DouBT ThIs!
AMA Team uSA Wins Motocross Of Nations
Call them winners. World champions. Underdogs, even.
Just don’t call them the “B” team.
Although some doubted the 2009 AMA Team USA for the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations—Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, Red Bull Honda’s Ivan Tedesco and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer—would reclaim the Chamberlain Trophy at the world’s biggest motocross race, the U.S. riders proved the critics wrong.
“Led by AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Roger DeCoster, the members of AMA Team USA gave it their all every time they set out on the track,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “We congratulate the riders and support crew for another job well done.”
With a come-from-behind performance in the event’s last moto, the U.S. team won the event for a record 20th time.
Hopes for another AMA Team USA win at the Motocross of Nations, held this year in Franciacorta, Italy, were slim heading in, however. The Americans were third in points before the final race, but an inspired ride by moto winner Dungey—and some luck when other contenders
had problems—put them in the lead when the dust settled.
“It has been a dream to come over here, and a real experience to be a part of this, never mind actually winning it,” Dungey said. “A lot of people told me what it would be like, but when you arrive here you can’t help but be amazed. We had a good time, and full credit to Jake and Ivan. I had a break between the motos, but they went back-to-back and that takes a lot of heart and dedication.”
In the first moto, which combined the MX1 and MX2 class, a consistent showing by Dungey and Weimer, who placed third and eighth, gave AMA Team USA a slim lead ahead of Italy and Great Britain. After the second moto, the edge went to France, whose Open and MX2 class riders, Gautier Paulin and Marvin Musquin, finished first and fifth. AMA Team USA fell to third behind Belgium.
A massive tangle on the start of the final moto, which combined the MX1 and Open class, took out a number of riders, including Italy’s Antonio Cairoli, who won moto one. Spain’s Jonathan Barragan emerged with the lead, but Dungey quickly put his Suzuki out front and paced the
horizon Winner Does Good
AMA Team USA wasn’t the only representation of AMA Racing talent at the Motocross of Nations. Another notable contender was Canidae Motosports Kawasaki
Xtreme Team Green rider Dean Wilson. Wilson, who won the AMA Racing Motocross Horizon Award earlier in the season at the Air Nautiques AMA Amateur Motocross National Championships, raced for Team Canada at this year’s Motocross of Nations. Wilson claimed the victory in the B Final, which included the teams that didn’t qualify for the main event.
The race was Wilson’s pro debut. The Canadian rider went to Italy with no professional experience. He left with a better understanding of what it takes to win at the top level.
“The biggest thing I learned was to stay relaxed,” Wilson said. “I tried to ride as relaxed as I could, but I also pushed hard in the first half of the moto. These are long motos and I need to learn to take my time and not try and make passes right away.”
field, winning in 17 laps.
The Motocross of Nations features threerider teams on a range of machinery. In the 2009 event, Dungey raced the MX1 class, which features 450cc four-stroke bikes. Weimer competed in the MX2 class, which features 250cc four-stroke motorcycles. Tedesco raced the Open class.
The event includes three motos, each of which combines two of the three classes. Dungey finished third and first in his motos. Tedesco finished third and seventh. Weimer finished eighth and 25th.
“Today showed what Motocross of Nations is all about,” said Weimer. “It is about which country has the best three riders who are also the most solid. That was us today… To even be one chosen for Team USA is an incredible honor. And now that we have won it for the 20th time, the feeling is indescribable. This ranks at the top of my career accomplishments. I am super excited.”
ivan tedesco, on the gas at the MXon
Chris Carr is once again the fastest man on two wheels.
The seven-time AMA Grand National Champion and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer, riding the No. 7 streamliner built by fellow AMA Hall of Famer Denis Manning, recaptured the world and national land-speed records on Thursday, Sept. 24. Carr’s two-pass average of 367.382 mph in the measured mile was set at the AMA- and FIM-sanctioned Land Speed Shootout at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
The previous record for the measured mile was 358.888, set by rider Rocky Robinson and builder Mike Akatiff in 2008.
