Motocross Photography — the hook | Warren Price Photography

After that first successful outing, I was on cloud nine and feeling very confident in my abilities. I was still on active duty in the army and trying to work my new obsession into the schedule. Getting to the races was problematic but knowing what to write was even more so. I soon learned that race reports were too time sensitive to sell. Reports were fine for The Stars & Stripes, my source of credentials, but magazines of the day were printed ninety days after the races. I needed a hook – an attention getter.

This image of Brad Lackey riding in a snowstorm at the Swiss 500 GP was the hook for an article that sold. It is an example of a picture selling the story. Maybe it is an example of “a picture is equal to a thousand words.” If I remember correctly, the report was less than 500 words.

I covered the Austrian 250 GP in Swannenstadt where I met Mike Guerra. Mike was in his first year on the World Championship circuit with full sponsorship from Husqvarna. He had enjoyed only moderate success in AMA Nationals. His best season was a sixth place finish. Selling his story was much more difficult. Editors rejected the story because “Americans are not interested in a sixth place racer riding in Europe.” Winning sells. I needed a hook.

I found my hook in the Russians Guennedy Moiseev and Vladimir Kavinov. The 1974 title was literally stolen from Czechoslavian Jaroslav Falta (CZ) by Russians Moiseev and Kavinov (KTM) and FIM politics. Guennedy Moiseev was awarded the 250cc World Championship in a controversy that continues to this day. The three were still racing in 1981, and still received a lot of interest whenever they were in the same race, especially since all three were riding CZ. I used that controversy as the hook for my Mike Guerra submission. After getting that first submission accepted, follow-ups were expected.

Quotable athletes always make good subjects. Most are hesitant to say much. I don’t know why. Maybe that is part of their factory agreement? Marty Tripes was not hesitant. I loved talking to Marty. He seemed to be a handful for Husqvarna, his 1981 World Championship sponsor. He once told me that he was riding in Europe for $85,000 less than he could make in the US. One of my editors got a big laugh from that quote. I had no idea what it was all about. I guess Marty was prone to stretching the story?

Another time Marty showed up to race with Showa Forks on his Husky. He was not especially complimentary of his sponsor’s machine, saying that the 390 Husqvarna sucked compared to the older 360 models.

When he trashed the rear wheel during the race, his Husqvarna employed mechanic was furious. I am sure he was cursing but mostly in Swedish. I did catch a few words of English, however, as he would look toward Tripes and yell, “86 kilo! He 86 kilo,” indicating that Marty was a bit overweight.

Marty Tripes had such a natural talent for racing that he may have avoided the strenuous conditioning programs followed by Brad Lackey and most other successful racers. No matter, Marty was colorful, fun to be around, and there was no denying … he was one of the best ever to race motocross. Following is a shot of him with Cingoli, Italy in the background. This was taken before he trashed the rear wheel.