Bad Brad in the early days- wow

Sierra Ranger
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Sierra Ranger
Edited Date/Time 8/27/2020 10:52am
I literally threw the new MXA down and said "you've got to be kidding me" when I read about how Lackey went to Czechoslovakia at age 16 to ride for CZ. He had to work in the factory too. And the factory dorms were so uninviting that he lived in a cabin with no electricity or water and had to HUNT HIS OWN food with a bow and arrow to eat. Like pheasant and quail.
Compare that to riders coming up today. Dude got robbed of several championships too. It's an incredible story of perseverance. NorCal makes 'em tough.

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Zeke27G
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Zeke27G 8/26/2020 12:56pm
8/26/2020 12:56pm

Yes, quite a crazy story. I couldn't imagine doing that at 16!

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Sierra Ranger
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Sierra Ranger 8/26/2020 1:37pm
8/26/2020 1:37pm
When I first got into racing around 1979-1980, all I knew was what I read in magazines. I had no idea how gnarly these guys actually were, like Lackey, Barnett etc.
In the interview, Lackey said he visited Czech a couple years ago and the owners of the cabin still had his arrows mounted on the wall, as a salute. Just crazy what the guy went through to win a title.
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Ted722
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Ted722 8/26/2020 3:02pm
8/26/2020 3:02pm
Some great stories from that era and Lackey's certainly demonstrates his will and desire. If you really want it, you'll make it happen and he did.

Some Belgian Army stories too from DeCoster when he was starting his moto career:

"...the early excuses involved small lies. I told them that I was the oldest of five brothers (true) and that my family relied on my race winnings to put food on the table (not so true). Officers could easily believe that story, because my pay in the army was only about one dollar a day."

"....I actually crept into my commander’s quarters in the middle of the night to steal the stamp that was required on any pass. I waited until I heard him snoring so that I knew he was sleeping deeply, stamped my document, then snuck out to the woods where I had prearranged to have a friend waiting with a car. It was like an episode of Hogan’s Heroes."

"... I had access to a machine shop. This was a true stroke of luck. Even though I had a Jawa sponsorship, the bikes were somewhat crude and virtually stock. In the machine shop I was able to make my own clutch hub, which was a chronic sore spot on the Jawas, and fix any part that broke. I even made my own sprockets."
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mx691
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mx691 8/27/2020 12:51am
8/27/2020 12:51am
What issue MXA is that, September..?

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Sierra Ranger
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Sierra Ranger 8/27/2020 9:32am
8/27/2020 9:32am
Ted722 wrote:
Some great stories from that era and Lackey's certainly demonstrates his will and desire. If you really want it, you'll make it happen and he did...
Some great stories from that era and Lackey's certainly demonstrates his will and desire. If you really want it, you'll make it happen and he did.

Some Belgian Army stories too from DeCoster when he was starting his moto career:

"...the early excuses involved small lies. I told them that I was the oldest of five brothers (true) and that my family relied on my race winnings to put food on the table (not so true). Officers could easily believe that story, because my pay in the army was only about one dollar a day."

"....I actually crept into my commander’s quarters in the middle of the night to steal the stamp that was required on any pass. I waited until I heard him snoring so that I knew he was sleeping deeply, stamped my document, then snuck out to the woods where I had prearranged to have a friend waiting with a car. It was like an episode of Hogan’s Heroes."

"... I had access to a machine shop. This was a true stroke of luck. Even though I had a Jawa sponsorship, the bikes were somewhat crude and virtually stock. In the machine shop I was able to make my own clutch hub, which was a chronic sore spot on the Jawas, and fix any part that broke. I even made my own sprockets."
Every time I complain to myself about having to work on my bike, I'll think of these guys. I can see why DeCoster doesn't put up with much sniveling from his riders.
I don't have the mag with me- it's the one on the rack right now with new 2021 models. I'm actually reading print because I'm staying somewhere at night with no Internet or phone.
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dirtbikemike 8/27/2020 10:13am
8/27/2020 10:13am
Here are a couple of pictures from the Tony Wynn facebook page. I raced with Tony for several years. Only beat him once.



Caption on the back says Lackey 1971 Czechoslavkia



Caption on the back says: On the back of this picture, Tony wrote: Czechoslavkia 1971, Old man with hat our interpreter. #7 Brad Lackey, California #3 Ron Keys, Canada #9 Me, then Jim Fishback, California in front Sonny Defeo, New York behind me #2 Zane Kent, Georgia

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Ted722
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Ted722 8/27/2020 10:14am
8/27/2020 10:14am
Off days from testing, breakfast consisted of a Pilsner and a pickle with his co-workers before starting work at the CZ factory...at 17. Smile

From a recent Q&A on Lackey's career.
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ktm 125
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ktm 125 8/27/2020 10:52am
8/27/2020 10:52am
my fav rider by far but i think he went to europe when he was 20

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