Glover liked to pass Barnett in practice

I used to love to hang out at Supercross races.  My editor probably thought I was nuts, but I didn't want to miss anything, not even one lap of practice.  Here's Broc Glover finding a fast line through a whoop section with Barnett checking it out a bit more to the inside.

How great a life it was.  The open-air stadiums held the risk of rain, but when it was hot and sunny it almost felt like a mini MX National.  I enjoyed walking the track, making a few photos like this one in practice, then cruising the pits and visiting with most anyone who would talk to me...and with a few exceptions, that was most everyone.

I've measured every other point of passion in my life against those Cycle News years.  It was high engagement on every level and I was totally immersed in the culture.

New York motocross in 1976 was very cool.

Retro Motocross reader Mick Fesko has graced our blog with an image from his racing past...that's Mick jamming the inside inside line, #511 on the Can-Am.

Mick writes:  "The shot as taken in 1976 at a track just east of Rochester at a facility called Alberta Park, in Macedon, NY (AMA District 4) ...I was riding a 1976 Can-Am 125 MX-2 at that time."

As with most retro images, isn't it fun to examine the fine detail in the photo?  How about #77, how low to the ground can that guy go?  No stinkin' 14 inches suspension for that rider. Things look so "fun" from that era.  Maybe the cryptic equipment and gear made it more earthy and real.

I'm hooked on yesteryear.  Thanks for sending, Mick.

Flying high: Memories from yesteryear

I know we all love the magic of National MX, the factory stars, and memories of the elite from yesteryear.

But much of the MX magic resides in our own personal experience.

Check out the photo above; this was submitted by my long-time buddy Shannon Kurek (who is now one of the top triathlon and endurance sport event promoters in Ohio and surrounding regions).

Shannon recalls this big air shot is from 1985, at his grandma's farm in Mansfield, Ohio. He's riding a 1984 Suzuki RM 100.

Can't we all remember how it felt to be young and free, flying a motocross bike at our local riding area?  How dynamic the senses were and how receptive we were to embracing the experience?

This is how we can all remember motocross; as a celebration of our youth and a pathway of life to come.

One of my greatest MX pics of all time

I don't have to add a lot of words.  A young kid came from California to ride the 1980 125cc USGP at Mid-Ohio.

We knew two things:

1) CA riders can't ride mud.

2) What's a Mugen?

Two motos later, John O'Mara was in the news. And for the photo op, he waved an American flag.

Priceless.

12,000 Retro Motocross images: Tell me how to use 'em

It's an amazing feat, but in just a bit of time we'll have all of my slides and negs digitized and backed up about three different ways.  What had been a plastic bin of contact sheets and negs has come to life and there are many, many excited images to share.

I plan to keep bringing you prime photos with a bit of running commentary...but is there another or better way? If you have suggestions or input on how I might bring the magic of motocross to others, please post a comment. No secret, I want to take this enjoyment to the largest audience possible. Please help me reach out and share with early 1980's era fans throughout the world!

Bob Hannah pulled the fans' attention

Where Bob Hannah went, the fans followed.  I don't think there was any other specific rider who held fan attraction like Hannah.  It was a magical mix of personality + talent. And, it was a deadly combination for the competition.

If Hurricane warnings came to a Supercross stadium near you, it was a given that fans would line the closest access points in hopes of an autograph.

Who knows, maybe some of those young faces in the crowd are now middle-aged Retro Motocross readers.

Glover negotiates deep ruts

Supercross configurations may have been on the timid side in the early 1980's, but that didn't make them an easier to ride.

Broc Glover shows the proper technique for getting through a bike-swallowing rut.

Once again, the open face helmet allows for a full frontal view of Broc's concentration.

Retro Motocross readers...help me out and let me know who's chasing Broc on the Kawasaki.  Is it Breker or Ward?

Hannah went fast...despite an aggressive fork rake angle

You really can't get enough of Bob Hannah...at least on the race track during my era as Cycle News East reporter in the early 1980's.  These tight side shots allow for a close inspection of the latest in factory prototypes for the era.  What strikes me is the overall size of Bob's YZ, in comparison to the motocross bikes we see today.  The retro bikes were relatively tiny in perspective to the rider; and that said, we know The Hurricane is not a large human being to begin with.

I also like to note the rake/fork angle on this bike...isn't it a bit chopper like? I'm not an engineer, but would have to assume the Yamaha designers were looking for an aggressive wheelbase.  And once again, the simplicity of the air-cooled engine made it possible for most anyone to grab a set of metrics and go to work.

