Posts
1389
Joined
10/21/2012
Location
Cypress, TX, USA
Edited Date/Time
1/14/2025 7:44pm
I was texting David this week about being a guest of FCA at the San Diego SX. While he can't make it, I sent him this rare pic of him out of shape with me behind him at the 83 250 National at Lake Whitney. In typical racer fashion he gave me the low down on that moto. Its amazing the things we can remember 40 years ago in a race, but not what we had for lunch yesterday! Below is what he said...
"I was leading the first moto and slid out on the straightaway leading to the finish and still in the lead, but sweat splattered all inside my goggles. I went about a lap, couldn't see so I chucked 'em and for a moment it was awesome. Great vision, fresh air - then sand. I really couldn't see after that and Liles caught me. I should have gone 1-1 easy but a simple fall, like Tomac's cost me."
My memory of that moto is still pretty clear too, but quite different. It was my first national to qualify for. Got a decent start, just inside the top 15. I was pretty pumped and after the big sweeper there was a step up. I was clearing it in practice and was coming up to jump it, when several riders slowed because it was a little crowded on the first lap. I jumped it and landed on Dean Cates that started a 5-6 rider pile up. I got up a little dazed but finished the moto. Hence the dirt on the back of my jersey.
Photo = David Lack
Love seeing shots of the Lil Professor, and his story, thank you. and Congrats on your 1st Nat. finishes.
The one and only picture of David where he’s not displaying perfect form?
Bailey....Legend. 😎
So glad I was around for that era. It'll never be the same.
Great rider but not perfect, just like the rest of us!
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The thing that has always stood out to me is how smooth David looked when he was racing compared to the other riders. It seemed unnatural to go that fast and look that smooth. It did not seem like he was going that fast. Watching video of him did not do it justice.
The one and only riding class I ever went to was from him at Carlsbad. I learned a lot that day, things that stuck with me for years. Had a couple funny things happen that day. He had everyone practicing a corner, it was slower a left in rattlesnake. Each guy would go by and David would point out what was wrong and right etc. First one was that he picked out my buddy as the bad example lol. Second one happened after we were doing that turn for 20 minutes or so, he said "Ok go finish a lap and meet on the straight after the horseshoe turn" Aye aye so off everyone goes, when the group came around and through the horseshoe turn everyone was full race mode and damn near plowed into him, he was on his quad in the middle of the track expecting us to roll up for the next lesson but instead the lead group almost skidded into him and then full panic stops as everyone came around. It was the only time he got upset the whole day lol. He was waving his arms and yelling "STOP !" Once we were all stopped the first thing he said was "You guys need to put your visors up and look ahead !!" 😆
His memory is unreal, I hope he writes a book someday.
^I'd read any book by him.
Great story and a nice memory for you.
Where was Broc going in that top pic ? Lol . Maybe they made contact just before it ?
Even being out of shape he still looks stylish. Cook pic and memory Zoom.
And that dirt . . . Lake Whitney in the '80's was the best dirt I've ever ridden.
"...sweat splattered all inside my goggles." !!!
That's why he used to mention that happening during every broadcast! That race/moment clearly stuck in his head!
Bailey was not only a great racer (before my time, so I never got to witness in person), but IMO he's probably the best commentator ever. I was just watching some old races and practically everything he says could be used as a pull quote. Eloquent, respectful (but not afraid to call riders out either) and spot on 99% of the time with a little humor thrown in there too. Would love to see him back in the booth, if even for one race.
He definitely seems like a natural at it.
Windham also has a gift in that area.
Awesome!
It seems to me that a lot of the great racers have a very good memory of specific races from a long time ago. I assume there is somehow a correlation between that memory and their greatness.
Also, boot gaiters need to make a comeback.
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