“It was a lot of work. This time was hard,” Manning said. “We blew up stuff, we got blown off course. It was tough. The thing was, every time we made a run, some part of the run was phenomenal, so we knew we were near. For these runs, we made an eighth-inch change to the aerodynamics and it made all the difference.
class, team name
rider, new record (old record)
1000-A-PBG, Zen Motorcycles
Laurent Dutrel, 143.99 (128.16)
750-A-D, HDTUSA
Fred Hayes, 90.251 (-)
750-M-DB, HDTUSA
Fred Hayes, 109.795 (107.11)
100-M-VG, James Moore
James Moore, 35.926 (-)
1350-M-BG, James Ramsey Racing
James Ramsey, 159.462 (-)
1000-P-PP, Team Klock Werks
Erika Cobb, 126.383 (109.341)
650-M-PF, JT&S Performance
Terry Parsley, 125.883 (-)
650-MPS-PG, JT&S Performance
Terry Parsley, 133.828 (119.623)
The data was telling me that the nose was trying to dive, so we raised it up, and it worked.”
Carr said that the record run was smooth.
“We had the drama on the out-run,” Carr said. “We about cleaned out the side of the course on the run out with the wind blowing, but the run back was great. It actually started to slow down for me. It was not nearly as hectic as 347 (mph) was a couple years ago.”
Carr first held the outright land-speed record in 2006. Manning also set the land-speed record in 1970.
“The outright land-speed record is one of the most coveted numbers in motorcycle competition,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “This is a number that all motorcyclists can relate to. Every time this record is set, it’s a historic moment for racing. The engineering that Denis Manning and his team invest in this endeavor, and the emotional fortitude and physical skill that Chris Carr brings to the table,
are impressive. The AMA congratulates them on this accomplishment.”
The meet where Carr and Manning set the new record came near the end of the season for running on the Bonneville Salt Flats, which most of the year are too wet for competition.
Earlier in the season, Aug. 30-Sept. 3, provisional records in a number of classes were also set at the International Speed Trials by BUB, and they are waiting ratification by AMA Racing. The AMA-sanctioned event, which Manning promotes, is the premier national meet for amateur land-speed racers to attempt landspeed records in classes ranging from 50cc scooters to supercharged sportbikes.
For more information on land-speed racing, see SpeedTrialsByBUB.com.
See the No. 7 streamliner in person at the AMA Racing Championship banquet this Dec. 4. Info: AmericanMotorcyclist.com/LetsRock.
Although Chris Carr and Denis Manning set the new world land-speed motorcycle record at a meet a couple weeks later, the AMA Motorcycle Speed Trials by BUB remains the premier event for amateur land-speed racers. A number of records in other classes were set at the earlier event. Here’s the list of speeds and classes. (All times are pending AMA ratification.)
1350-APS-PG, Buell Brothers Racing
Joseph Taylor, 176.29 (154.98)
1000-P-BG, South Bay Triumph
Alan Cathcart, 165.405 (-)
500-M-PG, O’Brien Brothers Racing
Timothy O’Brien, 113.415 (107.391)
2000-M-AG, Hangar 12 / Lloydz Motors
Gregor Moe, 165.863 (163.562)
1350-SC-BF, Swissperformance Team
Fritz Egli, 206.157 (146.589)
350-A-BG, Sodium Distortion
Jason Omer, 107.533 (-)
1000-SC-AF, TEAM RGM
Rick Murray, 144.437 (133.748)
1350-A-AF, Scott Stites
Scott Stites, 177.422 (174.594)
1350-MPS-AG, Don Mills - Two Ton Racing
Don Mills, 202.88 (202.685)
250-APS-PG, Dave Riggs
Dave Riggs, 93.825 (91.336)
250-MPS-P, Kelly’s Kawasaki Mesa AZ
Geoffrey Smith, 105.297 (-)
750-M-PP, Cafe Custom Cycles
Steven McGloughlin, 91.078 (-)
250-M-P, Wyoming Sport and Salvage
Thomas Johnson, 95.171 (87.624) 175-P-PP, CONWAY
William Conway, 55.541 (-)
1350-M-PF, NRHS Perf / Frontline Cycles
Susan Wilson, 169.743 (137.867)
1650-A-AG, Bison Racing
Dick Fish, 169.521 (-)
750-MPS-VBG, Hellzapoppin
Fritz Kott, 86.007 (-)
2000-M-P, Team Klock Werks
Michelle Mielke, 143.154 (-)
650-M-VG, Bike Cave
Michael Becker, 88.064 (84.265)
650-A-AG, Cycle Dynamics
James Rispoli, 149.117 (147.471)
500-MPS-VF, Heartland Express
Jason Jessup, 92.417 (-)
1350-P-PP, Buell Sisters Race Team
Erin Hunter, 146.351 (130.391)
50-P-P, Gralex Motorsports
Gary Alexander, 60.649 (-)
50-P-AG, Gralex Motorsports
Gary Alexander, 60.561 (-)
125-S-AF, Buddfab Streamliner
Eric Noyes, 186.649 (137.399)
1350-APS-BF, A-Ward Attachments Racing
Richard Assen, 236.01 (217.029) 1350-P-VG, Wrecking Crew
Guy Mobbley, 78.963 (-)
Photo Tom Bear
ITP/Moose RacINg aTv MX chaMPIoNshIP WRaP
Swatfarger, Dyer Among Champions
After a seesaw battle all season long between KTMmounted Derek Swartfager and Honda rider Jerry Tulenchik in the Open A class of the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship Series, Swartfager emerged as the champion.
