USGP  2010

                                                   USGP    2010

 

 

 

     Just about the time your floating on a cloud and think that it just can’t get any better than this (Mammoth) your setting yourself up for one of two things: 1 bitter disappointment at the next outing or 2; finding a cloud that’s higher in the sky! 

 

 

 

     I was really shocked when I heard there was not to be a National at Glen Helen this year but soon after that announcement I was elated to learn that the USGP was to return stateside for the first time in some 20 years.  My first motocross race events were watching the Europeans demonstrate this sport to us in the states and I think it is important for the motorcycling community to embrace motorcycling in all forms and from all parts of the globe because frankly there are not that many of us % wise to the population

 

 

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    I had been in contact with Tami Greenhill from the LegendsAndHeroesTour.org and she invited me to bring my DKW to exhibit in their booth at the event. “ How cool is that” I thought.  When I got to the event we arranged the bikes in the display and set up camp.  Later her dad (John R. one of my all time heroes) arrived and we began bench racing right away.  Saturday came quickly and over to the exhibit we went.  A lot of people were interested in the older equipment and I was really surprised at the attention my Deek was receiving.  Either people had one as a kid or really wanted one back in their heyday.  Later in the afternoon I got my photo op when John R sat on the bike and stated that he had not sat on one for some thirty-five years or so.  Waaaaay Cooool!!!!

 

 

 

   The racing was awesome!! Because of the short notice the American racing teams did not have it in their budget for all to attend.  The same went for the spectators.  Attendance seemed light but once again there was such short notice.  Alessi and Townsley kept the Euros honest but I gotta tell you there are a lot of up and coming racers from across the pond.  The Europeans always seem to have such a smooth and fluid riding style.  They are always fun to watch!!!  There will be a USGP for at least 5 years and I hope it will continue indefinitely.

 

   Sunday came quickly and it was back to the exhibit.  Brad Lackey was there again and there was to be an autograph session later in the day.  The TV crews and FIM officials were talking with each other.  One crew came over to John R and I and filmed us giving the thumbs up.  After a while one of the FIM guys came over and asked about my involvement.  I pointed to the bike and told him I had raced the FIM Westlake event.  We talked Grand Prix versus the modern day format and both agreed that we liked the GP’s.  We also shared the opinion that talent on a motorcycle should be appreciated no matter which country you hail from.  “I think the U.S. vs. Europe started mainly because we had so much catching up to do in the early days of the sport stateside. Also it was good for publicity.  It really was disheartening to hear the crowds boo Jean Michael Bayle when he was over here; but then they booed Rickey Carmichael when he was on top.  I don’t think as many of the fans of today ride as much as the fans/ racers of the early years.  Anyway that’s my reasoning” I told him.

  

   He then noticed my Extreme Sports Pioneer hat and inquired what it was all about so I told him my mission and wanting to include more of the Europeans in my endeavor.  I had a recognition plaque for DeCoster thanking him for bringing MX to the states back in 1967 and winning 5 World titles.  I know what Roger looks like but there were several others who I would not recognize all of these years later.  He then looked at his watch and stated that he had a little time and would walk me through the pits and introduce me to my European Heroes.  I was blown away.  I told him it would take me 5 minutes to grab the award and recipient signature plaque and could meet him back at the Legends and Heroes booth and off I went.  Remember that cloud.  It kept climbing higher and higher right with my heart rate and adrenaline.

 

 

 

   We entered the pits and found Roger in deep discussion with the team so we would catch up with him later.  We then set out to find Harry Everts (4 time World Champion).  He was right around the corner.  It was explained in Belgian what I was doing and also translated what he had said for my benefit.  Harry looked at the recipient’s signatures from the Vintage Am race that Brad Lackey had put on and stated “ I know a lot of these names”.  I then told him I knew of his championships and races over here but I could not remember what he rode?  “A Puch” he responded.  “That’s right Ted Lapadakis let you ride one of his.”  With that Harry’s eyes lit up “That’s a name I’ve been trying to remember for almost 40 years.  Do you know how to get in touch with him?  I then told him that I would.  He then gave me his mailing address and posed with the recipient plaque for my photo op.  Thanks all around.  I’m still blown away by just how free MX er’s are with their time and how appreciative they are of my recognition thanking them for sharing their sport in the beginning and expanding it around the globe into what we have today!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

     We then went back by the DeCoster camp and he was still busy so we went in search of Jacky Martens.  He was not at his pit so we then went to find Jacky Vymond (World Champion) at the Kawasaki tent.  The story there was the same except the language was some French. He looked at the DeCoster Plaque and stated he wasn’t so good as he only had one World Title with a smile.  How humble can you be?  I told him that I spoke French but I was sooo wound up nothing but a few words would come out of my mouth.  I got his mailing info and photo op and expressed my thanks again!

 

 

 

 

 I thanked the FIM guy for taking so much of his time helping me.  He told me to find Roger later and to use his name if I thought it would make it any easier.  He asked if I would be going to the MX De Nations.  At that time I did not know but now I’ve informed him that I will be there.  We both hope we can continue our conversations at that time.  I know he will be very busy!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     I went back over to the Suzuki camp and found Roger signing autographs and photo ops so I waited until there was a break and told him what I was all about and presented him with the recognition plaque.  I then thanked him for taking the time to talk to a 15 year old kid some 40 years earlier about rhythm and balance and practicing without a seat to perfect the art of riding pegs up through corners.  I also told him what a thrill it was at Mammoth in 1993 to line up next to him and race 4 motos.  He won of course but I rode to a solid 15th out of 40 in a field full of national number holders and world class racers. That barely got my name in Motocross Magazines coverage of the event.   It was waaay cooool.  He smiled and thanked me and now I could work on getting my heart rate back to normal.  It took a couple of days!!!!