Mark Melton

Hey Fellas, This is Brad Smith. This thread brings back alot of memories. I grew up and raced in Indiana back in the early 80's. I won the D15 250B class in '82. Turned A in '83 and discovered girls and beer and pretty much shot the ole moto career! HA! My good friend Shane Nalley ended up as a factory wrench for Keidrowski and now works for the Suz GNCC team. I remember Mark and his family. They we're a class act and never got uptite! I now live near Tyler, TX and my two sons and I race all over the place. I'm very blessed to be in the industry. I work for Tucker Rocky and I design all the Pro Taper hard parts and MSR hard parts. It's sooo cool!!

Thanks for the memories guys!!!

Ah....Casey, just like Wabash, I did good there sometimes but tracks I loved to hate. Something just never did feel right at those 2 tracks even when I did good. It is no wonder I would have pretty much ending injuries at Wabash.

I think that was common back then often the 80A class was at or better lap times than the 125 A dry or muddy.

I am not around it enough today to know but is it still kinda of that way today with the 4 stroke big bikes?

Mark Tripp recently passed away: I run with his wrench cousin Sonny who also wrenched for Mike Layne, Billy Fosnock in & out of prison, Robert Motsinger travels the Fair circuit with a very successful food stand business with his family, Billy Davis: not sure but recently ran into his father with a grandson @ some races, Billy's dad & Robert's mom were brother & sister, Kenny Bollemier racing Vet @ LL's. I was thinkin' Darla Hinkle's & Lisa Akin Wagner's moms were sisters & rode when they were young. I wrenched a little on Darla's bike @ the Regional & subsequent LL a few years back when she sported a comeback traveling with her mother. I think she & her husband went Quad racing later on, he was a first class act! Darla's older brother Mark was also very fast & turned some very memorable rides racing Barnett, one at St Louis comes to mind. Darla's family are some of the nicest people I've ever met or conversed with. Frank Johnson, who was responsible for the first two monoshock KTM's into the US & wrenched for KTM Factory support rider Mark Barr & LL's standout Marty Vaughn, is now a Factory CanAm wrench. Jon Mitchceff later wrenched for Marty Vaughn & Brian Mason & is now RV's wrench.

Stalman's are still active. Grandpa take the grandkids, they must be on 85's now. One of the three Stahlman boys owns a dealereship in Rolla Mo. Grandpa was/is a smart guy, those races in Illinos were quite a drive, they lived/live in St Clair Missouri.

I don't recall the year, but it must have been around 92 at Loretta's Fosnock finished podium in one of the classes. No gloves, mis-matched gear and blazing fast!

The "Flame" race wear guys were there vending and set him up. He looked good, went fast and I never saw him again...

Cool memories, and a great thread.

I WAS JUST INFORMED OF THIS SITE ABOUT 1/2 HOUR AGO AND I HAVE ALREADY SEEN LIKE TEN NAMES THAT I HAVE NOT THOUGHT ABOUT IN YEARS. I'VE RACED WITH MARK MELTON NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE FLA. WINTER AMS, MINI-O'S ECT. THANKS FOR THE MEMORY TRIP GUYS.

Darla Hinkle had mentioned her Uncle owned or was part owner in a track in Michigan, Dutch Sports, never mentioned a name though. Bob Wagner & Lisa Akin-Wagner now have that track.

partialperson wrote: Mark Tripp recently passed away: I run with his wrench cousin Sonny who also wrenched for Mike Layne, Billy Fosnock in & out of prison, Robert Motsinger travels the Fair circuit with a very successful food stand business with his family, Billy Davis: not sure but recently ran into his father with a grandson @ some races, Billy's dad & Robert's mom were brother & sister, Kenny Bollemier racing Vet @ LL's. I was thinkin' Darla Hinkle's & Lisa Akin Wagner's moms were sisters & rode when they were young. I wrenched a little on Darla's bike @ the Regional & subsequent LL a few years back when she sported a comeback traveling with her mother. I think she & her husband went Quad racing later on, he was a first class act! Darla's older brother Mark was also very fast & turned some very memorable rides racing Barnett, one at St Louis comes to mind. Darla's family are some of the nicest people I've ever met or conversed with. Frank Johnson, who was responsible for the first two monoshock KTM's into the US & wrenched for KTM Factory support rider Mark Barr & LL's standout Marty Vaughn, is now a Factory CanAm wrench. Jon Mitchceff later wrenched for Marty Vaughn & Brian Mason & is now RV's wrench.

I raced with Mile Lane. Kenny and I were in Colorado racing a qualifier back in 1984.

i have pictures of lots of these guys on my photobucket. if you would like 2 check it out.


http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w55/mxr926/indiana%20red%20bud%20old%20MX%20motocross%20vintage%20IRP/

Nice photo collection!

