If it was a 15 pass. white van we did. It had just happen a head of us. It looked nasty.

Not sure on the Crotty family.

Holy cow you guys! I will admit I am nearly jealous. I watched the videos, looked at the images, read the reports. Sensational stuff and so easy to witness in near real time.

I say nearly jealous due for fear of them jumps. Jebus that is insane.

THE PRO'S!!! You are kidding me!

When I raced in 97' I was shocked at the distance I had to clear on these jumps. And the size. And I was a jumper back in the day. But I was an up jumper. I gained altitude. Not speed and distance. Not speed, distance AND altitude. At Land O' Lakes in Shakopee you had a step triple into the corner and you were flying when you hit that thing. Scared the stuffing out of my lycra shorts (under my Schwinn pants).

The goofy jumps at The Barn flipped me out as well. From the gate to the big jump you get 6 or 7 total pedal revolutions. And then you have to clear this awkward jump and immediately turn. Then watch for Mike Auman's T-Bone attempt. A couple cranks later another wierd jump.

I looked at the layout of the track in Tulsa and that is just insane. The rythm section alone...

You guys will be in fantastic condition in a couple weeks after recovery. So I wont plan on racing this Winter. Getting smoked is never fun. Ya'll look great. Very proud and considerably impressed.

Sounds like you trip was a blast. What could be better?

To bad about the Redline Pro breaking both wrists. Man, that is messed up.

It took you 9 hours to get down there....how long on the way home? Did you stay for the mains?

I think he just broke his left wrist. I saw him accept his "rookie pro of the year" award and he only had a brace on one and holding his trophy with the other and it appreared fine. Still to bad, but that kids got a bright future ahead. What you saw there is pretty common these days. The guy he replaced on the team (Bubba Harris) was basically dismissed from Redline because of injuries. That kid has been to hell and back, but with 3 consecutive AA pro ABA #1's. I can't imagine he'll be back for a 4th, but you never know. Imagine trying to clear jump and you land and his ankle basically snapped off, your in China and they want to amputate!!!! They iced it and sent him back to Cali. Crazy!!!

I gotta chuckle about Kaylen Young, everyone calling him KY. Probably an old joke, but I thought it was funny.

We left at 12:30pm after DC & CC didn't move on, I got to Austin at about 11:30 and I think Dave got home about 1:30am

I think the last main was done by 6pm (no-chit) and I was thinking of how long of a trip that would be getting out of there by 7pm. If I ever did something like that I would fly, no question. A ticket to OKie can't be much more than 150-200 RT. When Boecker use to race he said he would finish his 24" main and wait for Lyndsey to finish his class for hours Eeeeeek! Time to hit the bar!

Congrats Mikko, I knew you and Shari were pregnant but I didn't know about you having a boy, very cool!

I just caught that myself..... I had no idea, Congrats mate!!!!! keep us posted.

Congrats! It is 2008, so who's with child? You or Shari?

Thanks fellas! We're all excited about the arrival. He'll be here around 2/1. It's been a little rocky, but Sheri is rolling with the punches and keeping everything in check.

I'll have to find another BMX bike for him, Belle said she's keeping hers. That mini Ripper would be sweet...

LOL, thankfully I am not w/ child.

Found this over on dsmith's 82 Grands thread.

I never knew Sandy made the Mains, and had no idea what a loaded class Troy had! and he got 4th!

Here's a shot of the whole gang from Waseca. This from after the race in Albert Lea...1983....

Troy and I were talking about that race last weekend. EK wished Troy the best of luck before hand.

Sandy pants kicked butt too. Letham and Bester were really fast riders back then.... Notice John "Tomacnium" Tomac in there too.

Sandberg beat John Tomac - pretty sweet. (John Tomac is considered one the best American cyclist ever, he's a Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee).

Hence the "tomacnium" part I almost bought a Raleigh Tomacnium MTB back in 92......thank god I pa$$ed, because it was around 5k. I think it had that woven/fiber rear wheel. Bought the Klein "attitude" instead (white/pink/green version. I have some sweet video of on Tomac and some German guy duke'n it out on some mean downhill section. Tomac ruled on decends.

Off the topic, but what happend to him? Didn't he drink some bad water while riding in the woods (via river water) and got some virus.. I forget. Anway, awesome abilities.

