before michigan mafia was team dynamics - what ever happen too????

AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 6:48pm
8/10/2017 6:48pm


This is pic from when I first started racing with Cougar & Hunter.m LOL, i had a t shirt from them and I was wearing my old Team Dynamic jersey under it. I did eventually get a jersey from them...
AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 6:59pm
8/10/2017 6:59pm


Down the long straight after the first turn at Baja. Not 100% positive, but pretty sure #38 is Brian Swink, #15 Jay Wentzel, #4 Scott Morris.




1981, my first full year on an 80cc. Here at Baja, I remember I couldn't wait to start racing 80's just so I could ride up those big sand hills in the upper sections at Baja. The 60's raced a slightly shorter track and didn't head up Kong and fly over the sky jump.

dboivin
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dboivin 8/10/2017 7:16pm
8/10/2017 7:16pm Edited Date/Time 8/10/2017 7:52pm
good to see all these old mafia pics

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dboivin 8/10/2017 7:18pm
8/10/2017 7:18pm


The Shop

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dboivin
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dboivin 8/10/2017 7:22pm
8/10/2017 7:22pm
and i was clickin thru old photos i have on facebook and noticed that Chris Stanick wearing a dynamic jersey circa 85' on a kawasaki.

AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 7:45pm
8/10/2017 7:45pm


Found an old pic of Mike Konners chillin on the couch, but I can't remember who's house we were at.



Aaron Darnell and Jim Darnell behind a sweet Montesa, Mike standing behind my dad and I'm not sure who the guy is kneeling by the front tire.
AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 7:53pm
8/10/2017 7:53pm


Keith "Bones" Bowen coming into the first turn at White Birch in Stanton Mi. Track is now Valley MX I believe. Man I loved that track...Haven't ridden out there in probably 10 years.
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dboivin 8/10/2017 7:57pm
8/10/2017 7:57pm
dave tambling #177
AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 8:08pm
8/10/2017 8:08pm
dboivin wrote:
dave tambling #177
That name sounds familar, these guys are a few years older than me. Keith was racing 125's and 250's and I was on 60's and 80's with his brother Greg.
AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 8:10pm
8/10/2017 8:10pm
I just took some more pics of some stuff from the team that I'll post....lol, I'm gonna be up all night.
AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 8:13pm
8/10/2017 8:13pm


Blast from the past, 1982 Loretta Lynn's program and bumper sticker
AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 8:22pm
8/10/2017 8:22pm


Team Dynamic General Rules




Super Team and Expert Team Requirements





Requirements continued





And lastly, the Liability Release and it had to be notorized, lol
AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 8:28pm
8/10/2017 8:28pm
Not sure how many people have ever gotten to see this letter, but even for me as an 11 or 12 year kid, this was a sad letter to read. Received this in July of 1982 from Mike.



AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 8:44pm
8/10/2017 8:44pm


1981, Youth Motocross National Championship held at Rolling Hills, NC. I believe it was Guy Wilson's family had a big banner at their motor home that read...."Michigan Mafia". I know I've seen a picture of it, wish I could post that.

AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 9:04pm
8/10/2017 9:04pm
MPM64 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/10/28/35074/s1200_scan0022.jpg[/img] I started riding for them in 1978-79. You had to wear one of the variety of color jersey's and were considered "support team" I think...


I started riding for them in 1978-79. You had to wear one of the variety of color jersey's and were considered "support team" I think. Sweet Electro helmet LOL.



1980 Millville amateur nationals. When you earned enough points or cred you got to wear the red/blk/white jersey. Still rocking the Electro but tricked it out with an Iron Jaw face guard.


The "pinnacle" of Team Dynamic. Fire red/ gold with the sweet stars and you were on the "Super Team". Ace Mechanic Steve Ellis built liquid cooled 100cc YZ. A Dynamic Cycle creation.




If and when you got Yamaha support they made you wear yellow/black traditional Yamaha colors. Still had the sun and stars on the jersey and some sweet custom Griff's pants. Loretta's 82, made it on the classic t-shirt in the post above.