Maybe overall, it wasn't better or worse, just different.  But I look back with fondness as the personalities and machinery of my time on the National MX circuit.

Fringe benefits in winner's circle

I can't remember all the details on this one, but I'm pretty sure this is Unadilla, Larry Maiers is commandeering winner's circle, and the trophy girl wanted to make sure Broc Glover felt welcome.

I sure loved Retro MX.  Maybe this was the precursor to Monster girls everywhere.

Barnett was almost perfect

I don't need to ham up every image with a lot of verbiage.

Here's Barnett getting it done.  Perfection. enjoy.

Lisa Akin hauled *$%

Women's motocross has always been on the radar and an important element of the sport.  Some may argue that females who know how to twist the throttle don't get enough cred...and that has been a debate for many years.

What I do know is that long before there was heavy promotion for women's racing, there were a few pioneers - and one Dynamic dynamo was none other that Lisa Akin.

There's no way I could judge the prowess this woman commanded on her YZ.  She might have been a fringe member of the Michigan Mafia, but was in no way the least.  Great rider, good form, and always appreciative of her role in racing.

I have to make a confession: I was less about the mechanics of motocross and more about the personalities. Let's not ever forget to tell the tales of those who made the sport great.

Lisa, thanks for adding your skill and expertise to the mix.

VMX is a very pretty motocross mag

I had the pleasure of engaging a couple of Skype conversations with Ken Smith, editor of the coffee-table-quality VMX magazine.

Ken deals in all things historical that are related to motocross.  VMX captures gorgeous images and in-depth features for those who love to go deep into the nuts and bolts detail of a restoration.

Ken would like to reach out to Retro Motocross readers and said, "As part of our 50th issue 'celebration' we're also running a subscription promo, where anyone who takes out a new subscription between now and the 10th of December goes into a draw(ing) to win all 50 issues of VMX Magazine (including freight of course, anywhere in the world).  That is a huge prize considering how many issues are now unobtainable and command big prices on eBay."

So for those of you who might want a big quarterly fix of motocross from yesteryear, check out the website for details. VMX is an Australian publication, you can learn more from clicking to http://www.vmxmag.com.au/.

With all that said, let's get back to the machinery...check out the pristine Maico on the latest cover of VMX. It's art in the making.  I had a radial head 250 and now wish it was never sold...and was still tucked safely away in my parent's shed in Wisconsin.

Guess I'll have to dust off my time machine to get it back.

"American Motocross in Photos" for Kindle and iPad

It's time to package up some of my best images with insightful captions and put it out for sale on Amazon.com, for Kindle and iPad download.

Working title: "American Motocross in Photos: 1979-1982, Volume 1"

I'm thinking something in the $2.99 - $3.99 range.  Reasonable cost, good value.

If you're feeling the love on this, post a comment or drop a "Like" on Facebook.

Jammer gets air in this great back shot

The motocross industry had a better idea regarding apparel in the retro days of MX.

Modern rider apparel is lines and circles and colors and design.  It's busy on every inch of rider pants, boots, jersey and helmet.

Note photo above. Two base colors. Weinert. Number 7. Jammin' Jimmy.

No need to draw attention away from the legend itself.  When this rider crested a jump, I knew who it was and why he mattered. The Jammer was the brand...he didn't compete with 40+ other sponsors embedded on a busy design.

Good memories from a great era.

Gary Pustalek and Freddie Ephrem at Florida Winter AMA

Here's AMA referee extraordinaire Freddie Ephrem and Husky open class rider Gary Pustalek, sharing some winner's circle photo ops after the race. I loved hanging on the circuit at Bill West's Florida Winter Series.  So much history, good times and a great vibe at every race.  Life was good.

Marty Smith caps a career

I came onto the scene during Marty Smith's final years on the National circuit; he was finishing up riding for factory Suzuki. I always enjoyed watching him ride and getting quotes for my Cycle News articles.  He was respectful and friendly and made me feel welcome in the sport. Class act, always was, always will be.

Mike Bell makes a great face while berm busting

Here's more facial expression for your enjoyment. Mike Bell goes open face and lets us see how it looks when you're rocket fast and hungry for a win.

Loupi has gunfighter eyes

Sorry I haven't been posting. University and family issues come first. But as an interim measure, I'm going to post a couple of nice shots without a lot of comment.

