Area riders you thought would be factory stars.

andymoto
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Carmichael, CA, USA
andymoto 2/12/2021 9:54pm
2/12/2021 9:54pm Edited Date/Time 2/12/2021 10:03pm
Joe Wright came to live for a few yrs (83-'85) in West Sac with one of the coolest moto bros, the late Jody Turkley, who helped Joe immensely in NorCal. Joe had a brother that was pretty fast in his own right in ID locally. Peace in the moto heavens Jody.
Airick
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240
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1/27/2017
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Hollywood, MD, USA
Airick 2/13/2021 8:45am
2/13/2021 8:45am
MX114 wrote:
Grew up racing with all three of those dudes. Chris Hunter was a couple years older so I’d always watch his motos. On certain days he...
Grew up racing with all three of those dudes. Chris Hunter was a couple years older so I’d always watch his motos. On certain days he would give Paulie Carpenter a good battle on there CR80’s. And Jeremy and Casey always close in speed and always in the same class as me so I knew them well. Another one in our same group was Shane Bartholf from western NY. Those three were all super fast

John Schneider though prolly had more potential to go pro then all these guys. Not sure what happened to him but in early mid 90’s he was pretty much unbeatable in the northeast
Chris Hunter was the age group ahead of me. I remember watching him triple the finish line jump at Hurricane Hills on his CR80, when most 125 and 250 guys were only doubling.

1
brocster
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Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
brocster 2/13/2021 9:24am
2/13/2021 9:24am Edited Date/Time 2/13/2021 11:34am
Foo723 wrote:
Keith Watson, houma louisiana by way of tallahassee florida. the original tallahassee flash. Keith was james stewart fast and i thought he had some yamaha support...


Keith Watson, houma louisiana by way of tallahassee florida. the original tallahassee flash. Keith was james stewart fast and i thought he had some yamaha support back in the early 80's.

Keith was tragically killed at Hattiesburg Mx park in mississippi in 1981
brian burger wrote:
I was there that Sunday Keith Watson died. I won the 80cc class and my brother Barry Weinberger was racing pro class against Keith Watson. Keith...
I was there that Sunday Keith Watson died. I won the 80cc class and my brother Barry Weinberger was racing pro class against Keith Watson. Keith Watson was winning once again the first and second Moto but then lost control in the second Moto and went off the track and hit a tree that killed him instantly. We were all in shock and couldn’t believe it. Keith Watson was the fastest rider at the time from our region the south east Mississippi Louisiana and Alabama areas. I remember 1980-1981 Keith Watson started beating factory riders at the Florida gatorback pro winter series Nationals finishing second on his stock Yamaha YZ 125 right there with Mark Barnett and Johnny O Mara we were freaking out and excited to see him to start competing at a world class level. Keith Watson was world class fast and smooth and was definitely going to earn a factory sponsor if that tragedy didn’t happen. RIP and god bless!
228YZ wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/11/453779/s1200_FDA06391_6A75_4ECB_809F_4C1B4F986853.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/11/453781/s1200_CAB046FB_AF51_4FAF_9BD7_3FCCCEE26597.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/11/453780/s1200_A7E384C9_F421_4DBA_BEE5_35C05D7C5B31.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/11/453782/s1200_47B12CA1_D878_4159_94A4_8DF2C0CF117D.jpg[/img] RIP Barry! I loved hanging with Barry when he came over to race in Milton, Florida. I also, went with him when...




