That RJ Article In New RacerX

Rupert X
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Rupert X
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 7:29pm

How many of us wanted to be be Ricky Johnson back in the day ?

Dude had everything going for him.

And you never knew what he'd have on back of his pants, week-to-week.

Wonderful story of one of the greatest riders ever.

Who knew he was cousin to NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson ? Not me.

I know I've bragged about this before, but me and Kardy got to hang out with that

guy in the brutal desert for three long days.

Hot damn that was a good time.
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DC
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DC 11/19/2009 11:16am
11/19/2009 11:16am
And that was a great Racer X article you and Kardy did on that trip, Rupe...

Jimmie Johnson was very, very good on 80s until he hung it up at maybe 12. He's still way into motocross, and I think his cousin RJ is still his idol!

DC
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FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 11/19/2009 11:20am
11/19/2009 11:20am
Wasn't a big fan at first, but he really was a ferocious competitor. So bummed when he got hurt. Great display of grit trying to overcome the wrist when he came back, kind of heartbreaking to watch at the time when the body couldn't keep up with the will.
P
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P 11/19/2009 11:48am
11/19/2009 11:48am
Jeff Ward was my man, but RJ was beating everyone down. It must have been fun to kick it with him, just to find out what was going through his mind at that time.


P
muGz.147 11/19/2009 11:49am
11/19/2009 11:49am
My first true moto hero right there!! I was at Millville for my first time when he walked right out of a store in front of us on Broadway in downtown Rochester. As a kid, getting to meet him like that was so surreal and a small dream come true. I loved Fox gear because of Ricky, I loved Oakley goggles because of Ricky...and being a shop brat that grew up in a store, I made sure I had whatever I could that made me look like him. I remember when he started wearing the Roost 2 chest protector...I HAD TO HAVE ONE!! Millville 1988...OMG!!! RJ, Wardy, Lechien, Cooper, Holland, a young rookie on a Yamaha coming from Loretta's to make his debut by the name of Damon Bradshaw...what a year!!

The Shop

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Blake
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Blake 11/19/2009 11:57am
11/19/2009 11:57am
DC wrote:
And that was a great Racer X article you and Kardy did on that trip, Rupe... Jimmie Johnson was very, very good on 80s until he...
And that was a great Racer X article you and Kardy did on that trip, Rupe...

Jimmie Johnson was very, very good on 80s until he hung it up at maybe 12. He's still way into motocross, and I think his cousin RJ is still his idol!

DC
MX Sports
I was just looking at some old CMMC monthly newsletters with Jimmie in it.

Hughes both Ryan and Jeremy, Clowers, MC, all kinds of guys.

Casillas, Tarantino and guys like that were on 50's. I think Regis is in a few.
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 11/19/2009 11:57am
11/19/2009 11:57am
Anyone have the famous number plate shot?
Blake
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Blake 11/19/2009 12:00pm
11/19/2009 12:00pm
David Barrett was on a KTM 80 in a few then. 1984 I think.
soren346
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soren346 11/19/2009 12:04pm
11/19/2009 12:04pm
Remember the "Win a day with RJ" contest? Man I wanted to win that, wonder who did. My mom even dug him!
crf250pilot
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crf250pilot 11/19/2009 12:05pm
11/19/2009 12:05pm
Hell, I still want to be like RJ and i'm 40yrs old. The guy is awesome, He'll always be one of my heroes. I got to ride with him once when he was playing around at a Honda ride day here in the valley. that was one great MX memory i'l never forget
googs the 2nd 11/19/2009 12:34pm
11/19/2009 12:34pm
dude surfed as well...........personified COOL ....very sano.........Wink
rustytrombone 11/19/2009 12:48pm
11/19/2009 12:48pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 7:02pm
RJ>*
Ozy
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Ozy 11/19/2009 12:52pm
11/19/2009 12:52pm
C'mon, RJ was living the dream and had incredible ability on a dirtbike. What I really liked about him was that he was always having fun.

I remember seeing him out at saddleback early 80's and he wasn't pounding lap after lap on the track, him and his buddies were goofing off out back on the trails.
Regis
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Regis 11/19/2009 1:04pm
11/19/2009 1:04pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 7:02pm
DC wrote:
And that was a great Racer X article you and Kardy did on that trip, Rupe... Jimmie Johnson was very, very good on 80s until he...
And that was a great Racer X article you and Kardy did on that trip, Rupe...

Jimmie Johnson was very, very good on 80s until he hung it up at maybe 12. He's still way into motocross, and I think his cousin RJ is still his idol!

DC
MX Sports
OK, here is the WORST "don't EVER listen to me" story.

I hung out with Jimmie and his family nearly every weekend as a kid, I looked (look) up to the guy. Our families were close and Jimmie RIPPED on motorcycles. We bbq'd and swam at his house all the time after races.

