Remember privateer holeshots? who do you recall

JoeyNovice
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7/23/2025 10:46am

Dylan Merriam, Unadilla 2018

Unadilla 2018 – TPJ RACING

2
Nairb#70
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7/23/2025 10:47am

In 1988 local Pat Barton holeshot the first 125 moto at Southwick and led 3/4 of the moto until dumping it and losing his visor, wound up 3rd.

4
SoCalMX70
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7/23/2025 11:21am

Lance Smail. On a 4-stroke? Probably. I seem to remember one... But, also on a 125. From MXA:

1000011225

 

1
R66
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7/23/2025 12:45pm

Maybe someone has more knowledge of this than I do and can fill us in. There was a National MX at Six Flags over GA back in the late seventies or early eighties. Local pro Marvin McDanial holeshot and led most or all of the first lap. I bet Kevin Kelley knows the story. I think his dad was the promoter. You out there Kevin?

The Shop

tmx860
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7/23/2025 1:09pm

Shout out to Lance Kobusch even though it technically wasn't a holeshot

6
7/23/2025 1:24pm

He holeshot it when he was a privateer?

I believe he did in 2022

HonDawg17 wrote:
Are you guys trolling right now? This was only 3 years ago... You mean this FACTORY MONSTER ENERGY STAR RACING YAMAHA rider? 😄Yeah definitely not a...

Are you guys trolling right now? This was only 3 years ago... You mean this FACTORY MONSTER ENERGY STAR RACING YAMAHA rider? 😄Yeah definitely not a privateer.

MASTERPOOL-REDBUD

 

2022 on a KTM without graphics after just getting dropped by the AEO team. I don't think he got the holeshot but he led a few laps in moto 2.Screenshot 2025-07-23 161552

3
MarkF
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7/23/2025 1:29pm

1st moto holeshot at Hangtown 1984. I holeshotted a few other times in 1983.Dec 1984 motocross mag 0

16
MarkF
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7/23/2025 1:30pm

Not quite the holeshot, 1983 Saddleback national.1983 Saddleback holeshot 0

11
CDswinehart
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7/23/2025 2:37pm

If memory serves:

Roert Naughton, Dean Matson, Jason Upshaw.  MX and/or SX.

 

1
APLMAN99
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MarkF wrote:
1st moto holeshot at Hangtown 1984. I holeshotted a few other times in 1983.

1st moto holeshot at Hangtown 1984. I holeshotted a few other times in 1983.Dec 1984 motocross mag 0

In the MX Vault, it looks like this was your last National?  

Looks like you had some really good results in '83, did you just decide that it wasn't worth it anymore?

MarkF
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7/23/2025 3:05pm
MarkF wrote:
1st moto holeshot at Hangtown 1984. I holeshotted a few other times in 1983.

1st moto holeshot at Hangtown 1984. I holeshotted a few other times in 1983.Dec 1984 motocross mag 0

APLMAN99 wrote:
In the MX Vault, it looks like this was your last National?  Looks like you had some really good results in '83, did you just decide...

In the MX Vault, it looks like this was your last National?  

Looks like you had some really good results in '83, did you just decide that it wasn't worth it anymore?

Yes, I'm a bit impatient and wanted to get started earning a real living. I didn't see that in the cards for me racing. I continued racing locally though until my mid 50's.

5
Darrin Willis
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7/23/2025 3:10pm
MarkF wrote:
1st moto holeshot at Hangtown 1984. I holeshotted a few other times in 1983.

1st moto holeshot at Hangtown 1984. I holeshotted a few other times in 1983.Dec 1984 motocross mag 0

APLMAN99 wrote:
In the MX Vault, it looks like this was your last National?  Looks like you had some really good results in '83, did you just decide...

In the MX Vault, it looks like this was your last National?  

Looks like you had some really good results in '83, did you just decide that it wasn't worth it anymore?

MarkF wrote:
Yes, I'm a bit impatient and wanted to get started earning a real living. I didn't see that in the cards for me racing. I continued...

Yes, I'm a bit impatient and wanted to get started earning a real living. I didn't see that in the cards for me racing. I continued racing locally though until my mid 50's.

I have a ton of mags from that era. Whats your name.? with a 2 didget # you must of had lots of top 20s. Im impressed. My favorite era in moto.

CDA331
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7/23/2025 3:11pm

Surprised no one mentioned Blair. He was always grabbing the holeshot in 04 and such

MarkF
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7/23/2025 3:18pm
APLMAN99 wrote:
In the MX Vault, it looks like this was your last National?  Looks like you had some really good results in '83, did you just decide...

In the MX Vault, it looks like this was your last National?  

Looks like you had some really good results in '83, did you just decide that it wasn't worth it anymore?

MarkF wrote:
Yes, I'm a bit impatient and wanted to get started earning a real living. I didn't see that in the cards for me racing. I continued...

Yes, I'm a bit impatient and wanted to get started earning a real living. I didn't see that in the cards for me racing. I continued racing locally though until my mid 50's.

I have a ton of mags from that era. Whats your name.? with a 2 didget # you must of had lots of top 20s. Im...

I have a ton of mags from that era. Whats your name.? with a 2 didget # you must of had lots of top 20s. Im impressed. My favorite era in moto.

I am in a bunch of the "Motocross" mags in 83, #503 and 84, #50. Mark Flesia. I earned 138 mx only points in 1983. That was the last year of splitting up the points by 3 classes. So theoretically, compared to now with 2 classes, my number would have been much lower.