RIP Barry! I loved hanging with Barry when he came over to race in Milton, Florida. I also, went with him when he tried to qualify for the 125 class at the 93 Orlando supercross.
Didn’t know Keith Watson or haven’t even heard of him. However, the pictures above are of Barry Weinberger. I was was probably near when these photos were taken. Barry was a friggin character, a tad bit older than me and he could make the night show at SX’s every now and then. He was a budget racer in every way, hand me down gear, black van loaded with used parts, both bike and van, and get this. The numbers you see on his bike are spray painted on. He made a stencil and would paint them on. We surprised to hear when he took his life. He was a happy go lucky guy as seen in the photo. RIP Barry

As mentioned, other notables from the South La. were Don Hudson, Wesley Wiggins, Chad Montero, Nathan Davenport, Ray Mitchell, Brett Beauchamp, Alan Ross, Chase Romero few other that I can’t recall there name right now but can see their faces. Factory stars, not sure but definitely could have “made the show” type guys.
2
downard254
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Bremen, OH, USA
downard254 2/13/2021 9:26am
2/13/2021 9:26am
`ol Ger wrote:
Josh Steel
Mark Burkhart
John Agin
Troy Graham
Todd Poling
More to come.....
1

The Shop

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se7enmx
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533
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8/16/2006
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Monument, CO, USA
se7enmx 2/13/2021 10:30am
2/13/2021 10:30am
andymoto wrote:
Mike Brandes- One of most talented never to go full factory. Scott Davis- Did lots with the little backing he had compared to most. Terry Bostard-poss...
Mike Brandes- One of most talented never to go full factory.
Scott Davis- Did lots with the little backing he had compared to most.
Terry Bostard-poss fastest mini riders in NorCal ever.
Eric McKenna
Scott Myers
Kelly Andris
Phil Crane
Dana Waxham
Don Ferraro
Randy Losh
Brian Jodry
Tyler Evans
#160(or was it #140) forgot.
Dave Coupe
Spud Walters
Slippy Brian Roth
Rodney Harriger(Tim Aston bud)
Justin Tierney(Nev rider rode NorCal lots), Evan Laughridge, Steve Mertens
BobbyM wrote:
hell...i beat all those guys...fairly easy. waxham was a badass...had a great style too. can't forget timmy aston either. bostard was fast too....forgot about him.
hell...i beat all those guys...fairly easy. Wink

waxham was a badass...had a great style too. can't forget timmy aston either.

bostard was fast too....forgot about him.
Hey Bobby great choices. Names that don't come up very often these days. In all seriousness where would you have stood pre injury for yourself? You were a very good rider and proved yourself many times in the pro ranks as a top contender. Hope all is awesome Bobby.
1
fins227
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7/1/2014
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Chillicothe, OH, USA
fins227 2/13/2021 10:33am
2/13/2021 10:33am
Nathan Hall from Ky was on his way up! RIP
steve.hackler.1 2/13/2021 11:38am
2/13/2021 11:38am
Kevin Kelly of Lorretas anouncing fame had a brother Kyle that was fast as all get out. You wouldn't see him forever but when his dad King had a big race with a big pro class he would show up and always run up front. Always a nice guy to us mortals.












lorettas anouncing fame had
scooterwhipmoore 2/13/2021 1:06pm
2/13/2021 1:06pm
Mid 80's Texas,

Carroll Richardson would destroy everyone.
Dennis Daft was always fast.
Dennis Hawthorne always fast.
Terry Tinney had a few flashes.
1
MX114
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USA
MX114 2/13/2021 1:49pm
2/13/2021 1:49pm
MX114 wrote:
Grew up racing with all three of those dudes. Chris Hunter was a couple years older so I’d always watch his motos. On certain days he...
Grew up racing with all three of those dudes. Chris Hunter was a couple years older so I’d always watch his motos. On certain days he would give Paulie Carpenter a good battle on there CR80’s. And Jeremy and Casey always close in speed and always in the same class as me so I knew them well. Another one in our same group was Shane Bartholf from western NY. Those three were all super fast

John Schneider though prolly had more potential to go pro then all these guys. Not sure what happened to him but in early mid 90’s he was pretty much unbeatable in the northeast
Airick wrote:
Chris Hunter was the age group ahead of me. I remember watching him triple the finish line jump at Hurricane Hills on his CR80, when most...
Chris Hunter was the age group ahead of me. I remember watching him triple the finish line jump at Hurricane Hills on his CR80, when most 125 and 250 guys were only doubling.

