LEGENDS RISING
Hall Of Fame
Class Of 2012
Health Insurance Discrimination: Does It Affect You?
SEE THE 2013 CRF450R LIKE NEVER BEFORE .
NAVIGATION
Cover
Pioneering Supercross star Jimmy Ellis is just one of the extraordinary personalities being inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in November. Read about Ellis and the rest of the Class of 2012 beginning on page 36. Photo: Lloyd-Smith Photography
Navigation Photo Kawasaki rider Brian Smith leads the field at the legendary Springfield Mile. Smith went on to win the race. Photo: Dave Hoenig
10. LETTERS
You write, we read.
12. WAYNE ALLARD
Working together
14. RIGHTS
Health insurance discrimination, and forest travel plans create controversy.
18. RIDING
Touring Washington’s Whidbey and Fidalgo islands, and chartering your club.
American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2012. Printed in USA. Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $10 covered in membership dues; $15 a year for non-members.
Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices.
November 2012
Volume 66, Number 11
Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com
26. RACING
KTM’s Marvin Musquin talks about Supercross, Jared Mees wins a title, and the AMA Hillclimb Grand Championships crown champions.
32. HALL OF FAME
Terry Poovey’s H-D XR750 dirt-tracker, and Hall of Famer Bruce Brown.
36. HISTORY MAKERS
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2012.
44. CELEBRATING THE RIDE
Hundreds of women motorcyclists gathered in Carson City, Nev., for the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference.
49. GO RIDE
What to do, where to go.
54. KENT TAYLOR
My brother’s keeper.
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EDITORIAL OFFICES
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ADVERTISING
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All trademarks used herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned by the AMA and may only be used with the express, written permission of the AMA.
American Motorcyclist is the monthly publication of the American Motorcyclist Association, which represents motorcyclists nationwide. For information on AMA membership benefits, call (800) AMA-JOIN or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Manuscripts, photos, drawings and other editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage. No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited material. Copyright© American Motorcyclist Association, 2012.
AMA STAFF
EXECUTIVE
Rob Dingman, President/CEO
Rhonda Hixon, Administrative Asst./Litigation Manager
Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer
Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations
Bob Chaddock, Vice President, Administration
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Jim Williams, Vice President, Industry Relations & Corporate Member Programs
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ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
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AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME
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AMA RACING/ORGANIZER
SERVICES
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Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator
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Bill Cumbow, Director of Special Projects
Dave Hembroff, Road Riding Manager
Tamra Jones, Racing Coordinator
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Cherie Schlatter, Organizer Services Manager
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Serena Van Dyke, Organizer Services Coordinator
Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager
Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager
AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ about/board
Stan Simpson, Chairman Cibolo, Texas
Maggie McNally, Vice Chairwoman Albany, N.Y.
Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla.
Perry King, Assistant Secretary Northern California
John Ulrich, Executive Committee Member Lake Elsinore, Calif.
Russ Brenan, Irvine, Calif.
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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MEMBER SERVICES/DATA ENTRY
Lori Cavucci, Member Services Representative
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Jessica Robinson, Member Services Representative
STANDING WATCH
It’s not a 9 to 5 job
By Wayne Allard
By the time you read this, Election Day will be just a couple weeks away. Hopefully, you reviewed our AMA Vote Like A Motorcyclist web page and studied your candidate’s record in our AMA Voter Guide. Perhaps you’ve already voted early. Congratulations on exercising your rights as a citizen of this great democracy!
What’s next? Following the election, the work of the AMA Government Relations Department returns to the more mundane tasks of reviewing, watching and responding to the actions of those whom you and your fellow Americans elected.
Fortunately, the AMA Board of Directors has decided that our primary focus needs to be applied to advocacy and keeping track of what is happening at all levels of government—from municipal buildings and courthouses to our state and federal legislatures and regulatory agencies. Rest assured, the AMA is here to stand watch, so you can enjoy the passion of riding.
The number of bills introduced in the U.S. Congress has been rapidly increasing over the past 12 years. This year, the 112th Congress will exceed 10,000 bills introduced. (The record was set by the 109th Congress with 10,537 bills.) Each bill is reviewed for language that might affect our members. Some bills are over 1,000 pages long, such as the health care bill passed in the last Congress, which was greater than 2,000 pages. If a bill has language that might affect motorcycling, it is added to our watch list.
The number of pages introduced in the Federal Register has been as high as 79,974 pages in just one year. Proposed rules and regulations from some 50 federal agencies are published in the Federal Register every day of the workweek. We watch those rules and regulations, as well, for those that might affect motorcyclists.
Next is the number of bills introduced in all 50 states. It exceeded 222,620 this year and increases year after year. Yes, we also watch those bills for language that might affect riders.
There are no data on the number of rules and regulations promulgated within the 50 state governments, but it numbers in the tens of thousands. There are also no data on the number of laws
“
We watch out for you—the rider—both at the state and federal levels to protect your right to ride.”
passed by county commissioners, city councils, special districts, and homeowner associations. We rely on you, our members, to keep us informed on issues affecting you in your local levels of government—and you do a very good job of this!
In addition to the monitoring activities mentioned above, the AMA communicates hundreds of times directly with elected officials, their staffs and policy makers throughout the United States. The AMA testifies before government committees at all levels of government. We watch out for you—the rider—both at the state and federal levels to protect your right to ride.