Here's an opportunity to get inside Donnie Cantaloupi's mind, as he sets a brisk pace at the Daytona Supercross. Just take a deep look into his eyes. It was hard to get these straight on shots with the short lenses I used in those days. But in this instant, the shot was on the mark.

Tight shot of Glover and Barnett at Daytona

I used to love getting up close and personal on the race track, which allowed for tight shots and a crisp view of the riders and machinery.

Check out this infield straight photo of Broc Glover (11) using the inside line to edge out Mark Barnett (10) at Daytona International Speedway.

What is so appealing to me is the simplicity of it all. Note the uncluttered air cooled cylinders and once again, the open face helmet lets us into Broc's world via facial expression.

Yes, bikes were slower and riders stayed closer to the ground. But I would argue that when you have superstars like Glover and Barnett wheel-to-wheel, the competition was never better.

Broc Glover pulled big air at Daytona

Here's another photo that supports my theory that moto stars in the early 1980's got big air...it's the Golden Boy, Broc Glover, catching some sky off an infield jump at Daytona.  Heck, the guy must be at least eight (8) feet off the ground!

I'm not going to apologize, Broc and the other factory stars, in their day, gave just as big of an adrenaline rush as today's X Games Step Up competition.  Sure, step up dudes are getting few feet higher, but in my day this was more than what we needed, or expected.

Great racing and entertainment comes in many forms and packages...I sure enjoyed the show when I was covering the circuit in what I know were very special years in my life.

Kent Howerton started the freestyle craze

The more things change...the more they stay the same.  Maybe Kent Howerton was 25 years early, but there's no doubt in my mind that in this shot, he's attempting to set up for a 360 degree flip! Just check out the body English and front end correction and I'm sure you can agree he's ready to blip the throttle and pull back hard...

OK, maybe I do live in a dream world, but in its day, the top factory riders were super heroes.  We loved it when they'd "get air" and it was just as exciting then, as  what is produced now. Bottom line, these guys generated great racing (better racing than today?) and packed in crowds all over the USA. I am proud to have been part of that wonderful era in the sport.

Rick Johnson is on the gate and looking relaxed

I used to love taking pre-moto-waiting-at-the-gate shots.

Here's Rick Johnson back in the days of open face helmets, with his Scott goggle/face protector combo waiting on the handlebars...just how cool were those Scott face masks?  Think Bailey wore them more than anyone.  On a 1 to 10 scale, those things were an 11.

That's Dave Hollis in the Fox jersey...and the umbrella holder looks to be none other than Ron Heben, who went on to be a successful racing director for several other companies.

Can anyone name the guy in front wearing the Yammy shirt?

It's fun to look at Retro MX racing shots...but seeing the personalities up close brings back vivid memories.

Steve Martin was good at every sport

Here's a shot of the good life in MX...it's Honda "B" team factory rider Steve Martin in Florida, posing with a friend and his Corvette.

Steve was a big part of the scene in Florida MX.  His father, Steve Sr., was part of the management team at Cycle Springs Yamaha...I never met a more friendly, welcoming gang.

The one thing I remember about Steve...in addition to his prowess at MX...was an overall positive and happy attitude. And the guy was a natural at sports. Water skiing, tennis, whatever the game, Steve could do it well.

I admired something in most every racer I ever met.  Steve Martin had a lot to admire; it wasn't hard to like this guy.

Freddie Ephrem was a cool AMA referee

I lost the top edge of this neg, must have been at the end of a roll...but nonetheless you get to see the image and why it matters...three important MX people are in the shot (left to right):

1) Freddie Ephrem was a great racing personality, former flat tracker and long-time AMA MX referee.  He loved each racer like his own child, but that said, he could give a rear-end chewing that made any rules-breaker take heed.  Freddie never lost his ear-to-ear grin.  He passed away in 1989.  Great dude.

2) Kent Howerton. Big name in the sport.  Gave Bob Hannah fits.  I am finding a bunch of frames with the Hannah/Howerton duel.  More to come.

3) Ben Cheatwood.  The eternal Honda rep who bleeds red.  Honda Ben.  This guy has been a PA announcer at over 1000 races (I made that number up, but it's a lot of announcing).  Good guy who helped me immensely during my Cycle News days and on occasion would drag my sorry behind to enduro events...even when I was riding a KLX 250.  Thanks Ben.