Swartfager, of Knox, Pa., edged out Tulenchik, of Pequot Lakes, Minn., for the title by just seven points—200 to 193.
In the Women’s class, Honda rider Kayle Dyer of Quincy, Ill., dominated by posting six first-place finishes, two seconds and a third in the 10-round series. She finished outside the top 10 in just one race.
Dyer earned 230 total points. Angela Adkins, a Can-Am rider from Charles City, Va., was her closest competitor with 188 points.
The 2010 season kicks off March 27-28 at Millcreek Raceway in Pell City, Ala.
soMMeRs oN ToP IN INauguRal seasoN
AMA Racing ATV hare Scrambles Crown Goes To Yamaha
Brandon Sommers (784) goes down in the history books as the first champion of the AMA Racing ATV Hare Scrambles Championship Series, which held its first-ever season in 2009.
The Yamaha rider from Millersburg, Ohio, garnered 160 points to earn the title. Chris
second-place overall with 90 points, although
didn’t run the full season. Borich concentrated his efforts on the AMA Grand National Cross Country Championship Series and that paid off: he won the title.
Chuck Weir, AMA Racing off-road manager, was pleased with the AMA Racing ATV Hare Scramble series’ first season and looks forward to 2010.
“People who were calling about the series were pretty excited,” Weir said. “Racers really like the series because it offers more traditional, tight trails.
“For next season, I’m looking forward to continued growth, more riders and a lot of excitement,” he said.
Borich of Sunbury, Pa., rode his Suzuki to
he
Photos Trials: Jake Miller/G2F Media; Lafferty: Shan Moore
Bandon sommers chris Borich
Derek swartfager
aMa TeaM usa scoRes
BesT TRIal Des NaTIoNs FINIsh eveR
Smage, Webb, ibsen, Wineland Face Off Against World’s Best
Competing in the top class at the 2009 Trial des Nations (TdN) in Darfo Boario Terme, Italy, the men’s AMA Team USA squad of Sherco Riders Patrick Smage and Cody Webb, Gas-Gasbacked Will Ibsen and Beta rider Keith Wineland nailed fifth place overall, America’s best finish ever in the world championship event.
The Spanish team of Toni Bou, Adam Raga, Jeroni Fajardo and Albert Cabestany won the TdN this year. Defeating the Great Britain team by an amazing 65 points, Spain won its sixth TdN title in a row.
“The world stage for trials competition is enormously competitive, and this event often features the most difficult terrain our riders face all year,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “The AMA is proud of the effort Team USA put into this year’s campaign.”
According to U.S. team manager Kip Webb, Team USA “pretty much gave a go at each section with some very good rides. We still have a ways to go to catch the top teams, but our guys didn’t back down from the challenge. We finished in fifth position, which is an all-time high for an American TdN effort.”
The American women’s squad of Sarah Duke and Caroline Allen finished eighth in the Women’s division while riding with only two team members instead of the usual three. U.S. member Louise Forsley was unable to attend the event due to last-minute travel complications.
“Without the third rider, you just cannot make any mistakes as every point counts,” Webb said.
Great Britain won the Women’s division, edging the Spanish team by a single point to claim the 2009 title.
BoBBITT Makes IT ThRee
Lafferty Wins The Race; Bobbitt Wins The War
Seasons don’t get much closer than this.
A single point was all that separated Shock Doctor KTM’s Russell Bobbitt and his teammate Mike Lafferty for the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series presented by Moose Racing title, after a season when each won five rounds of the 10-round series.
