Personal History
I've ridden and raced motorcycles since I was 6 years old. My dad, grandfather and my Uncle all rode motorcycles.
I got my very first mini bike in 1967, broke it in half doing jumps. Got a "real" motorcycle shortly after that. Raced for the first time in 1970 at Hollister Hills, CA on a Yamaha 90 HT-1. Placed first. From there I raced many local club races in a private club in Sunnyvale, Ca. called L.E.R.A. A company employee club sponsored by Lockheed Missiles and Space Corp. where my father worked. I ended up earning a expert plate in the club at 10 years old. They had to re-write the club bylaws which allowed kids to have expert plates.
in 1975 I began racing "real" races at tracks in and around the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Ca. Such as Fremont Raceway (Wednesday and Friday night races) Watsonville, Hollister, Dixon/Argyll, Marysville, Madera, Old Hangtown (Plymouth) Carnegie, My favorite track being Watsonville as it was very bumpy and technical.
I also had the privilege of riding and practicing with Danny 'Magoo' Chandler. He taught me and my race buddy how to do the "cross-up" - we thought that was the coolest thing in the world. Our Dad's didn't think so.
In 1980 I committed and race the Golden State Series, borrowed my dad's truck and camper and took myself to the races on the weekends. I never got anything better than top 3 placing, but I did finish in the top 10 overall. Those SoCal boys were fast -- on their tracks (Saddleback) but I got 'em back on NorCal tracks. They didn't do bumps very well. But it was a great learning experience.
In high school (Mountain View High) I applied for a job at Simons forks after seeing an article in Dirt Bike Magazine featuring some very cool motocross racing forks and noticed they were located in my home town -- Mountain View. I worked for Simons for over 8 years and I was directly involved in design, prototype machining and testing of the then unheard of "upside down forks" that are commonplace nowadays.
If you look at my pictures, you will see a picture of my 1980 KX420 with a pair of Simons prototype upside down forks, replete with Brad Lackey's #6 plate for the year he was racing Kawasaki. We helped Brad clinch the 1982 FIM World Championship on a Suzuki. You will see the Simons upside down forks on that machine if you google the images.
My dad ran a dirt bike motorcycle accessories shop in Mountain View in the late 70's to early 80's called the Knobby Shop, and he was also my sponsor. He also sponsored a handful of my race buddies as well. Thanks dad!
While working for Simons forks, I was directly involved in the industry. I met a lot of pro racers and industry leaders. I knew Bob and Geoff Fox, Chris Carter (Motion Pro) Paul and Ron Turner, hung out at Protopipe. I had the privilege of meeting Gene Hackman, Joey Ramon (of the punk band The Ramones) and Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin's John Bonham.
Through Simons I met Steve Wise, Chuck Sun, Roger DeCoster. Chuck White, and made friends with Doug Domokos. We got into a bit of trouble one Friday night and talked Doug into doing his wheelie thing around the local shopping mall. Great memories.
As a machinist at Simons, I was not only involved in the machining but also the testing. I got to race a lot of prototype and one off items. Plus having access to Fox Airshox and goodies from other local vendors was a bonus too!
When met Roger DeCoster and machined up several goodies for him and Team Honda. To this day I still have a small bowl of leftover titanium bolts that I hand machined and delivered to Roger and Team Honda at a Rancho Cordova hotel parking lot before a Hangtown National. It had to do with the then highly secretive "ProLink" single shock rear suspension. It was still under wraps then. Fun times!
Now I am a family man, both sons ride off road, which I had started them both on a Honda Z50. One son decided he wanted to try motocross. A little late in life starting racing at 17, but I showed him the ropes and everything that I knew from my racing days and he did really well the first year finishing top 10 in a series. That was his goal. Then, the next year, he says "he dad, you should try racing again..." Great idea son! So I did. The butterflies were there, but so was that passion. As soon as the grate dropped for the first time in over 30 years, it was GAME ON!
Riding Goals
Riding is a passion. Motorcycles are a passion. This is a comeback if you will. A 30+ year hiatus from racing while raising a family. I still rode off and on during that time but battled some serious back issues and was unable to do anything physical for many years until a corrective surgery made it possible for me to be more mobile again.
I have been training, dropping weight, getting in shape and planning to race the 2014 schedule with my new found club and friends in the OTHG club in California. I have joined the "Sierra Chapter"
I raced an evaluation race October 2013 on the Hangtown National track -- Hallowed ground. I was honored to be able to race there, especially after being there with my dad and 2 sons a few month previous to that to watch the 2013 outdoor opening season race at Hangtown.
To clarify "evaluation" races - The OTHG club requires new members to race 2 races so that they may be places in the appropriate age range and skill class. I anticipate being placed in the novice class.
So my goals are to learn the techniques required "new school" tracks and be consistent in my finishes. Overcoming the challenges of doubles, triples and step-ups and hopefully earn enough points to transfer to the intermediate class.
But I'd have to say that my primary goal is to be out there having fun, no matter what class. But that certainly does not mean that I am not competitive! I realized I have never lost that drive, that passion for competition. I had forgotten how it felt to go elbow-to-elbow with my motocross brothers, but that quickly came back and reignited the fire. I consider myself to be very blessed to be able to get out there and race at 52. Vets Rule!
Competitive Highlights
Earned a Top 25 number (#14) for the 2017 race season with the Over The Hill Gang
Earned the prestigious IronMan award for the 2017 race season with the Over The Hill Gang
Making expert plate in a local club at 10 years old.
Finishing in the top 10 in the 1980 CMC Golden State Series, and doing all of the driving and mechanic duties myself, at 18 years old.
Finishing the Fools Gold and Jackhammer enduros that I entered just for more practice :-)
Racing a 2 hour marathon (hare scrambles) by myself to "keep in mx racing shape"
Racing AMA sanctioned events with numerous 1st and 2nd place finishes consistently
Turning "Expert" and racing expert class with a 4th overall finish in the first race.
Coming back after 30 years of not racing and getting a first overall in the 50+ class at a Friday night MX.
Finishing 3rd overall in the 450 novice class 6 race series - against guys at least half my age.