The classic bad ass motorcycle racer thread
- Thread starter budman
- Start date
Johndicezx9
Rolls with it...
And the May issues had the glossy color pics of Daytona...
The past and the future of 1982 (Yugoslavia GP)
Too good not to post this one...
The past and the future of 1982 (Yugoslavia GP)
Too good not to post this one...
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SFMCjohn
13
... you west coasters probably
didn’t see this Cycle News East
logo, but I recall it being in every
issue I saw in the late ‘80s ... :afm199
... big thrill seeing my name
in the Loudon Road Race Series
novice results in our weekly
Cycle News East once in a while ... :laughing
Cycle News founder Sharon Clayton’s AMA HoF:
http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=144
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycle_News
... very cool NSR pic! :thumbup
http://www.motorsportretro.com/2009/08/honda-nsr500/
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Steve Wise
Steve Wise will go down in history as one of the most multi-faceted riders in the history of motorcycle racing. Wise is the only rider in history to win AMA motocross, AMA Supercross and AMA Superbike nationals. The Texan also earned a podium result in the AMA Grand National Championship when he took third, in his very first Grand National Dirt Track appearance, at the Houston Astrodome TT National in 1982.
He started in MX and went on to become a legend.
Wise twice won the popular ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition in the early 1980s. Damn he was bad ass on the pavement and dirt course at Carlsbad Raceway. I got to ride the course when I went to the Suzuki Official School of Motocross and was the fastest student on it. However on Carlsbad MX Track I was not, being 9th of the 30 students. I still remember Bob Elliot asking me if I ever considered road racing after that session. :laughing Sorry for the diversion.. just good times and good memories.
ABC’s Superbikers was an event that featured the top motorcycle racers in the world from all disciplines. It was a predecessor to Supermoto, which
attained AMA national status in 2003. Wise’s versatility helped him earn the prestigious AMA Pro Athlete of the Year Award in 1982 and a membership in the AMA Hall of Fame.
Steve Wise will go down in history as one of the most multi-faceted riders in the history of motorcycle racing. Wise is the only rider in history to win AMA motocross, AMA Supercross and AMA Superbike nationals. The Texan also earned a podium result in the AMA Grand National Championship when he took third, in his very first Grand National Dirt Track appearance, at the Houston Astrodome TT National in 1982.
He started in MX and went on to become a legend.
Wise twice won the popular ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition in the early 1980s. Damn he was bad ass on the pavement and dirt course at Carlsbad Raceway. I got to ride the course when I went to the Suzuki Official School of Motocross and was the fastest student on it. However on Carlsbad MX Track I was not, being 9th of the 30 students. I still remember Bob Elliot asking me if I ever considered road racing after that session. :laughing Sorry for the diversion.. just good times and good memories.
ABC’s Superbikers was an event that featured the top motorcycle racers in the world from all disciplines. It was a predecessor to Supermoto, which
attained AMA national status in 2003. Wise’s versatility helped him earn the prestigious AMA Pro Athlete of the Year Award in 1982 and a membership in the AMA Hall of Fame.
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Mike Bast - Sideways was the way he raced.
Mike Bast was the top American speedway rider of the 1970s. Bast compiled an amazing win record in speedway racing after the sport’s U.S. revival in the late 1960s. He had seven American Speedway Championships, including an incredible streak of five consecutive titles from 1975 through 1979.
The Bast brothers first raced TTs and scrambles around Southern California and then moved onto flat-track.
Bast’s future in racing took a sharp turn in 1968 when a quarter-mile asphalt track was built and later an eighth-mile Speedway track was fashioned inside that oval. Former speedway racer Dude Criswell began promoting the races, trying to revive the sport of speedway in America. The competition utilized powerful 500cc single-cylinder alcohol-burning motors stuffed inside spindly-looking motorcycles with narrow tires. Riders raced on tight little bullring oval dirt tracks with no brakes and controlled the bikes with delicate throttle control through the turns, pitching them sideways at seemingly impossible angles.
