I am looking for pics Van Nuys teen center.
if raced back then and could win there on Wednesdays and fridays nite u would be some one
any nite there you would see the top pros and the fastest kids in the sport at the time.every nite was like a nationals what I remeber
hearing bobby Clinton say riders ready pedals ready goooo......also friday nite championships
wow you would never forget that
thanks, gomez (et) haha........
Full Version: Van Nuys teen center
Don't have any pics....but used to race there all the time, it was a cool track. There is now a city owned skate park located there.
Practice at the YC, Clinton at the gate, Rich Courteau #52, and I believe Eric Rupe #912
[ March 08, 2006, 03:42 PM: Message edited by: reilley1 ]
Yes, definitely good times! We use to go down there for Wednesday night racing, mega fun!
I met Monty Hall there one night, his son raced - haha!
I met Monty Hall there one night, his son raced - haha!
I raced there too , it was sad to watch the dozers plow it all down and leave the little track for the R/C cars alone ( still hear clinton's echo )
What were the first and last year's of the Youth Center Track?
Anybody ever race @ the Encino Velodrome? Anybody got pics?
Sorry for the quality of these pictures. I'll try to scan them later.
Nan Nuys Mud Bowl.
These pictures are from a national race held at Van Nuys YC in '79. I forget which one, but I think it was sponsored by Shimano. It rained so hard on Friday that they couldn't race Saturday morning. Ernie Alexander (red jacket and cowboy hat) tried to scrape the top layer of mud off the track and then let some riders try the track out. The mud caked up on their wheels so bad that they used the puddle in the infield to get the mud off.
Enjoy.
[ March 08, 2006, 09:57 PM: Message edited by: Liam Haselhorst ]
Nan Nuys Mud Bowl.
These pictures are from a national race held at Van Nuys YC in '79. I forget which one, but I think it was sponsored by Shimano. It rained so hard on Friday that they couldn't race Saturday morning. Ernie Alexander (red jacket and cowboy hat) tried to scrape the top layer of mud off the track and then let some riders try the track out. The mud caked up on their wheels so bad that they used the puddle in the infield to get the mud off.
Enjoy.
[ March 08, 2006, 09:57 PM: Message edited by: Liam Haselhorst ]
I made out with Liz Torres at the youth center!
Greg Hill is the luckiest man in the world, BTW.
Anyone remember Corey Eubanks? I raced him and he was pretty fast...my Mom couldn't keep her eye's off his old man though (Bob Eubanks)
I also raced at the Velodrome and did Lemon Tree Mall a couple of times.
Greg Hill is the luckiest man in the world, BTW.
Anyone remember Corey Eubanks? I raced him and he was pretty fast...my Mom couldn't keep her eye's off his old man though (Bob Eubanks)
I also raced at the Velodrome and did Lemon Tree Mall a couple of times.
There was also Elizabeth Montgomery's kid. (Bewitched) Anyone remember her plate when she showed up at Yarnell (?)
Utterback, ya know I'm building a Cory Eubanks replica right?
[ March 09, 2006, 12:02 AM: Message edited by: reilley1 ]
Utterback, ya know I'm building a Cory Eubanks replica right?
[ March 09, 2006, 12:02 AM: Message edited by: reilley1 ]
Do u remember the nite the azusa bmx (nba) guy's came down for the friday nite championships. I tihink it was eric cosin's dad,,,,,,,,,,,,
thank gomez
ps was bobby encinas mom with
ernie alexander at that time
thank gomez
ps was bobby encinas mom with
ernie alexander at that time
Here's a few from 1980
Hill, Medlin, Atherton, Loncarevich
Nachman, Kosmala, Breithaupt, Kramer, Shemp
[ March 09, 2006, 05:10 AM: Message edited by: JohnnyJohnson OMAS DirtSlinger ]
Hill, Medlin, Atherton, Loncarevich
Nachman, Kosmala, Breithaupt, Kramer, Shemp
[ March 09, 2006, 05:10 AM: Message edited by: JohnnyJohnson OMAS DirtSlinger ]
I remember one Wednesday night race at Van Nuys. I'm leading the 16 expert main over the final jump and going into the final S turns to the finish. Rob(?) Smith, way back in fourth or fifth place hits the last jump at an angle, flies over the inside tires, completely skips the first half of the s turn an T-bones me as I'm coming out of the turn. Everyone piles up behind me and Rob runs his bike over the finish line to win the race. I immediately protest the race to Ernie, but he wouldn't overturn the race. I suspect because Rob was a Van Nuys local and I was not.