So, in high school Jimmie was a senior and I was a freshman and he came and gave me a ride to school everyday for gas money. When I was a sophmore and Jimmie was out of school, my mom still gave him gas money to take me to school so here it goes......

One day Jimmie tells me he can't take me to school anymore because he is going back east to chase his "nascar" dream. I tell him he is stupid and he needs to focus back on MX where he knows he is good.... Yup, great career advice from Regis. He probably doesn;t remember it but I do. I was in the back of his black Ford Ranger that he had with the custom capret kit and shell arguing with Jimmie Johnson about how stupid he is for going to race something as stupid as NASCAR.

so, if anybody wants career advice, give me a call.
Regis
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Regis 11/19/2009 1:08pm
11/19/2009 1:08pm
DC wrote:
And that was a great Racer X article you and Kardy did on that trip, Rupe... Jimmie Johnson was very, very good on 80s until he...
And that was a great Racer X article you and Kardy did on that trip, Rupe...

Jimmie Johnson was very, very good on 80s until he hung it up at maybe 12. He's still way into motocross, and I think his cousin RJ is still his idol!

DC
MX Sports
Blake wrote:
I was just looking at some old CMMC monthly newsletters with Jimmie in it. Hughes both Ryan and Jeremy, Clowers, MC, all kinds of guys. Casillas...
I was just looking at some old CMMC monthly newsletters with Jimmie in it.

Hughes both Ryan and Jeremy, Clowers, MC, all kinds of guys.

Casillas, Tarantino and guys like that were on 50's. I think Regis is in a few.
The "Barona Cross up" I waited every two weeks for that thing by the mailbox! haha
Rupert X
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Rupert X 11/19/2009 1:30pm
11/19/2009 1:30pm
DC wrote:
And that was a great Racer X article you and Kardy did on that trip, Rupe... Jimmie Johnson was very, very good on 80s until he...
And that was a great Racer X article you and Kardy did on that trip, Rupe...

Jimmie Johnson was very, very good on 80s until he hung it up at maybe 12. He's still way into motocross, and I think his cousin RJ is still his idol!

DC
MX Sports
Regis wrote:
OK, here is the WORST "don't EVER listen to me" story. I hung out with Jimmie and his family nearly every weekend as a kid, I...
OK, here is the WORST "don't EVER listen to me" story.

I hung out with Jimmie and his family nearly every weekend as a kid, I looked (look) up to the guy. Our families were close and Jimmie RIPPED on motorcycles. We bbq'd and swam at his house all the time after races.

So, in high school Jimmie was a senior and I was a freshman and he came and gave me a ride to school everyday for gas money. When I was a sophmore and Jimmie was out of school, my mom still gave him gas money to take me to school so here it goes......

One day Jimmie tells me he can't take me to school anymore because he is going back east to chase his "nascar" dream. I tell him he is stupid and he needs to focus back on MX where he knows he is good.... Yup, great career advice from Regis. He probably doesn;t remember it but I do. I was in the back of his black Ford Ranger that he had with the custom capret kit and shell arguing with Jimmie Johnson about how stupid he is for going to race something as stupid as NASCAR.

so, if anybody wants career advice, give me a call.


Classic.

Great shtuff, Regis.
dirthead1
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dirthead1 11/19/2009 1:41pm
11/19/2009 1:41pm Edited Date/Time 11/19/2009 1:41pm
Remember the Dickinsons? Matt and Ethan and their dad Cookie who was the Mayor of Barona. I still see Matt out in the water once in awhile.
Sondy132001
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Sondy132001 11/19/2009 1:48pm
11/19/2009 1:48pm
I wasn't going to sunday races from about 7-11, my first race back was at Carlsbad I was 11, first boy I met was RJ, I was in love....I had to sneak around with my instamatic camera and take pics of him racing and sitting in his van, I have an entire photo album dedicated to him from when he was 12 until he retired, do you think I should give it to him ?? I really have no use for it any more lol

S
djp2k8
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djp2k8 11/19/2009 2:00pm
11/19/2009 2:00pm
RJ was my idol too. Do any of you guys remember seeing that tv show/documentary that showcased RJ. Can't remember what year, maybe 88. The very beginning you heard a guy say "In a remote western canyon the rustic stillness is broken by the sound of two motorcycles." Then RJ and maybe Micky Dymond come flying through. Was really cool.

