Anonymous (not verified)
8/1/2009 1:20am
8/1/2009 1:20am
Edited Date/Time
2/3/2012 8:16am
40+ vet class at the final round of the Australian outdoor nationals @ sunny Coolum Queensland. Each entrant got 10 cans of bourbon by the series sponsor Woodstock Hope these work out
Still makes me think, Can-Am.
The Shop
Ellis was so good at southwick back in the day, because he practiced for hours on end in the silty river sand of the Connecticut river. Never a groomed track and blasted as fast as he could. I agree he didn't get his due. If you ever are in the company of David Bailey and want to get him talking old MX, mention Jimmy Ellis. His prospective gives an insight to Ellis's status in MX history.
I saw him race today (couldn’t keep up) - I wish there was more opportunities for Vets to race. I think the last "Vets Cup" in Australia might have been 2004 - at the fantastic Conondale Track. I raced that one too.
DOB: 10/19/55
Birthplace: Middletown, CT USA
Started Riding Age 9
Tuner: George Ellis
Current Residence:
Ringwood Victoria Australia
Current Career:
Jimmy occasionally races motocross, but has found a new passion for the NASCAR circuit.
Jimmy Ellis Team CanAm Resume:
1974 125cc National MX #6
1974 250cc National MX #3
1975 250cc National MX #5
1975 250cc National SX #1
1976 250cc National MX #8
1976 250cc National SX #3
1977 250cc National MX #6
1977 250cc National SX #4
George used to be the driver for the Kawi rig and had great stories every time you talked to him. I miss hanging with him during the down time at the races. Hope all is well with all of the family.
Alan Gerkey
Being from western Mass. I remember Jimmy racing for Boston Yamaha - when he was about 9 - 10 years old. His feet did not touch the ground - his father had to hold the rear fender for his starts. Most of the time he won. He was unbelivable for his age. Watched him almost every weekend for about 3-4 years. Early on - the series was called New England Scrambles. They raced @ Middleboro (early spring = no snow) a number of other tracks in Mass. (Pepperell, Southwick, West Springfield, Middleboro, Spencer, Munson [Mattreess wrapped around trees], Maine (Leeds Junction, Lisbon), Conn (Middletown)., and Unadella.
The spectator fee was $ 2.00 / person. Threw the bed mattress in our van and away we (wife & son) went - every weekend.
For others who might remember "back in the day" Bruce McGuire = Bultaco factory, Johnny Betencourt w/a full purple fringed leather riding suit, James Weinert among many, many others.
To Jimmy and all the Ellis family = THANX FOR THE MEMORIES AND GOOD TIMES !!!.
Still a Motocross fan - after all these years.
Harry the Hat
His dad still drove the Kawi rig in 1999 or 2000 the last I remember. George was a pleasure to talk old stories with. You're right Alan that he was a good man to talk to.
His father's pit board was telling Jimmy to slow down after the start of the second moto as he was gapping the field by a huge margin every lap. Jimmy had broken his pelvis during the Florida Winter-Am series and did not return to riding until late summer. Guy was on fire!
Thanks Jimmy.
Pit Row
Sorry to bring up an old topic but yeah
In the late 70's and early 80's we rode together a few times and it was always a blast. On one trail ride in East Hampton... I think it was 1979, we had to ride a short distance on the road to get from one trail to the next. We stopped at the end of the trail, looked left and turned right onto the road with Jimmy leading the way. Neither of us had looked right before pulling out and didn't see one car passing another... and it was now in our lane going at least 60 MPH straight toward us. Fortunately the driver saw us in time and was able to cut back hard in front of the other car and make the pass without taking us both out. Man, it was REALLY close and scared the hell out of both of us!
I had a 1980 BMW 320is that was lowered, had a Calloway turbo, etc and was a blast to drive. I let Jimmy drive it a couple of times by himself... once after winning the Providence Arenacross... and he came back with an ear-to-ear grin each time... I suspect he tested the limits a couple of times! Hehe!
When Jimmy moved to Australia for good (1984?), that was the last I spoke with him but did see George and Irene around on occasion.
Oh, I just remembered another funny story JT told me. When he went to Australia to race... I think it was one of his first times racing there... he met a few people (I think at a practice track). He invited them to come to the next race and "root" for him. Well, they all just snickered and grinned at each other. So he asked what he said that was so funny. Apparently in Australia when you "root", you aren't cheering like in the USA... you are screwing! LOL, funny stuff!
In the past, I sent a few emails to RacerX asking if they could do a story on Jimmy and what he's up to these days... but alas, nothing. Come on DC... please? I've let my subscription lapse (been unemployed 19 months now) but if you do a story, I'll re-up my subscription! LOL!! :-)
Lost contact with Mark after I moved out of Florida… The last thing I knew… He was still working at Honda of Jacksonville. But that was 1984.
its good to hear all the stories that are told by him but yeah i havent spoken to him in a while but hes in WA.
He had one knee replaced but thats all.
that vid we have the full version of it somewhere but yeah.
last time i saw him was easter he rode in a historic race was good
Leigh
By WA., do you mean Washington?? I had no idea that he was in the States again. It's been a while since I'd seen him in the Connecticut (Cobalt, East Hampton) area. You may have been to young to remember, but your dad was known for honing his MX skills along the CT river in the Weathersfield- Rocky Hill cove. This was a great area to ride, but the pesty police would often spoil the fun. Ironically, this same area is the home of one of the only legal practice tracks in CT today.
Anyway, good to here that he's doing well. If I find more video or pics I'll put them here.
My first thought was Washington state too. LOL!
And you must have taken that trail ride in the Salmon River. I did a scramble there back in the 80's.
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