MXA MID-WEEK REPORT: MX Thanksgiving, Meet Ben Bostrom, Milano Finale
MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT
By: Zap
GIVING THANKS FOR MOTOCROSS
Style personified – “Gassin” Gayon Mosier giving it his all?? at Saddleback aboard his Wheelsmith prepped Maico.
Like so many others out there, I’ve spent the last week going back to watch Jody’s Motocross Immortals film over and over. Like so many of you, I was an MX obsessed kid growing up in the 70’s and I idolized many of these guys – most whom I’d only known from the pages of MXA or from attending the first six Superbowls of Motocross at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Although I still don’t know why, to me, Gaylon Moiser was the coolest of them all. Maybe it was the way he took on the factory bikes aboard his Wheelsmith Maico. Maybe it was because he hired So. Cal fixture Rocky Williams (who was deaf) to be his mechanic. I’ll never forget the rainy night at Anaheim when Gaylon won his first & only Supercross. Mosier was the man!
Anyway, watching the movie certainly prompts a person to reflect on this crazy thing called life and everything that makes it worth living – friends and family. In the last year three different events have I’ve that I’ve been lukcy to attend have reminded me about not only how great the sport is, but also, how thankful I am to be a part of it. The first event was the memorial for Bud Ekins. Sitting there in the auditorium that day among the sport’s real hard men who raced the Catalina and Big Bear GPs left me awestruck as we paid hommage to the world famous stuntman and motorcycle pioneer. On a more local level there was the memorial for Dave Haugh who was a top So. Cal racer and true man of the community who passed way too soon.
Here’s an early shot of long-time Mid-Valley rider Greg Robertson. For an amazing MX slideshow, Click Here.
And then, there was an event that Bryar Holcolmb snuck me into which was just the opposite of the two memorial events. It was a party to celebrate the legacy of Mid-Valley CZ, a local shop that played a far larger role than most other race shops in America. The party was put by Peter DeLatorre in honor of his parents, Andy and Marie, who started the shop which had a greater impact on the sport than either I, or they, would’ve ever imagined. After all, why else would riders like Joel Robert, Torsten Hallman, Donnie Hansen and even Roger DeCoster show up? It was a great event that hammered home one particular theme – how thankful we should all be to have parents who indulge us in a such a great sport and how lucky we all are to have so many friends who make up part of our larger motocross family.
And although far too many current up & comers are woefully ignorant of the many greats who preceded them to the starting gate, I’m happy knowing that the MX fraternity lives on as so many racing families – from Loretta Lynn’s to the REM races at Glen Helen – continue to help each other out.
Today is Thanksgiving, and to help set the mood, here’s a report from the Mid-Valley party that reminded me of a few things I’m thankful for…
I’m thankful for Marty Tripes who inspired me to mimic the stand-up cornering style he used to win the inaugural Superbowl of Motocross when I went out to Indian Dunes the following week ( I crashed my brains out). Marty remembered how “My mom used to cook for four days when Joel and Roger first visited – and now I’m cooking for them tonight.” In tribute to the DeLatorre family and the support they provided, Marty said, “I was just a Czecho-Mexican trying to do well and they treated me like a king.”
I’m thankful that somebody held on to all the memorabilia.
I’m thankful for John DeSoto and Brad Lackey – two pioneers that always had their own style. Like so many others, Desoto couldn’t help but pay tribute to the DeLatorre family. “These are the people who helped get us to where we are today. Whether you finished first or last, you were always a winner with them because you rode motorcycles.”
I’m thankful for racers turned entrepeneurs like Malcolm Smith (l) and Torsten Hallman (r) who not only made gear that made me a better dressed racer, but proved that motorcycle racers could be successful businessmen too. Torsten recalled his early days in America, “When I came over nobody could even spell motocross! Since we rode Husky’s we were kind of like the enemy to the Mid-Valley guys so I’m very thankful to be invited.”
I’m thankful for the “El Cajon Zone” that turned out some of the greatest riders the sport has ever known which included Tommy Croft (left) and Broc Glover (right). Although most famous for his exploits aboard and D&G Honda and a factory Yamaha, Broc let on that he too had a history with CZ. “When I was 13 my dad bought me a CZ125 and I rode it everywhere – I was probably the only kid to wear out a CZ transmission!”