With Speedway racing popping up all across California, Bast, still in his teens, found himself starting to earn very good money.
“In 1970 and ’71, I was averaging $2,000 per week speedway racing,” he says. “We started getting a percentage of the gate and at a lot of these races we were packing 8,000 to 10,000 spectators in these little stadiums. I never had a trade; I just kept racing five nights a week. Before we knew it we were living a dream.”
Not only did the money begin flowing, but Bast and his brother also got the opportunity to travel internationally as a result of Speedway racing. During the winter months they went to Australia and New Zealand to race. The tracks there were much larger and the speeds higher and it honed Mike’s skills as a rider.
In 1971, Bast won his first American Speedway Championship. He was just 18 years old at the time.
Bast lost the title to Rick Woods in ’72, before coming back to win the championship for a second time in 1973. Mike’s brother, Steve, won his second title in 1974. Then Mike went on his run of five consecutive U.S. championships, making him the undisputed king of speedway racing in America. He won his early titles riding a Jawa and his last four titles came aboard Westlake speedway racing bikes. Bast was inducted into the AMA HOF in 2000
Mike Bast was the top American speedway rider of the 1970s. Bast compiled an amazing win record in speedway racing after the sport’s U.S. revival in the late 1960s. He had seven American Speedway Championships, including an incredible streak of five consecutive titles from 1975 through 1979.
The Bast brothers first raced TTs and scrambles around Southern California and then moved onto flat-track.
Bast’s future in racing took a sharp turn in 1968 when a quarter-mile asphalt track was built and later an eighth-mile Speedway track was fashioned inside that oval. Former speedway racer Dude Criswell began promoting the races, trying to revive the sport of speedway in America. The competition utilized powerful 500cc single-cylinder alcohol-burning motors stuffed inside spindly-looking motorcycles with narrow tires. Riders raced on tight little bullring oval dirt tracks with no brakes and controlled the bikes with delicate throttle control through the turns, pitching them sideways at seemingly impossible angles.
With Speedway racing popping up all across California, Bast, still in his teens, found himself starting to earn very good money.
“In 1970 and ’71, I was averaging $2,000 per week speedway racing,” he says. “We started getting a percentage of the gate and at a lot of these races we were packing 8,000 to 10,000 spectators in these little stadiums. I never had a trade; I just kept racing five nights a week. Before we knew it we were living a dream.”
Not only did the money begin flowing, but Bast and his brother also got the opportunity to travel internationally as a result of Speedway racing. During the winter months they went to Australia and New Zealand to race. The tracks there were much larger and the speeds higher and it honed Mike’s skills as a rider.
In 1971, Bast won his first American Speedway Championship. He was just 18 years old at the time.
Bast lost the title to Rick Woods in ’72, before coming back to win the championship for a second time in 1973. Mike’s brother, Steve, won his second title in 1974. Then Mike went on his run of five consecutive U.S. championships, making him the undisputed king of speedway racing in America. He won his early titles riding a Jawa and his last four titles came aboard Westlake speedway racing bikes. Bast was inducted into the AMA HOF in 2000
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Bruce Penhall --kept it going sideways in the 80's
Bruce Penhall was considered to be America’s greatest Speedway rider and ended up in the AMA HOF. Penhall won the Speedway World Championship in 1981, becoming the first American to win the title in 44 years. He went on to win the championship again in 1982, becoming the first American to win back-to-back Speedway world titles. Penhall was also a two-time American Speedway champ and was a member of the World Pairs (1981) and World Team Speedway Championship (1982) teams.
At 16 Penhall was already one of the leading Speedway riders in the United States.
After his parents death in a plane crash Penhall progressed to the European circuit and traveled thousands of miles per month to races across Europe.