Finally, the AMA works to keep its members informed so they can talk to their elected lawmakers and other public officials on the issues of the day. We urge that all motorcyclists—whether members or not—get to know their elected officials and to communicate with them.
What can motorcyclists expect in the future? The issues affecting riders will continue to grow. More and more time will be spent monitoring government proposals and actions, especially among the 50 states.
As a result, there will be a greater need for AMA members to become more involved in the issues. Fortunately, our members have always stepped up when asked—witness last year’s success with the categorical exemption of kids’ dirtbikes and ATVs from the lead law. Our strength has always been in our numbers, and as the AMA grows, so will our clout.
I can assure you that the AMA Government Relations Department is also up to the task. We stand ready—24/7/365—watching and monitoring the threats (and occasional opportunities) that are everpresent. Like you, when it comes to what we love to do, we know there is no such thing as a 9 to 5 job.
Wayne Allard is the AMA vice president for government relations.
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THE ADVENTURE come
HISTORY MAKERS HISTORY MAKERS
AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2012
On Nov. 16
in Las Vegas, Nev., seven legends of motorcycling will take their rightful place in history as members of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2012. The induction ceremony at the Red Rock Resort, Casino & Spa, celebrates these motorcyclists’ outstanding achievements and recognizes their timeless contributions to the sport and pastime for which we all live.
Members of the Class of 2012 are: the late Rod Bush, KTM North America president and industry visionary; world championship roadracing tuner Nobby Clark; off-road racing champion Ty Davis; 1975 AMA Supercross Champion Jimmy Ellis; pioneering female motocrosser Sue Fish; world-class bike restorer Brian Slark; and iconic race flagger, the late Al Wilcox.
In addition, the gala event will spotlight two previously inducted members of the Hall of Fame who played a key role in the celebrated motorcycling documentary “On Any Sunday”: 1998 inductees Malcolm Smith, a pioneer in off-road motorcycling, and Mert Lawwill, the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion whose title defense was the central theme of the timeless film.
Actor, motorcyclist and AMA Board of Directors member Perry King will host the Friday night induction ceremony. It will include a cocktail hour, dinner, engaging speeches and compelling video that will mark the occasion in spectacular fashion.
The weekend also includes one of the country’s leading motorcycle shows and the finale of one of the most thrilling AMA-sanctioned national racing series. On Saturday, Nov. 17, the Red Rock will host the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dave Mungenast Memorial Concours d’Elegance, featuring many of the country’s most impressive original and restored classic motorcycles. That evening, at the nearby Orleans Arena, fans can catch the last round of the 2012 GEICO AMA EnduroCross National Championship Series.
The AMA Legends Weekend, Nov. 16-17 in Las Vegas, Nev., is one of the sport’s biggest events. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness history. Tickets and additional event information are available at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.
From the 1990s
through the early 2000s, Ty Davis was arguably off-road motorcycle racing’s most versatile champion. Winning at national-caliber events from the tight enduros of the east to the wide-open spaces of the western desert, Davis racked up AMA National Championships and captured the respect of fellow racers across the nation.
Born in Bakersfield, Calif., in 1969, and raised in Hesperia, Davis was encouraged by his father to start riding at an early age. Despite his dad’s affinity for desert racing, Davis says there was no pressure for him to start competing at a young age.
“I just loved riding,” Davis says. “I would just go out there and ride in circles. Did I want to become a racer? No. When they had races, I kind of shied [away] from it. But then when I finally started, around 12, I did OK. Then I did another race, and I was hooked. My dad, though, said it was too extreme to race desert and that I should race motocross, as he was trying to qualify for the [International] Six Days [Enduro] team, so we didn’t do much desert racing after that.”
Davis was a top regional amateur motocrosser, winning the Golden State National Championship in the 250cc Pro class in 1987 then the 125cc and 250cc TransCal Series championships in 1988. Davis’ most high-profile title came at the 1990 AMA Supercross 125cc West Region Championship, when he beat future AMA Supercross star and Hall of Famer Jeremy McGrath.
“The biggest thing about the 125cc title was the story behind the scenes,” Davis says. “I bought my own two bikes, and Jimmy Button and I were driving our own vans to the races.
I just raced a production bike out there, but I had the determination.”
Davis pointed out of the 125cc class and had to move to the 250cc class in 1991.
Off-Road Maestro: Ty Davis
“Mentally, I wasn’t ready for the 250 class,” Davis says. “I needed another year to mature in that class. That’s when ATK called, and they offered me a bunch of money to win the White Brothers Four-Stroke Nationals.”
Davis accepted ATK’s offer and raced the series after the AMA Supercross season concluded, winning the 500cc and 600cc titles and then competing in the famed Baja 1000 desert race.
“The first year I raced Baja 500 for ATK, they took care of me,” Davis remembers. “They screwed up in the pits and never changed my filter. We lost the race by 17 seconds, but they were so happy, and since they realized they screwed up, they gave me my winbonus anyway.”
Davis stayed with ATK in ’92, but was hurt most of the year. The next year, he moved to Kawasaki. The next several years were a development period for Davis. Although he was on the winning Baja 1000 team four times, from 1993-96, he was still finding his speed in individual events.
“I either got my [butt] handed to me by LR [Hall of Famer Larry Roeseler] or I couldn’t beat Danny [Hamel] in the desert,” Davis says. “I decided that if I’m going to stay at Kawasaki that I need to find another place where I can be the hero. That’s when I looked at doing the AMA National Enduro Championship.”
