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.