I remember spinning a super low gear ratio for the first time there that night (A la Anthony Sewell), either 40 or 41/16. Due to the short first straight away and the tall first jump you had to climb, the low gear ratio was definitely the way to go there and I smoked that night, only to be taken out while leading the main by a cheep shot move.
I remember spinning a super low gear ratio for the first time there that night (A la Anthony Sewell), either 40 or 41/16. Due to the short first straight away and the tall first jump you had to climb, the low gear ratio was definitely the way to go there and I smoked that night, only to be taken out while leading the main by a cheep shot move.
JU, your memory is better than mine; it was Bob Eubanks that I met there. I remember he use to stand along the back fence.
Another memory of being there - Late one night I asked Rob Lynch to do tabletops on the last jump, I layed on the jump and tried to get pictures of him flying over me. I'll bet he did ten and not one picture came out very good.
Another memory of being there - Late one night I asked Rob Lynch to do tabletops on the last jump, I layed on the jump and tried to get pictures of him flying over me. I'll bet he did ten and not one picture came out very good.
hay....where all the Van Nuys locals.........
Byron friday you were there all the time .........Kent Smith also Bobby Encinas Mouse Mckoy
gomez
Byron friday you were there all the time .........Kent Smith also Bobby Encinas Mouse Mckoy
gomez
dr bmx
you go back aways. we (ricks bike shop team) did the youth center thing. and jim as you found out earler, it was bob eubanks you saw there. he son corey raced. jeff you go back enough for more than just the lemon tree dungon. the velodrome.
fyi ernieand susan have always been together, not bobby e. mom.
rick ask patti about e. montgomery. she has the low down. they came out to solodad sands.
lets get back to another name that came u. bobby clinton. he dosn't get enough press. he worke his asss off at the different tracks. he was the king of the rubber band starts. even the best of riders never got past bobbys masterfull skills with the rubber band. bby the way that how he got his nickname "rubber band bob"
i can tell ya many a rider lived with the red hot snap from bobbys lethal rubber band. no one left the line early.
the good old days.
you go back aways. we (ricks bike shop team) did the youth center thing. and jim as you found out earler, it was bob eubanks you saw there. he son corey raced. jeff you go back enough for more than just the lemon tree dungon. the velodrome.
fyi ernieand susan have always been together, not bobby e. mom.
rick ask patti about e. montgomery. she has the low down. they came out to solodad sands.
lets get back to another name that came u. bobby clinton. he dosn't get enough press. he worke his asss off at the different tracks. he was the king of the rubber band starts. even the best of riders never got past bobbys masterfull skills with the rubber band. bby the way that how he got his nickname "rubber band bob"
i can tell ya many a rider lived with the red hot snap from bobbys lethal rubber band. no one left the line early.
the good old days.
sorry about the spelling on the last post, guess i should have proof read it. its now 2:30 am maybe thats why
wow, even when Rick types "many a rider" Joe Kid starts playing in my head (although in the movie he says "many a bike"). I never went to Valley Youth center but the first time I saw BMX on TV it was the Mickey Mouse Club and had footage from there, I believe. Any of you guys remember that?
[ March 14, 2006, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: scottTowne ]
[ March 14, 2006, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: scottTowne ]
quote:I was the victim of many a rubber band snap. Those thing HURT!!!!
i can tell ya many a rider lived with the red hot snap from bobbys lethal rubber band
hay!!!!!!!! Is that rick hi ///It's good to see that he is remember bobby C he always made up on the gete fun unlest you jumped then it hurt..........
