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Dylan Merriam, Unadilla 2018
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.
Lance Smail. On a 4-stroke? Probably. I seem to remember one... But, also on a 125. From MXA:
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?
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Shout out to Lance Kobusch even though it technically wasn't a holeshot
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.
1st moto holeshot at Hangtown 1984. I holeshotted a few other times in 1983.
Not quite the holeshot, 1983 Saddleback national.
If memory serves:
Roert Naughton, Dean Matson, Jason Upshaw. MX and/or SX.
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.
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.
Surprised no one mentioned Blair. He was always grabbing the holeshot in 04 and such
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.
Nah we all remember that, he got a hole shot the next year too. Nice arrogance though
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.
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!
Pat Barton Southwick 88. Local boy cruised out front for a long time until a crash.
Pit Row
It seems like Sean Dukes holeshot the 125 class at the Atlanta Sx in 1989.
Damon Bradshaw won.
He still finished in 3rd that moto and 5th overall.
1987 Lakewood MX
Stacey Cook was a local from Grand Junction and led a few laps both 125 motos
For me it was Marty Moates... watched in I believe on Wide World of Sports. I have the DVD now... :-)
Mark was smoking fast!
Thanks P-nut!
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Thanks P-nut!
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Thanks P-nut!
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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
I think Carlo Coen was up front that year at Southwick as well
For me it was Larry Ward at Daytona on that MotoXXX Honda with his #1 finger in the air his last year racing.
Post a reply to: Remember privateer holeshots? who do you recall