Area riders you thought would be factory stars.

EngIceDave
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8/16/2006
Location
Merritt Island, FL, USA
2/20/2021 4:58am
I've been thinking about this, and being from Florida, I have seen a LOT of fast guys in this sport, some made it, some didn't, some went on the work in the industry in one capacity or another.

I had Stewart, RC, Donnie Mcgourty, Dan Truman, Paul Perebijnos, Chiz, Goerke, Troy Adams, Skinner, Kain Bros, Butler Bros and more...then we had all the "Florida adjacent" people like Saylor, Evennou, Lichtle and Izzi....seemed like they were always here.

So to answer the question....I think things in Florida have shaken out about right. Other than the occasional career ender thing like Izzi's injury at Jax, which sucked, some went on to great careers, others not so much, but successful in their own way. Skinner one of the only one or two riders to ever win both a C class at LL's and then go on to also win a B title (a rare feat) at a later date. Goerke became a German SX champion and multi-time Canadian MX champ. Perebijnos and Truman are in the biz and likely do your Fantasy SX, Butler has RMATVMC-KTM, Chiz is still Chizzin', and those other guys, that RC and that Stewart fella, they also did ok
davistld01
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9303
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Location
Springfield, MO, USA
2/20/2021 10:26am Edited Date/Time 2/20/2021 10:26am
There were a lot of guys around the Houston, TX area back in the 70's an 80's that I was sure would be factory riders that just never went that far. I guess most famous guys that did make it were guys like Steve Stackable, Wyman Priddy, Kent Howerton, and Steve Wise...but there were many guys around Houston like Robert Tuggle, the Hannah brothers, and several others that were consistent winners, but just didn't get in the view of the factory recruiters.

It probably had a lot to do with Texas not exactly being the MX hotbed like California was back in the day.
MyBobbym
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11/23/2020
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Apache Junction, AZ, USA
2/20/2021 10:31am
Trickamoto wrote:
Darryl Martens, Steve Friesen, Jay Chenier, Too Trick Al Dyck, Cal Nowickie, Brian Webb, Stan Sloboda, Ben Sanders, Sam Van Hoogstraten
These unknowns were lined up for a future works ride?
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shane509
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160
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4/18/2013
Location
Lumberton, MS, USA
1/29/2026 8:01pm
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
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.

Where was this Hattiesburg mx park that was mentioned? I remember seeing stories on Facebook about a track off 98 guess where all the dealerships are now

The Shop

themx11
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Location
Atlanta, GA, USA
1/29/2026 9:26pm

Jase Lewis was insane. He had mythical status watching him as a kid. 

1
1/30/2026 7:35am

I thought after winning the 1993 125 West Championship, Jimmy Gaddis had potential for doing well.

And he did really well in AX, but I mean factory 250 level good. Unfortunately doctors could not fix that wrist. 

Spike33
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Location
Malibu, CA, USA
1/30/2026 7:43am

Profesh 

3
3
1/30/2026 8:33am
Spike33 wrote:

Profesh 

I had too many distractions & constant travel with the pipeline co , my chic killed a lot of my time too. But at 59 I,m gonna be on rails this yr. The last aprox 3 weeks it’s been below zero. Waiting on a few injections I started getting in shape a little speed sit-ups 50 minutes & working legs into the pain zone.  Bill,s pipes built me a pipe for the DBP. Starts in the 12+ 125 class I,m looking to be in the top 5-8 on the starts of 25+ riders  & try  to fight to keep my position. Goal is to stay in the top 10.   That’s going to b tough these kids r so fast . 40b because only 2or 3 in 40a in d16.  And Racer X vet series I can do 3 classes 125, 50b, 55b should be 3 titles there. See how it goes & most importantly my injections on my nerves in my shoulder hv to work. If they do I might do a pro am , I think your allowed to race 2 A class races b4 moved up. 

6
3
R66
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Location
Atlanta, GA, USA
1/30/2026 8:39am
themx11 wrote:

Jase Lewis was insane. He had mythical status watching him as a kid. 

As a Bremen Raceway regular, I agree! Add Sean Dukes to the list if he’s not already on it. 

1
MOTO13
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590
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12/22/2017
Location
Elkhorn, WI, USA
1/30/2026 8:41am

I rode a little bit with Junior, Ezrans and Hoffmaster. I know JJ got Suzuki bikes, but I don't think he was ever factory. Just supported. But, my memory sucks. 

1
1/30/2026 9:05am
MOTO13 wrote:
I rode a little bit with Junior, Ezrans and Hoffmaster. I know JJ got Suzuki bikes, but I don't think he was ever factory. Just supported...

I rode a little bit with Junior, Ezrans and Hoffmaster. I know JJ got Suzuki bikes, but I don't think he was ever factory. Just supported. But, my memory sucks. 