I had forgoted about that nickname....wow thats kool////////but the rider that came out of there
u knew they were fast the locals. almost all the small kid moved upto factory rides as they got older and some locals would kick the factorys riders assssssss on any day
I mess those days there is so many more who did so much more for the sport bmx(bicycle motocross)
then the movie told about ...like bobby C........
and placeslike the teen center,,,,,,,,,
we need joe kid 2 the untolded heros
thank gomez
I had forgoted about that nickname....wow thats kool////////but the rider that came out of there
u knew they were fast the locals. almost all the small kid moved upto factory rides as they got older and some locals would kick the factorys riders assssssss on any day
I mess those days there is so many more who did so much more for the sport bmx(bicycle motocross)
then the movie told about ...like bobby C........
and placeslike the teen center,,,,,,,,,
we need joe kid 2 the untolded heros
thank gomez
I remembe going to Van Nuys in early 1980 and everyone who rode for Europa Bike Sop was fast.
Sean and Trenon Jarvis, Ronnie and Ginda Bethel, Brenton Selb, ect...
They all wound up becoming the Diamond Back "Blue Team". DB's co-factory team.
I went to Europa and they had so much BMX stuff. RAD!
I remember Mike Geim (CYC Magic Musroom Cyclery) totally waxing me in 12 Expert. Think he ruled my class at the Valley Youth Center.
-
-
-
In 1980, there was a big race at Van Nuys. All the major pros, amateurs, and factories were there.
Does anyone have any idea what that race was called?
Sean and Trenon Jarvis, Ronnie and Ginda Bethel, Brenton Selb, ect...
They all wound up becoming the Diamond Back "Blue Team". DB's co-factory team.
I went to Europa and they had so much BMX stuff. RAD!
I remember Mike Geim (CYC Magic Musroom Cyclery) totally waxing me in 12 Expert. Think he ruled my class at the Valley Youth Center.
-
-
-
In 1980, there was a big race at Van Nuys. All the major pros, amateurs, and factories were there.
Does anyone have any idea what that race was called?
Dr. BMX,
Thanks for mentioning Eric Kocen. That guy was the coolest. About a year ago, he bought a mountain bike from my bud Mike Franze who ownes Fullerton Bikes.
Eric and his dad did quite a bit for the sport.
Eric was a very fast racer too.
I posted two pics of him here on Vintage Talk. One at orona, one at Irvine. Use the "search" to find em/ see em'.
Liam,
Did you mean Bob Smith? Tall black guy who rode for Beaver's? His bikes and uniforms were always waaaay tooo clean and perfect. I remember he got a pic in BMX Plus behind Stu at Corona once. Must have been open class.
Thanks for mentioning Eric Kocen. That guy was the coolest. About a year ago, he bought a mountain bike from my bud Mike Franze who ownes Fullerton Bikes.
Eric and his dad did quite a bit for the sport.
Eric was a very fast racer too.
I posted two pics of him here on Vintage Talk. One at orona, one at Irvine. Use the "search" to find em/ see em'.
Liam,
Did you mean Bob Smith? Tall black guy who rode for Beaver's? His bikes and uniforms were always waaaay tooo clean and perfect. I remember he got a pic in BMX Plus behind Stu at Corona once. Must have been open class.
hi JJ.... no It was a kent smith ....he was a local
there he hung out with some guy who rode for SE
co-factory.. but not eric I think eric was more of a azusa bmx local (NBA) but I do remember bob
post more pic please,,,,,,,magic Musroom wow
thats a blast from the past and europa bike shop
was it on Van Nuys blvd..alot of ride from that shop ended on factory teams,,,,,,,,,,
thank gomez (nickname)
there he hung out with some guy who rode for SE
co-factory.. but not eric I think eric was more of a azusa bmx local (NBA) but I do remember bob
post more pic please,,,,,,,magic Musroom wow
thats a blast from the past and europa bike shop
was it on Van Nuys blvd..alot of ride from that shop ended on factory teams,,,,,,,,,,
thank gomez (nickname)
Kent Smith...hmm. I think I remember him, his Dad was a hotshot studio cat (Jazz musician, sax I think)
wow I thick you right about jeff you didn't you dad take alot of pic back then
thank again gomez (nickname)
thank again gomez (nickname)
hay what never happen to Mark pipen..........
where was he from sfv,,,,,,,,,,,,
gomez
ps. post more pic ////////////
where was he from sfv,,,,,,,,,,,,
gomez
ps. post more pic ////////////
Matt Raymer and I raced at the Van Nuys track as well as the Veledrome in Encino. I have a few pics somewhere and I will get them to Reilley to post as soon as possible.
