Posts
112
Joined
7/26/2009
Location
CA
US
Edited Date/Time
5/9/2016 11:28am
I've been wanting to share this story for quite a while, and I've finally found a bit of time to get this out there. Little history... I was born in '86, grew up around dirt bikes since I can remember, went to my first Supercross race in 1994 or 1995 at Anaheim, so I've grown up as a person always reminiscing about the 1990s of our sport.
Circa 1998, I vividly remember watching the Indy SX on TV. Shae Bentley (first-ever SX race) grabbed the holeshot in the main event and led for a lap or two aboard a #583 Tecate Kawasaki. I had no idea who he was, but I instantly dug his bent up levers and absurdly effortless riding style, which always reminded me of Robbie Reynard. For these reason, it was an instant super fan and was all about cheering on MC and Bentley. Heck, I even changed my number to 583 when I moved up to 80s and still run it to this day!
Fast-forward to the end of 1998 and Bentley signed with Mitch for the 1999 season. Vital member, MxJef, took me to the now defunct Chaparral SX Invitational at the Glen Helen SX track, and I was so dang excited that Bentley was racing as it'd be the first time I got to see him race in person. I remember him winning the 125 main event and then went on to win the 125/250 Shootout, beating MC and a slew of other big name dudes! I think that night I ended up making some sort of post on the old school Moto Drive forum about my experience watching him race, all of which led to his older brother, Brandon, finding the post and tracking down my e-mail and reaching out to me about Shae. Brandon asked for my home address and had Shae send me a jersey from his rookie season, a few signed posters, and a cool note appreciating the support!
What I experienced for the next few years is something I never expected, nor do I think anybody will ever experience in this day of dirt bike racing. For the next three or four years, Shae and I ended up writing each other monthly letters, he'd send me jerseys all the time, posters, pictures, etc. Being a 12-year-old kid or however old I was and receiving signed jerseys and such from a PC rider was mind-boggling, especially my favorite rider. And, even in the midst of his 2000 West Coast SX title campaign, Bentley always managed to send out a letter and cool memorabilia and share rad behind-the-scenes insight into what was going on away from the track, what it was like batting with Ping, and more. It was freakin' badass!
After Shae retired, we both got caught up with the daily grind of life and didn't speak quite as much. Though, thanks to today's technologies, we are still able to stay in contact via Facebook. But, the point of this story is that now working in this industry full time and having the opportunity to work with the best of the best, I've still never met a rider with the generosity and sincerity of Shae. Maybe I am wrong and I mean no disrespect to today's riders, but I couldn't name a single top rider of today that'd ever spend the time to send posters, jerseys, sit down and hand write a letter asking about your weekend racing results, girls, school, etc each month. I mean, the dude even made sure I received his number one jersey (signed) as soon as Thor sent them his way.
While his career didn't end up going in the direction he, or many thought it should've and could've because of injuries, he forever made a lasting impression on me. A true class act that went above and beyond for one dorky kid who was his number one fan, and dreamt of one day being at his level. We always forgot our past champions, especially when they have a career like Shae's, but he proved to me results and titles are not what matters... It's about being a truly good human and actually giving a crap about people around you and support you, and making a good lasting impression. For that, I say thank you, Shae.
I hope everybody has enjoyed this little read and appreciates what a great guy Bentley truly was. It's something I never expected, nor have I ever experienced since. I will forever be #583 with levers bent to the sky.
1998 Indy Main: Gate drop at 47:53
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGf06IySqFo
Circa 1998, I vividly remember watching the Indy SX on TV. Shae Bentley (first-ever SX race) grabbed the holeshot in the main event and led for a lap or two aboard a #583 Tecate Kawasaki. I had no idea who he was, but I instantly dug his bent up levers and absurdly effortless riding style, which always reminded me of Robbie Reynard. For these reason, it was an instant super fan and was all about cheering on MC and Bentley. Heck, I even changed my number to 583 when I moved up to 80s and still run it to this day!
Fast-forward to the end of 1998 and Bentley signed with Mitch for the 1999 season. Vital member, MxJef, took me to the now defunct Chaparral SX Invitational at the Glen Helen SX track, and I was so dang excited that Bentley was racing as it'd be the first time I got to see him race in person. I remember him winning the 125 main event and then went on to win the 125/250 Shootout, beating MC and a slew of other big name dudes! I think that night I ended up making some sort of post on the old school Moto Drive forum about my experience watching him race, all of which led to his older brother, Brandon, finding the post and tracking down my e-mail and reaching out to me about Shae. Brandon asked for my home address and had Shae send me a jersey from his rookie season, a few signed posters, and a cool note appreciating the support!
What I experienced for the next few years is something I never expected, nor do I think anybody will ever experience in this day of dirt bike racing. For the next three or four years, Shae and I ended up writing each other monthly letters, he'd send me jerseys all the time, posters, pictures, etc. Being a 12-year-old kid or however old I was and receiving signed jerseys and such from a PC rider was mind-boggling, especially my favorite rider. And, even in the midst of his 2000 West Coast SX title campaign, Bentley always managed to send out a letter and cool memorabilia and share rad behind-the-scenes insight into what was going on away from the track, what it was like batting with Ping, and more. It was freakin' badass!
After Shae retired, we both got caught up with the daily grind of life and didn't speak quite as much. Though, thanks to today's technologies, we are still able to stay in contact via Facebook. But, the point of this story is that now working in this industry full time and having the opportunity to work with the best of the best, I've still never met a rider with the generosity and sincerity of Shae. Maybe I am wrong and I mean no disrespect to today's riders, but I couldn't name a single top rider of today that'd ever spend the time to send posters, jerseys, sit down and hand write a letter asking about your weekend racing results, girls, school, etc each month. I mean, the dude even made sure I received his number one jersey (signed) as soon as Thor sent them his way.
While his career didn't end up going in the direction he, or many thought it should've and could've because of injuries, he forever made a lasting impression on me. A true class act that went above and beyond for one dorky kid who was his number one fan, and dreamt of one day being at his level. We always forgot our past champions, especially when they have a career like Shae's, but he proved to me results and titles are not what matters... It's about being a truly good human and actually giving a crap about people around you and support you, and making a good lasting impression. For that, I say thank you, Shae.
I hope everybody has enjoyed this little read and appreciates what a great guy Bentley truly was. It's something I never expected, nor have I ever experienced since. I will forever be #583 with levers bent to the sky.
1998 Indy Main: Gate drop at 47:53
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGf06IySqFo
The Shop
Great story, what an awesome thing for Shae to do, befriend a young fan. Thanks for sharing
You both stand taller in my own eyes....and yes it matters.
Knowing I was on the other side of the world he posted a signed jersey and some goodies out to me here in the UK which meant more to me than words could describe, and converted me into a huge fan of his for life.
I guess riders do make an effort for their fans more than you think, except we don't know about the relationship between the two parties until the fans share their experience with the world, like you just did!
Pit Row
Got to know Shae pretty well some years back. Spent time at LL hanging out and telling stories.
Funny thing ......one of the guys that worked for us noticed shae and I laughing about things several times throughout the week. He asked "who is that guy ? "...........I told him his name and he said " THAT Shae Bentley....like PC rider ?" I explained that we shared a few common friends from back in the 90's blah blah blah........ even my wife said "what a funny guy".
Glad to hear that the difficult times that followed the end of his racing are behind him.
Super likeable guy and has stories for days. What's not to like about that ??
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