It was a good move. Davis earned Kawasaki its first, and only, overall AMA National Enduro Championship in 1995. Davis won again in 1999, giving Yamaha its first overall enduro title. By now, Davis was also winning in the desert, claiming the AMA National Hare & Hound Championship in 1997, 1998 and 2002. Davis’ success hasn’t been limited to the racecourse. In 2001, while still actively competing at the highest levels, Davis started Zip-Ty Racing Products to develop and sell specialized parts for off-road race bikes. He continues to run the company today.
Davis says he’s honored to be recognized by the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
“It’s amazing, really,” Davis says. “To be honored with so many of the guys I raced against and those who I’ve looked up to is humbling. Being in the Hall of Fame is a huge honor, and I’m excited to be recognized like this.”
Photo Conrad
Lim
Pushing The Envelope: Rod Bush
There was a time
when KTM motorcycles were an obscure European brand with moderate penetration in the off-road market and effectively none in the motocross world.
Then Rod Bush came along.
Bush, who passed away in 2005, helped lead KTM North America through its formative years, serving as company president from 1987 until his death in 2005. Under his leadership, the Austrian company grew from a small European alternative into an off-road racing powerhouse. Today, KTM stands atop the motocross world as well, with KTM factory rider Ryan Dungey winning the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross National Championship.
“So much of the success KTM has seen in North America is built on the foundation that Rod worked so hard to create,” says current KTM North America President Jon-Erik Burleson. “As a mentor and friend of mine, his leadership and success were, and continue to be, great inspiration to continue to push forward. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame represents the pinnacle of those who have achieved so much for our sport and industry. I am deeply happy for his family and his legacy for him to be honored with such prestigious recognition.”
While leading KTM, Bush also made numerous contributions to U.S. teams in national and international competition, helping advance American off-road racing in general. A major influence in developing both rules packages and minicycle technology, Bush’s efforts helped revolutionize youth competition in America in the 1990s—a development that has continued to fuel the steady advancement of American motocross and off-road racers.
Bush is survived by his wife, Cheri, who says his influence went beyond tangible milestones.
“Rod had a tremendous amount of integrity, honesty and fairness,” she says. “He lived every day to the fullest, and everything he did involved motorcycles and KTM. KTM and the people who worked for him truly were a part of his family. I think that was recognized even at the highest levels of the company. His opinions were valued greatly in Austria, where they had great faith in Rod and what he was doing in America, and I think that was reflected when he was appointed one of three managing directors for the parent company.”
Born July 6, 1955, in Huntington, W.Va., Bush rode his first hare scrambles in 1970 and three years later opened a Penton dealership in Parkersburg, W.Va., with his father. Bush started taking his racing seriously, and began competing in the International Six Days Trial in 1974, ultimately winning gold medals in later ISDTs. In 1976, Bush started working for Penton Imports as a sales representative.
In 1978, Bush left Penton Imports to help form KTM America, later KTM North America, with Jack Lehto. In 1987, Bush took the position of KTM North America president when the company was selling about 2,500 motorcycles a year. When Bush died in 2005, KTM North America sold approximately 28,000 units annually and had 140 employees. During his tenure at KTM, Bush was elected as a partner and one of three managing directors of KTM Group, as well as a member of the AMA Board of Directors.
Bush is also survived by his son, Robbie, his daughter, Stacy, and granddaughter, Amaris.
Photos Rod Bush:
Courtesy of Cheri Bush; Sue Fish: Conrad Lim
The further back
you look through time, the more you realize how far we’ve come. That’s the lesson taught by the career of pioneering female motocross racer Sue Fish, the 1976 and 1977 Women’s National Motocross Champion.
Fish’s career has inspired thousands of woman to race motocross and ride off-road. Today, not only do women participate in national-caliber series, but in many disciplines they compete head-to-head against male competitors. Fish helped break those boundaries for women racers.
In addition to dominating the female ranks, Fish—who currently lives in Santa Barbara, Calif.—was one of the first women motocross racers to hold a professional racing license from the AMA and compete regularly against men. Known by the nickname, “The Flying Fish,” she raced in the AMA 125cc National Motocross Championship. Fish’s talents extended beyond motocross when she competed in the 1978 Subaru International Motorcycle Olympiad, a two-day event encompassing all types off offroad racing. Fish also competed on asphalt, racing in the men’s expert ranks in 600cc roadracing classes.
Fish put her talents to work on the big screen as well, working as a Hollywood stuntwoman. Her credits include “Terminator” and “Footloose.” She also traveled as part of Evel Knievel’s stunt show in Australia.
“I was just a young gal doing what I love to do: riding motorcycles,” Fish says. “Motocross is a sport that I love with every cell in my body, and I just feel incredibly honored to be recognized for the sport I so loved. Motorcycling was my way of life. It gave me a way of looking at things that taught me so many wonderful lessons about life.”
Even though she inspired so many women racers to chase their dreams on the motocross track, Fish said that as a young woman racer she never viewed that as her purpose.
“I don’t really consider myself a pioneer,” she says. “I was just riding motorcycles. I never had an agenda. Yes, there was a lot of press, but for me it was never about proving a point. I just loved riding. Ever since my father put me on the tank of his motorcycle when I was 3 years old, I’ve had to be on a motorcycle, and it was that love of riding that drove me.”