The valley teen center was the place for sure, my parents used to drive me there 2 and 3 times a week from Orange County.. My mom used to score the races with suzanne and my dad helped Ernie with running the races. Thanks Utterback, I am lucky Liz is an awesome person..We used to race each other ealry on and she kicked my *** on a regular basis, still does..Throw WSA in the race mix and man those were good times..Remember the California Cup where it was orange county against Van Nuys and the finals were at the Van Nuys veledrome I believe..I would trade all the years of my racing in for a trip back to those days..Good times.
Europa Bikes is still open on Van Nuys blvd. Dennis still owns it. Not much BMX stuff for sale anymore......he does have some older trophies still on display though, at least he did the last time I was there.
JJ,
Now I'm really confused. You're right it was Bob Smith, not Rob. However, the guy who took me out wasn't black, so it wasn't Bob. I think Dr. BMX is correct, it was Kent Smith.
I mentioned this in a another thread, any time I hear Led Zeppelin's "In Through The Out Door" it takes me right back to racing at the Van Nuys Rec. Center.
I agree with Greg, "good times!"
Now I'm really confused. You're right it was Bob Smith, not Rob. However, the guy who took me out wasn't black, so it wasn't Bob. I think Dr. BMX is correct, it was Kent Smith.
I mentioned this in a another thread, any time I hear Led Zeppelin's "In Through The Out Door" it takes me right back to racing at the Van Nuys Rec. Center.
I agree with Greg, "good times!"
Dr. BMX,
You're correct about Eric Kocen also. Eric was an Azusa BMX local. Several of us from Azusa/Monrovia (Eric Kosen, Greg Foster, Gary, me and a few others) would race Wednesday nights at VNRC to gain extra points for the So. Cal. points race.
JJ,
That was a great picture you posted of Eric at Corona. Classic Eric Kosen one footer! If Eric had a signature jump, that was it.
Eric's dad was a great starter, very consistant. He was also a great announcer and is credited with giving my brother and I our nicknames, the Horse and the Pinto. When we raced in the open together, it was a stampede leading down the first straightaway.
You're correct about Eric Kocen also. Eric was an Azusa BMX local. Several of us from Azusa/Monrovia (Eric Kosen, Greg Foster, Gary, me and a few others) would race Wednesday nights at VNRC to gain extra points for the So. Cal. points race.
JJ,
That was a great picture you posted of Eric at Corona. Classic Eric Kosen one footer! If Eric had a signature jump, that was it.
Eric's dad was a great starter, very consistant. He was also a great announcer and is credited with giving my brother and I our nicknames, the Horse and the Pinto. When we raced in the open together, it was a stampede leading down the first straightaway.
azusa track and that area. anyone remmber linda dorsey and her son brian ? linda help run the races while brian raced. the rbs team stayed at her house one night. nice family. would like to see them. anybody know where they are ?
I used to race there back in the 80's . I will try to find pixs and scan them.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!
Its good to see and hear about all the good
times that we all had racing bmx .When 5 or 6
of us jam are selfs in a vw truck and drive to places like the teen center the boys club fv
azusa bmx and so many more its hard to
remember. Like having to sleep in gas lines just to race it was the 70's but we loved yes loved it.. to race we may not always had the help or the
best bikes or parts but we's got there any time any where maybe it was just to see all your freinds and u knew you would find new ones every time you raced that u may only see one time but you would remember for ever . today you'll hear a
name or a place and it all comes back like it was
today. so I like to thank all you who loved it
like did then and now..........bmx for never!!!!!!!!!!!
gomez//////////
Its good to see and hear about all the good
times that we all had racing bmx .When 5 or 6
of us jam are selfs in a vw truck and drive to places like the teen center the boys club fv
azusa bmx and so many more its hard to
remember. Like having to sleep in gas lines just to race it was the 70's but we loved yes loved it.. to race we may not always had the help or the
best bikes or parts but we's got there any time any where maybe it was just to see all your freinds and u knew you would find new ones every time you raced that u may only see one time but you would remember for ever . today you'll hear a
name or a place and it all comes back like it was
today. so I like to thank all you who loved it
like did then and now..........bmx for never!!!!!!!!!!!
gomez//////////
jj do you know about mark pipen
gomez
gomez
There was a Robert Smith. He was a tall mixed guy (black dad, white mom) that rode on the Shimano support team for awhile. I raced him a couple of times in the late 70 early 80's. He wasn't real fast but he was a real nice guy.
