Hello Jeremy, Buddy, Jason, and Rockne,

Nice to get back in-touch. I lived in AZ for 23 years and have recently moved to Carlsbad CA. The photos you posted are great, I like Buddy's fro. It sounds like all of you guys are doing well. Jeremy, you have my dream job. I wanted to be a fire fighter but my wife didn't like the 24 hours on 24 hours off.

After looking at your photos I am sorry I didn't keep my old BMX stuff. Your bikes look great. I did buy a Redline 24 inch which I ride around when I go for rides with my daughters.

Have you guys started racing again? I have thought about it but I have no time. I ride mountain bikes when I can.

By the way Buddy, you messed up my motorcycle story a little. I bought a 1200 BMW GS for adventure rides and pushed it too hard for what the bike was made for. It was hella fast but too heavy to ride motox trails. Sold that and bought a Yamaha WR 450 so that I could do more trail riding, motox, etc. The story goes like this. I was breaking it in on the street one day in my t-shirt and shorts and was pushing it too hard, like a dummy, and crashed that bike. I was taking a left hand turn and thought I was 14 again on my BMX bike. I was going way too fast and decided to hit it harder. Back end slid out and I got high sided. I did a 20 foot forward flip in traffic. Lots of thoughts in my mind while I was in the air. Mostly, my wife is going to kick my asssssss. I tried to hide it from the family when I got home but the kids noticed something was wrong and ratted me out.

I will try to find photos and post them.

Mahalo for now - Eric

Whats up Philippart!

Glad to hear you are doing well. The bike spill sounds like it was nasty. I am glad you are ok. It's something we all do when we get on two wheels - think we are still 14 and can still rip. Pretty awesome that we all got in touch again. Now if I can just get Rockne to post and stop lurking. I told him yesterday that you guys found the website.

Are you a realtor? Someone posted that you are doing very well as a realtor when you were in AZ. As for my job the wife is very understanding since she is a firefighter too. Unfortunately with both of us working different shifts it only gives us 10 days a month that we are off together.

Hope you can find some pics and post them. Especially ones of when you were kicking a ss in the mainland. It was good to read about you doing so well in BMXAction. I have a 24" bike on the way too. They just keep pushing the delivery date back. So I have been playing around with the 20".

If you get a chance check out bmxhawaii.com too. There's some pics there too.

I'll have to PM you guys Rockne's email address so we all can get in touch. Since he is so "SHY" to post. Ha Rockne shy.....Yeah, right. He keeps telling me that he is studying the forum because when he does anything he does it well. Funny.

Take care for now Haole Boy glad you dropped by,

jk

Well, I've been in the Bay Area since around '94. I'm in-house attorney for Bank of the West, sister bank to First Hawaiian. Married. Life is good. But I'm not physically active these days. My mountain bike is just taking up room in the garage.

Barry is a tax accountant, married, and has a 14 year old daughter. Bo went from BMX to skateboard pro to chef, to just hanging out. He's married and living on the North Shore. My father sold the HK house and got a condo in Waikiki. He's mostly retired.

I do miss racing. To get some of that adrenaline rush, I joined the BMW Car Club and go out on the race track several weekends a year (Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Laguna Seca in Monterey). But I don't compete. When we were racing BMX, I had The Bike Shop to keep me all suited up and in the best equipment. Now I am my own sponsor and cars are a lot more expensive. So I don't want to pour money into this financial black hole.

Jason, I'm glad you kept it up. I started racing when I was 13. I didn't just step on the track and start winning. It took several years of training hard. And we trained hard. Every day, 6 or even 7 days a week, I would ride from Hawaii Kai after school, pick up Philippart in Waialae Iki, then ride to Kaimuki and pick up Jeremy, Rockne, and Rolland, and we'd go to TBS, hang out and ride around town more. Then we'd all head home. We rode hard and fast. We must have logged 30 plus miles a day. I could make it from HK to Kaimuki in about 30 minutes. Pretty incredible considering these are little 20 inch bikes with high-spin, low gearing. But after several years of hard work, I was suddenly winning. When we were in the 14, 15 year old classes, what age class were you racing in?