Fish was born Nov. 9, 1958. Her father, who competed in dirt track and hare scrambles, taught her how to ride when she was 11. By 14, she started racing, winning her first race that year. At age 19, she advanced to the AMA Pro Racing national circuit. Her final professional race was the 1985 Women’s National Championship in Palmdale, Calif., where she ultimately finished third after running out of fuel in the final moto. Since her retirement from racing, Fish has focused on personal fitness training and mountain bike racing, where she raced for the Factory Yeti team and was a consistent top finisher in National Off-Road Bicycle Association competition.
Tuner To Champions: Derek ‘Nobby’ Clark
Some mechanics
have wrenched on one worldchampionship winning team. A few have tuned for a few world title winners. Perhaps only one has played a fundamental role in capturing 17 world roadracing titles across multiple displacements over three decades.
That man is Derek “Nobby” Clark.
The list of greats who Clark has worked with reads like a Who’s Who of champions. It includes Hall of Famers Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Kel Carruthers and Kenny Roberts. In addition to 17 FIM Grand Prix world titles, earned in classes ranging from 50cc to 500cc, Clark contributed to winning three Daytona 200s, one Daytona 100, four Imola 200s and eight Italian championships.
“This was a great surprise,” Clark says of his coming induction. “It’s a great honor to be inducted. With many of the guys I worked for already in the Hall of Fame, all I can say is I know I’m in good company.”
Clark not only excelled at the highest level, tuning for some of history’s greatest racers, but also worked with racing’s most memorable personalities.
“Of course they all loved to race,” he says. “Mike, especially, loved to race and more than Kenny and more than Ago, the money didn’t come into it with Mike. He just loved to race. If he could have raced seven days a week, he would have done that.
“Kenny: I respect him for coming in from America and winning,” Clark continues. “It was different in every way, a different league, a different culture. But Kenny adapted and progressed and he represented the vanguard of American riders coming to Europe.”
Clark was born Sept. 29, 1936, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). He studied engineering at Bulawayo Technical High School and did his apprenticeship for Rhodesia Railways. As a vibrant motorcycling counterculture developed in Zimbabwe, Clark’s high-school friend, Gary Hocking, built a reputation first on the streets of Bulawayo then on local racetracks. Hocking’s exploits ultimately took him to Europe, and he encouraged Clark to follow.
In 1960, Hocking got a ride with MV Agusta and hired Clark as his tuner. That year, Hocking was runner-up in 125, 250 and 350cc FIM World Championships. In 1961, he won the 350 and 500cc titles.
Clark went to work for the factory Honda team and Jim Redman following Hocking’s death in a Formula One car crash in 1962. He stayed with Honda, where he worked with Hailwood, and then joined a Yamaha satellite team in 1971. In 1972, he joined the Yamaha factory team.
Photos
Nobby Clark: Allan E. Levine Photography; Jimmy Ellis:
Llloyd-S mith Photography
In the early 1970s, AMA Supercross was born, and one of the first champions of what is now one of the world’s largest, most successful motorsports was Jimmy Ellis, the 1975 AMA Supercross 250cc National Champion.
Although the sport was young and featured only four rounds in 1975, the finale at the Los Angeles Coliseum was televised nationally. Ellis won the event, capping his sweep of the series, and helped ignite a mainstream passion for AMA Supercross that continues to thrive today.
Born Oct. 19, 1955, in Middletown, Conn., Ellis started racing in New England in the 1960s and quickly established himself as a regional powerhouse. His performance attracted the attention of Montreal-based Can-Am, and the growing factory team hired Ellis to race the national circuit. In 1974, riding the works 250 Can-Am, Ellis finished third for the 250cc national title, with two overall wins.
Ellis was going strong, and his most lasting contribution to the sport came the following year. In 1975, Ellis won the AMA Supercross 250cc championship by sweeping the four-round series, punctuated by a dominant victory in the high-profile finale at the L.A. Coliseum.
“The L.A. race was certainly one of the biggest races of my life,” Ellis remembers. “I think winning that race had a lot to do with how I felt at the time, and what I was feeling was that it didn’t matter who I was riding against. I knew I could win and was quite confident. And my bike was very quick. That track was a very fast layout, and it suited the bike well.”
Ellis says that those early years of AMA Supercross did not resemble the extravagant show that it has become today.
“I never realized Supercross was going to be as big as it is,” he says. “All those years ago, I took it as just simply another race that I wanted to win. It’s certainly become a much bigger business today, and more professional than what it was then. Today, it has grown sixfold into a multimillion dollar business. When we did it, we were there for the companies, sure, but mostly it was just for ourselves and racing motorcycles.”
Ellis continued to give Can-Am top finishes through the 1977 season, after which Honda hired him for its U.S. factory effort. Ellis was a contender on the national circuit for a few more years, finishing second in 1978 to future Hall of Famer Bob Hannah for the 250cc national championship.
Following a knee injury, Ellis transitioned into retirement during the 1981-82 seasons and moved back to New England to work for his father’s company. Soon, though, he got a call from a promoter in Australia offering him a ride.
“I thought it was a prank call,” remembers Ellis, who today supervises a large machine shop for an Australian manufacturing company. “I got the call in the middle of the night. I told him, ‘Sure, send me a plane ticket.’ Well, a few weeks later, a ticket showed up in the mail. I went, raced, won, got married, got a job and stayed.”