Although the title went to the wire, the difference was a result of the opening round of the series in South Carolina. There, Bobbitt took the win while Lafferty finished fifth. Due to his consistent finishes, Bobbitt came into the final round of the series in Indiana with a 3-point advantage over Lafferty, and despite the fact that Lafferty won the race in convincing fashion, a runner-up finish was all Bobbitt needed to claim his third national title.
“It was a pretty tight series, but we just tried to stay consistent and be in the hunt every race, so it was awesome to finally wrap up the title,” said Bobbitt. “It’s been a long, rollercoaster year. We had a few minor mechanical issues, but we were able to overcome them. I just kept my head
down and got a podium at every round, and everyone is riding so well that you have to be on the box every time. That’s what it boiled down to this year.”
Lafferty, who was going for an unprecedented ninth national title, gave Bobbitt a good run, but came up just short.
“When you look at a long series, you’ve got to be up front every race,” Lafferty said. “We came here with the goal to win this race and let things happen, but it didn’t go our way. But it is what it is, that’s racing, and Russ rode a hell of a race. Over the course of the series he put in the best 10 races and that’s what it takes to win a championship. He had a heck of a year, and he deserves to win the championship.”
Mike Lafferty (right) came out on top at the last national enduro round but russell Bobbitt won the championship—by one point.
AMA team UsA: Front row: sarah Duke and caroline Allen. Back row: Keith Wineland, Patrick smage, Will ibsen and cody Webb.
haNcock WINs No. 8
Speedway Master Passes Legendary Mike Bast in Title Count
Monster Energy rider Greg Hancock won an unprecedented eighth AMA Racing/USA Speedway National Championship Series title with a flawless performance at the final round at Fast Friday’s Raceway in Auburn, Calif.
Hancock is now the all-time leader in national speedway championships. Going into this season, he was tied with the legendary Mike Bast, an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer, with seven titles.
Going into the last race, Hancock had a slim 4-point lead on reigning 2008 AMA Racing/USA Speedway National Champion Billy Janniro. Throughout the evening, Hancock left no doubt he wanted to end the night remaining in the points lead.
Hancock won all five races to qualify for pole position in the A main. Joining him were Charlie Venegas, Bart Bast and Janniro. Hancock got the holeshot and was gone, wrapping up his year with another dominant performance. For the race, Venegas finished second, Janniro got third, and Bast crossed the line in fourth.
For the title, Janniro was second in points, followed by Bast.
To The ToP
The top amateur hillclimbers in the U.S. gathered in New Ulm, Minn., to battle for No. 1 plates at the AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships Aug. 15-16.
When the dust settled on the 210-foot hill, laid
out by the Flying Dutchmen Motorcycle Club, 21-year-old Jay Sallstrom of Mankato, Minn., had the fastest time, set in the Open class on a Honda CRB1000RR-powered hillclimber.
Sallstrom’s winning run of 3.791 seconds came
late on the second day of climbing and provided a thrilling conclusion to an action-packed weekend.
Sallstrom wasn’t the only fast rider on the hill. Among the other champions were Todd Cipala, who won the AMA Racing Vet/Senior Award; Nathan Prebe, who took home the Youth Award; and Josh Perry, who claimed ATV honors.
Cipala dominated the big-bike classes on the first day of racing as the only rider to break into the 3-second range with identical times of 3.962 seconds in both the 750cc class and in the Open class.
In the 750cc class, Cipala dropped his time on Day Two to 3.873 seconds to hold onto the title. Despite lowering his time in the Open class to 3.826 seconds, though, Cipala fell to Sallstrom’s blistering run.
Prebe, 11, set a fast time in the Mini Jr. class at 7.449 seconds on the first day. That time held through Day 2 despite much better conditions. With the title in hand, the Frontenac, Minn., rider didn’t turn down another shot at the hill, however, and ripped his Honda to the top in 6.193 seconds, putting an exclamation point on his first national title.
Perry won the two-stroke ATV class, with fellow Missouri rider Tyler Clark less than a hundredth of a second behind. Perry’s time of 4.272 seconds was the fastest ATV time of the meet. Set on the second day, it was more than 2.5 seconds faster than Perry’s first run.
—Mike Nelson
greg Hancock is now the career leader in AMA national speedway championships.
nathan Prebe doesn’t like being at the bottom of hills, so he races to the top of them very quickly.
Photos Hancock: Michael Kirby; Hillclimb: Mike Nelson; Road Race Grand Championships: Dan Focht
Yamaha rider Miles Thornton, a 15-year-old motorcycle road racer from West Point, Ga., says that he’s not intimidated when he lines up against the best amateur riders in the country. He’s only inspired to go faster.