Sounds like racing went on well into the early to mid-80s. I hope you guys can get something started up again.

So Jeremy, what is Rock up to (since he won't post)? When I saw you guys last (20 years ago), he was running the family business, Noriko's of Hawaii out in Kaneohe. And Rolland? They still running the business?

And what is your cousin Richard Perreira up to?

I gotta tell you, when I ran into this site the other night, I couldn't sleep. All the memories came back. Jim Tomitagawa videotaped all the races and would play the tapes at his shop or at my house will all the riders over. All that stuff kept running through my head and I just could not fall asleep. I was getting an adrenaline rush thinking about it. I was having to drink coffee all day yesterday from lack of sleep.

Those were good memories. What was nice what that while we all competed against each, we were all part of a community of racer. We knew each other. Teams were friendly to each other. We were all friends. There was never any tension or fights or rifts. Except, of course, that one time Jeremy and Rock got into something and ended up in a fist-fight on the track in the middle of a race. But otherwise, we were all cool, even if Miki Fernandez went down next to you and tried to grab your jersey or tire and take you down with him. We laughed that stuff off (after I crossed the finish line in first). I could ride anywhere, to all the different parts of the Island and ride on some else's turf and track and jumps and be welcome and find I had friends in the neighborhood kids there (this was especially important for white-boy Philippart when we decided to ride to Palolo or Aiea). I had tons of friends all over and I miss that.

You know what would be cool? We have a 20 year reunion in 2009 or 2010? Get all the riders from back then together again at TBS or TGO. Get Faye, Dennis, Jim, Bill Kono (he secretly tried to get me bail on TBS and join his McCully team). I would fly back for that.

And I have tons of pics. I just don't have a scanner so I can't post on this site.

And speaking of this site, how do I find this thread from the home page? I can never find it. I have to Google my name to bring me directly to the start of the thread.

Later dudes,

B.

I just realized that in my last post, I said we should have a 20 year reunion in '09 or '10. My math was wrong. I failed to realize just how old we are. A 2010 reunion would be more like a 30 year reunion. Ugh.

B.

B,

I know what you mean about finding this website and having all the memories come back. It was a good time in all of our lives. We were all close and spent so much time riding and training together. I almost fell out of my chair when I first found the website and all the Hawaii site. By the way just go to Vintagebmx home page and go to Vintage BMX racing forum and scroll down. It's usually on the 1st page or so since we are actively posting.

Thanks for bringing up the fight with Rockne. We can laugh about it now of course. I remember the guys at Eki had a pic too. I should try and track it down. And don't let Rock fool you I won the fight.

As for my cousin Rick. Married. He is doing well has a son who graduates from HS soon. He also has a daughter. He is working at Ko'Olina resort. I need to get him on here too. He lives in Mililani Mauka not too far from my Moms. He also rides dirt Bike like Philippart.

I think a reunion will definately take place. Everyones slowly getting in contact with each other. Rockne stopped by TBS couple of days ago but Faye wasn't there. I am sure Jason can put it all together. Would be awesome. I can get in touch with Alex Adams who used to race for Eki he's with HFD too. I also run into Roger Nitta (Waipahu Bicycles) he's with HPD. I am looking forward to the day when we will all meet again. Tomorrow will be the first time I see Rolland since the old days.

As for Rockne...He's been taking it easy lately. He worked so hard earlier and had such drive in his 20's that he stepped back and decided to enjoy life a little more. He spends alot of his time with his daughter who is almost the same age as my son - 2yrs. It's nioce to see him enjoy the small things in life again.