In 1979, he won the Master of Speedway competition in Europe, as well as becoming the first American holder of the Golden Helmet match race championship. With his California beach boy looks, Penhall quickly became the most popular rider in Speedway racing. He earned lucrative contracts endorsing products and he was featured on television commercials and in newspapers and magazines throughout Europe. He ended up staring in CHiPS the TV show about motorcycle cops. :cool
1981 was an all-conquering year for Penhall winning the World Speedway Individual Championship in front of 90,000 fans at London’s Wembley Stadium. That made him the first American World Speedway Champion since Jack Milne in 1937. Penhall was named co-winner of the AMA Pro Athlete of the Year Award, along with the entire USA Motocross des Nations team.
Bruce Penhall was considered to be America’s greatest Speedway rider and ended up in the AMA HOF. Penhall won the Speedway World Championship in 1981, becoming the first American to win the title in 44 years. He went on to win the championship again in 1982, becoming the first American to win back-to-back Speedway world titles. Penhall was also a two-time American Speedway champ and was a member of the World Pairs (1981) and World Team Speedway Championship (1982) teams.
At 16 Penhall was already one of the leading Speedway riders in the United States.
After his parents death in a plane crash Penhall progressed to the European circuit and traveled thousands of miles per month to races across Europe.
In 1979, he won the Master of Speedway competition in Europe, as well as becoming the first American holder of the Golden Helmet match race championship. With his California beach boy looks, Penhall quickly became the most popular rider in Speedway racing. He earned lucrative contracts endorsing products and he was featured on television commercials and in newspapers and magazines throughout Europe. He ended up staring in CHiPS the TV show about motorcycle cops. :cool
1981 was an all-conquering year for Penhall winning the World Speedway Individual Championship in front of 90,000 fans at London’s Wembley Stadium. That made him the first American World Speedway Champion since Jack Milne in 1937. Penhall was named co-winner of the AMA Pro Athlete of the Year Award, along with the entire USA Motocross des Nations team.
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SFMCjohn
13
youtu.be/1Hv6WhqGt38
... pair of Penhall come-from-behind
wins in 1981 Wembley World Final in front
of 92,000 roaring fans ... :thumbup
... upright Jawas were one of the most beautiful racebikes
ever ... simple and effective ... elegant ... :ride
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SFMCjohn
13
:thumbup
... speedway racing is just wonderful ...
love to compare the steel shoe differences between
flat track and speedway
and see the way the flat track guys
use their hot-shoe compared to the toe-style
the speedway guys use ...
... the whole Bast family probably deserves a
"classic bad ass racer" post ... :laughing
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Marty Smith and the Honda Elsinore
Marty Smith was the AMA’s first 125cc motocross champion. During the 1970s, Smith won three national titles – the 1974 and ’75 AMA 125cc and 1977 AMA 500cc motocross championships. He won a total of 18 career nationals and was one of the few to score wins in 125cc, 250cc and 500cc AMA Motocross Nationals as well as Trans AMA competition. In addition, Smith won the 125cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross in 1975 and 1976.
Smith became known as one of the most stylish riders in motocross history. According to his mechanic Dave Arnold, there was never a bad photo of Smith. Smith became the first teen idol in motocross and legions of young fans followed his every move. He won all his championships with Honda and the company featured him in its advertising, using his long hair and youthful good looks as a selling point. He was on dozens of magazine covers riding the legendary Honda Elsinore.
He became a factory rider at 17 years old while still a senior in high school. He contested the newly formed 125cc National Championship riding the eye-catching fire-engine-red factory Hondas. Smith won the very first AMA 125cc Motocross Championship race at Hangtown that and won the inaugural 125cc national title. At the time, Smith was the youngest rider to earn an AMA Motocross Championship and that help send him into the AMA HOF.
Marty Smith was the AMA’s first 125cc motocross champion. During the 1970s, Smith won three national titles – the 1974 and ’75 AMA 125cc and 1977 AMA 500cc motocross championships. He won a total of 18 career nationals and was one of the few to score wins in 125cc, 250cc and 500cc AMA Motocross Nationals as well as Trans AMA competition. In addition, Smith won the 125cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross in 1975 and 1976.
