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Peace bro!
Danny " Magoo " Chandler was one of the very few guys that raced a dirt bike that was bigger then the race going on around him. From the very beginning he had a connection with the fans. And Danny had fans from the time he could sling a leg over a bike. Whatever that X factor was, Danny had it. Down to earth goofy ass hillbilly. He was a legend before he ever rode a national. How many guys can you say that about in an era of NO internet, cable tv, Nothing but Cycle news, MXA and Dirt Bike Magazine. It was word of mouth, all you had to do was see him ride once. He was almost a mythical creature to those that hadn't seen him ride.
In an era where all the top guys had nicknames and personalities to go along with them. Magoo was among the greats and wasn't afraid to rub elbows with the very best the world had to offer. And he accomplished that without winning championships. I'm not sure there's ever been or ever will be anything quite like him again.
If you were lucky enough to witness one of those days where it all just worked for him, Maybe one of those days at Plymouth, Est, Mcgills or even Dixon, Hell it could of been anywhere. Then you'll know what I'm talking about. There were days he did things on a dirt bike you didn't even know was possible and that no one else would even think of let alone try. And when it worked he was untouchable. I guarantee there were days it wouldn't of mattered if Decoster or mikola were there. They'd been running for second.
And when it didn't work........ well that's a whole other story. Danny could crash in ways that you didn't even know was possible. Rag doll doesn't even begin to explain it. The kind of stuff that would make Evil Kneivel cringe.
It was all for the fans, plain and simple, that's all it was about.... From the very beginning to the very end, He had the same sheepish grin. Making you happy made him happier.
So in closing I will say I hope you had the opportunity to at least once, cross your arms up on the side of a motocross track in front of the biggest jump around and turn a watch " Dazzling Danny Magoo Chandler " uncork the monster......!! Danny gave me a lifetime of memories all of which put a smile on my face and make me a kid again.
God speed
I Love you and I'll see you again....... Chris Gomez
The Shop
Do some clickers for Teefus.
Nice. Really, just awfully damn nice way to tell the story of how he was...day to day...from Baylands to Marysville. For me...I met him when he walked up to me and told me...in a very nice way...
"That thing wants to be wrung-out and you CAN get all the way over that jump A LOT easier than landing on top of it." We were both on 1980 CR125s & he was the reason I learned to pull a really good 2nd gear start...and showed me how to just "go for it...it'll work!" It's not like I knew him real well, like you and your family; but, that's the funny thing...&... I'll bet you know this: you didn't need to be someone that he "knew". He didn't care. You were someone at the track & that was cool...to him. He shared "the moment" with EVERYONE! Hollister, Carlsbad, Sand Hill..."Hey, you want a Sandwhich?" (Peanut butter & Honey: the original Moto-Energy Supplement!)
He was just a racer. An amazing racer. He was just a "dude". An amazing dude.
The recent MXoN "Top 25" rating stories got me thinking...Danny was the first "MC"....or "RC". Think about it. Remember him "Sailing" down the hill at the '81 Golden State on his YZ125? Or tripling UP the steps? He "tripled" before we called'em "Triples"! He was "Extreme" waaaaaaaaay before "Extreme Sports". Then there was the '82 MXdN/TdN; which, didn't surprise those of us that had been watching him for years. Hell, he made Rick Ryan look "Mellow"! Super-bikers? Check. USGP? Done.
When he passed away...I was told...by surprise...in a business setting...there were 3 of us talking "moto"...we were sitting outside a Dyno-room in an attached office when a friend & business associate says...
"Hey, did ya heat about Magoo? He passed away last-nite in his sleep."
I started tearing up. Felt kinda embarrassed; and, then...I didn't. These guys had just lost a good friend from Moto under pretty damn tragic circumstances, themselves, a few years earlier. I got quiet. They were look in' at me with expressions that said, "Huh. Look at that. What an impact. Nice. Hey, sorry...but. It's OK)
I got to reflect on some of this stuff with them & share a coupl'a of laughs & stories. They, too, found Danny to be awfully damn...
"Important".
Like I've said else-where...for our crowd...
#42 is always #1.
I mean,many of you have been so lucky to meet him,talk to him or even race him.
To me he was and still is an Icon,kinda Steve McQueen.
I still remember his first picture on our most important italian magazine showing this young guy jumping a probably full gas third gear jump landing on a flat area.
Almost out of control!!
It was the "Bologna's motorshow".
Of course he was the only one doing that crazy jump!
Since that day I started to follow him but was not so easy in that period without internet..
Second time I saw him on a magazine was in this picture:
That was in Arsago Seprio on the finish line jump.
I had never seen so much strenght and elegance on a leap.
Than he raced in Europe and little by little internet world has helped me to prove that I was right.
At least my imagination was right:
He has been a wonderful rider.
So I met Danny only on a magazine paper or on a dvd or youtube video but the sign he left on me will rest forever.
Thank you Danny even today wich is a normal saturday before my tomorrow dirt ride.
Somebody said you also had some defects.
Well,of course you had,you are a man.
Un caro saluto Danny,
Giuliano
Danny..... 4 yrs ago today the motorcycling world lost one it's most unique characters. Nowadays you'd be a brand name. Few Names can go a long side greats like De Coster, Lackey, Hannah, Magoo... Winning alone doesn't get your name on the list. Not bad for a local show off........ The one thing everyone on the list does have in common...... HUGE BALLS.
One of the greatest motocross pictures ever.
5 yrs My friend. Thanks for trading some titles for fans. #Legend.
Never to be forgotten
Godspeed Magoo my friend.
Pit Row
I was one of the ones fortunate enough to see Danny race. He was truly a sight to behold...win or lose or yard-sale....he made this sport the epitome of excitement.
I was there in the Rose bowl when he pulled the stunt in the photo below. Saw it from the stands, nearly the same angle. Back then, that was unheard of....the stadium went ape-shit. I had to look up who won that race....but this image was forever emblazoned in my mind.
Great thread...great memories. Magoo = legend.
Always loved and never forgotten. You were truly one of a kind. Thanks again Danny. 12 plus years, hard to believe.
I got to see him in 500 support class at Unadilla. Unbelievable.
Never met him but I would say it's fair to say, at his peak he was the GoaT.
No one ever went 1-1-1-1 at the Moto/Trophe de Nations. No one but Magoo.
Post a reply to: Magoo update... and My 2 cents.