Ellis says that it is an honor to be recognized by the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
“Motorcycle racing was something that was extremely exciting for me,” he said. “It gave me a good career, a good lifestyle, and it let me see the world. It’s just fantastic to be honored with this, and I’m very, very excited and looking forward to coming and seeing some old faces. It does seem like yesterday that I was riding with some of the fastest riders in the world.
The induction ceremony is going to be overwhelming, and I’m looking forward to it. I can’t thank everyone involved enough.”
Pioneering Supercross Star: Jimmy Ellis
World-Class Motorcycle Restorer: Brian Slark
Brian Slark is
one of motorcycling’s true Renaissance men. Not only did he help establish the sport of motocross in America, but he has created works of motorcycling art that have found a home in the country’s leading motorcycle museums.
Born in London, England, on Feb. 2, 1938, Slark was a moving force in the creation of a vibrant motocross-racing community in the United States during the 1960s. He helped organize motocross tracks, and promoted the sport by teaching famous people—including then-teen heartthrob Bobby Darin—to ride motorcycles. He also imported and built Rickman Metisse and Cheney motocrossers.
Slark later assisted the late Dave Mungenast—who is also a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame— in the creation of a motorcycle museum in St. Louis. He then helped create the world-class Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Leeds, Ala. Slark also played a key role in setting up the bikes for the immensely popular “The Art of the Motorcycle” exhibit at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City in 1998.
“As my wife said, for once I was absolutely speechless,” Slark says about learning of his Hall of Fame induction.
“[Working with motorcycles is] something I’ve been doing nearly 60-plus years and I love it. I never ranked myself in the league of other people in the industry.”
Slark says he is humbled that he is being inducted into the Hall of Fame where his longtime friend Mungenast is also honored.
“Dave was an incredibly multi-talented person,” Slark says. “He did so much for kids and everybody. He was a mentor. He was a wonderful guy and a good friend. To be in the same league as Dave is an incredible compliment. I can’t express how I feel.”
Slark’s motorcycling career spans more than 60 years. It began in 1957 when he started work at Associated Motorcycles (AJS and Matchless) in London, England, testing and evaluating bikes.
In 1964 he spent a year in California riding desert events and helping organize motocross tracks. His experience prompted him to move to California the following year.
In 1969, Slark managed the service and competition departments for Norton and AJS at the west coast factory facility. Later, he became marketing communications manager for Norton-Villiers and advised designers on models for the North American market. He also did the teardown and assembly of bikes from 1971 to 1984 for Clymer manuals.
Slark decided to strike out on his own in 1976, and he opened a British bike shop in Southern California. Two years later he became the volunteer technical editor for the International Norton Owners Association—a role he still holds today.
In 1986, Slark sold his bike shop and moved to St. Louis. Ten years later, he joined the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum as technical director. He remains in that post today.
Photos
Brian Slark: Marc Bondarenko/www.bondarenkophoto.com
; Al Wilcox:
Mary Grothe, courtesy of Roger
Lyle
Racing Icon: Al Wilcox
‘Airborne’ Al Wilcox was a fixture at motorcycle races for more than five decades. As one of the sport’s most legendary starters, he was an enduring ambassador for motorcycling throughout the second half of the twentieth century.
Born in Trenton, N.J., in 1919, Wilcox began riding motorcycles in 1936 and, following military service during World War II, began racing in 1947. His race career spanned 19 years—from 1947 to 1966—and he held national No. 49. In addition to being a successful speedway racer for four years, Wilcox also finished well in TT, dirt-track and hare scrambles races over the course of his long career.
Wilcox began flagging races in 1959, increasing his duties after ending his racing career in 1966. He went on to flag the famed Daytona 200 motorcycle race for many years with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame flagger Duke Pennell, and also performed flagging duties for WERA roadraces for decades.
Wilcox became known as “Airborne Al” because of his unique flagging style, which involved jumping up in the air at the end of a race during his 50-plus years of flagging.
Wilcox also was a race promoter from 1965 through 1974. He died Feb. 3, 2011, at age 92.
“I think it’s great! I really do,” says Wilcox’s daughter Joyce Markulec. “I just wish my dad was alive to see it. He would be on cloud 49. It was his true love, besides my mother. He had 70 years of involvement with motorcycles, riding, racing and flagging. My father was a true legend, not only with the motorcycling community but with his family as well. Rest in peace, dad.”
Former racer Roger Lyle, who operates the Motorcycle Xcitement track days and roadracing school, had a longtime association with Wilcox.
“He lived motorcycle racing right up to his 92 years on this earth,” Lyle says. “Al dedicated 70 years of his life to motorcycle racing! He was my hero, best friend, Motorcycle Xcitement’s official starter emeritus, ‘Motorcycle Racing’s National Treasure,’ AMA national No. 49, `Starter to The Stars,’ race promoter, racer, family man, and so much more.
“I would always leave time at our riders meetings for Al to tell us a story,” he says. “It was my way of history class for our riders to show them what you can achieve from riding and racing motorcycles. Every story was glorious, and we hung onto his every word.
“Being in his 90s he knew what he was talking about,” Lyle says. “He had seen history made and repeat itself.”
A few of the hundreds of AMA-sanctioned events this month, detailed on the following pages.