That inspiration fueled one of the best
performances of Thornton’s career at the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships, held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, Sept. 12-13.
Thornton’s results and sportsmanship earned him the 2009 AMA Road Race Horizon Award,
Honda rider Jake Lewis was the top youth rider at the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships. The 13-year-old from Princeton, Ky., won the Expert 125 GP class, finished third in Lightweight GP and got second in the USGPRU 125 GP class.
“My dream is to go to MotoGP,” Lewis said. “I’m going to work hard and train hard to get there.”
Lewis added the road racing award to a diverse trophy case that includes the 2006 AMA Racing Dirt Track Fast Brain Award.
which honors the amateur road racer poised to make an impact in the pro ranks.
“It’s crazy,” said Thornton, who was thrilled to win the same award previously won by the likes of former AMA Superbike Champion and current World Superbike Champion Ben Spies. “I never thought I’d go this far racing as a little kid. I’m so happy, and I hope to follow in (Spies’) footsteps.”
Thornton won Middleweight Superbike, finished second in Middleweight Supersport and took first in the 250GP class in the U.S. Grand Prix Riders Union program that was part of this year’s AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships.
The field that Thornton raced against wasn’t only amateurs. While their results weren’t included in the national championship tallies, pro-licensed riders were welcomed at this year’s AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships, which also served as a regional round of the Championship Cup Series (CCS) and paid CCS points and contingency.
One of those pros was Brian Stokes, the 2003 AMA Road Race Horizon Award winner and grand marshal of the 2009 event. Stokes did battle with Thornton in both Middleweight Superbike and Middleweight Supersport.
For full results, video and coverage of the event, see AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Scott Stall from Huxley, Iowa, won the Top Novice Award on his Suzuki. Stall took home first-place trophies in the novice divisions for Heavyweight Supersport, Middleweight Supersport and Middleweight GP. He finished second in Middleweight Supersport and Unlimited Grand Prix and third in Unlimited Supersport. His weekend also included a 13th in Unlimited Superbike.
“This award is a big deal,” Stall said. “The competition was fierce. It was a lot tougher than what I experience back home in Iowa.”
rider Sam Gaige from Rochester, N.Y., won the Vet/Senior Award. Gaige won Unlimited Grand Prix, Middleweight Supersport and Unlimited Superbike. He finished second in Unlimited Supersport, Middleweight Supersport and Middleweight Grand Prix.
“The competition was pretty good, and the award was a surprise,” Gaige said. “I’m older, and this is a hobby for me. We may not always be fast out there on the track, but we try to look good.”
Although 2009 has just wrapped up, 2010 is right around the corner, and it’s never too early to start planning for another season of competition. The next issue of AMA Racer will include schedules for the AMA Racing National Enduro Championship Series, the AMA Racing Hare & Hound Championship Series, AMA Racing Grand Championship events, and more. We’ll also report on any important changes to these series that might affect when, where and how you compete.
Yamaha
Miles thornton circulates the Mid-ohio sports car course on his UsgPrU bike.
rAnDY HAWKins
by actor and motorcyclist Perry King, who will preside over the induction.
The Hall of Fame ceremony is just part of a special weekend dedicated to motorcycling. The day before, on Dec. 4, AMA Racing will salute the best amateur racers on the planet at the AMA Racing Championship Banquet. The weekend also includes the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d’Elegance, which will feature some of the most beautiful bikes ever created.
It all happens amid the glitz of Las Vegas at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Tickets are $49 per person for one event, or $89 for all weekend. Special room rates are available through Nov. 4.
Info: AmericanMotorcyclist.com/LetsRock
rAnDY HAWKins: steLLAr cHAMPion
The 7-Time Champ Was Almost Going To Be Racing Cars
Randy Hawkins’ off-road racing accomplishments rank him among the best ever, but the career that would produce seven AMA National Enduro Championships began as humbly as any. In his first race, at 14 years old, the Travelers Rest, S.C., resident—born and raised—got his butt kicked in the 125 C class at a local motocross in Rival Falls, S.C.