Mike Konnors was a hell of guy. He poured his heart and soul into Dynamic Cycle and Team Dynamic. His vision for the team worked and made you have a goal to make your way up the ladder. It was tough to make it to Super Team status and if you did you definitely earned it.

I have not attended an am race in the last 15 years. Does the "local shop" still have a presence at the races?
I still have my #7 plate from the ad in the District 14 paper above, I actually still have the ad itself.



dboivin
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dboivin 8/10/2017 9:13pm
8/10/2017 9:13pm
AJD218, im assuming your Aaron Darnell, if so you and i had many battles in 60's and 80's. Smile I rode for wheels of O in 82-83 time frame.
AJD218
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AJD218 8/10/2017 10:12pm
8/10/2017 10:12pm
Wheels of O(Oxford)....Man I haven't heard that name in years. Always loved the name, I remember a few riders from that shop.

Yes this is Aaron, I always love to hear from racers from back in the day. You still ride at all?
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AJD218 8/10/2017 10:54pm
8/10/2017 10:54pm
Dan,
In 82' I would have still been on Yamahas. Not sure if it was 83' or 84' that I made the switch to Hondas with Courgar & Hunter. I think it was 83' and then I would have only been racing the 80's.

Did you ever go to Ponca City? I raced there one year also, was either 81' or 82', but I don't think I raced Ponca and LL's in the same year.

Pit Row

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dboivin
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dboivin 8/11/2017 6:26am
8/11/2017 6:26am
nope don't race anymore. raced lorettas 85' and 87', raced ponca 87 and 88'. went to college. came back and wrenched pro's with Jeff Curry mid 90's. Now just a member at polkadots, help put on races.

I do remember you switchin to the hondas.

pic from old wheels of O days.


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38special
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38special 8/11/2017 6:50am
8/11/2017 6:50am
If anybody has more pics of Mustang Acres/Brighton, I'd love to see them.
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Tuffy
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Tuffy 8/11/2017 7:38am
8/11/2017 7:38am
I just found this old photo...Redbud 1985. I am the good looking guy on the left with the porn star mustache and jean cutoffs...damn those were some short shorts. We were pitted next to Team Dynamic that weekend. I think it was Lisa and Wagner??? but I may be wrong. But since I was racing Open class that weekend, I doubt I would have been sporting those trophies if the Hinkles were there...that was a Saturday night and Sunday event.


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CEMX182
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CEMX182 8/11/2017 7:55am
8/11/2017 7:55am
MMHOF wrote:
My understanding is that "Michigan Mafia" was the nickname for some very fast Michigan flat trackers who used to dominate the AMA Nationals back before motocross...
My understanding is that "Michigan Mafia" was the nickname for some very fast Michigan flat trackers who used to dominate the AMA Nationals back before motocross was really popular. As MX became more popular and Michigan MX riders started to bring home some Amateur National gold, my first recollection of that name was on a banner displayed at an end-of-season District 14 motocross awards banquet. I've heard 2 different stories about who gets credit for that banner. One story says it was Dick Bigelow (Dad of Kirk, Kris, Kip and Kreg) who came up with the idea. Another story says that it was Gene Ritchie (Owner of Red Bud.) who came up with the idea. If anyone knows for sure, they're welcome to comment, but I'm not gonna get into the middle of that argument.

The relationship between the "Michigan Mafia" and "Team Dynamic" is that all fast Michigan riders were a part of the "Michigan Mafia", but "Team Dynamic" was only the riders who were sponsored by our relatively small Yamaha dealership in Troy, Michigan.

Those " friggin red shirts w the star graphic" mentioned in the first post of this topic were highly respected because they were a symbol of achievement. -You couldn't BUY one, you had to EARN it through your performance at the toughest tracks against the toughest competition. The next time you're at Dutch Sport Park MX in Bloomingdale, MI, you can check out the one that the Akin family has enshrined in their "Shirt Shack".