The first time I ever saw the GJS seat clamp was there at the youth center.
Mike
The first time I ever saw the GJS seat clamp was there at the youth center.
Mike
Gomez,
I just knew Mark Pippin as a Schwinn racer, then later and SE cruiser racer. Think he also was a mechanic for Bever's Bicycles (bike shop).
I posted some 1980 pics on Vintage of Pippin racing cruiser at Rancho against Greg Hill, Ted Guilmette, Dwight Lowell, and my San Diego friends Larry Stepp and Kenny Kail.
Use the search feature near the top of this page and type in Mark Pippin and I'm sure it'll pop up.
I just knew Mark Pippin as a Schwinn racer, then later and SE cruiser racer. Think he also was a mechanic for Bever's Bicycles (bike shop).
I posted some 1980 pics on Vintage of Pippin racing cruiser at Rancho against Greg Hill, Ted Guilmette, Dwight Lowell, and my San Diego friends Larry Stepp and Kenny Kail.
Use the search feature near the top of this page and type in Mark Pippin and I'm sure it'll pop up.
fresh back from buenos aires and i have to say some about the teen center,,,,,,the teen center was the second track I ever raced at,actually it`s the first,I wouldnt call a malibu grand prix a bmx track,, but they did have races there on sundays before they let the gocarts run,,, anyways after turning novice after winning my first race at malibu grand prix i was headed to the big time races... I was scared , the teen center was the real thing. everyone was so into the bmx thing. and i felt very weird in my jeans and motomag bmx bike.. so after 5 first places in novice it was time for me to race expert...it only took me 5 nights to get those 5 first place trophies and i thought wow this is easy. But as I watched the kids in expert class my age i was like wow these guys are fast.... and the guy that was always in front was Tom Christopher... at the time he was THE man at the teen center for my age,,,If i remember right I was 12or maybe 11... so it was my time to race expert and i was so scared .my first race i had to race tom and wow after the first turn i was right on his back tire.It took a while but eventually I started beating him... other than my families track the teen center brings back some of my fondest memories of bmx.I have to thank Tim Ells from bmx plus and his father for getting my dad to start taking us to the teen center.I always wonderd when racing what that other building next to the teen center was... and i found out in high school what it was. it was a dance club and a place to get drunk and dance in my mod outfit haaaaahaaaaaaaaa.I will never forget Toms dad at the gate. he was the best starter ever.I talked to tom a few years ago and he is now a attorney.
ha johnny, i got your email. i tried to send you one but yours is full,,, anyways I am in alaska right now getting ready to commercial fish, im very busy and wish I wasnt,, anyways PLEASE tell todd i said hello and when i get back into the lower 48 we all will have to get together. Take care and be safe racing,,,scott
I've been asking about Mark Pippin for months. Remember his dad used to take tons of pixs at the NBA tracks. The last time I ever raced at Van Neys I had just bought my '64 Ford Van, brought a bunch of friends from the neighbrohood and this chick I was going with got drunk and puked all over the inside of my new green shag carpet. Ahhh, good times (?)
It's cool to have Mr. Lounge a.k.a. Rick Courteau (Webco) and Scott Stout (Robinson) on this thread!
RAD!
RAD!
jj it is so kool that people due remember
but where tgif and more of the locals
do u know of anyone with more pic
thanks to all u guy
gomez
but where tgif and more of the locals
do u know of anyone with more pic
thanks to all u guy
gomez
There was an 1980 NBA national or possibly mini-natinal at Van Nuys.
It was filmed on Sunday and was broadcast the next morning on TV.
Anyone know anthing about it?
Kiyomi Waler is the only one I know who saw it.
I've got more pics coming too.
It was filmed on Sunday and was broadcast the next morning on TV.
Anyone know anthing about it?
Kiyomi Waler is the only one I know who saw it.
I've got more pics coming too.
