Bad Brad Lackey’s Vintage-AM International Motocross Competition brought together a group of Motocross Legends to thrill even the most stoic vintage fan. And they were not there just to sign autographs and pose for pictures. These guys can ride. Those competitive juices don’t die easy.

Lackey recruited four European veterans of the old Inter-AM/Trans-AM days to compete against an American team with similar credentials. Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee Lars Larsson of Sweden, Zdenek Velky from Czechoslovakia, Germany’s Herbert Schmitz, and 1979 World Champion Graham Noyce of Great Britain came to the US for two rounds of racing against the United States Inter-AM and Trans-AM veterans Gary Jones, Chuck Sun, Danny LaPorte and Bill Silverthorn.

The group gathered at Diamond Don Rainey’s AHRMA Riverport National in Jefferson, Texas on April 4^th and 5^th for the second round of the international competition. During the AHRMA Nationals the Legends gathered in a single pit area and graciously signed autographs, posed for pictures and spent hours bench racing with fans.

Ed. Note:  Roll cursor over image to read caption

Their vintage bikes were a collector’s dream. Gary Jones was competing on a Honda RC450; Zdenek Velky would ride nothing but a CZ, of course. Herbert Schmitz was on a monster 490 Maico. It was offered for sale after the race. Graham Noyce, 500cc World Champion in 1979, stepped down to a 250 Honda for this race. Danny LaPorte chose a 250 Suzuki. Bill Silverthorn was on an RM400 Suzuki; Chuck Sun had a sweet-looking 250 Maico that he was considering buying from its owner. Lars Larsson was on a classic yellow and black Yamaha.

Gary Jones had the hole shot and led for several laps before Chuck Sun moved to the lead. Gary had raced an earlier AHRMA race and forgot to refuel.  Herbert Schmitz started dead last but moved up to second at the midway point leading Danny LaPorte in third place. The three pulled away with LaPorte getting past Schmitz near the end. That led to some trash talk with Schmitz claiming that LaPorte would never have passed him if he had known he was there.

Gary Jones ran out of gas for eighth place but with Bill Silverthorn finishing in fourth, Team USA dominated the first moto. Graham Noyce was fifth, Zdenek Velky sixth, and Lars Larsson seventh.

Herbert Schmitz strongly declared that he would win the next moto of the two-day event. He did. The 62  year-old German grabbed the holeshot and only once had anyone even get close.  Chuck Sun got alongside Schmitz in a sweeping left-hander but was unable to complete the pass. Schmitz opened a huge lead; riding so smooth and gracefully that it could have been put to music. He and that Maico were a beautiful thing to watch.

But, according to the US Team, there were extenuating circumstances. The wise old German had tried to sabotage the Americans.

Chuck Sun had this explanation for not completing the pass: “As you know the U.S. had a good lead going into the final moto of the 4 moto series that began at Sand Hill CA.  That did not take away my desire to win however!  Herbie was very determined and kept pouring wine for everyone the night before.  Herbs holeshot the 2nd moto and I was 4th behind Jones and Noycey.  By the end of the lap I was on Herbert wringing out the 250 Maico of Steve Marpes (Ohlins factory rep).  Herbs was riding quite well and the 250 began to make noises, so I backed down to make sure of a finish. (I hate to DNF)  LaPorte got by as well, but was very gracious to wait by the finish line to let me bye.  So I won the individual overall for the Vintage-AM series.  Now Steve has to rebuild the Maico as there is no compression!  Thanks Steve! “

EDITOR’S NOTE: Is that not ironic? I wonder if any of this reminded Danny LaPorte of; “Let Broc Bye.”

Danny LaPorte passed Chuck Sun and closed the gap on Schmitz but ran out of time before coming to the checkered flag.  It looked like Schmitz would take the overall with 3-1 finishes to Sun’s 1-3. But, according to a note from Brad Lackey, “I didn’t see it but I was told that Danny let Chuck by right before the checkered flag so that Chuck would get the over all instead of Schmitz…a brilliant move by the team manager!”

Sun’s 1-2 finishes were good for the overall with Schmitz’ 3-1 taking second. Danny LaPorte was 2-3 for third and the USA claimed the overall based on strong finishes by Bill Silverthorn and Gary Jones. The Team USA victory was sweet revenge for those Inter-AM massacres of the distant past. Through bloodshot eyes, the US Team basked in their glory.