The only other mini I remember hitting that triple by the announcer tower was Travis Pastrana in 1995 for a round of the Tucker Rocky series before it was called northeast classic. The downhill triple at broome though Paul Carpenter was the only mini rider I ever seen jump that one
1
Falcon
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12460
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11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA, USA
Falcon 2/13/2021 5:02pm
2/13/2021 5:02pm
Falcon wrote:
I have two, and both are friends from my hometown: Frankie Brundage, who was a Team Green rider as an amateur. He traveled to New Zealand...
I have two, and both are friends from my hometown:

Frankie Brundage, who was a Team Green rider as an amateur. He traveled to New Zealand in '86 or so and came home with some kind of national championship. I don't know if it was amateur or pro. Then he won the 250 Pro class at the World Mini in '87. He and Bader Maneh were duking it out, I think. Frankie got burnt out and just couldn't keep the flame alive though.

Billy Laninovich, who I raced in the 125 Intermediate class, went on to a factory KTM ride, and later won the San Francisco Supercross on an Amsoil Honda 250F. I thought for sure he'd graduate to bigger things, but it wasn't in the cards. To this day he still throws the most ridiculous whips I've ever seen.



scott_nz wrote:
There is a jump still called frankies named after him here at the harrisville mx track here in nz, He won the national senior title...
There is a jump still called frankies named after him here at the harrisville mx track here in nz,

He won the national senior title . We don’t have a pros ans d amateur , just senior and junior. (Under 16)
NITRODOG wrote:
Ive got FB on Insta. He's currently back at his hometrack, Barona Oaks, taking care of the track. His daughter rides and races.
Oh yeah. I rode Barona a few weeks back.
ecmx274
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12/9/2019
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Thurmont, MD, USA
ecmx274 2/13/2021 5:30pm
2/13/2021 5:30pm
Brian Johnson

1
ecmx274
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Thurmont, MD, USA
ecmx274 2/13/2021 5:42pm
2/13/2021 5:42pm
Forgot Nick Evennou
1
cloverdale
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385
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6/20/2009
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Indiana, IN, USA
cloverdale 2/14/2021 6:36am
2/14/2021 6:36am
mxracer666 wrote:
Iowa District 22. 1978 thru 1983+. Johnny Spaw. Just unreal speed. I have been watching/racing motocross for over 40 years and I don't think I have...
Iowa District 22. 1978 thru 1983+. Johnny Spaw. Just unreal speed. I have been watching/racing motocross for over 40 years and I don't think I have ever seen anyone with the corner speed he had! Wonder what he's up to these days?
TG130 wrote:
Saw him race in the 1979 Amateur National Championship at Plymouth, CA. A majority of the riders there were from out of the area and I...
Saw him race in the 1979 Amateur National Championship at Plymouth, CA. A majority of the riders there were from out of the area and I was unfamiliar with most of them. But, I remember Spaw very well. He was indeed lightning fast and made the podium. He also stood out being one of the few riders on a Honda 125 with the 23 inch front wheel.
mxracer666 wrote:
Sponsored by Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Honda! Probably the fastest that model CR125 ever went! LOL!
Mr. Lightning is still in Cedar Rapids making a living with stock cars.
hunterp27
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3/27/2017
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Mc Kinney, TX, USA
hunterp27 2/14/2021 8:07am
2/14/2021 8:07am
Bulldog Racing wrote:
Brad Woolsey
Charlie Bogard
Cliff Palmer
Clay Showenfelt


Is there a chance that you meant Clay Hoenschelle instead of Clay Showenfelt?
1
Dflowe
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8
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Charlotte, NC, USA
Dflowe 2/14/2021 3:52pm
2/14/2021 3:52pm
I have a few names from the South East I haven't seen here. Hank Moree, Jim Chester, Jim Neese, Joshua Summey, Kenny Kizzar, Kevin Walker (already mentioned), Mark Ashworth, Robby Neely, Ronnie Jones, Sam Dayton & Tony Summey. All of these guys were fast and raced some nationals and did pretty well. I know some of them are still in the sport in one way or another, but I haven't forgotten that they were fast and could give the top riders of their time a fit.

