Who here has raced top AM nationals

MPM64 wrote:

I'm old...So I am going back a ways. 1980 AM National was held in October at Millville. This is back when they only used to have...

I'm old...So I am going back a ways. 1980 AM National was held in October at Millville. This is back when they only used to have 4 classes. 100cc, 125 A, 250 A and Open. I copped a ride with a buddy of mine and fellow competitor named Keith Hall in an old moto converted bread van. We rode and slept in the back on pillows and sleeping bags between the bikes. I qualified as an alternate and didn't think I would get to ride. I got to ride and holeshot the 1st moto and ended up finishing 8th OA with my buddy Keith finishing 5th in the 100cc class. We had such a fun time on that trip.

1981 was held at RedBud in October. I was in the hunt for the 100cc title but a clutch failure took care of that. Ended up 7th OA. All I remember about this race was that it was muddy most of the event and it took its toll on the bikes.

1982 was my 1st year going to Ponca. This was my first exposure to west coast riders and it was amazing to see the talent level of the California mini riders. They were amazing. Unfortunately this was the year that Bruce Bunch, Kyle Fleming and Rick Hemme died in the horrible car/train accident. I had a rough week with my best overall finish being a 4th I think. We skipped the awards ceremony and pulled out early to make our way towards Loretta's and did not hear the tragic news until we got there. We were all shocked about what happened.

1982...1st year for Loretta's with an entirely new format. I qualified to ride the now extinct 100cc class. A fast kid from California named Johner Kight and I had split moto wins and went into the final moto tied in points. Our 3rd moto was held early and it had rained the night before. I was nervous but I knew coming from Michigan would be an advantage in the muddy conditions. Luckily I got a good start and was out front after the first few corners. It was one of those magical motos where everything came easy and I pulled away to win. What I remember most is my Dad standing by the fence in his cowboy hat cheering me on. He had been down for the first part of the week but had to fly home to take care of an emergency at work. He wasn't supposed to be back for the last moto but somehow he made it in time. I think 7 or 8 Michigan riders won championships that year. It was cool to be part of it.

1983 I moved up to 125 expert and raced stock and mod at Ponca and Loretta's. I pretty much got smoked at Ponca and then hurt myself pretty bad in the 1st moto at Loretta's with a broken collarbone and a compression vertabrae fracture in my back. Spent the rest of the week in the hospital with a catheter installed. It sucked and was quite the downer compared to the previous year.

That's my history. Sorry for the rambling. I don't get to relive those days often.

JOHN CHOATE wrote:

I remember Johner Kight. Wasn't he a Team Honda support rider at some point?

JOHN CHOATE wrote:

I've been to LL's in '83, '84, '09, '10 and '11. Best moto finish was 2nd and worst moto finish 38th(multiple crashes). I too have some...

I've been to LL's in '83, '84, '09, '10 and '11. Best moto finish was 2nd and worst moto finish 38th(multiple crashes). I too have some of my best (and worst) moto memories from LL's. Flat tire cost me a championship in '83. Over the past three years, my entire family anxiously awaits for LL's. In my last moto this year, I had a breakthrough moment (special thanks to Robbie Reynard for lap time reduction) and was running inside the top ten until my body gave out. It was only my fourth race since LL's last year so I don't get to race or practice very often. I get to move to the +45 for 2012.

I was qualified to go to Ponca in '84 but an opportunity to race in an International Mx came my way and I figured that was more important than Ponca. I won the Inter. race and finished just behind Jeff Stanton in several motos the next week at LL's.

I have also raced numerous times at the Mini-O's and finished 2nd in '94(?) in the +25 behind Billy Whitley.

Cool thread. I like reading everyone's stories.

shunter986 wrote:

I would like to hear about peoples past and current AM national stories and results. I personally have top tens at minni O's in 2003 in...

I would like to hear about peoples past and current AM national stories and results.

I personally have top tens at minni O's in 2003 in the 250B class.

I raced LL in 2002 in the school boy classes and got worked.

I race LL in 250B mod and stock in 2003. Had some top tens and some bad motos.

I also raced LL in 250 pros sport and and 4 stroke ended up hurting my knee in the first moto of the week. Did a lot of riding around lol.

But I have had some of my best memories of my life with my brother and family racing dirt bikes. We raced from the early 90s intil 2005. I miss the creek at LL and the cool air at mini o's. I will never miss ponca city ever haha. I am just curious to hear people stories about there memories and achievments racing dirtbikes at a high level. I hope it was just as awesome for you guys as it was for me. I love the sport and everything about it being family oriented. Like I said its the best memories of my life traveling the country with my brother and family!