Until you posted the link to the finishers of the 82 grands I couldnt remember if I made the main or anything. I guess It says I got 6th in 14x and dint make the cruiser main...but I cant remember any of it as far as what happened in the racing etc. ?? I know you have the same memory issues I do Marky C....?? Troy L did really well-which I didnt remember. John S did well-that too was a lost memory. Oh well.

WOW! You are correct. I missed that.

Willie H got 6th in 6ex.

Jessica Lobben - 2nd

Anyone know who Scott Larson 15 nov was from MN?

Yes my memory is gone. Although spending 5 days with DC, really brought a lot of it back. Not much of the racing end though, just the stuff outside the racing. DC had an interesting story though about the Pro riders meeting before the start of the 82 Grands re: Mr Patterson. One that I hadn't heard

I just ran into another guy who raced Richfield BITD - Joe Christian, he would have been 11 in 1979, raced at Richfield back when it was a pipe start gate. He races road bikes nowadays, and goes to the barn on fridays with his boy.

Sean, I could swear you crashed out in the semi that year in your class over that step-up jump and you taco'd your 3/8" back rim. Obviously I'm wrong.

There's no doubt that 17 over Expert class was the toughest class, pretty much all the time. Its amazing the names in that main. I think it was mentioned by me, that Troy didn't always have the quick gates, but as you can see he comes alive anyway. I remember many times running against Troy (practice, racing, etc) and sometimes I would get him to the first jump and think " he's not that fast" and then suddenly he'd go right by me..... phuggger!!!

Troy, call Mark and have him figure out our vbmx sign on. He's always an egar beaver to help on PC's

What? I'm yer Wench now? I don't have his number.....

Yep, take a look at the names that year for both 16x and 17x and you have almost every guy I raced for 3 years at Nats. Add Medlin, A. Patterson, B. Patterson, and a few others to that too. Those two classes were brutal.

I don't know why I never went to the Grands, probably the Thanksgiving thing.

