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The ego of a professional athlete is the last thing to go
It always looked funny seeing Barnett on a Kawi at the end also
We ran into RJ at red bud during des nations. I looked at my buddy and said that’s Ricky Johnson as he stood in front of us. We both kinda gave him a nod and kept going walking. It was not for lack of respect or not knowing who he was, it was more of, I don’t want to bother him.
Almost the exact same thing happened at the 18 des nations race but it was Mike LaRocco. I was just standing near the announcers tower and someone walked up beside me. We looked at each other and I thought, I think that’s the rock. I said, hey man how’s it going, he said good but it doesn’t look good for our guys, I said no it doesn’t and went back to watching the race. It wasn’t much after that people started to notice him and he wasn’t able to just watch the race anymore.
So that’s why I don’t approach these guys, I just feel like it’s bothersome, not out of disrespect.
Have that same poster, and the Hannah, Bailey, Ward Dunlop posters too in the barn.
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RJ is a great dude and not forgotten by those who saw him come up through the ranks. I’m just glad he dodged that car on Warner Avenue in Fountain Valley in 1979/1980 (?). The Winchell’s donuts were worth the jaywalk—-but we damn near lost RJ! 😂
I owe some bruised ribs to RJ. I saw the pictures of him jumping off the cliff and landing nicely at the bottom so what do I do the next day with my ultimate performance Yamaha DT100? I jump an 8ft drop expecting to land it perfect but didn't. Not even close.
It wasn't that I was stupid or that I was riding a bike not meant for the drop... nah... it was b/c I was dreaming of being RJ. I wasn't. Never came close. But damn I still love that memory and will always attribute those bruised rubs (and probably a slight concussion) to him for that day and be thankful the entire time reliving that memory.
RJ, Glover, Bailey, Ward, O'show, Lechein, Hannah... man I loved that time. Broke and only had that DT but lived for Dirtrider every month and when they would have pictures of the races and the interviews.
And they say it's stacked now...
P.s. Barnett
That photoshoot in DB with him on the '88 CR500 was epic.
I owned one of those - loved the new "blood red" hue - but it didn't make me look nearly that good.
I still remember when Hannah was retiring and was doing his farewell lap at Unidilla so RJ felt he needed to be out there with Hannah (not sure why) but someone else felt the same way and ran out and punched RJ in the face for trying to steal Hannahs thunder.
I was there and I saw no issue with RJ paying respect to the outgoing GOAT. Unfortunately, RJ's career was all but over at that point as well. He flat out ripped that day and kicked everyone's ass including a certain French rider who would go on to leave his mark on the sport
Ricky "Bad Boy" Johnson is my all time favorite rider. My GOAT. Is Showtime the King of SX if RJ does not get hurt? Is Showtime even signed by team Honda if RJ is still there? As already stated RJ had the will and determination to be Champion and would of rose to the top no matter which era he raced in. RJ said in one of his videos, when he arrived at team Honda, he realized O show and Bailey was out training him. So he trained harder. I believe he would of beat RC or died trying and trained equal or harder than RC.
I rode the wheels off my CR80 dreaming I was RJ as a kid. Here I am at 51 y/o, 1 broken back, 11 broken ankles, 6 broken wrists, no tendon in right elbow, and major repaired tendon in left elbow all because I wanted to be "Too Hip". Thank you for all the memories RJ, I will never forget you.
I guess they can eliminate you from the list on who punched RJ.
You should at lease post a picture!
I wish I had some.
My dad died suddenly and unexpectedly when I was young, and being the oldest with younger siblings in the house, it was all I could do to help us keep our home and squirrel some away for a bike (if possible) and then put myself through school later. The bike trumped all other recreational interests (obviously), so that's where my money went. I was fortunate to get most of them at a real good price and later sell them for what I paid (or more), so that helped keep the overall cost to a minimum.
Pictures weren't virtually free like today - a decent camera wasn't cheap and getting the shots developed wasn't either. And then there was the disappoinment of going through a whole roll when you got them back from the lab and realizing there weren't any decent shots!
Got a lot of memories but no photo history like a lot of others do - it's something I envy, but nothing I can do about it now.
Anyhoo, I got it from a sponsored buddy whose family was bucks-up. He rode it for one series and was getting something different and made me a deal I couldn't refuse (it didn't have more than 12 hours on it when I got it and looked virtually new). It was stock except for an Ohlins shock he installed. It's another one I wish I hadn't sold (but not sure where I'd have kept them all through the years!).
Hahaha! Nope it wasn't me and I didn't realize he ever got punched. The hill people could be a rabid bunch and Hannah was like God there!
I was there, I don’t think anyone punched RJ that day….RJ was paying homage to one of his hero’s….and RJ was not human that day… according to Bob….RJ”s injury an the orphan National had to have been devastating for him, he was at the pinnacle of the sport. We will never know how many more years his career could have went if not injured, but even 3-4 years, he could have put up many more wins…I don’t think Stanton wins 1/2 as much with a healthy RJ….
The only story I ever heard was that they stole his hat off his head. And yes between his performance at the 87 Des Nations and that race Ricky put in two of his most legendary rides.
Pit Row
Yeah, I was there that day and don't remember any punch. Do remember Hannah calling RJ an alien because of his skills.
I ran into Chuck Sun at a Vons near my house one day and I said "you look a lot like Chuck Sun" with a grin and he was floored someone recognized him. Chatted for about 15 mins till my wife wandered off in boredom. Also, I ended up sitting next to Malcom Smith on a flight from SLC to LAX and I was the only one who knew who he was. Granted both instances were away from the track, but they both talked of how nobody recognizes them anymore.
It's just the nature of the beast when it comes to riders getting old and new generations of fans.
one of my favorite photos of “The Ricker”.
It might have been David Bailey...
Another from that photo session - same jump from backside.
The massive balls to even roll over that ledge...but to jump it.
Couple pics of old pics I took of Rick at Commotion by the Ocean, Carlsbad 1988. One is RJ goon riding in the Vet Pro class for a couple of laps, on somebody's #56 bike, no visor, torn shirt with "Moto Geek" written on the back in sharpie. This was after he had demolished the 250 Pro class. Not great quality but the best I could do.
As big as church bells!
RJ even brought it up in one of his interviews years ago. But if you didn't see it then it must not of happened right ?
‘86 500 USGP Carlsbad, already a couple of bike lengths off the start
Great painting. I posted the pic it's based on in another thread recently.
There's something about the B&W that seems to give it a certain intensity.
What race?
Post a reply to: Ricky Johnson interview.