I saw Mark at Terre Haute about 1987 or so, racing against Mike LaRocco. These two would go at it the entire moto, never more than a few feet apart. He was every bit the equal of the Rock at that time. He was so good on those Hondas.

partialperson wrote: Mark Tripp recently passed away: I run with his wrench cousin Sonny who also wrenched for Mike Layne, Billy Fosnock in & out of prison, Robert Motsinger travels the Fair circuit with a very successful food stand business with his family, Billy Davis: not sure but recently ran into his father with a grandson @ some races, Billy's dad & Robert's mom were brother & sister, Kenny Bollemier racing Vet @ LL's. I was thinkin' Darla Hinkle's & Lisa Akin Wagner's moms were sisters & rode when they were young. I wrenched a little on Darla's bike @ the Regional & subsequent LL a few years back when she sported a comeback traveling with her mother. I think she & her husband went Quad racing later on, he was a first class act! Darla's older brother Mark was also very fast & turned some very memorable rides racing Barnett, one at St Louis comes to mind. Darla's family are some of the nicest people I've ever met or conversed with. Frank Johnson, who was responsible for the first two monoshock KTM's into the US & wrenched for KTM Factory support rider Mark Barr & LL's standout Marty Vaughn, is now a Factory CanAm wrench. Jon Mitchceff later wrenched for Marty Vaughn & Brian Mason & is now RV's wrench.

Are you fuckin kidding? Damn. When we were kids, Me, Tripp and some of the Stahlman kids were all playing in the pool at a hotel at Ponca City in 1983.

Why was Fos in the clink? I heard numerous stories, and none were the same.

I raced with all those guys. Yes, Fos at LL's was 92.

He was at the Original 1982 race also, as was I.

Kenny Bollmeier had a Pre production 1982 YZ 80 in 81.

Melton was always fast, his brother Brett is a golf pro.

Good to hear about the Stahlmans. Hell, anything from the midwest in the early-mid 80's is good conversation.

Partial..........who are you?

I was paid a compliment this weekend by my brother in law after my son's seat came off while running 3rd at an area qualifier. I was standing with bike and the broken bracket. He turned to my son and said, "Your dad has always reminded of Melton's dad, He was sharp just like your dad, he made a mistake once, Mark ran out of gas at Loretta's."

The brother in law mentioned above was Bily Maxton's right hand man through most of his mini life. Kinda crazy he would end up being family. In the late 70's early 80's my baby brother raced, he bought Bollemeiers left overs and later on a bike from Marty Vaughn's dad. I went to Catholic school with the Layne family and later in life we were neighbors. My wife, brother and I sponsored a PW rider in '83 @ LL's Travis Kimmel. We had quite the week with the Laynes, Kimmels, Vaughn's and many others from SOIL. I just dabbled a little in the MX seen back then and was very lucky to be around so much talent. LL's got to be a regular vacation destination for me. From an early age (7) I had worked on dirt oval cars, coupes, modifieds and sprintcars. Racing has always been my IV for life, motocross took it to another level. My son was born in '88, got his first bike @ 3 started racing @ 9. My wife has the racing bug worse than I, God save her sole. I talk with Scott Tripp quite often, Kenny B's right hand man from back then. I ran into Motsinger 2 weeks ago. Van Hamel is going through a nasty divorce and has on of the nicest Yamaha Dealerships in the midwest. Oh Yeah, Who am I? Tim Easton, just a one legged nobody that ends up around a lot of cool people.

Ing wrote: He rode for Team Husqvarna in the mid 80's. Raced one of the first Husky 4-strokes. Way ahead of their time. Rode in a 3hr. Hare Scrambles with him in Keithsburg, Ill. Told me after the race that the first two hours weren't too bad, the last hour was hell. For anyone who hasn't been to Keithsburg, the whole track is large sand whoops. Hoops if your RC.

We used to race Keithsburg back in the mid-80s. That was our 1st race of the year for Dist 17. It began in Feb.

evomx244 wrote: Whatever happen to Jeff Spreeman he won the 1981 250 Amateur National title the same year as Connie won the 125 title (the only alternate to do so)

He now is the owner of a machine shop in Adrian, MI. He is doing good with 2 kids that are into sports but not the bikes. His dad just rebuilt one of his old yamaha's and gave it to him for his birthday. Seen alot of old racers at that event.

partialperson wrote: Mark Tripp recently passed away: I run with his wrench cousin Sonny who also wrenched for Mike Layne, Billy Fosnock in & out of prison, Robert Motsinger travels the Fair circuit with a very successful food stand business with his family, Billy Davis: not sure but recently ran into his father with a grandson @ some races, Billy's dad & Robert's mom were brother & sister, Kenny Bollemier racing Vet @ LL's. I was thinkin' Darla Hinkle's & Lisa Akin Wagner's moms were sisters & rode when they were young. I wrenched a little on Darla's bike @ the Regional & subsequent LL a few years back when she sported a comeback traveling with her mother. I think she & her husband went Quad racing later on, he was a first class act! Darla's older brother Mark was also very fast & turned some very memorable rides racing Barnett, one at St Louis comes to mind. Darla's family are some of the nicest people I've ever met or conversed with. Frank Johnson, who was responsible for the first two monoshock KTM's into the US & wrenched for KTM Factory support rider Mark Barr & LL's standout Marty Vaughn, is now a Factory CanAm wrench. Jon Mitchceff later wrenched for Marty Vaughn & Brian Mason & is now RV's wrench.

