue?

Well… I went ahead and did the math! LOL - Who am I kidding? – Thanks to today’s AI technology... The answer is right at the end of my fingertips as you will soon see.

So, if you know anything about Chat GPT, (Artificial Intelligence) You may know that you will not only get a very elaborate and thorough answer, but also if it can’t answer your question specifically, it will then go into a “Reasonable calculated answer or estimate” related to it.

I typed this question:

“How many autographs has “The Iconic Motocross - 5 Time 500cc World Motocross Champion / Legend” - Roger De Coster signed, for all his adoring fans starting back in 1966 to 2025?”

Chat GPT ANSWER:

There isn’t a reliable record anywhere that tracks exactly how many autographs Roger De Coster has signed since he began his motocross career in the 1960s. Autograph counts aren’t officially documented for athletes. That said, we can make a reasoned estimate:

Roger De Coster turned pro in 1966 and raced through the 1980’s –

(I added this part) Roger’s last race was at Luxemburg in 1983 and he won both moto’s and the overall that day on a Works Honda. A perfect ending to his Amazing Motocross Career as a True Multi-Time World Champion should… “A WINNER!”

Chat GPT continued…

Then he continued as a team manager and ambassador for motocross (Honda, Suzuki, and then KTM, and now still involved in the sport. That gives nearly 60 years of Autograph opportunities.

Roger at Hangtown 2022 – Tom Stover Photo

(I added this – according to Web AI search) Roger De Coster was also Team manager for USA Motocross of Nations team. Under his management, Team USA won the MXoN title 21 times and the Trophee des Nations four times. He has since retired from managing Team USA MXon as of August 2025.

Chat GPT continued:

During his peak 1970s career, he was one of the biggest motocross stars in the world, winning five 500cc World Championships and racing in front of tens of thousands of fans at each event.

At big races, it’s realistic he could have signed hundreds of autographs per weekend. Even conservatively, say 200 per event X 20 events per year = 4,000 autographs per year during peak years.

Over 10 peak years (1970-1980), that’s already – 40,000 autographs.

After retirement, through 2025, he’s still active at events, expos, and races. If he averaged even 500-1000 per year post – career, that could easily add another 20,000-30,000 autographs.

A reasonable lifetime ballpark might be – 50,000-100,000 autographs signed since 1966

Roger De Coster at Hangtown 2024 – Tom Stover Photo

Roger at Hangtown 2023 – Signed my Bell Helmet - Tom Stover Photos

Year-by-Year Estimate of Autographs Signed

1966-1969 (Early Career)

Just turning pro, not yet world famous.

Small crowds, maybe 50-100 autographs per race weekend.

15 events per year X 75 = 1,000/year.

= 4,000 total (1966-1969)

1970-1980 (Peak Fame: 5X 500cc World Champion)

The Biggest motocross star worldwide.

Fans lined up for him everywhere.

Likely 200-300 per race weekend x 20 events/year = 4,500/year

11 years of peak signing = 50,000 Autographs (1970-1980)

1981 – 1983 (Still Racing, but Nearing Retirement)

Still very popular but slightly less hype than his championship years.

Maybe 2,000-3,000 per year = 7,000 total (1981-1983)

1984-1995 (Team Manager for Honda & Suzuki)

Still at races, but now in the pits rather than on the track.

Fans still sought his autograph as a legend.

1,000 per year at races, expos, and events. = 12,000 total (1984-1995)

Roger signing autographs for his youngest Generation of loyal fans

Hangtown 2023 – Tom Stover Photo

1996-2010

(Legend & Team USA Manager for Motocross Des Nations)

Highly respected “godfather of motocross”

Fewer but still steady requests – about 500-1,000 per year.

= 10,000 total (1996-2010)

2011-2025 (KTM & Ongoing Motocross Presence)

As KTM team manager and living legend, he still signs for fans at

major events.

500 per year X 15 years = 7,500 autographs (2011-2025)

My Good Friend Steve Heckert – Has a Roger De Coster signed Suzuki RM gas tank and numerous other Motocross related items signed by Roger De Coster

GRAND ESTIMATE: (1966-2025)

1966-1969: 4,000

1970-1980: 50,000

1981-1983: 7,000

1984-1995: 12,000

1996-2010: 10,000

2011-2025: 7,500

EQUALS = 90,000 autographs

(likely range: 75,000-100,000) from 1966 to 2025

So there you have it.

That’s a lot of Roger De Coster autographs!

Can you imagine all the different types of Motocross Collector’s Items and media, clothing, helmets, Etc. to include Roger De Coster Lunch boxes even, over the past 60 years Roger has signed?

Whew? Talk about writer’s cramp! Let alone the time it takes away from his busy schedule at the motocross races and other related events he has attended over the decades!

If you ask me… One would have to believe that Roger De Coster - is the #1 World Motocross Champion Autographer of All Time!

Thank you Roger De Coster –

You are a Living Legend and True Icon of Motocross

and a highly Respected Gentleman to all us fans.