November 16-17, 2012 Las Vegas, Nev. January 19, 2013 Columbus, Ohio 1 4 2 5 5 3 7
1
Don’t miss one of the most prestigious event-weekends in all of motorcycling—the AMA Legends Weekend—set for Nov. 16-17 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, Nev. The gala features the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Induction Ceremony as well as the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dave Mungenast Memorial Concours d’Elegance bike show. AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends Malcolm Smith and Mert Lawwill will be among those honored. Info: www. motorcyclemuseum.org.
2
Catch the final round of the thrilling AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing, on Nov. 4 in Stanton, Ala. Info: www.perrymountain.com.
3
Go for a great ride and help out a great cause at the same time. The March of Dimes Bikers for Babies charity ride is set for Nov. 12-13 in Titusville, Fla. Info: www.bikersforbabies. org.
4
The competitors who battle in the GEICO AMA EnduroCross National Championship Series wrap up their season on Nov. 17 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Info: www.endurocross. com.
5
6
The Smoke Chasing Grand Tour organized by Team Strange Airheads and the Hodgepodge Grand Tour run by the Midnight Riders Motorcycle Club end Nov. 30. For more info on these and other AMA Grand Tours, see page 51.
If you love dualsport or adventure riding and live in New Jersey or California you won’t want to miss the last events of the year in the AMA Husqvarna National DualSport Series, presented by FMF, and the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series. The Hammer Run hosted by the Tri-County Sportsmen will be held Nov. 3-4 in Port Elizabeth, N.J. The LA-Barstow to Vegas ride is set for Nov. 23-24 in Palmdale, Calif. They are both part of both series, meaning routes will be available for both dualsport bikes and larger adventure models. For more information, see page 51.
7
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Tampa Bay Area Ride for Kids charity ride is set for Nov. 4 in Lithia, Fla. Info: www.pbtfus.org/ rideforkids/events/2012/ tampa-bay-area.html.
COMING UP
The action is fast and furious in January in the 2013 battle for Supercross supremacy. The season gets under way Jan. 5 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., and continues Jan. 12 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Jan. 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and Jan. 26 at the OaklandAlameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.
ALABAMA
COMPETITION
ENDURO
NOV 3-4: MAPLESVILLE: 2-DAY EVENT, PERRY MOUNTAIN M/C CLUB, (334) 872-4286, PERRYMOUNTAIN.COM
MOTOCROSS
NOV 3-4: PELL CITY: 2-DAY EVENT, RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM
CALIFORNIA
RECREATIONAL
ADVENTURE RIDE
NOV 23-24: PALMDALE: 2-DAY EVENT, AMA-DIST 37 DUAL SPORT DIVISION, (626) 446-7386, LABARSTOWVEGAS.COM
DUAL-SPORT RIDE
NOV 11: RIDGECREST: LOST COYOTES, (818) 262-3585, LOSTCOYOTES.ORG
NOV 23-24: PALMDALE: 2-DAY EVENT, AMA-DIST 37 DUAL SPORT DIVISION, (626) 446-7386, LABARSTOWVEGAS.COM
COMPETITION
ENDURO
NOV 11: SHASTA LAKE: REDDING DIRT RIDERS, (530) 953-7272, REDDINGDIRTRIDERS.COM
GRAND PRIX
NOV 3: (Includes ATVs) GORMON: 2 DAY EVENT, PROSPECTORS MC, PROSPECTORSMC.ORG
HARE SCRAMBLES
NOV 3: RANCHO CORDOVA: 2 DAY EVENT, DIRT DIGGERS NORTH M.C. INC, (916) 952-8636, HANGTOWNMX.COM
NOV 4: (Includes ATVs) EL CENTRO: INTERSTATE 8 DEZERT RACERS, I8DEZERTRACERS.COM
DELAWARE
COMPETITION
HARE SCRAMBLES
NOV 17-18: BEAR: 2-DAY EVENT, DELAWARE ENDURO RIDERS, (302) 834-4568, DELAWAREENDURORIDERS.COM
MOTOCROSS
NOVEMBER EVENTS
NOV 4: NEW CASTLE: BLUE DIAMOND MX, (302) 834-5867, BDMXPARK.COM
FLORIDA
RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN
NOV 4: LITHIA: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
NOV 19: GAINESVILLE: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX INC, UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM
NOV 22: GAINESVILLE: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX INC, UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM
GEORGIA
COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
NOV 10-11: LIZELLA: 2-DAY EVENT, RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM
OBSERVED TRIALS
NOV 10-11: RINGGOLD: 2-DAY EVENT, SOUTHEASTERN TRIALS RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (423) 9426084, STRATRIALS.COM
ILLINOIS
RECREATIONAL
DUAL SPORT RIDE
NOV 4: STERLING:
BRUSHPOPPERS M.C., (815) 6224099, BRUSHPOPPERSMC.COM
COMPETITION
HARE SCRAMBLES
NOV 4: OAKLEY: DIRT RIDERS INC, (217) 789-0107, DIRTRIDERS.ORG
NOV 4: BELLEVILLE: BELLEVILLE ENDURO TEAM INC, (618) 2773478, BETDIRT.COM
INDIANA
COMPETITION
ENDURO
NOV 4: NEW PARIS: RIDERS MC, RIDERSMC.COM
HARE SCRAMBLES NOV 4: COLUMBUS: STONEY
LONESOME M/C, (812) 342-4411, STONEYLONESOMEMC.COM
NOV 18: (Includes ATVs) LYNNVILLE: LYNNVILLE AREA DIRT RIDERS INC, (812) 300-5176, LADIRTRIDERS. COM
KENTUCKY COMPETITION
OBSERVED TRIALS
NOV 4: TAYLORSVILLE: TRIALS INC, (502) 515-6514, TRIALSINC.ORG MARYLAND COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
NOV 18: (Includes ATVs) LEONARDTOWN: BUDDS CREEK MOTOCROSS PARK, (301) 4752000, BUDDSCREEK.COM NEVADA
COMPETITION
ENDUROCROSS
NOV 17: LAS VEGAS: SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, (702) 365-7111, ORLEANSCASINO.COM
NEW JERSEY
RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE
NOV 3-4: PORT ELIZABETH: 2-DAY EVENT, TRI-COUNTY SPORTSMEN MC INC, (888) 274-4469, TEAMHAMMER.ORG
DUAL-SPORT RIDE
NOV 3-4: PORT ELIZABETH: 2-DAY EVENT, TRI-COUNTY SPORTSMEN MC INC, (888) 274-4469, TEAMHAMMER.ORG COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
NOV 4: ENGLISHTOWN: RACEWAY PARK, (732) 446-7800
NOV 11: (ATV only) ENGLISHTOWN: RACEWAY PARK, (732) 446-7800 NEW YORK
RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN
NOV 4: MASSAPEQUA: LEATHERNECKS MOTORCYCLE CLUB- NY CHAPTER, (516) 5099512, ORGSITES.COM/NY/LNMCNY
COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
NOV 11: (Includes ATVs) YAPHANK: LONG ISLAND MOTOCROSS INC, (631) 286-9411, ISLANDMOTOCROSS.COM OHIO
COMPETITION
ENDURO
NOV 11: GREENVILLE: TREATY CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (937) 548-7197, TREATYCITYMC. COM
MOTOCROSS
NOV 30: (Includes ATVs) COLUMBUS: AMERICAN MOTORSPORTS LLC, (937) 3582427, AMERICANMX.COM
PENNSYLVANIA
RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN
NOV 4: LEESPORT: CLASSIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON, (610) 9167777, CLASSICHARLEY.COM
COMPETITION
HARE SCRAMBLES
NOV 18: SKIPPACK: BLUE COMET MOTOCYCLE CLUB INC, (610) 4891240, BLUECOMETMC.COM
MOTOCROSS
NOV 4: HANOVER: HAPPY RAMBLERS, (717) 634-2353, HAPPYRAMBLERS.COM
TENNESSEE
COMPETITION
HARE SCRAMBLES
NOV 11: BYBEE: JB SAKI PROMOTIONS, (865) 322-0193, VOLUNTEERRIDERS.COM
TEXAS
COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
NOV 3: WORTHAM: FREESTONE COUNTY RACEWAY LLC, (713) 9623386, FREESTONEMX.COM
NOV 4: WORTHAM: FREESTONE COUNTY RACEWAY LLC, (713) 9623386, FREESTONEMX.COM
NOV 4: AMARILLO: KINGDOM MOTORSPORTS LLC, (806) 6717010, BOWERSMX.COM
NOV 17-18: EDGEWOOD: 2-DAY EVENT, KINGDOM MOTORSPORTS LLC, (214) 939-4321, BUFFALOCREEKMX.COM
VIRGINIA
COMPETITION
GRAND PRIX
NOV 11: SPRING GROVE: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (757) 570-2209, VCHSS. ORG
MOTOCROSS
NOV 3-4: (Includes ATVs) DILLWYN: 2-DAY EVENT, MOTOPROMO, (434) 548-6043
NOV 11: PETERSBURG: VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK LC, (804) 862-3174, VIRGINIAMOTORSPORTS.COM
HALL OF FAME EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME MOTORCYCLEMUSEUM.ORG
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Recognizing those who have made significant contributions to all aspects of motorcycling.
Dirt-Track! All-American Motorcycle Racing: Celebrating the storied history of the men and machines who battle on the dirt oval.
30-Year Ride: Honda’s Ohio-made Motorcycles: Gold Wings aren’t the only bikes that Honda produced at its plant in Marysville, Ohio. This exhibit showcases the 30 years of production, from the CR250 to the Rune.
Founder’s Hall: Honoring the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s generous contributors.