Race fans loved Cycle News East

Hey, it was the pre-Internet days, OK?  When I walked the pits and fan areas at the National MX races, inquiring minds wanted to know...if they could get their photo in Cycle News East!

I can't remember the details on this fan, but she's wearing a pit credential so she must have had some clout.

What I can surmise by looking at this image is that...the more things change, the more they stay the same.

It's all part of the color and flavor of MX racing.  Hope you enjoy my eclectic and diverse perspective.

Bruce Jenner was a Supercross TV announcer

Sometimes it's important to keep major historical events in perspective.

So in order to do my part, here's a shot of Bruce Jenner interviewing Mike Bell for a NBC Supercross spectacular. I remember meeting Jenner that day...it's important to note that Bruce was hanging out at Supercross events long before he married Kris Kardashian (in 1991) and became step-dad to the now famous Kardashian clan.

Jenner was the decathlon champion and gold medal winner at the 1976 Olympics.  But as exciting as the Olympics can be, Supercross has star appeal.

Ron Sun signed body parts at National MX races

Yes, sometimes events at National MX races in the early 1980's became a bit risque.

Here's Ron Sun (Chuck's younger brother) putting some ink on a rabid fan. Guess if you forgot your autograph sheet or poster, an upper breast will have to do.

Hey, inquiring Retro MX readers want to know!  I enjoy bringing back the memories...as I remember them...through these images and comments.

It's fun to remember those exciting moments...and pictures bring it back to life.

Bob Hannah thought Larry Maiers was funny

This is Bob Hannah at a Supercross somewhere, hyping up the race on the PA system with floor announcer Larry Maiers.

Maiers was the head honcho at Hi-Point Racing Products and had a solid business relationship and friendship with Hannah. It was quite a show when the two played off each other on the microphone.

Supercross was great for a reporter because everything was so accessible.  It was easy to get the money shots and take notes for the race features. Thanks to guys like Hannah and Maiers, there were always quotes for Monday's edition.  With these two characters, there was never a shortage of words.

Barry Higgins could wheelie a Montesa

This is one of my great memories from the early 80's, when I was an editor at Cycle News East.  We had a test bike from the Montesa importer. I think it was a 360cc Open class bike. 


What makes this photo interesting is that the test rider is none other than MX legend Barry Higgins.  Barry was excellent at coming out and thrashing our test bikes in photo sessions.  I think this shoot produced a cover shot.


The bike was eventually awarded to Marvin McDaniel, a top regional pro out of the Atlanta area.  Marvin and his crew (i.e. his brothers) worked over the bike with some modifications but could never get it to perform as required...so the Montesa went back to the importer and Marvin when back to his Yamaha YZ.

Jack Mangus was a great news editor

Here's Jack Mangus, lead editor for Cycle News East, hamming it up Salvador Dali style for the camera...if I remember correctly I was shooting facials for our passport photos.  What ever the purpose, this is a great image.

Mangus was eclectic and well read.  He could also be tough when needed.  I remember that he went to bat for me on several occasions when my news reports brought a retort from industry VIPs.

One time I published a story that stated Johnny O'Mara won the 1980 125cc Mid-Ohio USGP on a Mugen Honda. Al Baker, who was instrumental in the Mugen effort, was on the phone contesting that the bike was not a Honda. I don't think I had the moxie at that time to hold that debate, but Jack had no problem stating his case.  He challenged Baker on the origin of the bike's frame, main engine components, etc.  I can still recall the sound of his voice escalating as he and Baker got into it.  A young writer in the MX business doesn't forget things like that.

On another occasion Mangus chastised me for using a spelling dictionary when I wrote (no spell check in those days).  He said throw it out, get a real dictionary...he said it's not just spelling a word, it's learning what each word means. Never forgot that, either.

There are countless other Mangus stories, but I can state with all certainty that Jack was a big piece of Cycle News and its success in the motorcycle industry.

Marvin McDaniel jumped over Billy Liles

Life was really sweet after I finished university and moved from the desolate winter tundra of Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Atlanta for my gig at Cycle News East.

At one time rather isolated from the MX scene, I was now part of the pulse in the southeast...with local pros like Marvin McDaniel (273) and Billy Liles (1).  Marvin's entire family adopted me and I was the recipient of many wonderful southern cooked meals at his mamma's table.

Billy became Team Green Kawasaki's first-ever contracted rider...and went on to national and world MX fame. I talked to Billy not long ago. He remembered with some fondness that I had a photo on my office wall at Cycle News - of Billy getting his clocked cleaned in crash at a local race.

