Welcome to the Shift Number Cruncher. In recent years, it seems like we have made a big deal out of the rookies that jump into AMA Pro supercross and motocross. There has been much to support this with James Stewart, Mike Alessi, Ryan Villopoto, and Jason Lawrence all arriving during the past five years. Then, the rookie class of 2008 was perhaps the most impressive we’ve ever seen.

But on the flip side, for every new young buck we see arrive, we also seem to lose a retiring lion with each passing season. Jeremy McGrath left us a couple years ago, then RC wasn’t far behind him. One of the biggest problems with motocross fans is how quickly we forget about our retired heroes. One of the main reasons the Shift Number Cruncher exists is to help folks remember. This week’s column is dedicated to a man that at one time in his career beat every rider he lined up against. MC, RC, Reed, Stewart, he’s beaten them all. But his days of racing in America have come to a close. We’ll miss David Vuillemin. Here is a look back at some of the numbers he used during his riding career.

2

This photo was taken in 1990 as David was riding in the 80 (12-14) class. The Cobra style is already evident. And, check out that custom paint job!

30

Here is another shot of DV12 in 1990 riding with #30 in the 80 (12-16) class. Note the custom triple clamps and works forks. Man, the Euro guys have all the cool parts.

85

And here we have David making the transition from mini bikes to 125cc machines in 1993. And, yes, that is a 1994 KX125 so this shot must have been taken late in the ’93 season. How about that super old-school ALS2 DV is running during his first pro supercross season in France?

22

Here David does his best Chad Reed impersonation, running the #22 in 1994. 

12

This shot was taken way, way before all of the DV12 moniker. This is David running his future AMA permanent #12 back in 1995.

125

This is a pretty rare shot of Vuillemin racing AMA supercross back in 1997. He had flown over for his first supercross the year before and rode a KX125 at Anaheim with #125 on the plates and finished fourth. This shot was taken in 1997 when David won his first career 125cc supercross in Seattle.

99

Here is what DV12 had to say about racing with #99: “I liked #99 in 1999 in 250 GPs. I was a fan of Mike Healy when I was a kid and I wanted to wear the same number he wore on his first 250 GP season.”

1

This is a really cool shot of David racing with #1 during the French Championships. It’s cool how he would tuck those long arms and legs in the way he did. Nobody has really had a style like his.

34 photo: Eric Johnson

We're pretty sure that this is the only time DV raced with #34 like he did at the MXDN event in Brazil.

6 photo: Racer X Archives

Again, this is a rare shot of Vuillemin racing with an odd number. Free Shift t-shirt to three people who can name when and where this shot was taken.
 

2 photo: Simon Cudby

We always like to run pictures from the Pasadena World Supercross because everyone's numbers were so jacked up. The Cobra ran a big #2 that time around.

934 photo: Simon Cudby

Here is the story behind David’s long-time #934:

“#934 was actually not planned. In 1998, the year I battled with Dowd for the Championship, I had #934. The AMA decided to give "foreigners" numbers over 900 in 98. FMF, who was helping me a bunch back then, chose 934. I didn't have a say for it but it worked out pretty good.”

This shot was taken at Red Bud back in 2001.

photo: Simon Cudby

This is an unfortunate photo that was taken of David in 2002 with his freshly injured shoulder. This was his best shot at the Supercross championship as he was leading the points heading into Daytona.

2008 photo: Simon Cudby

Roger DeCoster and David had high hopes for this season. David was going to be able to close out his career as a factory rider and maybe pick up a couple podiums on his way out. But a wise man once told me, “Most things end badly. That’s why they end.”

It’s sad to see David go. He came to us a little over a decade ago and in his wake he left 10 AMA overall wins, including seven supercross victories. That said, it was David’s personality that helped make him such a cool rider. His website (www.dv12.com) and presence on mototalk connected him with the fans in a very unique way. Anyone that has ever hung out with David and his family know they are good people. Ahead of him, he has many great years of watching his kids grow. Behind him, he has thousands of fans that will never forget The Cobra.

Congratulations on an amazing career, DV12.