As for cars....Whoa man. Rockne raced SCCA for quite a while and was a terror on the track. He raced alot of his Porsche's and his NSX. And for me....you mention bottomless pits. I have had a 68 Camaro, 55 Chevy, 65 Falcon, 66 Mustang Fastback, 65 Ranchero, 31 Roadster, 31 Coupe. and 54 F100. All money pits. I only have the 54 F100 now and I am still wasting money on that. I am the king of unfinished projects. Bikes are alot cheaper.....For sure.

Yup, B it was good times riding with you Rockne, Rolland, and Philppart. I remember when I first met Eric at Campbell riding with his Wes BMX jersey and Leathers. The Haole boy! Looking forward to talking to you guys soon. I'll try and take pics of our ride tomorrow. Hopefully we hook up with Jason too. Haven't seen him since about 89ish.

Almost forgot! Lawyer! Awesome, you did well for yourself. I'm the low man on the pole again Just like old times.

Take care B,

jk

JK,

Since you are with HFD, I am sure you know that Isaac Kiilehua is, or was, with the Department. But I learned several years ago that he was stricken with several things. I think lupus or leukemia was one of them. I have not heard of his condition recently. But it was dire.

You have a report on him?

B.

Hey Buddy, yeah I know you guys worked hard to get to the top. But when I started you guys were there already and so I looked up to you guys. Then way later I hit my stride about 84-94. Got on factory Mongoose for a while and traveled alot. I actually raced in the mainland more than at home. The last big thing for me was the 1994 worlds, where I got 5th. But at the time I had no major sponsor and foot most of the travel cost myself. I was thought of as old by then and I was only 28. Now I am 42, I think the same as JK and Rock. I did race against Sano and Philapart in the mid 80"s. When I was 15X Darren cayetano was the man. When turned 16 I thought finaly maybe I can win 15X now. I hope the weather holds out for Sunday, looks pretty ugly today and might make things muddy for tomorow.

Changstar

B,

From what I understand Isaac is doing well. I haven't had the honor of running into him while he was with HFD. I did get to talk to him on the phone once while I was assigned to dispatch. I think JT said he runs into Isaac and Dean Young at the Gym.

jk

I hope the weather holds out for Sunday, looks pretty ugly today and might make things muddy for tomorow.

Changstar
[/quote]

i was just at hk track today and it was dry as a bone. really hot. they need to drag the 100' of hose and water it a little. it would be awesome.

kl

Jeremy,

I was a realtor for 2 years, and became a real estate appraiser for 17 years. I am a Financial Advisor with Smith Barney now.

- Eric

Hey JK, are you bringing the Redline too? I can check it out and see if I can find a way to make it more comfortable for you to ride, I had one about 2000. It was a proline and felt pretty good, but top tube was too long, mine was the 21" TT. Maybe we can get Rock to try a new days bike, I'll bring a few for all of you to try. Are we clipping in? Hah, no way. Anyone else up for tomorow.

Changstar

I'll bring a camera too.

Changstar

Jason,

I'll bring the Redline too. Rockne has his bike apart and is supposed to put it back together before tomorrow. At least if I bring the Redline he can't us the "my bikes not together" excuse.

jk

Where's the HK track?Is it at Koko Head Park,the left hand turn right before Hanauma Bay?---I go out to that side alot but haven't gone to the park in awhile.

Was great to meet up with everyone at the HK track. We ran a bit late since Rock and Roll had their bikes all apart when I stopped at their house. Was especially great to see JT at the track. I haven't seen Changstar since about 89 or so and haven't seen Rolland Tang even longer. Hopefully now Rolland will start posting and stop lurking on the site. Rolland's first time on his Goose in 20 something years.....And he went for it! Took home some strawberries and everything. You the man Rolland!

We are hoping to get Jeff Wandell to come out to the track soon. I am sure it will happen. Here's a group pic of the "old dudes brigade" courtesy of none other thatn JT of Safari Cycles!