Smith became known as one of the most stylish riders in motocross history. According to his mechanic Dave Arnold, there was never a bad photo of Smith. Smith became the first teen idol in motocross and legions of young fans followed his every move. He won all his championships with Honda and the company featured him in its advertising, using his long hair and youthful good looks as a selling point. He was on dozens of magazine covers riding the legendary Honda Elsinore.
He became a factory rider at 17 years old while still a senior in high school. He contested the newly formed 125cc National Championship riding the eye-catching fire-engine-red factory Hondas. Smith won the very first AMA 125cc Motocross Championship race at Hangtown that and won the inaugural 125cc national title. At the time, Smith was the youngest rider to earn an AMA Motocross Championship and that help send him into the AMA HOF.
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The Golden Boy - Broc Glover
The “Golden Boy”, Broc Glover was one of the leading racers in the history of AMA Motocross. Glover earned six AMA National Motocross Championships. Glover won all of his titles riding for Yamaha.
Glover won the 1981 Trans USA Series (previously called Trans-AMA) held in the fall after the nationals. When he retired after the 1988 season, Glover held the AMA all-time wins record in both AMA 125cc motocross and 500cc motocross. He was also in the top 10 in career wins in AMA Supercross. The AMA HOF called him home due to his 45 career AMA national wins in both motocross and Supercross and five wins in Trans USA competition. He was also a member of the winning 1983 USA MX Trophy des Nations squad and again part of the Trophy des Nations team as a last-minute fill-in for an injured David Bailey in 1984.
In his first season of pro racing, the 17-year-old Glover won the AMA 125cc Motocross National Championship. He tied Danny LaPorte after the final standings, but Glover earned the title by virtue of having won more races.
"The championship was not without controversy. In the final round in San Antonio, Texas, Yamaha stacked the field with its factory riders from other classes in an effort to help Glover. Teammate Bob Hannah led the final moto and on the last lap was given the infamous (and incorrectly spelled) pit board signal "Let Brock Bye" to allow Glover to win the title. It wasn’t the first and certainly not the last time team tactics would be used in motocross racing, but the photo of the infamous pit board signal made the final race of the 1977 a permanent part of motocross folklore". Read more in his AMA Hall of Fame Profile. There is a lot of good stuff there!
The “Golden Boy”, Broc Glover was one of the leading racers in the history of AMA Motocross. Glover earned six AMA National Motocross Championships. Glover won all of his titles riding for Yamaha.
Glover won the 1981 Trans USA Series (previously called Trans-AMA) held in the fall after the nationals. When he retired after the 1988 season, Glover held the AMA all-time wins record in both AMA 125cc motocross and 500cc motocross. He was also in the top 10 in career wins in AMA Supercross. The AMA HOF called him home due to his 45 career AMA national wins in both motocross and Supercross and five wins in Trans USA competition. He was also a member of the winning 1983 USA MX Trophy des Nations squad and again part of the Trophy des Nations team as a last-minute fill-in for an injured David Bailey in 1984.
In his first season of pro racing, the 17-year-old Glover won the AMA 125cc Motocross National Championship. He tied Danny LaPorte after the final standings, but Glover earned the title by virtue of having won more races.
"The championship was not without controversy. In the final round in San Antonio, Texas, Yamaha stacked the field with its factory riders from other classes in an effort to help Glover. Teammate Bob Hannah led the final moto and on the last lap was given the infamous (and incorrectly spelled) pit board signal "Let Brock Bye" to allow Glover to win the title. It wasn’t the first and certainly not the last time team tactics would be used in motocross racing, but the photo of the infamous pit board signal made the final race of the 1977 a permanent part of motocross folklore". Read more in his AMA Hall of Fame Profile. There is a lot of good stuff there!