Dmoks wrote: I raced with Mile Lane. Kenny and I were in Colorado racing a qualifier back in 1984.

I know who Dmoks is, Knudle, but who is Partial Person?

Bollmeier races still.

Racer X just had a thing on Racerhead about FOS being in prison or jail for robbery. That sucked to read.

Kenny Bollmeier and Mark Stalhman. I have not heard those names since 1981. I used to race with both of those guys in the late 70's and early 80's. I used to ride out of Bollmeier Yamaha. They set me up with a white 1981 YZ 125. Mr. Bollmeier had traded the yellow plastic for white plastic from Canada.

Mark and I had alot of fun racing on 100's. I believe he aslo had an older brother named Greg. We used to race at Sparta MX track back then.

I also raced for the Palmeri racing team back then. George Palmeri, riders Steve Goff and I .

My racing nickname back then was rat!

Guys I raced with were Randy Sheckel, Keith Shockley, the Stahlmans and Kenny B. I would love to make contact with any of these guys.

Partial,

I bought my 1st Montesa in 2001 from Bryan Bigsby who was under the same tent with Mark Hinkle when he rode Montesas around 1977-78...the stories are unreal about that family...I believe Mark was AMA Sportsman of the year around 1980-81...then dissappeared...wonder what happened??

Richt,

Last month I went to Birmingham, AL to the vintage event at Barber motorsports park and spent most of the day hanging next to the Stahlmans..I believe there were 2 brothers that raced that day....they were all riding Bultacos...you can probably contact them thru AHRMA...www.ahrma.org ....they have been racing the National series for 2009..

Good Luck!!

Jeff Clausen

Bollmeier still races now and then. If you google the name you can see some results.

Remember Rod Marshall? Had an older brother too. Wesley McClara? Marty Vaughn?

Google this.

bollmeier yamaha

KEEP THIS POST GOING GOOD TO BRING BACK OLD MEMORIES MY DAD WAS THE MECHANIC FOR BOLLMEIERS HE WRENCHED ON KENNYS BIKE AS WELL AS DOUG FISHER,RON LEMING KEEP IT GOING THANKS

Doug was an excellent rider. I had forgotten about him. He was Bollmeier's main guy in the late 70's

JUST LEFT DOUG FISHERS HOUSE I HAD TO GO TELL HIM ABOUT THIS SITE .HE TRAVELED ALOT WITH MARK BARR GOING TO RACES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.DOUG STILL HAS ALOT OF MEMORBILLA HANGING IN HIS GARAGE STILL FAST ON A BIKE WHEN YOU CAN GET HIM ON ONE. I LIVE IN PINCKNEYVILLE WHERE DOUG AND MARK STILL LIVE..I ALSO RACED FOR GENE FOR A FEW YEARS BEFORE HE SOLD THE DEALERSHIP.DOUG WAS GOING TO LOOK FOR SOME OLD PICS AT ST PETERS& SPARTA

My favorite Mark Melton memory was watching the start of the 125A class at Knobby Hill, seeing all the riders side-by-side down the start straight, then when they would shut off for the first turn one rider would pop out going wide open around the first turn! It was Mark Melton and he would have a 10 bike lead going into the second turn by the scoring tower. Great memories of District 15!

Yeah the original thread was about Mark. We sorta hijacked it.

Got me thinking about all the great district 15 memories from back in the day! Hows about does anyone remember how Jacque Brryant used to show up during the riders meeting with his bike hanging out of the back of his gremlin? Missing practice and looking like he was up all night parting! He would proceed to holeshot and win all his motos! The Indiana Ron Lechien! Who could forget Indiana's own"Danny Magoo Chandler" Mark Lyons, How when he rode a open bike everyone would run to the track to watch him race, Win are Die trying! My favorite was the year Lisa Akins won the district 15 championship in the 125A class! Talk about a bunch of pissed-off dudes!

Never raced against Mark. Raced against Brett at Loretta's a couple times, the first coming in 1986. He won the 80cc 7-11 class that year beating out Ezra Lusk and a kid named Sean Thornton. I remember he also competed in the 2005 US Open (golf) but missed the cut.

Heres a question.

Anyone remember the name of the kid, from I think Paris, Illinois.........his Dad raced, and walked around in his underwear all the time.

They would strap the kids bike to the back of this old car..........

The kid would win his class against Vaughn, Tripp, Occasionally Fosnock.

Anyone remember Wesley McClara? He is racing cars now I think still.

I rode against Mark Melton at Orlando Sports Stadium in 1981 he rode a Husky very fast rider, a little faster than me at the time?