Today was alot of fun. I felt very rusty but things were feeling better by the end. JK, Rock and Roll had their vintage bikes out and they were in great shape, just about race ready. JK did the most laps, and probably has an edge on getting back the skills. Rockne still has that competitive thinking, he would charge at it hard, and it must be in the blood because Rolland attacked it too. Jay Menor also was pushing to clear the big set. As for me I took it kinda slow but did my best to get air and hit backside. 5 guys out on short notice, I bet we can get even more next time, phone calls were being made while we were there. The HK trails are just above the old BMX track on the left side corner. For sure it could use some water, some of the landings were powder and the berms too. Totaly fun. Already thinking about how to get some water out there and helping to smooth things out.
Even JT was out there shooting pics, felt like the good ole days.
Thanks guys,
Changstar

Here's more pics from Today thanks to JTof Safari Cycles!


Changstar


Rockne


Rolland


jk

Man, you guys are just ripping it up...you're gonna need your own VBMX division soon. You know...the Hawaii Faction!

Now I just gotta get my wife on a plane. It's been 20 years since I've visited Hawaii...been 4 times to Maui and just once to Oahu. It'll happen...

Great shots guys, Man, you do look Rusty Changstar. LOL!!!!

Jeez Chang, if you shave off that 6th grade mustash, you may be able to get that bike a little higher! Nice dead sailor!

Ho, somebody gotta come out with slippah clips!

Wish Shando and I were there to rip it up with you!

-Leasure

Curious...what is the guy in the white shirt doing, behind Jeremy?

There's a service road back there. If you look at the group pic of all of us you can see Koko Head in the background. It's a popular hiking "trail" on the East Side of Oahu. I say hiking trail loosely because from what I understand it's a stairway that leads straight up to the top. I haven't been up the trail myself but hope to do it soon. There was talk in the news of it possibly being shut down by the City or State at one time. Supposedly the stairs are wooden and lot of the stairs are damaged and need repair. There's also a shooting range down the valley behind that service road. So they were worried about stray bullets also.


jk

Ahh, gotcha...man, I gotta get back there.

glad that you guys are meeting up and having a good time! Makes you feel young again! Great pics! Miss that Hawaiian dirt! Still got big red ants? Wasn't able to me up with P at Vegas due to our schedules, but maybe one day! Hey Buddy next gathering is scheduled sometime next month. Maybe at Golden Gate Park for ride jam kinda thing. If you don't have BMX bike, Mountain bike should be fine or one of us guys can get you on a bike.

While we were all riding and shooting the bull yesterday we talked about other riders who might still ride BMX. Kevin Sano's name came up. Jason mentioned that KS worked at Crazy Shirts in Halawa. One of the guys I work with used to work at Crazy Shirts too and knows Kevin. So we went there today and found Kevin. Whats funny is I think I actually talked to kevin the last time we stopped at Crazy Shirts. I just didn't realize it was him.

Anyway, was great to see him and I told him about the website. Hopefully he will drop by and post. He said he still has his old bikes and also has a GHP Cruiser. Maybe Changstar can convince him to start riding again and join the "old guys brigade". We can even bug him to make us a design for a tShirt since he's a killer artist.

All you lurkers......POST! Jeff Wandell, Rolland and Rockne, Russell........Maybe even Kevin Sano.

K-Den

jk

Alright boys, you guys have carried this Hawaiian thread long enough. I posted some pix way back, but seeing JK's post got me to thinking about digging into the stash of pix. Now keep in mind I lived in Hawaii from Mrach of '89 to April of '93 so all my pix are from this era. So here goes and I hope you enjoy.

First up, me leading a cruiser main at Hickam BMX.


Another shot of me coing out of Hickam's first turn in the lead.


Good shot of Jason Montgomery landing on the back side og the Gonga doubles!


One of my team mates Zack Gavin laying down the style.


Me and the boys hangin' out on the Hickam starting gate. I'm sportin' the Zeronine jersey in the middle.

Zack Gavin again!


