MXA TEST RIDER CHRONICLE: DAVID GERIG

HOW DID YOU BECOME AN MXA TEST RIDER?

I was just lucky. I was racing the 250 Pro class and one week I went to the Rolf Tibblin School of Motocross at Carlsbad, which was my home track. While there I heard about this little race shop in Anaheim that made trick Husqvarna parts. It was owned by Mitch Payton. I went there to see if I could get some help and I met Mitch. He introduced me to Jody. Eventually, Jody let me ride some Husqvarnas for tests and the relationship just grew from there. When MXA offered me the job I called my parents and asked them what they thought. My dad said, “You’ve been racing your whole life. I would considered that a college education in motocross, so this is the perfect job for you.”

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MXA MEMORY?

The bikes are the most memorable thing. I got to race bikes that I never would have been able to afford on my own. One day, I was assigned to race a water-cooled Cagiva 125. It was the first water-cooled bike I had ever raced and Ricky Johnson and I had a great race at Carlsbad in the 125 class. It ended when the Cagiva front wheel unraveled over the big downhill jump. Even with that — it was a great experience.

Lance Moorewood (bottom left), David Gerig, Gary Jones and Jody Weisel.

WHO WAS TESTING BIKES AT MXA WITH YOU?

The regular MXA guys, Jody and Ketchup, were always around, but mostly I rode with Lance Moorewood, Gary Jones and Clark Jones. Larry Brooks was just being brought into the fold at that time.

WHY DID YOU STOP BEING A TEST RIDER?

I left MXA to take a job as the editor of an ATV magazine. I know that sounds foolish now, but I thought it would further my career. It didn’t and I should have stayed at MXA. Eventually, I moved to Montana and became a pastor at my own church before moving to Texas where I live now.

 

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