That experience, however, lit a fire inside Hawkins that would rage for the next 15 years. Undoubtedly one of the country’s top off-road racers of his generation, Hawkins dominated the AMA National Enduro Championships though much of the 1990s, won 13 gold medals at the International Six Days Enduro and racked up 73 AMA national victories. Today, Hawkins is the team manager of AmPro Yamaha, which competes in the AMA-sanctioned off-road series. on how he got started in motorcycle racing
I grew up on a farm, and we had the opportunity to ride a lot. It was a big part of our community. My dad had me on an XR70 as soon as I could touch the footpegs, really. I started riding on my grandfather’s farm, just like any normal kid, and it went from there.
Racing came later, though. First, I got into go-kart racing. I was doing pretty good locally, and went to a national in Donington, N.C. People said I’d be lucky to make the field, and I qualified fourth and finished third in the first race. In the second race, I started in third and the kid behind me crashed right in front of my dad. After that race, my dad said that until I would be able to drive something with rollbars, I was going to do something else.
We went home, put up the go-kart stuff,
Photos Hawkins: Davey Morgan Photography; Mathers: Cory Cagle Photography
and got into motorcycle racing. I probably would have gone on to be a car racer if that kid would have crashed anywhere else on that track but in front of my dad. on his heroes
Honestly, I just was a racer. That’s what I wanted to do and luckily I was able to do. I didn’t really read Cycle News or Dirt Rider I just wanted to ride my dirt bike. I never really paid attention to what was going on outside of that. It’s strange because all these guys I’ve become personal friends with— Bob Hannah, Malcolm Smith, Dick Burleson, Roger DeCoster—I’ve met them and gotten to know them, but at the time I was racing, I was too focused on my own program to have heroes.
on what he got out of racing
I just loved to ride my motorcycle. I loved winning. The wins were as important to me as the financial side. Of course, there were the friendships. I really enjoyed the friendships, the being able to be part of something, of racing, of the racing community and a family-oriented group. I really feel like I could go anywhere in the U.S. and be able to call someone up and have a place to stay and a place to ride. Those types of friendships are something you can’t put a price on. on his greatest accomplishment
tHree QUestions
WitH gArY MAtHers
How To Find Champions
Gary Mathers is one of the most successful figures in American motorcycle racing. While with Kawasaki, his keen eye for talent discovered Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey, who both graduated from Mathers’ tutelage to become 500cc Grand Prix World Champions.
Mathers then moved to American Honda Motor Co., where over the course of 16 years he would produce a total of 48 championships in dirt track, motocross, Supercross and road racing. With Mathers at the helm, Honda won two championships every year except for one.
This Dec. 5, Mathers will join eight other motorcycling luminaries to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
AMA racer: What was your first big signing?
gary Mathers: Kawasaki in
I don’t think I have a single one. From being a gold medalist at the ISDE to winning a national race to winning a championship to being a part of the Hall of Fame, it would feel unfair to put one thing ahead of the others. Not to be corny, but I’d have to say it’s what all of that makes me, or has given me an opportunity to be. The most proud I feel is when a fan or parent of a fan comes up and thanks me for being a good ambassador for the sport.
I get to talk to a lot of local schools—elementary schools and middle schools—and I’m usually up there with the police chief and mayor and other local leaders. We all tell the same stories and offer the same lessons and advice, but because I’m a motorcycle racer, these kids really listen to me. His advice for the next generation of racers
As a racer coming up, winning the races you may think you’re the one, you’re the one riding the motorcycle, you’re the guy making it happen, but if you didn’t have the support of friends and family, where would you be? Is your family sacrificing financially so you can race, helping you get to the events? I don’t know anyone who got started in this sport and made it to the top level completely on their own. Never, ever forget those who sacrificed so you could race dirt bikes.
California called me and I went to work for them in motorcycles. Road racing was the big deal, and they didn’t have a rider, so my second day working for Kawasaki, I was asked to go hire Freddie Spencer. They had already decided they wanted him. But Honda had just picked him up, and I had to go back to my new boss and tell him that I missed Spencer by a day.
We went back to the drawing board, and the name that kept coming to the top was Eddie Lawson, so I called him up.
Ar: Any good Eddie Lawson stories from that first year?
gM: We were at Elkhart Lake, Wis., one day. It was the first practice day, and Eddie came in after the first run and said his throttle’s sticking. The mechanic looked at it, and Eddie, who was riding a KZ1000, went back out. The truck was parked about 1,000 yards from the pit wall where we were. Well, apparently the throttle stuck again. Eddie rode down pit lane, to the truck and leaned the bike against the truck with the