-And here's a pic of a shirt we had made up to commemorate our 4 Amateur National Champions at the first-ever Loretta Lynn's in 1982.


A couple of months later we had to close our doors, partly due to the Carter recession and partly due to my lack of business sense. But that team and those riders are still one of my proudest achievements on this earth. The riders and their families, -what a great bunch of people!

I shouldn't call them "riders" because they were much more than that. -They were "RACERS". -There's a difference!
http://www.cafepress.com/cardreamer/4048472
It is actually pretty cool, Drex (Akin- Lisa's Dad) still has the Dynamic Racing Box Van and Trailers at his house by Red Bud. The attic is full of old memorabilia (snapbacks, shirts, full sets of gear, sweaters, shorts, etc). When we were younger (~2008-2013), we always used to grab the awesome hats from the 70's and ride in the old jerseys whenever we were at Dutch for the heck of it. Pretty cool stuff.
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MMHOF 8/11/2017 7:56am
8/11/2017 7:56am
AJD218 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/08/10/209255/s1200_image.jpg[/img] Found an old pic of Mike Konners chillin on the couch, but I can't remember who's house we were at. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/08/10/209257/s1200_image.jpg[/img] Aaron Darnell and Jim...


Found an old pic of Mike Konners chillin on the couch, but I can't remember who's house we were at.



Aaron Darnell and Jim Darnell behind a sweet Montesa, Mike standing behind my dad and I'm not sure who the guy is kneeling by the front tire.
Hi Aaron, -good to hear from you, and good to see some of your MX memories. I'm pretty sure that both those pics above were taken at the Wilson's cabin up north. Remember that? The guy kneeling is Bob Ogg. He and his wife Sally (one of our female racers) moved to Florida back in the mid 80's. I'm not sure if they're still there.
generallee121 8/11/2017 10:04am
8/11/2017 10:04am
kaboom645 wrote:
That is Brad Kadau on the #9 Yamaha behind me [img]https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/19075_103377429688891_6894888_n.jpg[/img] That pic was from a FLMX race back in the summer of 2010.. +30A class
That is Brad Kadau on the #9 Yamaha behind me


That pic was from a FLMX race back in the summer of 2010.. +30A class
Brad is still very active in the local racing scene around the southeast and especially down here in southeast FL and that dude can still haul ass!!! we call him knuckles because for as long as ive known ( about 20 yrs) ive NEVER seen him once ride with gloves on, no matter the track, conditions, or weather. the man is hard core! moto! he sweeps all the vet classes around and stays with the young guns. just recently middle of July he had a VERY serious crash where he went over the bars and was run over by another bike and is seriously banged up and was in the ICU hospital for an extended period of time. several broken vertebrae in back and neck with lots of surgeries and metal inserted, 7 broken ribs, broken scapula, lacerated and bleeding spleen just among other things. hes lucky to be able to walk and his riding days are now done unfortunately is what ive seen him say on FB
AJD218
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AJD218 8/11/2017 5:47pm
8/11/2017 5:47pm
AJD218 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/08/10/209255/s1200_image.jpg[/img] Found an old pic of Mike Konners chillin on the couch, but I can't remember who's house we were at. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/08/10/209257/s1200_image.jpg[/img] Aaron Darnell and Jim...


Found an old pic of Mike Konners chillin on the couch, but I can't remember who's house we were at.



Aaron Darnell and Jim Darnell behind a sweet Montesa, Mike standing behind my dad and I'm not sure who the guy is kneeling by the front tire.
MMHOF wrote:
Hi Aaron, -good to hear from you, and good to see some of your MX memories. I'm pretty sure that both those pics above were taken...
Hi Aaron, -good to hear from you, and good to see some of your MX memories. I'm pretty sure that both those pics above were taken at the Wilson's cabin up north. Remember that? The guy kneeling is Bob Ogg. He and his wife Sally (one of our female racers) moved to Florida back in the mid 80's. I'm not sure if they're still there.
Mike,
Glad you still stop in and got to see these pics. I do remember a bunch of us heading north and doing some trail riding. I was pretty young but wasn't their camp up around Mio, maybe a little north?

