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Lots has changed in our lives but the MX friends you make over almost 40 years, are you friends for life! Look me up at MXresultz.com (#8) or also on motocross.com, hope to hear from you soon!
Walter
I have all the cycling east papers from back then- it was a great time- all the tracks, all the bike brands, all the shops. Anyone remember when cycle parts warehouse opened in cockeysville in 1972 or so? It was right up from boutwells. All those places were so cool. Motocross was better back then- the bikes weren't as good but there were so many brands, all with their own look- everything looks the same now except for the color! Tracks were natural- not suicidal!
My friend's grand father lived right behind big berm- we would go over there and ride when no one was there. Back then I was 19 or 20- now I am 50. I have no desire to race but still have old and new Hondas and my 13 year old son loves to ride as well.
Anyone who got to ride and race in the old days are very fortunate!
Mark Jen
I think the Jesus Saves guy was Dennis(?) Briggs if my memory serves me right. He was in the Senior class back then. My Dad raced in his class back in the Big Berm days, and I remember my Dad talking to him at races. Of course back then- only being 10 or so the Senior (and Super Senior) guys seemed really old, but most of them are my age or even younger now! I remember his JESUS SAVES jersey quite well... I'm not sure if he is still around or if anyone knows any more about whatever becaeme of him.
The Shop
Saw Greg last summer....he works for Mike Johnston at Ellicott City Motorsports.
Thanks so much for the memories.
I raced District 7 from 1972 to 1982 or maybe '83. I was always an enthusiatic mid packer. My one big claim to fame is winning the Open B class championship at Budds Creek in 1974, but that was just because I showed up more times than anyone else.
Some of the tracks I remember racing, in no particular order, were Budds Creek, Bausam' s Farm, Big Berm ,BaltimoreRamblers, Md Line, Seaford Del, Trailways,Aquasco,MAMA (in So Md off Rt 4?), Cedar Ridge Va, Hagerstown. We even raced at the Balto city Dump, off Morovia St a few times.
My riding buddy was a big ol' farm boy from western Md, he was the only guy I knew who could go really fast on a TM 400 Suzuki. We ran Curnutt shocks and he had a 4!! lb. flywheel weight on it to tame it down. He was very competitive in the Open A class with that bike, till it finally threw him off on the big starting line downhill at BuddsCreek.That pretty much finished him.
Some guys I remember from back then were Billy Arnold, Bill Denton, Carl Riddle aka 609. plus others who's names I don't remember, but helped make racing back then so much fun.
We had a practice track off of US one in Elkridge, but also rode Woodstock before it was shut down, Contee and the Dust Bowl in Glen Burnie.
I bought a '73 400 CZ from the Dirt Shop and raced it for two years. Great bike and good people at that shop. I had no idea they managed to stay in business so long.
In '76 I switched to Montesa, getting one of the first sand case 360's imported into the US. In '77 I upgraded to a new VB 360B and finished out my (mid pack) A class riding on that bike.
In 1980 I picked up a VF414F and switched to the new senior class and stayed there till I packed it in a few years later. I still have that bike sitting out in the shed. I got it running and rode play m/x with my grandsons for a while, now it's just sitting again.
Now, at 64, I've got a DRZ 400 S for dual sport and a KTM 450 Sx for off road. It's still a lot of fun and you still meet great people out dirt biking.
I've been in Florida for 25 years now, and get back to Maryland less and less, it seems.
I enjoyed all the posts here and the chance to post up myself.
RB
Probably the most amazing thing about motocross are the people. It doesn't matter how fast you are or what bike you ride, only that you're involved and doing what you love. The camaraderie in motocross is second to none. I'd vote Jon Beasley of Budd's Creek into the hall of fame. He's not a racer but such an amazing supporter of the sport. Since 1970 he's brought families together on weekends and gave young boys something to strive for and the arena to do it. Wow, what a distraction from drugs. Motocross is a sport that builds character.
I second that nomination for Jon. I remember the old Days 1973-77 racing with you and others at Budds. My Dad was the Referee at Budds, helping Jon and Mrs B in those early days. Jon took a great piece of land and turned it into what it is today.
I remember having one of the first 125 Honda Elsinores out there. 74 (I think)
Pretty cool to see you pop in here. What ever happened to Pete Wolf and the Taylors ?
I'm sure I have forgotten half a dozen guys I was once tight with back then. (1973-77)
All you guys were just too much for me, but is was always fun.