Lets hear those stories and results!

Fleece192 wrote:

Went to LLs twice with my kid racing. I think 94 was the first time. Kid raced 80 stock and Mod. RC and family were camping...

Went to LLs twice with my kid racing. I think 94 was the first time. Kid raced 80 stock and Mod. RC and family were camping a couple of motor-homes down from us in the farthest field. He had a couple of clapped out KX 80s. It rained hard the first 2 days, so they cut it back to 2 motos. I saw RC down by the river by himself and know one was talking to him. I went up to him and asked him if he minded the mud, In a southern accent he said he didn't. On the line he had brand new 80s. The Mod bike was chrome. Team Green I guess. He went out on all motos and smoked everyone. One race he lapped up to fourth..
97 went back with the kid racing 125B stock, kid raced against Fonseca and Buckalew who smoked the field. Pastrana was their that year. On his last moto he was running second and slowed to let third go by, then he took out the guy so he could get the overall. I'm pretty sure he was disqualified.. Good Times

JOHN CHOATE wrote:

I remember Johner Kight. Wasn't he a Team Honda support rider at some point?

MPM64 wrote:

He rode Yamaha's when I raced with him and later was picked up by Honda. I thought I heard he was seriously injured at a Golden...

He rode Yamaha's when I raced with him and later was picked up by Honda. I thought I heard he was seriously injured at a Golden State race at Saddleback. I remember hearing about him crashing on a controversial downhill double. Pretty sure it ended his career. I'm sure somebody from CA knows the story.

MPM64 wrote:

I'm old...So I am going back a ways. 1980 AM National was held in October at Millville. This is back when they only used to have...

I'm old...So I am going back a ways. 1980 AM National was held in October at Millville. This is back when they only used to have 4 classes. 100cc, 125 A, 250 A and Open. I copped a ride with a buddy of mine and fellow competitor named Keith Hall in an old moto converted bread van. We rode and slept in the back on pillows and sleeping bags between the bikes. I qualified as an alternate and didn't think I would get to ride. I got to ride and holeshot the 1st moto and ended up finishing 8th OA with my buddy Keith finishing 5th in the 100cc class. We had such a fun time on that trip.

1981 was held at RedBud in October. I was in the hunt for the 100cc title but a clutch failure took care of that. Ended up 7th OA. All I remember about this race was that it was muddy most of the event and it took its toll on the bikes.

1982 was my 1st year going to Ponca. This was my first exposure to west coast riders and it was amazing to see the talent level of the California mini riders. They were amazing. Unfortunately this was the year that Bruce Bunch, Kyle Fleming and Rick Hemme died in the horrible car/train accident. I had a rough week with my best overall finish being a 4th I think. We skipped the awards ceremony and pulled out early to make our way towards Loretta's and did not hear the tragic news until we got there. We were all shocked about what happened.

1982...1st year for Loretta's with an entirely new format. I qualified to ride the now extinct 100cc class. A fast kid from California named Johner Kight and I had split moto wins and went into the final moto tied in points. Our 3rd moto was held early and it had rained the night before. I was nervous but I knew coming from Michigan would be an advantage in the muddy conditions. Luckily I got a good start and was out front after the first few corners. It was one of those magical motos where everything came easy and I pulled away to win. What I remember most is my Dad standing by the fence in his cowboy hat cheering me on. He had been down for the first part of the week but had to fly home to take care of an emergency at work. He wasn't supposed to be back for the last moto but somehow he made it in time. I think 7 or 8 Michigan riders won championships that year. It was cool to be part of it.

1983 I moved up to 125 expert and raced stock and mod at Ponca and Loretta's. I pretty much got smoked at Ponca and then hurt myself pretty bad in the 1st moto at Loretta's with a broken collarbone and a compression vertabrae fracture in my back. Spent the rest of the week in the hospital with a catheter installed. It sucked and was quite the downer compared to the previous year.

That's my history. Sorry for the rambling. I don't get to relive those days often.

JOHN CHOATE wrote:

I've been to LL's in '83, '84, '09, '10 and '11. Best moto finish was 2nd and worst moto finish 38th(multiple crashes). I too have some...