Man, just talking to some fella's in here and posting some old pics brings back some great memories. Now I need to go out and search around and see if I can find some more race photos.

Hope life is treating you well.
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AJD218 8/11/2017 5:51pm
8/11/2017 5:51pm
dboivin wrote:
nope don't race anymore. raced lorettas 85' and 87', raced ponca 87 and 88'. went to college. came back and wrenched pro's with Jeff Curry mid...
nope don't race anymore. raced lorettas 85' and 87', raced ponca 87 and 88'. went to college. came back and wrenched pro's with Jeff Curry mid 90's. Now just a member at polkadots, help put on races.

I do remember you switchin to the hondas.

pic from old wheels of O days.


Dan, like the style!!! I've got some old D-14 papers my mother kept from the 70's & 80's. I'll see if I can find some pics and points standings articles.

Do you remember where this pic was taken?
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dboivin 8/11/2017 6:05pm
8/11/2017 6:05pm Edited Date/Time 8/11/2017 6:07pm
AJD218 wrote:
Dan, like the style!!! I've got some old D-14 papers my mother kept from the 70's & 80's. I'll see if I can find some pics...
Dan, like the style!!! I've got some old D-14 papers my mother kept from the 70's & 80's. I'll see if I can find some pics and points standings articles.

Do you remember where this pic was taken?
yeah pretty sure that was log road. i had a lot of engine troubles in 83' with those yamahas. I remember blowing up bikes at local regional while in qualifying positions...and then us having to travel to Minnesota the next weekend to try again with rebuilt bikes...and they both blew that weekend too while in qualifying pos again. lmao. we had no luck in 83.


and that no gloves thing musta been a michigan thing. lol. i have no idea why i don't have my gloves on.




AJD218
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AJD218 8/11/2017 6:50pm
8/11/2017 6:50pm
Dan,
I love that trailer, my dad built the same kind. A few plywood walls with a pick up topper. It wasn't the prettiest but it got us to the races. Wonder what the issue was with your bikes, I don't remember having that many issues with mine. You must have been twisting that throttle a little more, lol.

It's so awesome to find the kids you raced with so long ago, still around and talking motocross.
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752dad 8/11/2017 7:05pm
8/11/2017 7:05pm
Mustang Acres 1975 possibly
MIke Brubaker l think


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MMHOF 10/7/2017 9:36pm
10/7/2017 9:36pm
I know there’s a number of Michigan riders who have been following this thread for a number of years now and I thought that maybe some of you might be interested in a special event we have planned for October 28th. We’re calling it the “Michigan Mafia Motocross Reunion Banquet”.
It will be a sit-down banquet and it will be at Jeff Stanton's event facility in his hometown of Sherwood, MI. (www.theoldstonebarn.com). It was Drex Akin's idea and he got some other Team Dynamic folks (Mike Konners, Jeff Stanton, Rusty Hibbs and Steve Ellis) on board, and it's shaping up to be a real fun event and a chance to renew old friendships and make some new ones. It’s not just for Team Dynamic riders. Anybody Who had anything to do with, or any interest in, the Michigan motocross scene back in the 70’s or 80’s is welcome. Right now, we're planning to have most of the ground floor of the "Old Stone Barn" be a display of Rusty Hibbs’ outstanding bikes and memorabilia, and the second floor will be set up banquet-style centered around a "Tonight Show" setup where we'll have various folks take turns as MC with various guests and bench-racing topics, with maybe a few old action movies from the old tracks back in the day up on the big screen TV. Tickets will be $30per adult and $15 per kids 12 & under. We aren't looking to restart Team Dynamic or make a profit on this event, -just cover our costs. Reservations will be required. Cut-off date to order tickets is October 15th. Go to www.DutchSportParkMX.com for more info.
This is the 1st time an event like this has been attempted and may be the only time. Don’t miss out. It should be a great time even without you, but even better WITH you. You don’t want to have to hear about how much of a good time you missed. See you all on Oct. 28.


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