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.