RB
It was a very long time ago, I do remember Jon racing a few times. I think it was 73. Right about the time I started.
Thanks, like I said. a long time ago.... I had hung up my boots by 1980
I don't recall Jon ever working the gate, In my days. My Dad was the head referee at Budds back in the early 70's and a good friend of Mrs. B..Thus, I always got free pass. I can recall Jon helping my DAD do morning bike safety inspections. I recall the old man at the gate. I forget his name? Ben? He had one of those farmer straw hats.
I also recall the oil tanker used for dust control.. and walking the track in that black oil. LOL.... man o man... history. Man I went thru Jerseys like crazy due to that black oil.
I also remember my dad inventing the first rubber band starting mechanism. I ran accross it (the gizmo) recently in my dads garage.
What fun it was!
I think me and Bobby Whay were his two best friends at the races thru the years.
Even when we had become senior riders, he could still get a top ten finish at a D-7 expert points race. He was probably the best conditioned rider out there. That, plus the fact that he had reflects like a cat and was also fearless made him a tough competitor!
I still remember the pool parties your mom & dad hosted at your house off Montgomery Rd. They visited us here in Florida shortly before your dad passed away.
If you're up for it, shoot me a pm and fill me in on how you guys and your mom are doing these days. I'm sorry to say we loss track of you all after your dad died.
RB
Pit Row
I thought I was going to stay (dirt bike) clean the rest of my life then I Google something and I find this site and thread!!!!
I think I am relapsing!!! Not that is a bad thing. It was absolutely the BEST time of my life!
after all these years my blood still get flowing faster anytime I see motocross, Hare Scrambles, Enduros...DIRT BIKES!!!!!!
You guy have brought up so many memories I could go on forever.
Went to school with Steve and Glen Taylor, great guys. Both very fast!
Jeff Prevost doesn't live to far from me. Our wives are friends. Man that guy was talented!
Mark Lambert came along later and was the fastest in our gang.
I just spoke to John Beasley at the Timonium Bike show last weekend. He is always there promoting Budds and had an old Green Penton 125 at his booth.
Raced Motocross from 1972- 1979. started on a 125 Yamaha. My first race was at the Blue Gray at Diecraft in Sparks, MD. If you were there, they would show "On Any Sunday" Saturday night when we camped out in my Dad's Amway van.
Then I moved to 250 Maico's. A 1975, 1976, and a 1978 all bought from Karson's.
Geroge, what a character!!! 10oz Budweiser is all he would drink and they were in the "soda" machine out front of his shop if you knew the right button to push! Andy Hanson and the gang were always around.
Moved to Hare Scrambles, Enduro's and Dave Coombs 100 Mile Series and raced those from 1980- 1985.
Here is a clip from Black Water 100 in 1988.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ7uxD1XoXg&playnext=1&list=PL5C3EC30474….
I'll try to scan and post some of the thousands of photos I have taken over the years.
It's good to read a "Blast from the Past"
Jeff
.
There is a new section on facebook dedicated to old D-7 Expert racers that has been getting very popular with lots of the old fast guys showing up.
FYI - Mike Farmer is making a run at the Loretta Lynns 50+ class on a new 350 KTM. He raced his 1st race last weekend and finished 2nd. As I recall the last time he raced the Am nationals was in 81 where he finished 5th in 125 A......that was when the race traveled around the country and was at Red Bud.
Jeff
.
RIP Steve Ostman
Thanks again.
The shot with me is Joe Nahas on his 77 Yamaha at Budds Creek. The 2 above that is cross up king Joe Nahas on my Husky, He lives across the street from the Brock Bridge school and now races lawn mowers.
#106 above is Mike Vincie.(we talk often & we visit him in FL)
Montessa # 211 is the late (2/11) Steve Ostman. Ran into him at Heysers a couple years ago.
The Honda jersey pictures is Mike Johnson (Owns Elicott City Mororsports) and he grew up in Mt Pelier.
I owe a lot to the Coaching from Bobby Sloan & Steve Ostman.
Would be cool if someone posted pictures from the Contee Pits.
BTW - My wife Kathy (Md City) took these pictures.
Anyway, you left MD, huh?...I've been back and forth with the military...looks like I'm going to retire from the military here, we'll see...
Have a good 4th!
John Hubbard
There is a D-7 Alumni group on face book that has even older Budds Creek photos. Seems funny that we used to race threw the woods and there was a creek crossing in the turn by the big tabletop.
Post a reply to: old Maryland photos