I've been to LL's in '83, '84, '09, '10 and '11. Best moto finish was 2nd and worst moto finish 38th(multiple crashes). I too have some of my best (and worst) moto memories from LL's. Flat tire cost me a championship in '83. Over the past three years, my entire family anxiously awaits for LL's. In my last moto this year, I had a breakthrough moment (special thanks to Robbie Reynard for lap time reduction) and was running inside the top ten until my body gave out. It was only my fourth race since LL's last year so I don't get to race or practice very often. I get to move to the +45 for 2012.

I was qualified to go to Ponca in '84 but an opportunity to race in an International Mx came my way and I figured that was more important than Ponca. I won the Inter. race and finished just behind Jeff Stanton in several motos the next week at LL's.

I have also raced numerous times at the Mini-O's and finished 2nd in '94(?) in the +25 behind Billy Whitley.

Cool thread. I like reading everyone's stories.

moscrop940 wrote:

From 2001 to 2005 my father,brother and myself hit every national sans mini-o's. I never had a respectable finish to speak of( I was far more...

From 2001 to 2005 my father,brother and myself hit every national sans mini-o's. I never had a respectable finish to speak of( I was far more concerned with the hanging out with friends aspect then the riding aspect, which is a shame to a degree because i was given the best equipment money could buy.), where as my brother posted a top 10 at Ponca, and my dad was pretty much the man and top 5'd every where we went, finishing as high as 2'nd at lake whitney.

At the end of 05 are national days came to a halt, my brother got older and found the dreaded B&P( Beer and Pus...well you get it), dads business began to flounder a bit and I was out of commission thanks to a couple of broken legs, feet and ankle's.

After over 2 years off the bike( my legs,knee, and ankle refused to heal) we decided if we could only afford one national it would be Mammoth, since it was the closest, and in my mind the best track on earth.

Finally in 2010, we all knew it would probably be our last year( with the economy the way it is and the fact that I was and still am at the age where its time motocross has to play second fiddle to a future) so we needed to make this one count....

All i can say is that I have never trained so hard for anything in my entire life. I showed up to Mammoth on a borrowed,albeit better, bike and in the best shape of my life. In the open class my life's goal was finally achieved in the form of a fourth place....I know it may not seem like a whole lot but never had I ever been a front runner, much less a top 5 guy....On sunday for the 450 class I actually holeshoted a qualy, and man I can honestly say the feeling of making that first left hander over the hump without getting blasted by roost was an incredible feeling, and one that I will never forget, In the main I floundered thanks to a bad start and a couple of crashes (ended 15th I believe).

Amatuer nationals are something that I hold very close to my heart, because I know that regardless of how many times we came home empty handed, broke, and in pain, that those were the times of my life. A time where the outside world didn't matter, and my Dad, my brother, and myself were kings, even if only for the week that we were gone.

I apologize for the long entry, but when I started I couldn't bring myself to stop. Just thinking of the old days is almost enough to bring a tear to my eye.

Thanks for reading,

Moscrop

therealjonon wrote:

i did my fair share of am races

shunter986 wrote:

care to share lol???

moscrop940 wrote:

From 2001 to 2005 my father,brother and myself hit every national sans mini-o's. I never had a respectable finish to speak of( I was far more...

From 2001 to 2005 my father,brother and myself hit every national sans mini-o's. I never had a respectable finish to speak of( I was far more concerned with the hanging out with friends aspect then the riding aspect, which is a shame to a degree because i was given the best equipment money could buy.), where as my brother posted a top 10 at Ponca, and my dad was pretty much the man and top 5'd every where we went, finishing as high as 2'nd at lake whitney.

At the end of 05 are national days came to a halt, my brother got older and found the dreaded B&P( Beer and Pus...well you get it), dads business began to flounder a bit and I was out of commission thanks to a couple of broken legs, feet and ankle's.

After over 2 years off the bike( my legs,knee, and ankle refused to heal) we decided if we could only afford one national it would be Mammoth, since it was the closest, and in my mind the best track on earth.

Finally in 2010, we all knew it would probably be our last year( with the economy the way it is and the fact that I was and still am at the age where its time motocross has to play second fiddle to a future) so we needed to make this one count....

All i can say is that I have never trained so hard for anything in my entire life. I showed up to Mammoth on a borrowed,albeit better, bike and in the best shape of my life. In the open class my life's goal was finally achieved in the form of a fourth place....I know it may not seem like a whole lot but never had I ever been a front runner, much less a top 5 guy....On sunday for the 450 class I actually holeshoted a qualy, and man I can honestly say the feeling of making that first left hander over the hump without getting blasted by roost was an incredible feeling, and one that I will never forget, In the main I floundered thanks to a bad start and a couple of crashes (ended 15th I believe).

