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He didn't like the 4-stroke transition either or the boring tracks and always wanted to shape surfboards like my dad Terry Martin. Now he is! He works at Hobie in Dana Point and Bing in Encinitas and surfs when he has time. I enjoy watching him surf much more than racing into the first turn with 39 other riders. He surfs like I rode imo and I could hang at the beach and watch him all day. And it's simple. Riding and racing was getting complicated and expensive and I think he thought of getting hurt too. I'm glad he did it a while and got a taste of it though.
I would imagine with Sean's surfing, you've been able to perfect your dolphin whispering skills.
Anyways, who do you think out of any of the riders out there today resemble your style? If any.
Hope to see you all soon.
JT
(Y'all might notice my profile pic is David's son and I trying to recreate the epic pic of DB posted above)
The Shop
Q : When you won the Des Nations... 1985/ 86 -
In 1985, although you seemed to ride well but David Thorpe took the overall....
Just wondering, do you know if you and Thorpe had the same spec Works Honda's as each other for the 1985 and 1986 races?
Also were the bikes you rode in the Des Nations the exact same bikes you raced in America those years?
P.S - You obviously returned the beating to Dave Thorpe in 1986 (with interest added) with an even more convincing win!
Was sort of odd how that year(1986) you were long gone, yet in 1985 they(Thorpe etc) were much more competitive.
It's a shame the 500's went away. It was the premier class in Europe. That's what Lackey spent over a decade pursuing. What do DeCoster, Mikkola, Carlquist, Malherbe, Thorpe etc. have in common. They were 500cc world champs! In the 70's when there used to be a Trans-AMA series and DeCoster, Wolsink, Ake Johnson, Mikkola (I think) and some others came to join America's best they rode 500's! The ABC USGP at Carlsbad was on 500's. So other than SX taking the focus away and using 250's I can't think of why the great 500's went away. Something seems odd there. Especially when you consider how much more powerfull the 450F's are now. I suppose the new 450F's are easier to ride because the power is smooth, but should people even be going that fast? Doesn't make sense to me. Especially when the 500 was considered by many to be to much. I don't think they were too much to handle. I used to ride mine on my SX track, through the woods and tight stuff just to get better on in. People nowadays just want the latest greatest even if it doesn't make sense. Everybody is doing it so I don't see it going away.
got this poster from Unadilla around 83-84? Team Honda & it's riders were larger than life back then....
I would agree that the production rule hasn't really changed things much, but I sure do miss the exotic bikes.
Thanks
Anyway, your road to the Ironman, and competition with I believe he was a Seal was very inspirational. You had said he just wouldn't quit ever! Congratulations on eventually beating him after trying so hard for so long! I believe that was a great accomplishment for you. If you wouldn't mind, could you share a little about that experience for you? And what you felt when you crossed the finish line in Kona, and you heard the announcer say "You're an Ironman"? Thanks for all the great memories! Best to you and your family!
Thanks for your time...
One more thing, your RacerX cover of you at the 1986 Des nations is the only poster I have on the wall in my home office. I was so happy when you got that cover. Not many "Pre-90's" riders have made the cover of RacerX, I'm sure you're proud of that one too. I know I am. Keep on keepin on.
Thanks again, Jim
Pit Row
This is the most correct thing i've read today!
In 1985, Broc was chosen to go and the way he was riding that year and the way the fast Gaildorf track was, I think he would've handled those guys, but his wrist wasn't right so he offered the spot to me. I was happy to go, but I was a little bit unprepared. Bottom line. That was the year the format changed and 63 riders were on the gate for 3 motos on all size bikes. I got the holeshot in the first moto (biggest one of my career I would say) and figured I could hang near the front, but two things happened and I let it bother me. First, Thorpe got me right away, I got him back briefly and he got me again and did in a way that I couldn't respond to. Second, while I was thinking I couldn't beat Thorpe, Ward reeled us in on his 250 and I immediately felt like I didn't have the speed. My confidence was rocked and I didn't recover. As I watched Thorpe slowly inch way in his GOLD pants, it started to drizzle making it a high speed sketchy deal, not one of my strengths and I was too careful. I think I finished 2nd in the that moto and knew Wardy won his class and I wasn't that bummed, but I could tell DeCoster wasn't amused with my careful ride and I sunk deeper into the idea I wasn't prepared and I wasn't comfortable in those conditions. I also never liked my '85 works 500 as much as my '84 bike and it seemed Thorpe was really fast on his.
In '86 we rode our exact same bikes we had in the US. Johnny rode Micky Dymond's 125 which was a really strong bike. I think Wardy turned down the spot and Micky had never been on a US team. Johnny was on the 1981 and '82 teams and agin in '84 and was the next best rider that year to me and Rick and as it turned out, the right choice. I had just won the 500 title so it made sense to keep me there and Rick dominated indoors and out on his 250 so we were all set. The Europeans were still on works bikes. It seemed like they might have a slight advantage, but our attitudes were good, we were riding great and we wanted to be there, espoecially once we saw the track! I didn't want to experience '85 again, RJ was strong and O'Mara was offered a pretty low salary to stay at Honda, but had already signed with Suzuki for a gozillion dollars and nobody knew! He didn't want to leave Honda and was there in Italy to show Honda they shouldn't have lowballed him. He told me the night before the race and he and I rode with a purpose! Everything went right that day and the track suited me and I had a much better attitude and higher expectations. It was a really easy race and a lot of fun. I had a total blast on that track.
As far as my on camera persona, it started real early helping out with Gary's MX Schools. I couldn't clown around and sometimes he would have me talk in front of everyone. A few times we would do some local TV spot and I was in my early teens in a studio during the sports segment so I had to have it together. Plus I was such a fan of the pros in those days I payed attention to what qualities certain riders had and that impanct and had it in mind that when I had those opportunities I would be prepared and try to just be myself and sincere with people. That said, I still feel goofy on camera and am a bit self concious, but it could be worse
Yeah that was nice of the RacerX gang to do that. Such a colorful shot and a good time in my life. I'm excited to get to go back to that place with my wife and teammates and their families next month!
Now, have you or anyone you know been in an elevator taped to a chair in your undies?
Yes, I was up there with Paul Turner in '82 and he was building some really interesting stuff. Brilliant man and a good rider! I rode out there at Seascape with guy named Tim Tremane (sp?). He showed me which way the track went. I think I was up that way another time riding with Steve Martin. I had a good time riding with those guys and although it was shortlived, I had a good time with Paul. He raced Sears Point in '78 or '79 and Mike McAndrews was his mechanic I think. Those guys went on to do some great things including Rock Shox and suspension for MTB's and Mike still works for Specialized while Paul owns some land on Maui.
I'm doing good thanks and reminded in in here of how fortunate I was to work with great people at a great time in MX.
Thanks C J
David this is the link of the FB group dedicated to i hope you want sign up!
Thanks for doing this. I have to ask about Budds Creek 2003 when you saw James do his scrub for the first time. I remember in the broadcast you had said you completely lost your train of thought when you saw him do it. What went through your head when you saw that? Did you have a "why didn't I think of that?" moment or did it just seem too crazy when you saw it for the first time? I have loved watching the older coverage from when James was just starting out because your comments about him and his riding techniques were always priceless and you did an excellent job of explaining everything.
Thanks
That's the same spot Hannah took Howerton out in '81 during their slugfest.
Great shot!
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