I had never been this close to the big times and it was surreal.  To feel the vibe and know these boys were solid regional pros who could run top 10 at a national...shock and awe.

Thanks to you all - Billy, Marvin, Keith Turpin, Brad Wallace, Joe Rogers and other Georgia hotshoes - for opening a portal to the big, wild world of professional motocross.  I'll never forget it.

Marvin McDaniel jumped over Billy Liles

Life was really sweet after I finished university and moved from the desolate winter tundra of Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Atlanta for my gig at Cycle News East.

At one time rather isolated from the MX scene, I was now part of the pulse in the southeast...with local pros like Marvin McDaniel (273) and Billy Liles (1).  Marvin's entire family adopted me and I was the recipient of many wonderful southern cooked meals at his mamma's table.

Billy became Team Green Kawasaki's first-ever contracted rider...and went on to national and world MX fame. I talked to Billy not long ago. He remembered with some fondness that I had a photo on my office wall at Cycle News - of Billy getting his clocked cleaned in crash at a local race.

I had never been this close to the big times and it was surreal.  To feel the vibe and know these boys were solid regional pros who could run top 10 at a national...shock and awe.

Thanks to you all - Billy, Marvin, Keith Turpin, Brad Wallace, Joe Rogers and other Georgia hotshoes - for opening a portal to the big, wild world of professional motocross.  I'll never forget it.

Wisconsin is a hotbed of Retro MX

It's become evident that the world of Retro Motocross is a small, albeit friendly, universe.

Went to my hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin, to visit my parents.  Noted the next door neighbor had motocross ID on his vehicle and also saw an MX bike peeking out of the garage.  On this trip home, I made the connection and learned a ton.

Meet Lee and Justis Heckendorf.  This father-son duo is 100% full-on MX; Lee restores retro bikes, you can check out his business at www.onthepiperacing.com.  Justis is living the dream and is a top A rider in the region.

Wausau may be remote by National MX standards, but the passion within can come from all geographic locations.  What impressed me most about Justis was that he understands you have to know where you've been...before you know where you're going.  He respects the historical aspect of racing and holds David Bailey as his model of exemplary MX performance.

I many times feel removed from the sport, as if I'm a pilgrim traveling through a strange land of yesteryear. I learned through this trip home that folks like Lee and Justis create a portal to travel back in time, individuals who love to share and embellish tales of greats like Bailey, Hannah, O'Mara and many others.

He's a shout out for two great MX advocates who rep well for the sport.

Wisconsin is a hotbed of Retro MX

It's become evident that the world of Retro Motocross is a small, albeit friendly, universe.

Went to my hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin, to visit my parents.  Noted the next door neighbor had motocross ID on his vehicle and also saw an MX bike peeking out of the garage.  On this trip home, I made the connection and learned a ton.

Meet Lee and Justis Heckendorf.  This father-son duo is 100% full-on MX; Lee restores retro bikes, you can check out his business at www.onthepiperacing.com.  Justis is living the dream and is a top A rider in the region.

Wausau may be remote by National MX standards, but the passion within can come from all geographic locations.  What impressed me most about Justis was that he understands you have to know where you've been...before you know where you're going.  He respects the historical aspect of racing and holds David Bailey as his model of exemplary MX performance.

I many times feel removed from the sport, as if I'm a pilgrim traveling through a strange land of yesteryear. I learned through this trip home that folks like Lee and Justis create a portal to travel back in time, individuals who love to share and embellish tales of greats like Bailey, Hannah, O'Mara and many others.

He's a shout out for two great MX advocates who rep well for the sport.

Mark Barnett was a fan favorite

In staying with my "fans are really cool people" theme, here's a shot of Mark Barnett making nice with a gaggle of characters along the fence line. I can't remember if The Bomber knew these dudes, but if he didn't...he does now.

You have to love the access we had in the retro days of MX.  Factory stars hanging out and getting real with the masses.  Sort of like the president making a pilgrimage down main street...without the bullet-proof glass.

I liked Barnett and I liked most of the fans who attended races.  I'll take them all, with the exception of mean drunks...there were a few of those but most were hogtied and taken to an undisclosed location.

Motocross fans and mud holes are made for each other

I'm not sure how things play out at modern day MX Nationals...but here's how it went in my day. Fans would drain a cooler or two of beer, then find the nearest mud hole to demonstrate how alcohol can enhance the total spectator experience. It was all good fun...as long as the entertaining characters stayed off the race track!