I’m glad that hardworking privateers like Monte McCoy made the trip out. Although he was from Florida, Monte also had a Mid-Valley connection. “I’d won the Support class at the Daytona Supercross in 1976 and after that Marty Moates got me hooked up with Mid-Valley. They got me a KTM 250, but I didn’t have a practice bike which made things hard so Andy gave me a 1972 CZ that was still in the box – “Here’s your practice bike,” he told me.”
I’m thankful that the early guys like Gary Jones (left) and Rex Staten (right) were so tough – and that they still are.
I’m thankful that are still plenty of father/son teams out there who have grown old with motocross together and that some the kids still take their parents out to play. Talk about family values, former factory Suzuki pilot Mike Runyard showed up with his dad Godfrey who was an AMA ref back in the day. Old man Runyard, now a spry 102 years old, seemed especially happy to see the now-departed Don Jones.
I’m thankful that Dave Haugh (left) lived long enough to see so many of his old friends at the Mid-Valley party. Dave told how in 1973 he paid $1140 for a CZ 250 at Mid-Valley, “They gave me a jersey and I was on the team – I was thrilled!”
I’m thankful that besides me, there are other old guys like Tom White (right) who still get excited to meet six-time world champ Joel Robert (left).
I’m thankful for all the smart guys who knew enough about how motors and suspension work that I could rely on them to make my bikes work better. Of all the smart guys, former factory mechanic Dave Arnold was one of the smartest…in fact he still carries around porting diagrams for the old factory bikes. Of his own Mid-Valley experience, “I bought my CZ there. I remember everybody was putting Mikuni carbs on their bikes, but I kept running the Jikov. My bikes were never as fast as the Bultaco my firend rode, but they were bulletproof.”
I’m thankful that goofy guys like Kenny Zahrt are still goofy and having fun.
I’m really, really thankful for Roger DeCoster because he was the most inspirational rider of them all back in the day and he is and forever will be, The Man! DeCoster had a moving tale of his own Mid-Valley days. “Marie made us feel like we were at home. She was our mom away from Europe. While she fed us, Andy ran around and made sure all our bikes stayed together.”
Here’s where it all began – Andy and Marie DeLatorre. Two kind people who opened a motorcycle shop and set in motion a legacy of giving, competition and friendship that would last for decades and impact the world far beyond the San Fernando Valley location. Pass it on.
Like Jody, I too am thankful for all those no longer with us, but who lived large and left a great memory behind.
PRESS RELEASE: Mike Metzger Goes Live
The Godfather is at it again, this time with a new website that is anything and everything Metzger. It inlcudes a video biography and is updated daily on what’s new in the life of the Godfather. Register on the site to know the latest behind the scenes info with Mike and his company. Make sure to read Mike’s blog, “In the Mind of Metz.” He will constantly be posting his latest artwork, updates from paradise ranch, riding, and whatever he’s into at the time.
The new shopping cart system also allows for a better shopping experience and showcases Mike’s unlimited product range. In addition to the Metzger Apparel line the site now includes things like Downloadable Coloring Books, Freestyle Ramps, Canvas Reprint Giclees, Music and other accessories. For more info, Click Here.
MILANO SHOW FINALE
For the last few years Scott has been selling more than just goggles and boots in Europe and with the recent signing of a certain Kawasaki 250 team for 2009, it looks like the Scott gear might be headed to America sometime soon as well.
Even though it was a quad, this concept bike by Yamaha was easily one of the most radical at the show.
Here’s a great example of hand fabrication the Italian way.
The Italians are still crazy about American style – this radical $110,000 Confederate Wrath is an example of hand fabrication in the Yankee style.
Suzuki was showing off a new 650cc Gladius street bike with the requisite Italian model aboard. For more info, Click Here.
Off-road rider David Knight has done a lot to promote the Airoh brand of helmets, but they were happy to have the MX likes of Tyla Ratray and Josh Coppins using the helmets on the GP ciruit. For more info, Click Here.
MXA Mini-View: Ben Bostrom
No, he’s not a top-ranked motocross rider, but at the Yamaha team presentation former AMA National champ and World Superbike winner Ben Bostrom said something that struck me. Always athletic, Bostrom has recently taken to cycling in a big way and just last month he competed in one of the most grueling events on the mountain bike calendar – the 24 Hours of Moab. Typically a team event, the 34 year old Bostrom headed to Moab, Utah the week following the AMA Superbike final at Laguna Seca to race the solo class. As he stood at the lectern with Yamaha’s Keith McCarty recounting the grueling ordeal, Ben said that the many hours spent on his mountain bike gave him the opportunity to appreciate two things; 1. how much easier it is to race a motorcycle, and more more importantly, 2. How much he loves racing motorcycles. Well there it was – a Pro racer giving thanks for being able to ride motorcycles for a living…just what 99% of the rest of us which we could do as well. On this week when all Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving, it seemed like a good place to start a conversation with Ben Bostrom.