Below is a pic from 1980(?) It was taken @ Canyon Country.
I'm the dork #297V (my first year in the Nevada district of NBA)
I still have that plate.
There's a couple of notables in that pic. To my left is Jarboe. In front of my seat is another notable plate.
Mike
I'm the dork #297V (my first year in the Nevada district of NBA)
I still have that plate.
There's a couple of notables in that pic. To my left is Jarboe. In front of my seat is another notable plate.
Mike
PintoB, That mud race was probably the Western States national. I was raced it it was a mess.
That crash you mentioned was probably Bobby Smith riding a yellow GJS and you are right he was a local. I am pretty sure I saw that. Bobby was also a Beavers rider
Dr. BMX. Kent Smith (and Derek Bower another Beavers guy) was one cool dude. Had the first GJS I ever saw. He was a Beavers rider. Earned #4 during his last, best year. Tragic thing, saw him in the mid eighties, lost use of one of his arms in some car rollover.
That crash you mentioned was probably Bobby Smith riding a yellow GJS and you are right he was a local. I am pretty sure I saw that. Bobby was also a Beavers rider
Dr. BMX. Kent Smith (and Derek Bower another Beavers guy) was one cool dude. Had the first GJS I ever saw. He was a Beavers rider. Earned #4 during his last, best year. Tragic thing, saw him in the mid eighties, lost use of one of his arms in some car rollover.
Johnny Johnson, those Europa boys, Sean, Trenon and Selb were all in my class at one time or another. All very fast. How did you remeber those names? And yes Bob Smiths bikes were perfecto always.
PintoB, Could have been Bob Smith, He was tall and looked more white than black, super nice guy BTW.
PintoB, Could have been Bob Smith, He was tall and looked more white than black, super nice guy BTW.
Drbmx, The guy (SE co factory) who hung out with Kent Smith was Derek Bower, both Beavers Boys.
Good times at the Teen Center.
Good times at the Teen Center.
Curt,
I simply have a good memory of my BMX past.
Were you a district X racer?
I see you're in Santa Monica.
Are you friends with my bud Jeff Utterback?
What's your last name?
I simply have a good memory of my BMX past.
Were you a district X racer?
I see you're in Santa Monica.
Are you friends with my bud Jeff Utterback?
What's your last name?
Johnny,
Yes I raced district X on and off for 5 years, chased local points. Best number was 96X when there was well over 4000 people in the district.
I grew up a rock throw from Beavers Bikes. Hung out for 5 years until the end. Still have two Beavers Patches, one NOS. (what do you suppose that is worth LOL). And a lot of memories, stories, parts, bikes, etc....
Live in Santa Monica with my family. I have PMd JU a time or two. I think I live very close to JU within a mile +/-. I have not met him in person and he is probably 5 to 6 years older than I (I am 41). I did not race him BITD. He was pro and I was 13/14 expert +/-
I, too, would like to think I have a good memory of my BMX past, I hope. The minister of information (Reilly1) has corrected me from time to time LOL.
Last name Alexander.
Yes I raced district X on and off for 5 years, chased local points. Best number was 96X when there was well over 4000 people in the district.
I grew up a rock throw from Beavers Bikes. Hung out for 5 years until the end. Still have two Beavers Patches, one NOS. (what do you suppose that is worth LOL). And a lot of memories, stories, parts, bikes, etc....
Live in Santa Monica with my family. I have PMd JU a time or two. I think I live very close to JU within a mile +/-. I have not met him in person and he is probably 5 to 6 years older than I (I am 41). I did not race him BITD. He was pro and I was 13/14 expert +/-
I, too, would like to think I have a good memory of my BMX past, I hope. The minister of information (Reilly1) has corrected me from time to time LOL.
Last name Alexander.
Wow, this thread got resurrected; cool!
BTW, that’s me (DG helmet) in the photo on page 1.
Curt, if you’re 41 you’re only three years younger than JU.
I loved racing there, we use to make the trip down from Bakersfield for Wednesday night racing; good times!
BTW, that’s me (DG helmet) in the photo on page 1.
Curt, if you’re 41 you’re only three years younger than JU.
I loved racing there, we use to make the trip down from Bakersfield for Wednesday night racing; good times!
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.