Pit Row

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gt80rider
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gt80rider 11/19/2009 2:46pm
11/19/2009 2:46pm
anybody know is RJ's TORC off road series is in good shape for the 2010 season???
KX452
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KX452 11/19/2009 3:07pm
11/19/2009 3:07pm
When I was a kid I watched his movie "profile of a champion" a hundred times. I think I will try to dig it up and watch it again!
robkinuk
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robkinuk 11/19/2009 3:11pm
11/19/2009 3:11pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 7:02pm
We distributed SX and MX videos through my company Stadium Video Europe. One of our best selling tapes was "Rick Johnson Profile of a Champion" a 90 min documentary about his life and career.
Got to hang out with RJ days before LA Coliseum SX in 1987 where he came from last to first, I think his greatest ever single race!
Got to hang out with RJ and Stephanie again at Franciacorta MXoN in October. The crowd went crazy when he did a lap of honour.
He's still a funny guy, enjoying life and someone I'm glad to be able to call a friend.
robkinuk
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robkinuk 11/19/2009 3:21pm
11/19/2009 3:21pm

RJ at Paris SX, where the fans adored him!
ocscottie
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ocscottie 11/19/2009 3:32pm
11/19/2009 3:32pm
FreshTopEnd wrote:
Anyone have the famous number plate shot?
You mean this one Michael?



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englishman 11/19/2009 3:33pm
11/19/2009 3:33pm
robkinuk wrote:
We distributed SX and MX videos through my company Stadium Video Europe. One of our best selling tapes was "Rick Johnson Profile of a Champion" a...
We distributed SX and MX videos through my company Stadium Video Europe. One of our best selling tapes was "Rick Johnson Profile of a Champion" a 90 min documentary about his life and career.
Got to hang out with RJ days before LA Coliseum SX in 1987 where he came from last to first, I think his greatest ever single race!
Got to hang out with RJ and Stephanie again at Franciacorta MXoN in October. The crowd went crazy when he did a lap of honour.
He's still a funny guy, enjoying life and someone I'm glad to be able to call a friend.
I bought that video Rob and watched it a bajillion times. How 'bout his shoe collection ? and the Kangaroo Skin seat cover ?

Remeber when he came to England to promote the first "proper" SX they had at the NEC ?? I met him at Hanham and couldn't believe I was talking to THE RJ !! That was '89 and I still remember it clear as day.
DANIELINS
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DANIELINS 11/19/2009 4:36pm
11/19/2009 4:36pm
I was at adelanto in i think 1987 when lechein brake checked rj at the finish line causing rj to go down... after the moto rj, with half the crowd following, walks the length of the pits and calls ronnie out.. ronnie was in his motorhome with the door locked as rj talked smack... classic...
bd
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bd 11/19/2009 6:21pm
11/19/2009 6:21pm
RJ is still my favorite. If he hadnt got hurt in 1989, I think he would have had at least four more titles. He had everyone covered and was getting faster. Going to buy the RacerX asap.
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 11/19/2009 6:48pm
11/19/2009 6:48pm Edited Date/Time 11/19/2009 6:48pm
FreshTopEnd wrote:
Anyone have the famous number plate shot?
ocscottie wrote:
You mean this one Michael? [img]https://www.ocscottie.com/new/uploads/classic_johnsonnaked.jpg[/img]
You mean this one Michael?



That's it! Can't remember who ran it; MXA?
Big Lenny
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Big Lenny 11/19/2009 8:07pm
11/19/2009 8:07pm
Talked to RJ at Anaheim awhile ago, he even showed me the famous wrist..Best memory was watching him during practice at Carlsbad one year when he was on Yamaha, he took an unbelieveable line on the track that had to be seen...
Blake
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Blake 11/19/2009 8:34pm
11/19/2009 8:34pm
DC wrote:
And that was a great Racer X article you and Kardy did on that trip, Rupe... Jimmie Johnson was very, very good on 80s until he...
And that was a great Racer X article you and Kardy did on that trip, Rupe...

Jimmie Johnson was very, very good on 80s until he hung it up at maybe 12. He's still way into motocross, and I think his cousin RJ is still his idol!

DC
MX Sports
Blake wrote:
I was just looking at some old CMMC monthly newsletters with Jimmie in it. Hughes both Ryan and Jeremy, Clowers, MC, all kinds of guys. Casillas...
I was just looking at some old CMMC monthly newsletters with Jimmie in it.

Hughes both Ryan and Jeremy, Clowers, MC, all kinds of guys.

Casillas, Tarantino and guys like that were on 50's. I think Regis is in a few.
Regis wrote:
The "Barona Cross up" I waited every two weeks for that thing by the mailbox! haha
Your mom used to cut my hair.

Yah, I just looked, I have about 100 of those issues.


Blake
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Blake 11/19/2009 8:42pm
11/19/2009 8:42pm
dirthead1 wrote:
Remember the Dickinsons? Matt and Ethan and their dad Cookie who was the Mayor of Barona. I still see Matt out in the water once in...
Remember the Dickinsons? Matt and Ethan and their dad Cookie who was the Mayor of Barona. I still see Matt out in the water once in awhile.
Yes

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