MXA: You come from a motorcycle family and you’ve raced them for most of your life. What is it about the motorcycle that seems so capable of making us all crazy and dedicated to it?
Ben: That’s a good question. It’s weird when you try to think about all the people who don’t have a motorcycle out there. What’s their life like? And then you think about all the people who wish they did. There definitely is something special about motorcycles. Why is that if you’re an actor you have to have one? What is it about motorcycles that seem to bring with them so much status? Cowboys have always had cool horses and motorcycles are like modern day horses. They give you a certain aura that impresses people. When you get on a bike nothing else matters anymore. I mean I always have my phone with me, always, except when I get on my motorcycle, that’s when you’re free of everything because it’s just you and the motorcycle. The motorcycle affords you that rare moment when you are totally in your own little world and it’s the most enjoyable place ever!
Ben rides a custom carbon fiber Cannondale that runs a 29 inch front wheel and 26 inch rear wheel.
MXA: What was the 24 hour mountain bike race like?
Ben: At first I thought it would be fun and then on the night before the race I realized how unprepared I was for it. I had no food, one light, one bike, I was so disorganized. But about eight hours into I was stoked and having fun because I could see where I was going. Then it came time for the lights to go on and I was a mess. I got so discouraged around 2:00 in the morning, but luckily my brother Eric and Ben Spies rode out into the desert to ride with me and that helped alot.
MXA: How would you compare the effort of racing mountain bikes race a motorcycle?
Ben: In a Superbike race you come down to the last five laps and your tired, but it’s a two minute lap. On the mountain bike five laps is about seven hours! It’s all you can think about – how can I persevere? In the middle of the night in Moab the temperature was in the 20’s and I couldn’t feel anything. I had some some sand in my shoe that was giving me a painful blister, but eventually, I lost feeling in my feet so I was good to go again. But when the sun came up and I started getting feeling in my hands and feet, the pain came back…and I still had five more hours of riding! If I had to break it down I’d say that racing a bicycle is 90% physical and 10% mental and it’s just the opposite on a motorcycle.
For 2009 Ben (right) will move to the Superbike class for Yamaha while his brother Eric is moving on in life and taking over the family farm in South America.
In a way there’s no difference between them – the guy with the hard head will always come through first. I think the pain level is the same, but with mountain bikes it goes on longer, but your life is never at risk. The motorcycles are so ruthless compared to the mountain bike. I have to say that some days it comes way to easy for me on the motorcycle. It never comes easy on the mountain bike. Whether it’s Troy Bayliss or (mountain bike racer) Tinker Juarez, they go so hard at the start and break the competition. That’s where the sports are similar, in the way that the champions approach it. The guy with the stronger brain will win.
MXA: You mentioned Ben Spies who is now leaving his Yoshimura Suzuki ride in the states to ride a Yamaha in the World Superbike series. You once made that a similar journey, what advice would you have for him?
Ben: To be dedicated to it which I wasn’t. When I went to Europe with Ducati, even when I won those five races in a row, I was never taking it seriously and that’s kinda sad, but I didn’t know any better really. I was too into seeing the world and discovering new things. One difference was that it was only my third year on the Superbike and next year will be his tenth. The part that I do regret is that I was letting the team and the crew down. And then I got kicked off the the factory bike because they said I didn’t care enough. Ducati basically gave me two offers: take a U.S. ride and they’d pay of my contract and even buy my motor home off me or go to a B team. I asked Randy Mamola for his advice and he said there was no choice really and he was right – I took the B team ride! That turned out to be a blast, we even add to use Troy Balyliss’ leftover tires – but we ended up beating the factory guy who took my ride (Juan Borja).
MXA: Who is you’re most respected rival?
Ben: The guy you hate racing against is Nori Haga. He never gives up and you never know where he’s going to try and pass you! If there’s a certain place on the track where everyone will try to pass and a place where no one would think about passing, Nori will try at the place you’re not supposed to! He’ll ride wheel to wheel with you and more intensely than anybody else – he’s a scary guy to ride against.
THE LAST WORD…..
“We’re all motorcycle people and motorcycle people are the best in the world.” Marty Tripes.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
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