AMA Legends Weekend: Nov. 16-17, Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa, Las Vegas, Nev.; MotorcycleMuseum.org
AMA PRO RACING
AMA PRO FLAT TRACK AMAPRORACING.COM
Oct. 13: Pomona, Calif.: AMA Pro Flat Track Finals, Pomona Half-Mile, LA County Fairplex
AMA PRO HILLCLIMB NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING. COM
Oct. 14: Oregonia, Ohio: Dayton MC; DaytonMC.com
AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
AMA KENDA HARE & HOUND NATIONALHAREANDHOUND.COM
Oct 14: Johnson Valley, Calif.: Justin Shultz, SoCal MC; (949) 9816776, SoCalMC.com
Oct. 28: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Ryan Sanders, 100’s MC; (949) 5849395, 100sMC.org
AMA REKLUSE NATIONAL ENDURO, PRESENTED BY MOOSE RACING NATIONALENDURO.COM
Oct. 14: Matthews, Ind.: Doug Spence, Muddobbers MC; (765) 998-2236, MuddobbersMC.org
Nov. 4: Stanton, Ala.: Glenn Hollingshead, Perry Mountain MC; (334) 872-4286, PerryMountain.com
GEICO AMA ENDUROCROSS ENDUROCROSS.COM
Oct. 20: Everett, Wash.: Comcast Arena
Oct. 27: Boise, Idaho: Idaho Center Nov 17: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena
AMA ATV HARE SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM
Oct. 13: Culver, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084, TheMAXC.com
Oct. 27: Gosport, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084, TheMAXC.com
AMA PRO-AM MOTOCROSS AMARACING.COM
Oct. 13-14: Roberta, Ga.: Hillbilly Hills MX, RPM Sports; (205) 6998857, RPMSportsOnline.com.com
Oct. 14: Birdsboro, Pa.: Pagoda Motorcycle Club; (610) 582-3717, PagodaMotorcycleClub.com
Oct. 27-28: Leonardtown, Md.: Budds Creek Motocross Park; (301) 481-6148, BuddsCreek.com
Oct. 28: Prentiss, Wis.: Golden Pine Raceway; (601) 506-8669, GoldenPineRaceway.com
Nov. 3-4: Pell City, Ala.: Mill Creek; (205) 699-8857, RPMSportsonline. com
Nov. 4: Wortham, Texas: Freestone County Raceway; (713) 962-3386, FreestoneMX.com
Nov. 10-11: Wortham, Texas: Freestone County Raceway; (713) 962-3386, FreestoneMX.com
Nov. 10-11: Lizella, Ga.: Echeconnee MX Park; (205) 6998857, FreestoneMX.com
Nov. 19-21: Gainesville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park; (813) 4707498, UnlimitedSportsMX.com
Nov. 22-24: Gainesville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park; (813) 4707498, UnlimitedSportsMX.com
AMA FEATURED SERIES
AMA MID AMERICA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES THEMAXC.COM
Oct. 13-14: Culver, Ind.
Oct. 27-28: Casey, Ind.
AMA MID-SOUTH CROSS COUNTRY WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES THEMAXC.COM
Oct. 27-28: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Barren Hollow
Nov. 18: Lynnville, Ind.: The big Stripper
Dec. 2: TBA
Dec. 15-16: Vanleer, Tenn.: Hazzard Hill
Jan. 6: Maplesville, Ala.: Southeast Cross Country Shootout
Jan. 27: Greensburg, Ky.: Russell Creek
Feb. 17: Bucksnort, Tenn.: Foxhollow
March 3: Gardendale, Ala.: Cornerstone Ranch
March 23-24: McEwen, Tenn.: Tumbling Creek
AMA WESTERN CHECKPOINT ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RIDECHEC.COM
Oct. 20-21: Red Mountain, Calif.: Ghost Rider Enduro, Training Wheels MC
Oct. 28: Elkins Flats, Calif.: 49er Enduro, Polka Dots MC
AMA DUAL-SPORT/ADVENTURE SERIES
Nov. 3-4: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (856) 785-2754, TeamHammer.org
Nov. 23-24: Palmdale, Calif.: LABarstow to Vegas, AMA D37 Dual Sport, Paul Flanders; (626) 4467386, District37AMA.org
AMA PREMIER TOURING SERIES
AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
AMA NATIONAL GYPSY TOUR
Oct. 12-14: Redding, Calif.: Big Bike Weekend, BigBikeWeekend.com
AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS
AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Polar Bear Grand Tour, AMA District 2 of New Jersey, (609) 894-2941, PolarBearGrandTour.com
March 1-Nov. 30: Smoke Chasing Grand Tour, Team Strange Airheads, SmokeChasing.com
AMA HUSQVARNA NATIONAL DUAL-SPORT SERIES, PRESENTED BY FMF
AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Oct. 27-28: Chatsworth, N.J.: Meteor Ride in the Pines, Meteor MC, Jeff Fitzpatrick; (609) 654-5015, MeteorMC.com
Oct. 27-28: Payson, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon Dual Sport, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (602) 6929382, dohood@us.ibm.com
Nov. 3-4: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (888) 274-4469, TeamHammer.org
Nov. 23-24: Palmdale, Calif.: LABarstow to Vegas, AMA D37 Dual Sport, Paul Flanders; (626) 4467386, District37AMA.org
AMA YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ NATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDING SERIES
AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Oct. 27-28: Payson, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon Dual Sport, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (602) 6929382, ArizonaTrailRiders.org
April 1-Oct. 31: Tour of Honor Grand Tour, Tour of Honor, TourofHonor.com
April 1-Nov. 30: Hodgepodge Grand Tour, Midnight Riders Motorcycle Club, (765) 566-3807, Midnight-Riders-MC.com
AMA NATIONAL EXTREME GRAND TOURS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Jan. 1-Dec. 31: USA Four Corners Grand Tour, Southern California Motorcycle Association (SCMA), (949) 246-4941, USA4Corners.org
Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Best US 15 Roads Challenge Grand Tour, Southern California Motorcycle Association (SCMA), SC-MA.com
AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Nov. 12-13: Titusville, Fla.: March of Dimes Bikers for Babies, BikersforBabies.org
AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS - RIDE FOR KIDS
PBTFUS.ORG/RIDEFORKIDS/ EVENTS/2012/
Oct. 21: Cardiff, Calif.: MiraCosta College, road ride
Oct. 21: Mesa, Ariz.: Desert Ridge High School, road ride
Nov. 4: Lithia, Fla.: Heinrich Training Center, road ride
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