I always heard Jr Jackson was a 125 factory rider . He broke his collarbone 3 or 4 times during sx then Suzuki didn’t hv a ride for him. He got screwed.  Eron Ezerins Suzuki should’ve gave him a ride. In 98 he rode stock RM engines’& pipes.  And dominated every week at Lake Geneva sx& Byron Nuclear series. Beat Gaddis Kawi flew him to all 15 rnds of Lake Geneva sx.  Beat Florida,s fastest guy but being from Milwaukee or west allis to be ax exact teams didn’t hire him.  He told me he made 4,800 one week .  Hoffmaster was crazy fast too.  Best race I ever saw was at Aztalan Tommy just came back from Cali. & was in the fmx at Vegas speedway. He started next to Eron they never separated more than 10 ft. Eron won all 4 motos. 

2
Nairb#70
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Location
Ivoryton, CT, USA
1/30/2026 9:13am

Ed "Butch" Lyons led 2/3 of his first 125 pro/expert moto at Southwick in 1992 holding off John Dowd and Dog Henry to finish 3rd. 

MOTO13
Posts
590
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12/22/2017
Location
Elkhorn, WI, USA
1/30/2026 9:17am

I remember JJ riding at my buddies track a long time ago. The guy was friggin cookoo...lol. There was a double/double section that curved because of the pine trees. He was sure he could either triple single or quad, can't recall which bit of insanity it was...which was possible on some planet I guess. He ended up in the friggin pine trees bike and all. It was arguably the single coolest and dumbest thing I ever witnessed. The guy was hard on bikes...really hard. 

1
brocster
Posts
4588
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6/9/2009
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
1/30/2026 9:20am
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.
228YZ wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/02/15/478857/s1200_Chad_Montero_II.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/02/15/478856/s1200_Chad_Montero.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/02/15/478858/s1200_Milton_Fl_MX_Park_007.jpg[/img] Chad Montero [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/02/15/478859/s1200_Ray_Mitchell.jpg[/img] Ray Mitchell I forgot about Brett and Ray. Bret event finished top ten in Atlanta 125 SX.



Chad Montero

Ray Mitchell

I forgot about Brett and Ray. Bret event finished top ten in Atlanta 125 SX.

Awesome!  I was probably at WFMXP on the days these pics were taken. 

1/30/2026 9:45am
MOTO13 wrote:
I remember JJ riding at my buddies track a long time ago. The guy was friggin cookoo...lol. There was a double/double section that curved because of...

I remember JJ riding at my buddies track a long time ago. The guy was friggin cookoo...lol. There was a double/double section that curved because of the pine trees. He was sure he could either triple single or quad, can't recall which bit of insanity it was...which was possible on some planet I guess. He ended up in the friggin pine trees bike and all. It was arguably the single coolest and dumbest thing I ever witnessed. The guy was hard on bikes...really hard. 

In 98 on a cr250 he made a come back fast as hell yet. He trained Chad Johnson in 98 he lived at Jr,s from what we heard. Jr is listed as a sponsor for Chad,s daughter Isabella maybe for bike mods. Jr is pretty dam good at that.  Bella should be racing wmx pro  , amazing sand rider. I see your in Elkhorn I drove for LCL bulk 04-07 ran inner cities in the NE to Chicago & Canada mainly . I borrowed the tank wash kids scooter & cruised around hit lake Geneva swimming , etc. nice area . 

2
2
smee113
Posts
458
Joined
5/7/2014
Location
Houston, TX, USA
1/30/2026 1:11pm

It's crazy to me that Kent Howerton is the only rider from Texas to win a national title (unless you count Stackable's 500SX title). 2nd biggest state in the country, and seems to fit with MX culture, but it hasn't translated into real results on the track. My only guess as to why is that's too hot in the summers.

gharmon
Posts
2750
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Valley, AL, USA
1/30/2026 3:05pm
themx11 wrote:

Jase Lewis was insane. He had mythical status watching him as a kid. 

R66 wrote:

As a Bremen Raceway regular, I agree! Add Sean Dukes to the list if he’s not already on it. 

I agree. We were regulars when Jase won 250B at Loretta's. He mixed it up with bowers, Albertson, hill, phil n. We went to Red Bud in 06 and 07 and Jase was running in the top ten for the majority of the moto in 450's but had a late tip over.

I bought my son his first 4 stroke from them (04 250). 

 

1/30/2026 4:00pm
DB505 wrote:
Steve Pate, late 70’s early 8’s Dfw area, was winning the pro class by at least 30 seconds every race!
Injured his back had to stop!

dude, I remember that guy. I was only like 7 yrs old at the time but remember seeing him on Motoworld (maybe on 125) and thinking 'that guy rips!' Always remembered his name but didn't see much of him after that. 

1/30/2026 4:06pm
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.



two San Diego/Barona Oaks Raceway's finest

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