Winning is a way of life for these legends but winning was a little less important to the fans. Just seeing those guys ride again was well worth the price of admission. And, with the Vintage AM being run in conjunction with two days of AHRMA Vintage Nationals in Observed Trials, Cross Country, Vintage and Post-Vintage Motocross it was an action-filled weekend of reminiscing and remembering.

Brad Lackey was unable or not ready to discuss the future of Vintage-AM. It is an expensive undertaking and he needs sponsor support to carry on. You can offer encouraging words or sponsorship support by contacting Brad at his web site … http://www.bradlackey.com/ Let the world know, “We love our legends.”

The Results:

Finish Moto 1    Moto 2    Name

1        1            2                Sun

2        3            1                Schmitz

3        2            3                LaPorte

4        5            5                Noyce

5        4            6                Silverthorn

6        8            4                Gary Jones

7        6            7                Velkey

8        7            8                Larson

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AHRMA is the American Historical Racing Motorcycle Association. My first AHRMA experience was in April 2006, at Diamond Don Rainey’s Riverport National in Jefferson, Texas.  These races are great for photographers and for meeting some of the legends of motocross. There is no restricted pit area. It is a family atmosphere with historic motorcycles and legendary riders readily available for pictures and nostalgic bench racing sessions.  I spent nearly an hour with Jim Pomeroy, helping him sell t-shirts and reminiscing. That’s his Bultaco in the foreground of the picture.

I had credentials for the race, doing a feature for Cycle News on Don Rainey’s replica of the bike that Brad Lackey rode to the World Championship. But the credentials were probably not necessary for the access I had. A ticket gets you just about anywhere you could want to be. And, it is surprising how accessible and friendly these legends are.

The entrance road crosses the track and circles around and through the pit area and camper sites. It is much like spending a weekend camped at any other motocross track. Everyone is friendly and motorcycles are the common interest … motorcycles and racing.  

I found Brad Lackey and his crew working out a jetting problem on the CZ that he would be riding in the Vintage Motocross event. Lackey didn’t recognize me but it had been nearly twenty-five years since our last encounter – his World Championship win.  He didn’t look the same either.  

After getting reacquainted with Lackey, I noticed a giant standing next to a very nice motor home. It was all 7’4” of Rik Smits, former NBA basketball star with the Indiana Pacers. I used my Cycle News connection to chat a bit and get a few pictures. Rik is a collector of vintage motocross bikes and does quite well at the races. The picture to the right is Smits making a 400cc Maico look like a minibike. I wonder how he gets that size 20 boot between the peg and shift lever?

Rik Smits Maico

There is little need for long lenses or expensive equipment at AHRMA events. A point and shoot will do in most cases. Photographing the action, however, is another story. The shutter lag on any digital camera other than a DSLR makes point and shoots impractical (but not impossible) for pictures of the races. My 18~135 Nikon kit lens is the most used of my lenses. I take the 300mm f4 for special effects – soft backgrounds, but it is really bulky and gets very little use. Another option would be the 70~200 f2.8. Again, that is a heavy choice and a bit pricey for non-professional use. I guess the best advice would be, “use what you got.”  

Continuing to circle the road, I found new thrills at each pit area. There were past heroes and motorcycle legends like Jeff Smith, two-time world champion; Tommy Benolkin and his stable of Pentons; and Tammy Rice, a legend of women’s motocross.

It was a profitable weekend of nostalgia and reminiscence. I wrote two race reports (vintage nationals and post-vintage nationals) and a feature article on the Brad Lackey replica, all published by Cycle News. Even without the publication, I treasure the images and memories I brought home from that event.

A Youthful Graham Noyce

I’ll be returning to Jefferson for the Diamond Don Riverport National in April. I don’t have an assignment (yet) but this event offers too much to miss. In addition to the usual AHRMA Nationals in Vintage Motocross, Post-Vintage Motocross, Observed Trials and Cross Country races, former World Champion Brad Lackey is promoting the Vintage-AM. The Vintage-AM is takeoff on the old Inter-AM and Trans-AMA races from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Those were the days when spectators would flock to the races to watch those amazing European motocrossers show America’s best how it was really done.