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When is comes to MX there is only one called "The Man"
Roger DeCoster’s means motocross to me and his journey as a racer and running very successful motocross team in the USA led him to the AMA Hall of Fame.
DeCoster is probably the best-known racer in motocross in the first 50 years of the sport. As far as I am considered he is the Man!
He won five 500cc Motocross World Championships; tallied a record 36 500cc Motocross Grand Prix victories; was a member of six winning Belgium Motocross des Nations teams; earned four Trans-AMA Motocross Championships; was a Gold Medalist in the International Six Day Trial (Enduro); and earned numerous national championships in his native Belgium, including a national Trials title.
DeCoster continued to find success after his racing career. He was the manager of the first U.S. team to win the Motocross des Nations in 1981.
In 1969, DeCoster helped give Belgium its first Motocross des Nations victory in 18 years. He would go on to help his country win the prestigious competition five more times.
In 1971, DeCoster left CZ to ride with Suzuki. Riding a newly designed bike –the RN370– DeCoster promptly went out and won his first 500cc Motocross World Championship. He would go on to win four more 500cc world titles in the next five years. By the mid-1970s, DeCoster had established himself as the greatest motocross racer of his time and arguably the best ever.
Besides winning world championship, DeCoster also helped spread the gospel of motocross to America. He came to the United States to race in the Trans-AMA Series, which pitted the best American riders against the top Europeans. DeCoster won the Trans-AMA Championship four years in a row (1974-1977), becoming an admired and popular figure in the sport in America as well.
He went on the manage Team Suzuki and now Team KTM.
Wherever Roger goes success has followed. :hail
Roger DeCoster’s means motocross to me and his journey as a racer and running very successful motocross team in the USA led him to the AMA Hall of Fame.
DeCoster is probably the best-known racer in motocross in the first 50 years of the sport. As far as I am considered he is the Man!
He won five 500cc Motocross World Championships; tallied a record 36 500cc Motocross Grand Prix victories; was a member of six winning Belgium Motocross des Nations teams; earned four Trans-AMA Motocross Championships; was a Gold Medalist in the International Six Day Trial (Enduro); and earned numerous national championships in his native Belgium, including a national Trials title.
DeCoster continued to find success after his racing career. He was the manager of the first U.S. team to win the Motocross des Nations in 1981.
In 1969, DeCoster helped give Belgium its first Motocross des Nations victory in 18 years. He would go on to help his country win the prestigious competition five more times.
In 1971, DeCoster left CZ to ride with Suzuki. Riding a newly designed bike –the RN370– DeCoster promptly went out and won his first 500cc Motocross World Championship. He would go on to win four more 500cc world titles in the next five years. By the mid-1970s, DeCoster had established himself as the greatest motocross racer of his time and arguably the best ever.
Besides winning world championship, DeCoster also helped spread the gospel of motocross to America. He came to the United States to race in the Trans-AMA Series, which pitted the best American riders against the top Europeans. DeCoster won the Trans-AMA Championship four years in a row (1974-1977), becoming an admired and popular figure in the sport in America as well.
He went on the manage Team Suzuki and now Team KTM.
Wherever Roger goes success has followed. :hail
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I saw Joel Robert in the 60's when Edison Die brought several European riders over. Got a ride over with Don Coleman later a Husqvarna dealer, to a track by Santa Cruz. Wow, there was a big down hill that the US riders slowed for and then rode down. Robert flew over the top and landed on the gas half way down. I will never forget that sight. :thumbup
AMA Hall of Fame link below.
http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=260
youtu.be/KfkutRfCMLw
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SFMCjohn
13
:drool
Motorcycle Classic feature:
King of the Hill: 1974 Honda CR125M Elsinore
"In 1973, offroad riding and motocross were hot, and the Honda CR125M Elsinore was the bike to have."
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Johndicezx9
Rolls with it...
Roger that... Roger DeCoster...