Amatuer nationals are something that I hold very close to my heart, because I know that regardless of how many times we came home empty handed, broke, and in pain, that those were the times of my life. A time where the outside world didn't matter, and my Dad, my brother, and myself were kings, even if only for the week that we were gone.

I apologize for the long entry, but when I started I couldn't bring myself to stop. Just thinking of the old days is almost enough to bring a tear to my eye.

Thanks for reading,

Moscrop

LouDog wrote:

Did your dad race Saddleback in the 80s

moscrop940 wrote:

From 2001 to 2005 my father,brother and myself hit every national sans mini-o's. I never had a respectable finish to speak of( I was far more...

From 2001 to 2005 my father,brother and myself hit every national sans mini-o's. I never had a respectable finish to speak of( I was far more concerned with the hanging out with friends aspect then the riding aspect, which is a shame to a degree because i was given the best equipment money could buy.), where as my brother posted a top 10 at Ponca, and my dad was pretty much the man and top 5'd every where we went, finishing as high as 2'nd at lake whitney.

At the end of 05 are national days came to a halt, my brother got older and found the dreaded B&P( Beer and Pus...well you get it), dads business began to flounder a bit and I was out of commission thanks to a couple of broken legs, feet and ankle's.

After over 2 years off the bike( my legs,knee, and ankle refused to heal) we decided if we could only afford one national it would be Mammoth, since it was the closest, and in my mind the best track on earth.

Finally in 2010, we all knew it would probably be our last year( with the economy the way it is and the fact that I was and still am at the age where its time motocross has to play second fiddle to a future) so we needed to make this one count....

All i can say is that I have never trained so hard for anything in my entire life. I showed up to Mammoth on a borrowed,albeit better, bike and in the best shape of my life. In the open class my life's goal was finally achieved in the form of a fourth place....I know it may not seem like a whole lot but never had I ever been a front runner, much less a top 5 guy....On sunday for the 450 class I actually holeshoted a qualy, and man I can honestly say the feeling of making that first left hander over the hump without getting blasted by roost was an incredible feeling, and one that I will never forget, In the main I floundered thanks to a bad start and a couple of crashes (ended 15th I believe).

Amatuer nationals are something that I hold very close to my heart, because I know that regardless of how many times we came home empty handed, broke, and in pain, that those were the times of my life. A time where the outside world didn't matter, and my Dad, my brother, and myself were kings, even if only for the week that we were gone.

I apologize for the long entry, but when I started I couldn't bring myself to stop. Just thinking of the old days is almost enough to bring a tear to my eye.

Thanks for reading,

Moscrop

LouDog wrote:

Did your dad race Saddleback in the 80s

moscrop940 wrote:

As a matter of fact he did, he was buddies with Johnny O, Donnie Hansen, and Willie Simon to name a few...did you use to line...

As a matter of fact he did, he was buddies with Johnny O, Donnie Hansen, and Willie Simon to name a few...did you use to line up with my old man?

MPM64 wrote:

I'm old...So I am going back a ways. 1980 AM National was held in October at Millville. This is back when they only used to have...

I'm old...So I am going back a ways. 1980 AM National was held in October at Millville. This is back when they only used to have 4 classes. 100cc, 125 A, 250 A and Open. I copped a ride with a buddy of mine and fellow competitor named Keith Hall in an old moto converted bread van. We rode and slept in the back on pillows and sleeping bags between the bikes. I qualified as an alternate and didn't think I would get to ride. I got to ride and holeshot the 1st moto and ended up finishing 8th OA with my buddy Keith finishing 5th in the 100cc class. We had such a fun time on that trip.

1981 was held at RedBud in October. I was in the hunt for the 100cc title but a clutch failure took care of that. Ended up 7th OA. All I remember about this race was that it was muddy most of the event and it took its toll on the bikes.

1982 was my 1st year going to Ponca. This was my first exposure to west coast riders and it was amazing to see the talent level of the California mini riders. They were amazing. Unfortunately this was the year that Bruce Bunch, Kyle Fleming and Rick Hemme died in the horrible car/train accident. I had a rough week with my best overall finish being a 4th I think. We skipped the awards ceremony and pulled out early to make our way towards Loretta's and did not hear the tragic news until we got there. We were all shocked about what happened.