Changstar and I in a cruiser moto. Me on closest to camera, changstar on the far inside.


Parade lap at Hickam BMX- Changstar with USA flag, me all the way on the left.


Me Jumping at Kunia jumps. I have more pix from this secret spot. I bet it's still there too!


Next two are me jumping at Hickam BMX.


Zack over the Gonga Double at Hickam BMX. My buddy Tony in the middle.


Me sportin' one of my Hawaii #1 plates I earned four total while I was there.


Changstar and me in the gate. Changstar closet to the camera, me next to him with the snap!

One of my old team mates Zack Gavin


ZED on this one!


One for the Hawaii old schoolers, Moki Fernandez in about '92.


His brother Miki on a 26'er Kos Kruiser in '92.


Zack Gavin again!


Nor-Cal Dan on this one!





Heewwwwwwwwwww...... I think I'm done for the night. I have lots more pix, I just need to scan them in. I hope you enjoyed some of my Hawaii pix.

Past Hawaii #1, Shannon Gillette

Yo Shannon,

Awesome pics! Thanks for putting all that together for us. Wow four #1 plates. That is insane. Wish we got to race together. I had no idea Moki and Miki were still at it all those years. Looking forward to seeing more pics.

Thanks again. you made my day!

jk

Might hit Royal Summit with Russell on Friday about 4ish. Any one wanna join us? Rockne? Changstar?

jk

Just some info on Thumper. When he first came he was already fast, then as he got used to the Hawaiian style track he ruled. For those years we kinda traded for the top spot with Jason Montgomery, but I don't think we ever all peaked at the same time.For me it was just to hard to be fast for 12 months. When Shannon was on his game he was probably the fastest period. Maybe just one time we were all motivated to train hard at the same time, and that was to go after COLOMA. I think we lagged a little bit and let him catch up on skill and speed. Then we started goning after him and boy was it fun to have that many fast guys at a local. Those were great pics, in the team shot cruising on the gate, it looked like "Lumphead' on the far left. He was older and came out to race cruiser while his kids did 20 inch. I think he was Rory's cousin.I think the big doubles were the "Ganjas" not Gongas.Gongas were what we looked at while talking to girls.
Oh yeah Greg was fast too, happy now Greg? Ha ha ha.
Changstar

Ahhh, Coloma. We had some fun putting that guy into retirement didn't we Changstar. LOL!!! Everytime I smell ben-gay muscle rub I think of that guy. Remember he would rub it on his legs just before the mains? LOL!!! I remember his cousins trying to fight a couple times after I beat Jeff. I told them I planned on beating Jeff every week so there was no reason to fight each week because it would just get old. hehehehehehe.........


Don't let Changstar and Jason fool you, they were always a threat to win and I never took them as an after thought. Good style and a great riders without a doubt.

Leasure fast? He was fast enough to run you over and leave that pedal gash in your back. hehehehehe.... Just remember, chicks dig scars and that was a nasty one so you should get plenty chicks. LOL!!


Leasure does have a pretty sweet jumping pic at the office. I'll have to scan it up and post it for him.

Here's a sweet shot of Leasure Hawaiin style!

That's a RAD pix!

Yeah Leasure always could put down some style. Anyone remember that twitch thing he did when getting his pedals set on the gate. Thought he had Turrets.

Changstar

Almost forgot about his Home Depot custom pedals cages that ate my back for lunch. But I gusee this proves that he was always behind me, he he he.

Changstar

That is indeed "Lumphead' . I think his name was John if I remember right. We all just called him "Lumphead' . LOL!!!

Any one got any pics from Castle Park?

jk

Did you see the ones from Castle park that I posted earlier on this thread? Was that the shortest first straight in history? I ran a 39-16 with 175mm cranks.

Changstar

His name was lumpy cause he had a huge lump on his forehead. him and keith tario were the two crazy potagees. add in navin and you got the three crazy amigos.

