Back in the early years of motocross racing, most tracks were long and fast, with man made jumps. The bikes were heavy, and handling was an issue that needed attention. Early Huqvarna, Greeves, Dot, and Sachs were using a leading link design, improving on the front end. But racing with only 3″- 4″ of …
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Hopetown (Corriganville) Grand Prix
The Grand Prix at Corriganville was one of the biggest off-road races of the 1960s. The track setting was idyllic. A challenging seven-mile circuit set in the scenic hills of a 1,600-acre movie ranch in Simi Valley, California, owned by movie actor Ray “Crash” Corrigan. The ranch was later bought by Bob Hope and renamed …
Superbowl of Motocross
Back in July 8th 1972, history was made in motocross racing. The Los Angeles Coliseum held the very first stadium motocross race, the best from all over the country, and riders from Europe were participating. Promoter Mike Goodwin had high hopes for this event, and also had the connections to make it happen. Over 30 …
Women’s Motocross and the Powder Puff Years
Women have been racing motorcycles for years, but never really taken seriously. One good example is the name it went by, the “Powder Puff” class. Well back in 1974 that all changed, a new beginning for Women motocross racers, the first annual Powder Puff Nationals. The event was held at the legendary Indian Dunes, …
The Early Years Motocross Museum
I’m sure most of you know the name Tom White, he and his brother Dan were the founders of “White Brothers Distributing” for over 30 years, now owned by Vance and Hines. So with retirement, comes free time and idle hands, and Tom’s love for classic motocross bikes… hence the early years motocross museum. Tom …
Works Motocross Bikes
Works Bikes were the staple of motocross from the very beginning, experimentation, exotic materials, and the envy of every rider. These bikes were used as testing grounds for future production models, plus it just made motocross more exciting. But unfortunately in 1986 the AMA stopped the manufacturers from using works bikes, only works parts were …
Ascot Park
Ascot Park was located in Gardena California (Los Angeles county), and was a famous dirt race track. The track was built on the site of a former city dump. Before it was closed in 1990, it hosted the United States Auto Club (USAC) championship series, the AMA Grand National Championship motorcycle series and was used …
The Cafe Racer
A cafe racer is a type of motorcycle as well as a type of motorcyclist. Both meanings have their roots in the 1960s British counterculture group the Rockers, or the Ton-up boys, although they were also common in Italy, Germany, and other European countries. In Italy, the term refers to the specific motorcycles that were …
Brad Lackey
Brad Lackey was born in Berkeley, California, on July 8, 1953. His father was a motorcyclist and got young Brad involved in the sport. By the time he was 9, Lackey was riding with his dad and other friends, cow-trailing through the coastal and interior mountains of the San Francisco Bay area. During the early …
KTM Motorcycles (Pre-Orange years)
KTM was founded in 1934 in Austria by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz, it wasn’t until 1951 his first motorcycles was produced, the R100. Then in 1955 businessman Ernst Kronreif became shareholder of the company, hence the name Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. Hans Trunkenpolz died in 1962, and his Son Erich taking his place. The motorcycles were …
Penton and Sachs a winning combination
John Penton had a dream of building the ultimate off-road motorcycle, and with the collaboration with KTM, the first Penton motorcycles were introduced in 1968. The first Penton motorcycles used a small bore Sachs engine, and made their mark in International Six Days Trials (now called the International Six Days Enduro) competitions. The most popular …
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