1982...1st year for Loretta's with an entirely new format. I qualified to ride the now extinct 100cc class. A fast kid from California named Johner Kight and I had split moto wins and went into the final moto tied in points. Our 3rd moto was held early and it had rained the night before. I was nervous but I knew coming from Michigan would be an advantage in the muddy conditions. Luckily I got a good start and was out front after the first few corners. It was one of those magical motos where everything came easy and I pulled away to win. What I remember most is my Dad standing by the fence in his cowboy hat cheering me on. He had been down for the first part of the week but had to fly home to take care of an emergency at work. He wasn't supposed to be back for the last moto but somehow he made it in time. I think 7 or 8 Michigan riders won championships that year. It was cool to be part of it.

1983 I moved up to 125 expert and raced stock and mod at Ponca and Loretta's. I pretty much got smoked at Ponca and then hurt myself pretty bad in the 1st moto at Loretta's with a broken collarbone and a compression vertabrae fracture in my back. Spent the rest of the week in the hospital with a catheter installed. It sucked and was quite the downer compared to the previous year.

That's my history. Sorry for the rambling. I don't get to relive those days often.

rocrac wrote:

Awesome...who are you?

shunter986 wrote:

X2 drop that name lol

Fleece192 wrote:

Went to LLs twice with my kid racing. I think 94 was the first time. Kid raced 80 stock and Mod. RC and family were camping...

Went to LLs twice with my kid racing. I think 94 was the first time. Kid raced 80 stock and Mod. RC and family were camping a couple of motor-homes down from us in the farthest field. He had a couple of clapped out KX 80s. It rained hard the first 2 days, so they cut it back to 2 motos. I saw RC down by the river by himself and know one was talking to him. I went up to him and asked him if he minded the mud, In a southern accent he said he didn't. On the line he had brand new 80s. The Mod bike was chrome. Team Green I guess. He went out on all motos and smoked everyone. One race he lapped up to fourth..
97 went back with the kid racing 125B stock, kid raced against Fonseca and Buckalew who smoked the field. Pastrana was their that year. On his last moto he was running second and slowed to let third go by, then he took out the guy so he could get the overall. I'm pretty sure he was disqualified.. Good Times

Shawn142 wrote:

Billy Payne was the kid Pastrana spent the entire moto trying to slow down and yes he got DQ'd for it. That was the Schoolboy and...

Billy Payne was the kid Pastrana spent the entire moto trying to slow down and yes he got DQ'd for it. That was the Schoolboy and I was in that class and moto. Of course I was laying in the first turn at the start of that one with half the field.

Shawn142 wrote:

Billy Payne was the kid Pastrana spent the entire moto trying to slow down and yes he got DQ'd for it. That was the Schoolboy and...

Billy Payne was the kid Pastrana spent the entire moto trying to slow down and yes he got DQ'd for it. That was the Schoolboy and I was in that class and moto. Of course I was laying in the first turn at the start of that one with half the field.

Day602 wrote:

That was a tough schoolboy class that year, he slowed him down enough to allow Ben Riddle and a few others to catch up. Thanks to...

That was a tough schoolboy class that year, he slowed him down enough to allow Ben Riddle and a few others to catch up. Thanks to Travis and his race planning I ended up with an 3rd overall down there.

shunter986 wrote:

Day? You wouldnt happen to be aaron would you? I remeber that year well. Its been a long time lol. I cant remeber if chris rode...

Day? You wouldnt happen to be aaron would you? I remeber that year well. Its been a long time lol. I cant remeber if chris rode schoolboy that year or not.

Shawn142 wrote:

Billy Payne was the kid Pastrana spent the entire moto trying to slow down and yes he got DQ'd for it. That was the Schoolboy and...

Billy Payne was the kid Pastrana spent the entire moto trying to slow down and yes he got DQ'd for it. That was the Schoolboy and I was in that class and moto. Of course I was laying in the first turn at the start of that one with half the field.

Day602 wrote:

That was a tough schoolboy class that year, he slowed him down enough to allow Ben Riddle and a few others to catch up. Thanks to...

That was a tough schoolboy class that year, he slowed him down enough to allow Ben Riddle and a few others to catch up. Thanks to Travis and his race planning I ended up with an 3rd overall down there.

shunter986 wrote:

Day? You wouldnt happen to be aaron would you? I remeber that year well. Its been a long time lol. I cant remeber if chris rode...

Day? You wouldnt happen to be aaron would you? I remeber that year well. Its been a long time lol. I cant remeber if chris rode schoolboy that year or not.