profeshenal125 2/14/2021 7:46pm
2/14/2021 7:46pm
711stretch wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/02/14/478589/s1200_0000003870.jpg[/img]

I talked with his brother at 96 red Bud, he was really hoping Steve would score some good points. I read in racer x that his brother was killed in a accident years ago. Sad
JHForman
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2/8/2018
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Floyds Knobs, IN, USA
JHForman 2/14/2021 9:41pm
2/14/2021 9:41pm
I guess he kinda made it, he raced a bunch of the local events and was fast as hell. Tyler Bowers. I thought for sure he was gonna go big. also Justin Weeks was amazing to watch but injuries got him, Shawn Clark was amazing to watch also but injuries. those are some that stick out to me from this area.

Pit Row

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Markus422
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Seattle, WA, USA
Markus422 2/15/2021 1:01pm
2/15/2021 1:01pm

I used to get lapped by Darian Sanayei a lot too on 60s and 80s. A handful of races I’d finish 2nd on a full gate and still get lapped. As a kid I was sure he’d have a national championship, but he hasn’t done bad.

2
228YZ
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Destin, FL, USA
228YZ 2/15/2021 4:33pm
2/15/2021 4:33pm
brian burger wrote:
I was there that Sunday Keith Watson died. I won the 80cc class and my brother Barry Weinberger was racing pro class against Keith Watson. Keith...
I was there that Sunday Keith Watson died. I won the 80cc class and my brother Barry Weinberger was racing pro class against Keith Watson. Keith Watson was winning once again the first and second Moto but then lost control in the second Moto and went off the track and hit a tree that killed him instantly. We were all in shock and couldn’t believe it. Keith Watson was the fastest rider at the time from our region the south east Mississippi Louisiana and Alabama areas. I remember 1980-1981 Keith Watson started beating factory riders at the Florida gatorback pro winter series Nationals finishing second on his stock Yamaha YZ 125 right there with Mark Barnett and Johnny O Mara we were freaking out and excited to see him to start competing at a world class level. Keith Watson was world class fast and smooth and was definitely going to earn a factory sponsor if that tragedy didn’t happen. RIP and god bless!
228YZ wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/11/453779/s1200_FDA06391_6A75_4ECB_809F_4C1B4F986853.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/11/453781/s1200_CAB046FB_AF51_4FAF_9BD7_3FCCCEE26597.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/11/453780/s1200_A7E384C9_F421_4DBA_BEE5_35C05D7C5B31.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/11/453782/s1200_47B12CA1_D878_4159_94A4_8DF2C0CF117D.jpg[/img] RIP Barry! I loved hanging with Barry when he came over to race in Milton, Florida. I also, went with him when...




RIP Barry! I loved hanging with Barry when he came over to race in Milton, Florida. I also, went with him when he tried to qualify for the 125 class at the 93 Orlando supercross.
brocster wrote:
Didn’t know Keith Watson or haven’t even heard of him. However, the pictures above are of Barry Weinberger. I was was probably near when these photos...
Didn’t know Keith Watson or haven’t even heard of him. However, the pictures above are of Barry Weinberger. I was was probably near when these photos were taken. Barry was a friggin character, a tad bit older than me and he could make the night show at SX’s every now and then. He was a budget racer in every way, hand me down gear, black van loaded with used parts, both bike and van, and get this. The numbers you see on his bike are spray painted on. He made a stencil and would paint them on. We surprised to hear when he took his life. He was a happy go lucky guy as seen in the photo. RIP Barry

As mentioned, other notables from the South La. were Don Hudson, Wesley Wiggins, Chad Montero, Nathan Davenport, Ray Mitchell, Brett Beauchamp, Alan Ross, Chase Romero few other that I can’t recall there name right now but can see their faces. Factory stars, not sure but definitely could have “made the show” type guys.