In the Vintage-AM, Lackey will lead a team of Americans consisting of legends Danny LaPorte, Chuck Sun, and Gary Jones going up against such notable Europeans as Graham Noyce, Zdenek Velky and Lars Larsson. The portrait is Graham Noyce a long, long time ago. They will be riding the vintage iron of the day … CZ, Maico, Bultaco, Husqvarna – maybe a Honda or Suzuki.  

More information is available at:
http://www.diamonddon.com/

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Danny LaPorte may be the epitome of motocross factory riders. He supported the brand that supported him. Of course, he had personal goals and objectives. He probably accomplished most of them. But what made Danny LaPorte stand out was his professional representation of the factory team. He was and still is “a team player.”

I met Danny in 1982 at the Swiss 250 Motocross Grand Prix (World Championship Series) in Payerne Switzerland. He had just replaced 1981 World Champion Neil Hudson as a Team Yamaha factory rider. I was taken with his professional attitude and media-savvy representation of the team. He confided that a part of his agreement with Yamaha was attendance at what he called “charm school.” He was obviously a good student. After hearing my first name once, Danny never forgot. Name recall had been a part of the “charm school” curriculum.

The recent turmoil in the AMA Supercross and Supercross Lites series inspired this article. The immaturity and lack of professionalism amongst some “professional” riders is embarrassing to all concerned – factory, riders, fans and the AMA. It may have happened during my days as a motor sports journalist but, if so, it was a well-kept secret. And, I do not think it is because the Internet makes such information so much more accessible. I can’t imagine Danny LaPorte involved in such childishness. Nor, can I imagine a factory allowing its brand to be so tarnished.

His “company man” attitude did not mean that Danny LaPorte was a “yes man.” He started that season on a bike that he hated. Hated may be a bit strong. Danny had problems with the new liquid cooled Yamaha, especially on muddy tracks. After a few races he forced a switch to the more reliable air-cooled bike. Let someone else be the “test rider.” Danny wanted to win. As far as I know, that was never publicized and Danny never complained publicly.

Another inspiration to write this came from a friend asking about the most exciting race I had covered. Motocross is exciting. I can’t pick a specific race that was the most exciting. I do, however, think one of the most important races I ever witnessed was the Fourth of July meeting between Danny LaPorte and Georges Jobe at the Dutch 250 MX GP in Mill Holland in their intense competition in the 1982 Motocross World Championship Series. For me, it was THE RACE that made Danny LaPorte America’s first 250cc Motocross World Champion.

LaPorte and Jobe came into that race tied for second in the standings. Dutchman Kees van der Ven had a slight lead and was on his home track. Kees van der Ven was not considered a serious threat. He had never been able to stay with Jobe in head-to-head competition. The Suzuki Team was concerned enough about Danny LaPorte, however, to put sand specialist Henk van Mierlo on a factory bike to help put some distance between Jobe and LaPorte.  The image on the right is Jobe who is very comfortable on sand tracks.

Before the race, LaPorte laughed about the idea of a sand specialist. Why would anyone consider sand an obstacle to him, Danny wondered. “Don’t they realize that I learned to ride in the Mojave Desert,” he grinned? He went on to humiliate Jobe that day – Jobe, van der Ven and the Suzuki sand specialist, Henk van Mierlo. LaPorte won both motos, coming from behind in each.  See image on left.  That was THE RACE that broke Jobe’s confidence – and put any doubts out of Danny LaPorte’s mind. He Knew he could win.

Rather than rewrite history, I will quote from a World Championship Series wrap-up that I wrote for the Stars&Stripes on July 21, 1982. The article was written with just three races remaining in the series:

Story and pboto
By WARREN M. PRICE
At the beginning of the 1982 season, the question was: “Who will finish second to Georges Jobe in the 250cc class of World Championship motocross?”
The Belgian rider Jobe, world champion in 1980, appeared seemingly unchallenged after the departure of Britain’s Neil Hudson, last year’s 250cc titleholder, who had moved up to the 500cc class.
Dutchman Kees van der Ven, consistent finisher but rarely a winner on his KTM, was the name most often mentioned as a possible runner-up to Jobe. West Germany’s Roll Dieffenbach had an erratic ‘81 season and was considered too heavy to be consistent on a 250cc Honda. The American Mike Guerra, sixth last season on a Husqvarna, was not figured to place any higher in ‘82.
Another American Danny LaPorte had raised a few eyebrows last fall with his impressive rides in the 250cc Trophee des Nations in Belgium and the 500cc Motocross des Nations in Germany. LaPorte had led the upstart American team to first-time victories in both events, leaving the European teams in mild shock.
But for ’82 LaPorte was considered as too inexperienced to be taken seriously, despite Yamaha factory support he bad inherited from the Briton Hudson.
It would be a good race for second place, the experts said, but not one of these riders was considered a remote threat to Jobe on his Suzuki.
But all that “expert speculation” came before the start of the 1982 season.
LaPorte, instead of battling other riders for second place in the standings, is leading Jobe and all the rest for the 250cc world crown. And he’s doing it on the strength of four straight grand prix victories, the latest one scored Sunday over Jobe in the Russian Grand Prix.
In the Soviet event, LaPorte won the first moto and Jobe finished second. In the second moto, it was vice versa, with Jobe the winner and LaPorte runner-up. But the American rider was fastest on aggregate time from both events, and he walked proudly onto the victory stand as winner of the Russian Grand Prix.
LaPorte, of Torrance, Calif., now leads for the world title with 173 points to Jobe’s 167 so it’s all very close, with only three GPs remaining — the US GP at New Berlin, N.Y. on Aug. 1; the Finnish GP at Hyvinkaa on Aug. 22, and the Swedish round at Vimmerby on Aug. 29.
While LaPorte’s victory in Russia was a dramatic one, his earlier triumph in he Dutch GP came as one of the most important in his career. It was a turning point, so to speak, and it occurred on the all-American date of July 4. When the Dutch race had ended that day, LaPorte had emerged with his third straight grand prix victory after beating Jobe soundly in both motos.

Refused start money at last year’s Motocross des Nations because he was an unknown, LaPorte is now the dominant 250cc rider in European motocross. What a difference a year makes!
But he started the ‘82 season slowly, troubled by a flat tire in the Swiss round, a lapse of concentration in Spain, and an ignition malfunction in Belgium. Although a bit discouraged, the young American’s confidence began to return when he won the second moto of the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix.
He scored well in the Italian GP, which van der Ven won, but Jobe still led the standings by nearly 50 points.
Despite Jobe’s big lead, he was not invincible. After all, Guerra, the other American in 250cc competition, had beaten Jobe twice and had also won the Spanish GP at Barcelona. In addition Dieffenbach had been the over-all winner in the Czech GP and Van Der Ven had beaten Jobe in Italy.
LaPorte’s first European GP victory came in France, where he won the first moto and placed third in the second to take overall honors. His victory was somewhat hollow, however, because Jobe had not raced. The Belgian had chosen, instead, to allow his injured elbow to recuperate.
But LaPorte had found the confidence he needed with his French victory, and he won again in England and moved into a tie with Jobe for second place in the world 250cc standings. Van der Ven, who had split six of the last seven motos with LaPorte, was leading by two slim points.
But until the Dutch round on July 4, European fans remained skeptical. Jobe had been riding hurt in England, they said, and LaPorte was just lucky. Van der Ven would blow LaPorte away in the sands of Holland and Jobe would beat them both when his elbow healed.
Three weeks elapsed between the British GP and the Dutch round, enough time for Jobe to recuperate. He declared himself ready for the stretch run.
Van der Ven, racing at home, is good on sand and a healthy Jobe is good on any track. And Henk van Mierlo, another Dutch sand specialist, had been given a factory Suzuki ride for the Dutch round. LaPorte would have to ride a great race to stay with the GP veterans.
And that he did.
He beat Jobe in the first moto by two seconds, then vanquished the Belgian again in the second moto by and even greater margin – seven seconds.
Heikki Mikkola of Finland, the Yamaha team manager, was ecstatic about LaPorte’s performance. Mikkola, himself a four-time world motocross champion, said, “Today I saw a motocrosser. Danny rode a perfect race … not one mistake. I’ve never seen a better race.”
LaPorte had beaten Jobe twice, and had come from behind each time. He had won his third consecutive GP, taken the lead in the world championship standings, and won the respect of motocross experts and fans alike. He would not have to beg for starting money again.
“It was a great Fourth of July,” said a smiling Danny LaPorte.

Danny LaPorte was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in 2000.  His profile is a great read. See it at:
http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/hofbiopage.asp?id=211

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