6
Zucchini Nibs
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7/23/2025 7:53pm
HonDawg17 wrote:
Are you guys trolling right now? This was only 3 years ago... You mean this FACTORY MONSTER ENERGY STAR RACING YAMAHA rider? 😄Yeah definitely not a...

Are you guys trolling right now? This was only 3 years ago... You mean this FACTORY MONSTER ENERGY STAR RACING YAMAHA rider? 😄Yeah definitely not a privateer.

MASTERPOOL-REDBUD

 

Nah we all remember that, he got a hole shot the next year too. Nice arrogance though

Sully
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7/23/2025 8:01pm

Henry Miller at his home track, Millville. Believe it was 2017 moto 2. Pulled a big holeshot and then wadded up in corner 2. 

First one I thought of as well. He got an epic, Magoo at '82 des Nations level holeshot, then had an equally epic crash a turn or two later. 

2
APLMAN99
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7/24/2025 7:23am
MarkF wrote:
Yes, I'm a bit impatient and wanted to get started earning a real living. I didn't see that in the cards for me racing. I continued...

Yes, I'm a bit impatient and wanted to get started earning a real living. I didn't see that in the cards for me racing. I continued racing locally though until my mid 50's.

I have a ton of mags from that era. Whats your name.? with a 2 didget # you must of had lots of top 20s. Im...

I have a ton of mags from that era. Whats your name.? with a 2 didget # you must of had lots of top 20s. Im impressed. My favorite era in moto.

MarkF wrote:
I am in a bunch of the "Motocross" mags in 83, #503 and 84, #50. Mark Flesia. I earned 138 mx only points in 1983. That...

I am in a bunch of the "Motocross" mags in 83, #503 and 84, #50. Mark Flesia. I earned 138 mx only points in 1983. That was the last year of splitting up the points by 3 classes. So theoretically, compared to now with 2 classes, my number would have been much lower.

The MX Vault only lists the top 10 series finishers from ‘83, but 138 points is almost in there!!! 

Some incredible talent in that series, racing amongst them and holes hotting against true factory works bikes on (presumably) production equipment is something to be very proud of!  

IMG 7664 2

1
Trickamoto
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7/24/2025 7:58am

Pat Barton Southwick 88. Local boy cruised out front for a long time until a crash.

1
Django
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7/24/2025 1:53pm

It seems like Sean Dukes holeshot the 125 class at the Atlanta Sx in 1989. 

Damon Bradshaw won.

Nairb#70
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7/24/2025 1:58pm
Trickamoto wrote:

Pat Barton Southwick 88. Local boy cruised out front for a long time until a crash.

He still finished in 3rd that moto and 5th overall.

1
P-Nut
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7/24/2025 2:13pm

1987 Lakewood MX 

Stacey Cook was a local from Grand Junction and led a few laps both 125 motos

1
AMDnutt
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7/24/2025 2:18pm

For me it was Marty Moates... watched in I believe on Wide World of Sports. I have the DVD now... :-)

1
Cooker31
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7/24/2025 6:08pm
MarkF wrote:
1st moto holeshot at Hangtown 1984. I holeshotted a few other times in 1983.

1st moto holeshot at Hangtown 1984. I holeshotted a few other times in 1983.Dec 1984 motocross mag 0

Mark was smoking fast!

Cooker31
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7/24/2025 6:12pm
P-Nut wrote:

1987 Lakewood MX 

Stacey Cook was a local from Grand Junction and led a few laps both 125 motos

Thanks P-nut!FB IMG 1616032216225.jpg?VersionId=z6Rk9Tkva80y6N24KgZAoxdt

4
Cooker31
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7/24/2025 6:12pm
P-Nut wrote:

1987 Lakewood MX 

Stacey Cook was a local from Grand Junction and led a few laps both 125 motos

Thanks P-nut!FB IMG 1616032216225.jpg?VersionId=z6Rk9Tkva80y6N24KgZAoxdt

Cooker31
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7/24/2025 6:15pm
P-Nut wrote:

1987 Lakewood MX 

Stacey Cook was a local from Grand Junction and led a few laps both 125 motos

Thanks P-nut!FB IMG 1616032216225.jpg?VersionId=z6Rk9Tkva80y6N24KgZAoxdt20200828 080734

5
7/24/2025 6:25pm
Nairb#70 wrote:
In 1988 local Pat Barton holeshot the first 125 moto at Southwick and led 3/4 of the moto until dumping it and losing his visor, wound...

In 1988 local Pat Barton holeshot the first 125 moto at Southwick and led 3/4 of the moto until dumping it and losing his visor, wound up 3rd.

Bartman got 3rd in a moto at Southwick? Dude had the trickest Suzuki's when I just got into racing! He had white Moto Tassinari Suzuki's. I dont think anyone made a white aftermarket tank back then. I think he had to paint them. His bikes were SWEET

soresammy
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7/24/2025 6:48pm
Nairb#70 wrote:
In 1988 local Pat Barton holeshot the first 125 moto at Southwick and led 3/4 of the moto until dumping it and losing his visor, wound...

In 1988 local Pat Barton holeshot the first 125 moto at Southwick and led 3/4 of the moto until dumping it and losing his visor, wound up 3rd.

I think Carlo Coen was up front that year at Southwick as well

1
web mx
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7/24/2025 6:52pm

For me it was Larry Ward at Daytona on that MotoXXX  Honda with his  #1  finger in the air his last year racing.lward holeshot 0.png?VersionId=xsZhJKpfsmjM0SkCFBOV04CI4Mbne

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Jt$
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7/25/2025 12:06am
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