Motocross has proven to be my most popular blogging subject. I and my website designer were quite surprised at the number of hits my first article on motocross photography received. Some of the hits, I think, were truly motocross fans. Many more, however, were photographers looking for pointers on getting published. Motocross was my ticket to getting published. I can’t tell you how to get published but will spin a few yarns about the exciting times I have enjoyed following the sport and putting together a portfolio of motocross legends. Maybe you will find what you need in one of this series of articles. Even if you don’t find the key to publication, you will certainly enjoy the images of the best riders ever to straddle a motorcycle.

 

Learn to write! Even as an award-winning photographer I never sold a picture until I wrote an article to accompany my photographs. Before writing an article, I had to sell the idea to get unrestricted access to my motocross heroes. A good query letter gets your foot in the door.

 

My introduction to “motojournalism” goes all the way back to 1980. I attended a World Championship Motocross race in Gaildorf West Germany, where American Brad Lackey was chasing his dream of becoming the first American to win a motocross world championship. It was a terrible day – dark, raining and muddy, but I got close enough to take a few decent pictures. I used those images to query an editor (Art Friedman at Motorcyclist Magazine) about providing coverage of Lackey’s pursuit of the championship.  Imagine my delight when he responded with positive interest.

 

The unrestricted access, however, came from a query letter to the motor sports editor at The Stars & Stripes, the newspaper for American military members and their families. The editor, Randy Barnett, provided a stack of Stars & Stripes letterhead, a press pass, and contacts for securing credentials to all FIM World Championship Motorcycle racing. That was my biggest break. Randy coached me on “newspaper” writing (reporting.)  Over the next few years we attended several races together and became good friends.

 

I tried to convince myself that my pictures were that good. They weren’t. They were okay considering the weather conditions, but the truth is that I was in the right place at the right time. Lucky! The point is – look for your opportunity, recognize it and pounce!

 

My first race as an official member of the press was in Austria. I went to the opening round of the FIM 500cc Motocross World Championship in Sittendorf, Austria with no idea of what I was supposed to do. I knew that Lackey was in his first year with Suzuki. Even though he had managed a second place finish on Kawasaki, they decided against fielding a team for the 1981 season.

 

I was very nervous but went looking for Brad Lackey to talk about his situation and pursuit of an “Elusive Dream.” That was the title of my first published article. Motorcyclist bought it. My first submission got published.

 

As I walked aimlessly through the area, I saw a guy wearing gray sweats and a cowboy hat. I decided to see if he spoke English and could direct me to Brad Lackey. It was Brad Lackey. He was glad to see an American reporter, even one who seemed so uncertain of what should happen next. He knew I was nervous. I confessed that it was my first time.  Lackey practically pulled me through the interview.

 

While taping the interview with Lackey, he told me about Mike Guerra, an American from Connecticut, who was racing a Husky in the 250cc class. I also learned that Marty Tripes was just a few vans away. He had a Husqvarna ride. I got a few pictures and some good quotes from Marty Tripes that I managed to sell to Cycle Magazine and Cycle Guide. Do you remember them?  

 

I had my start. Randy, at The Stars & Stripes, knew that I was freelancing for American magazines. I sent the original story to Ken Vreeke (Art Friedman had passed me off to an Associate Editor) at Motorcyclist Magazine and a carbon to The Stars & Stripes. Note that this was in the day of typewriters and no Internet.

 

It was also before digital cameras. We set our own exposures and autofocus was a dream.  I had access to a military photography lab, develping the black and white Tri-X film and making my own 8X10 prints. I would select a few images for each of several magazines – Cycle World, Cycle, Cycle Guide are the ones I remember. Each print needed detailed captions with a cover letter for each package. I did not have assignments. I was sending this stuff at my own expense … strictly on speculation. I made pretty good money, however, and the speculation soon led to paid assignments.

 

Motorcyclist Magazine got priority treatment from that first race, based on our initial communication. I packaged several pictures and an article based on the interview. They published my “Elusive Dream” article with several pictures. I included the Austrian 500cc race report that was also published. Lackey did not have a good day. Andre Malherbe, the 1980 World Champion, started the season as he had finished the previous season – winning.

 

I was very glad to have completed my interview before the race. Lackey was not in a good mood after the race. I took note of that. I always try to talk with racers while they are most approachable – before they have a chance to lose. 

 

That’s enough for one article. I will include more on the 250 competitors in my next blog.