Give me the details on the ride. Maybe I will join you guys. What exactly is a ride jam? How far do you guys ride? Anything over several miles and I might have a heart attack.


JK - Great pics of you guys out in Hawaii Kai. Don't break a hip or anything. Looks like Rolland is about to, tho....

Just checking out Dale Holmes' site and saw the track layout for the UCI worlds in China.


*Image from DaleHolmes.com

[quote name='MikeCarruth' date='Apr 28 2008, 03:07 PM' post='530289']
Just checking out Dale Holmes' site and saw the track layout for the UCI worlds in China.


*Image from DaleHolmes.com

I think video game tracks are now a reality, hope I get to see races on this track.

Changstar

I got a question for you old guys. Who was the first Hawaiian to do the two pedal start. Any stories of that change over. What about the switch from coaster brake to freewheel? I was just starting to race and about half the guys were already doing 2 pedal start, and had freewheels. So what happend before I got to the party.

Changstar

Hello-

I had a freewheel first in like 76 or 77.. don't know about racing though..

Well, what great stories from everyone, Eric, Buddy, a host of other folks joined the big BMX Vintage party, nice pics too, very RAD..

Too bad I missed BMX OldSchool Joe, who kindly called my cell to leave a message, I've been in classes all week and right now I'm about to engage in Computer Forensics.. I've had an Ethernet Tech and iSCSI - Fibre Channel class too, they run from 8:30am-4:30pm so I'm tied up.. for those computer folks out there, INTEROP is the big one LOL .. too fun!

BMXJOE, thanks man, maybe another time, looks like we both had way too much on the plate this go-round.. but appreciate the thought mate!

Welcome to the site Eric Phil and Buddy, I knew you, maybe not vice versa.. I wasn't exactly a top racer or even close, but hey we all shared the same Hawaiian airspace..


Cheers..

-p


..
..

Changstar,

It all happened at one of the South Pacific Nationals - 79 I think. I am pretty sure Rockne, Rolland, Buddy, Phillipart and Rory switched that day. Hopefully they can chime in on this. Most of the mainland riders were using two pedal starts during practice. Rockne tried it during practice and used it from the first moto. Rockne convinced me to use it by the third moto. So I can't really tell you who exactly was the first one but many of us started that day. Rockne blew his start in the Trophy Dash because he lost his balance ( I have a pic somewhere). Here's a pic (not a good pic sorry) of a Trophy Dash. You can see Moki and another TGO rider still hanging on to the one pedal start.



jk

Have to thank JT for coming out and taking pics! Hopefully I won't get hurt trying to relearn jumping. Rolland is the man! First time out on a BMX since the 80's and he went balls to the wall on the first jump! He has the strawberries to prove it. Nothing like strawberries covered in with red dirt. Just like old times huh Rolland? As for me I am still trying to get my balls to drop.

jk

Jk, you are doing great, I watched all of you guys and everybody impressed me. But Rolland has to get special props. I think all of us had silver dollar eyes the first time he just charged at the jumps. Rolland could learn fast just because he is not holding back, if he survives he will be that nightmare guy I have seen so many times over the years. You know, you get on the gate and see this large fellow next to you and you automaticaly think he is not someone to worry about. Then the gate drops and he snaps hard a pulls you down the first straight. I have heard a story of another large fellow in Utah, who every so often shows up to do a few gates, and most riders laugh or discount him. Then he snaps them all and everyone is in shock. Yeah.......... that guy is Mike Poulson.

Changstar

YES YES YES, I have been notified, that I have officialy been added to the VintageMongoose site. I feel like a little kid with a new bike. I know it is just a name on a list, but to me it is a honor to be on that list, and now I hope a pic will follow. Yeah my mid life crisis so far is really fun. Seeing old friends, getting back on a bike, being recognized for my past. The last piece of the puzzle would be to do an official race, and that is in the works so all is good.

Changstar

Changstar,

Congratulations!

jk