Wide Open--Jeremy McGrath

G-man
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G-man
Edited Date/Time 10/21/2019 5:33pm
Yeah I'm usually late to the party and never did get around to reading this book by the King.

Probably just the fact I don't read books, just motorcycle mags hahaha Grinning

Anyway I found a copy at the used bookstore, it's a great read and keeps me interested. Smile

This would be a great book if any of you guys have young riders in your family.

Jeremy had nothing handed to him and worked his butt off by honing his skills on his bicycle before transferring them over to his motorcycle.

His buddies who were also fast riders seemed to get the sponsorship deals before Jeremy.
This did not deter him, even when he went into Mitch Payton's office as a young kid in his lowrider pickup truck and Mitch chewed him out and sent him out where he cried in his truck.

But this also turned out to be something that Jeremy used to turn the switch on in his brain.
And you know how that turned out! Woohoo


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mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 10/20/2019 8:59pm
10/20/2019 8:59pm
Always wanted to read it, but just haven’t had a chance to get it
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dadofagun
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dadofagun 10/20/2019 9:03pm
10/20/2019 9:03pm
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Always wanted to read it, but just haven’t had a chance to get it
My son got me a used copy of it when he was little, and yes it's a good read. He for sure had to work his ass off. I zipped through it on a cold, snowy weekend, keeps you enthused.
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Kyle978
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Kyle978 10/20/2019 9:06pm
10/20/2019 9:06pm Edited Date/Time 10/21/2019 3:17pm
I basically graduated thanks to that book. Minimum of 10 book reports done on the same book over the years. Thanks MC.
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gnarwhip
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gnarwhip 10/20/2019 9:40pm
10/20/2019 9:40pm
Great book. No one will ever beat 72 sx wins. He’ll always be the GOAT in my book.
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The Shop

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MX76er
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MX76er 10/20/2019 9:54pm
10/20/2019 9:54pm
Kyle978 wrote:
I basically graduated thanks to that book. Minimum of 10 book reports done on the same book over the years. Thanks MC.
Your only cheating yourself Kyle lol 😂
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Johnny Ringo
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Johnny Ringo 10/20/2019 9:54pm
10/20/2019 9:54pm
I’ve got a signed first edition, good book.
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Garage11
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Garage11 10/21/2019 3:22am
10/21/2019 3:22am
man I read this twice when it came out such a good read
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JMX82
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JMX82 10/21/2019 3:34am
10/21/2019 3:34am
Great book! My gf got me one for Christmas present last year and read it trough in couple of days. 90's was such a cool era in super/motocross
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USA
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USA 10/21/2019 3:38am
10/21/2019 3:38am
I've got a copy that stays perpetually on my bedside table. Love the book and really helped me understand that people aren't just born with "it", you have to work hard and dedicate yourself.

Does anyone know if MC is really 48.3 feet in the air in that pic on the cover? I seriously doubt it haha.
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zippytech
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zippytech 10/21/2019 4:25am
10/21/2019 4:25am
I have had mine for years, still got the wrap on it. Waiting for the time when I have time to read a book.
Spudnut
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Spudnut 10/21/2019 8:36am
10/21/2019 8:36am
I probably read this books 10 times or more in middle school. It’s like a whiskey throttle show episode on book form (minus a drunken GL)
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RoflCopter726 10/21/2019 10:11am
10/21/2019 10:11am
I remember hearing about this coming out when I was young and scoured the local bookstore until I found it. It was a great read and one of the rare books that kept me hooked and couldn't put down. Definitely should read it again one day. Another being "The Driver" by Alex Roy, its about his quest to break the Cannonball Run record, not motocross but still highly recommended!
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devotid
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devotid 10/21/2019 10:23am
10/21/2019 10:23am
Love this book. MC is the GOAT to me too. I even went out and bought a 99 YZ250 brand new from a tractor store because of him. hahah. I lost so much money on that one.

Here is another book for anyone looking for a great read that will make you a better racer after one read.
Anything by Carroll Smith.
https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Win-Essential-Guide-Driving/dp/0615592570
SPYGUY
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SPYGUY 10/21/2019 10:41am
10/21/2019 10:41am
Anyone remember when an excerpt from the book (before it’s release) was in an issue of RacerX, discussing his exit from Honda? I don’t remember exactly what all it said but I remember it seemed much more brutally honest than what we usually hear. When the actual book came out, however, it had been changed and watered down.

Perhaps I’ll dig out my old RacerX’s and try to find it.
ktmdan
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ktmdan 10/21/2019 10:43am
10/21/2019 10:43am
Kyle978 wrote:
I basically graduated thanks to that book. Minimum of 10 book reports done on the same book over the years. Thanks MC.
Yeah same here ha
mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 10/21/2019 11:24am
10/21/2019 11:24am
He wasn't all that great of an intermediate. We have results of my dad beating him and my dad remembers Ryno and guys like Chad Pederson beating MC in the intermediate days at CMC. MC went to work and we obviously know how that went. Wouldn't necessarily say he was born with it.
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mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 10/21/2019 11:26am
10/21/2019 11:26am
USA wrote:
I've got a copy that stays perpetually on my bedside table. Love the book and really helped me understand that people aren't just born with "it"...
I've got a copy that stays perpetually on my bedside table. Love the book and really helped me understand that people aren't just born with "it", you have to work hard and dedicate yourself.

Does anyone know if MC is really 48.3 feet in the air in that pic on the cover? I seriously doubt it haha.
I'd say 48.3ft could be possible if measuring from flat ground to where he is in the air. 48.3ft above the top of the jump? no way.
ocscottie
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ocscottie 10/21/2019 12:29pm
10/21/2019 12:29pm
Just found my copy in the garage the other day, was thinking about reading it again.

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Denn700
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Denn700 10/21/2019 2:16pm
10/21/2019 2:16pm
I have read it many times and I’m going to read it again. I wish more guys did books. The ones I would want would be.
Decoster
Hannah
RJ
Lechein
Bradshaw
RC
Reed
Stewart
Mike Alessi
Jlaw the unedited version
Grant Langston Snake on a plane
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dirtwalker 10/21/2019 3:13pm
10/21/2019 3:13pm
Nothing has changed - talent, technique and hard work.
ocscottie
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ocscottie 10/21/2019 4:02pm
10/21/2019 4:02pm
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Always wanted to read it, but just haven’t had a chance to get it
Do you want my copy after i read it again? I will gladly pass it on to ya. 👍
Jarid332
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Jarid332 10/21/2019 4:06pm
10/21/2019 4:06pm
I've read it at least 5-6 times. Very good book.
mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 10/21/2019 4:50pm
10/21/2019 4:50pm
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Always wanted to read it, but just haven’t had a chance to get it
ocscottie wrote:
Do you want my copy after i read it again? I will gladly pass it on to ya. 👍
I appreciate that Scottie, but I just ordered it on Amazon
KBOLTZ
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KBOLTZ 10/21/2019 5:33pm
10/21/2019 5:33pm
Sorry bud, some people are just right there at the right time. He worked his ass off for almost everything but as timing would have it he raced BMX which was gaining momentum with new techniques and new ways to go fast without an engine. Then and only then did he have “it”. It was the right place at the right time mixed with determination and hard work. All good things. Personally I don’t think it will ever happen like that again.
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