I sound like a broken record...but I wish our modern moto media would capture more of this behind-the-scenes debauchery.  It's such a big part of our sport.  Anyone who has done a day at the races will attest, it's like Woodstock playing over and over like groundhog day.

It's easy to love old-school motocross.

Broc Glover ate dirt...but won races

On the best of days, a top MXer gets the holeshot and leads the entire race.  I remember how it went when guys like Bailey, O'Mara, Hansen or others would take it off the front and keep their all-white outfits intact.

Of course on other occasions, the fastest rider may suffer a bad start, crash, or get railed into a haybale...at which time that rider has to work through the pack to take the checkered.

Here's Broc Glover looking confident after taking soil samples with his face. Looks like that 80's mustache operated like a Dyson super vac. Dirty can be good.

I loved personality close ups. Wish we had more of it in the sport today.  Snap a 135mm lens on the camera body and shoot facials.  They tell a story.

Freddie Spencer looked really young...when he was young

Thought I'd throw a bit of variety your way...sorry to all the MX only readers, but here's an early 1980's shot of world road racing champion Freddie Spencer. Think I may have made this shot at the Talladega AMA road racing national...or Daytona.

Isn't it great to see the unfettered look of yesterday?  A good ol' cotton sweatshirt sufficed. In today's cluttered market, it would have been a high style jacket or team shirt, loaded with logos and brand identities.

We'll be back to MX soon, but I'm not ashamed of sharing the love with great athletes who competed in other forms of motorcycle competition...it's all good.

#28 on a Husky...name the rider

I am grateful that Retro Motocross readers can help out an old prof with 12,000 racing images...when that old prof can't remember most of the details!

Is this Mike Guerra?  Supercross in the early 1980's...Husky was at the races, but not too prevalent in that era in MX and SX...in enduro and hare scrambles, Husky was king.

Thanks for all of you who are checking out the blog and adding comments to embellish the stories we have to tell.  This is a forum for promoting the excellence of the sport we remember from 30 years ago.

Bailey wore big caps...before big caps were cool

Here's David Bailey hamming it up prior to a moto.  Looks like he was posing with the latest in headwear from JT or Dunlop, or maybe Hi-Point. One could always leave it to the factory guys when it came to quick humor and a few laughs in the pits.

I never fully understood the modern day MX stars who wear over-sized ball caps that drop down over their ears...but then of course Bailey was on top of that game 30 years ago!

So if you think it's new...we've seen it before in a different variation.

Jammer interviews the Rhinestone Cowboy

Racing and the heat off the battle were great dimensions during my years of reporting for Cycle News East, but what I seemed to enjoy most were the before and after moments in the sport...the anticipation of the event to come, who had a cocky comment directed towards another racer (there seemed to be many in those days) and of course injury updates.

Then the gate dropped, the race commenced, and within minutes we had a winner.

Here's a shot of Kent Howerton (aka the Rhinestone Cowboy based on his Texas roots) being interviewed after winning a Supercross by Jammin' Jimmy Weinert. Kent and Jimmy represent big brands in the sport of motocross. I used to hang on every word while making winner's circle photos - in those days, our tools were a notepad and two camera bodies, one shooting film for CN East and the other body capturing images for CN West. That's another story in itself and it will be unpacked in another post.

I believe the moto media gives us too many race images and not enough of the "real story"...what's happening in the pits, shots of riders with fans, more on the mechanics and team managers.  The relationships are complex and race photos don't tell the entire story.  I wanted to take my readers behind the scenes, as if they were traveling within the sport, as I was.

Well, that's just the opinion of this old-time reporter.  And I'm glad to have this blog as a platform for my thoughts!

#33 says holy %*$($(# how do I save this one?

Pretty sure this shot is from the Unadilla 250cc USGP, maybe 1980 or 1981.

I'm not sure who #33 is...Kris Bigelow?  It's clear the bike picked up an attitude that wasn't expected and this rider is crawling onto the gas tank to correct the errant front end.

Remember the high two-stroke rev you'd hear when a rider was trying to save it?  Getting the engine gyro effect to assist in correcting the bike's position? Hate to say it but when that rev noise came, it was probably a  millisecond prior to a big crash.

Thanks to Retro Motocross readers for posting comments and helping me ID the riders and mechanics.