Chad Montero

Ray Mitchell

I forgot about Brett and Ray. Bret event finished top ten in Atlanta 125 SX.
2
life_of_jaze
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408
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1/15/2018
Location
Madison, GA, USA
life_of_jaze 2/16/2021 4:55am
2/16/2021 4:55am
TX920 wrote:
A local around the DFW area back around mid to late 80's... Jason Edwards. I don't know what happened to him, he may even still race...
A local around the DFW area back around mid to late 80's... Jason Edwards. I don't know what happened to him, he may even still race around here, but I left with the family when my old man got a new job, then joined the Navy.
Ive since moved back and have not heard or seen hide nor hair of him. I just remember watching him jump a huge Double at a practice track, that I couldn't even visualize as a anything more than two singles, and he turned around and pointed at me in the air, Id never seen such bravado!
He went to Road Racing didn’t he ?
life_of_jaze
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life_of_jaze 2/16/2021 5:06am
2/16/2021 5:06am
sc961 wrote:
Billy Fosnock.. Not a local Mn guy, but saw him at Loretta's back in the 80's. Came out in mismatched gear, no gloves and won a...
Billy Fosnock.. Not a local Mn guy, but saw him at Loretta's back in the 80's.

Came out in mismatched gear, no gloves and won a moto. There was a big buzz after that race, he came out in some nice looking "Flame" racewear for the next moto..

Can't recall how the week ended up...
89
The9mmMans
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Wilmington, DE, USA
The9mmMans 2/19/2021 1:38pm
2/19/2021 1:38pm Edited Date/Time 2/19/2021 1:43pm
Greg Duffy! Kid owned district 6 and MAMA. Used to lap 2nd place in 4 laps at budds creek on his RM 85. Kid could fly!
The9mmMans
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The9mmMans 2/19/2021 1:42pm
2/19/2021 1:42pm

bigk218
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Summerville, SC, USA
bigk218 2/19/2021 3:53pm
2/19/2021 3:53pm
Lowell Spangler
Trickamoto
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Beverly Hills, CA, USA
Trickamoto 2/19/2021 4:16pm
2/19/2021 4:16pm
Darryl Martens, Steve Friesen, Jay Chenier, Too Trick Al Dyck, Cal Nowickie, Brian Webb, Stan Sloboda, Ben Sanders, Sam Van Hoogstraten
Luke_Richards
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Ijamsville, MD, USA
Luke_Richards 2/19/2021 4:29pm
2/19/2021 4:29pm
greg duffy, lowell spangler, garrett toth, daniel corbin, broc schmelyun, colton bailey. so many are slipping my mind right now.
District 6 was insane back in the day, i did district 7 early on and going to the d6 boys tracks was a whole different world
2
mimafia
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5/17/2013
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Grand Rapids, MI, USA
mimafia 2/19/2021 4:35pm
2/19/2021 4:35pm
cable wrote:
John Kitsch from michigan.
Kitsch was so fast and fun to watch. He did some things at Baja Acres I'll never forget.
The9mmMans
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37
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2/16/2021
Location
Wilmington, DE, USA
The9mmMans 2/19/2021 5:18pm
2/19/2021 5:18pm Edited Date/Time 2/19/2021 5:19pm
Luke_Richards wrote:
greg duffy, lowell spangler, garrett toth, daniel corbin, broc schmelyun, colton bailey. so many are slipping my mind right now. District 6 was insane back in...
greg duffy, lowell spangler, garrett toth, daniel corbin, broc schmelyun, colton bailey. so many are slipping my mind right now.
District 6 was insane back in the day, i did district 7 early on and going to the d6 boys tracks was a whole different world
Dude I forgot about Colton Bailey! Kid used to jump the big double at seaford mx on his KTM 65. There were dudes in the 125 A class not jumping that! Another district 6 kid was Tommy mudgett. Fastest 50 rider I ever saw!
1
The9mmMans
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The9mmMans 2/19/2021 7:29pm
2/19/2021 7:29pm
Here’s a good one of Lowell from the district 6 days!


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