Ron Sun is pulling Denny Bentley in a mud moto

Here's some action from a mud race from the early 80's...and that's when I knew I was totally engaged in the sport; even mud races were fun! I'd suit up in a two-piece rain suit and house my FE and FM Nikon bodies with garbage bags.  It was about getting in close and depicting the action on film; Cycle News West editor Charlie Morey was the one who turned me on to shooting tight in the turns with either a 50mm lens, or many times a 28mm. I enjoyed featuring as many riders as possible in news reporting.  This photo captures Michigan Mafia rider Denny Bentley (25) while the rider pulling lead duty is the other Sun - Ron Sun (24). I can't remember how this moto concluded, but what really matters is that the image remains!

Cantaloupi shows off his Open class Katoomer

I'm on a bit of a Donnie Cantaloupi binge as of late...here's Donnie with his works, air-cooled KTM big bore monster.

Can someone help me out and ID Donnie's mechanic?  I want to give cred where cred it due.

I loved looking at bikes in those days.  Shoot a nice, tight horizontal shot and you could show all the pieces and parts.  No shrouds and water cooling jackets and now EFI.  Just give me the finned jug and attached carb and I'm a happy boy.

It was great to walk the pits in my Cycle News days.  There were a million stories to tell and I only had limited time each weekend...what a terrible problem to have!

Loupi gets big air

Here's more viewing pleasure, courtesy of Donnie Cantaloupi on the factory Yamaha and an open face helmet showing his "holy ^*$((#" expression.  No doubt, this was big air back in the day.

I love this old MX stuff.  Seemed more real to me back then and then riders were only 12 feet off the ground...but who cared it was all bigger than life.

Tony Summey is #73; lots of action name the riders

Here's a MX shot from yesteryear; could be a southeast regional race.  I'm not sure of much here but I think #73 is Tony Summey...#229 (?) is hooked up and launching into the lead.

Help and old man out and fill in the details!

Andre Malherbe kept friendly dogs

Here's another shot of my visit to Andre Malherbe's home, in southern Belgium during December, I think 1980 or 1981.  He was world champ at the time and I can't remember the back story on the broken hand.

At that time, Malherbe's life was high style.  The mansion, the dogs...who knew the dreaded crash at Paris-Dakar was in the future. That is how it goes for us all:  We can plan well, but none of us know what's around the next bend in the road.

Thanks Andre, for letting me into your life and home for these wonderful pics. I'm glad that I can share them with Retro Motocross readers 30+ years later.

Howerton says "uh oh" here comes Hannah!

I've been traveling and got a bit behind on the Retro MX posts...so just to keep your chomps a bit wet for more, here's a snapshot from the heat of the action.  Kent Howerton and Bob Hannah were never friends and the state of that relationship produced epic early 1980's racing action.

Once again the open face helmet allows Howerton's facial expression to tell the story.  He's locked and loaded for an exit from the turn, but it seems he's aware it's Hurricane season.

I can't seem to imagine carrying a championship pace lap after lap, especially when one is getting nudged in the behind from some dude with a lightning bolt on their jersey. Those were good days and that was some hot racing.

Broc Glover got clocked at Mid-Ohio

Don't you just love the way we did high-tech, smoke and mirrors winner's circle presentations in the early 1980's?

It's a miracle we were allowed to validate this as real; for cryin' out loud where are the Monster girls?

This is how it happened:  We took the top MX superstar who won the event (in this case "Golden Boy" Broc Glover) then looked for a prop to authenticate the shoot.  Best option here was the Mid-Ohio "podium" you see in the back.

Don't know how you feel about all this, but to this day I think it's downright cool.  Broc was the Trans-USA International Champion and he got a clock to hang on his wall as a bonus. I liked the closeness of it all. No orchestrated photo op, just the Cycle News East guy getting a shot for next week's issue.

Pre-Internet era, things like this mattered. I was proud to be a conduit to all things motocross.

Bailey wadded it after leading Unadilla

Here's art in motion...David Bailey about to catch traction on the rough and demanding Unadilla track during a GP race.  As you well know my memory is fading, so David filled in the blanks:

"1982 first moto," reported Bailey when I showed him this image."Second moto, the uphill right after that one, I hit a haybale somebody moved and wadded and lost the overall, but at least I won the first moto. My first real big win.The next year I won the first moto AND the overall. Look how many people and how rough. THAT'S MX."

You said it bro, that was MX.  And you, my friend, were a big piece of the action.