Do it.... Eager Beaver!!!!!!!!

~~~mixing up yet another Ovaltine for still unknown reasons~~~

Put it down slowly...and back AWAY from the computer...

Probably for the same reasons I didn't go to the Worlds. I turned the day of the Worlds and then I'd get stck with Medlin, Pistol Pete and anyone else I missed.

Mark, light'n Daddy-o... Troy luvs-ya

LOL TC... next thing you know you'll have an urge to run a Potts Mod stem.



put your tuffs in the freezer

QUOTE (Shawn Sheely MN-1 @ Dec 4 2008, 08:10 PM) *
Yep, take a look at the names that year for both 16x and 17x and you have almost every guy I raced for 3 years at Nats. Add Medlin, A. Patterson, B. Patterson, and a few others to that too. Those two classes were brutal.

I don't know why I never went to the Grands, probably the Thanksgiving thing.

Think about that particular group for a moment. Think about how that group changed professional BMX forever. Pushed it through the hard times and so many of them race today with us again.

Is that fair?

Time is a great equalized.

As far as Grands, Shawn. Remember from late Aug to November there was not a single race in Minnesota. How would you prepare? That is 3 months without the effort of competition or even a track to ride on. When I went in 82' I had not raced since August. Barely done a sprint. I did not lift weights at that time either. You were a little older maybe had a plan or a place to ride. 82' was my second year racing and I had never seen a course as hard as Grands.

I do not know what Lembke did in the lead up to Grands in 82'. It would be interesting to learn. Troy was fast but more importantly was how smooth he was throughout the racing that weekend. Troy was never in the front. Troy was second or third in every moto and semi. Troy simply rode smooth. No mistakes and he had the big jump nailed.

I swear, that 17x main was insane. Nearly the entire group was in the air together heading into turn 2. Troy nailed the jump (with a stylish little cross up to boot) and railed the berm and came out next to the Judge. It was anybodies game and close to the line. One of the best races I was able to witness. In fact, all the 17x motos and 1/8 and 1/4 and so on were stacked. Look at the Main event list and think about all those who did NOT make the main that day. Ellis maybe?

For my part I did nothing to prepare yet I was fast enough. I was pulling everyone on the first straight. My skills however were terrible. Not having my own bike did not help at all. We did not have tracks like this in Minnesota. I was doomed early and really spent most of my time working on Troy. Troy was really peaking physically. But he was having doubts. I focused on keeping Troy in the game.

Troy helped me out as well:

Some big dudes from Iowa were messing with me. Something about some race I beat them at over the summer, which I do not remember, calling me out for crashing him or t-boning a friend or something. Since that was not what I did, crash other people, I was really confused and denied everything. This big dude get right up on me when Troy comes around the corner, in a wife beater, to see if there was a problem.

"No problem here" big dude says quickly moving away from me. He was 3 inches taller than me. A chubby white faced mullet from Iowa land. Either way, he was crapping corn cobs right then and there. Good times.

Love the stories Rob. Thanks for sharing.

Any of the usual characters going to the barn tonight for a little practice? I'll be there.

Rob, as far as the Iowa guys in '82 - we schooled those guys hard all summer that year, taking home anything we wanted from all their biggest races - including the State Championships. I'm sure we weren't the very humble about it either, so that may explain the friction.

Shawn-The non Jack race was Lake Elmo. Not Lino Lakes.

One of the dumbest tracks ever built. Slow and lame. Racing on clay.

That is where I first raced Ted Carl as well. He was a fresh World Champion. There was no class for me so I had to race the youngsters (I am 1 year older than Ted Carl-f the record). Ted was young and handsome and faster than heck. Lord knows how fast he would have been if he raced a regular race bike instead of the Schwinn Sting.

About Iowa:

We won so handily in Iowa it is hard to remember if there were other people in the races. I only saw dirt and blue sky ahead of me whenever we raced there. Nice long first straight tracks. We had most of the older age groups covered with Nick and Mike in 14&15, myself at 16, You and Troy 17 over and Nate on cruiser. I think Vangen even went once and did okay in the Pro class (Toby Lawless... the greatest BMX name ever).

I only crashed one person intentionally in all my years. Sorry Tony. So I was a bit bemused and thought perhaps the Iowans were thinking of you Shawn. After all, you were the great passer. And I should know. You taught me how to do it.

One last Troy story. We had to race each other in a combined class (16 and over) at the Minneaplois Armory a couple months after Troy did so well in Oklahoma. It was the first indoor race and the track was EXTREMELY short. I mean Gate, pedal, pedal, Jump, pedal once, corner (with Jump in center of corner).

Troy was flying and seeming un-beatable. We made the mains without having to race against each other all day. It was myself, Shawn, Nate (on a 20" tee hee) Nick (who just turned 16) Tony Ashford (favored based on his start) and a couple others.

Troy and I hole shotted the group ( I had the inside line) and went elbow to elbow into the big jump in turn one. Troy leaning hard elbows sharp, myself no give, immovable object.

We then hook up elbow's and launched off the jump directly into the concessions stand.

So there we are in a pile of spokes and frames and Troy is livid. Saying I crashed him. I say he crashed me, the concessions lady asked if we are okay and Troy say...

"Can I get a coke?"

Shawn wins, Tony second Nate third.

Oh, some of that Rob said may not make sense, I deleted part of my thread - but I think he read it first.

I get my timelines screwed up a bit, so I deleted my comments because I wasn't sure if I had it right - but I didn't race for about 8 months at the end of '81 into '82 - certainly missed the grands that year.

Tony Ashford, I owe him an apology - one time at GM and raceways I gave him a very smooth tire rub coming out of turn 2 that landed him on his head - I put a chainwheel dent in his helmet as I power-wheelied out of the turn... he was apologizing to me as he came-to in the back room ... not cool of me.

200 pages! Take that "Last one to post thread" aka : the dumbest thread ever.

Man, reading your guys stories blows my mind that you can remember that stuff!

But I did remember an entertaining Troy story though....

Right before his mains in Mankato, someone dared Troy to take a BIG dip of Cope and race with it in his mouth....Ummm he did....he came FLYING through finishline (5 bike links a head of everybody) straight on to the port-o-facility.

Ok, I guess you had to be there

LMAO!!! That's funny man! Troy was always hot for about 10 minutes and usually it didn't take long and we found something else to do until the next blow out.

That Armory track was short, BUT it was a place to race. Like you mentioned above about not really racing much from August to Nov....Kind true, but we raced in So MN until it was to cold or everyone just stopped showing up. I was always there just to ride. I hate the cold (still do), but if it meant racing...I'm in! I actually liked having some time off in Oct-Nov. It always felt fresh again once in indoor thing started up. I know I've gab'd about this before, but there was nothing like opening those doors to the Civic Center and riding in there.... I still get the goose'ys.

Troy stories are the best. Everything was extreme about him, I guess that's what made it extra fun.....To Extra

Hey Troy, remember hitting on that chick behind the counter at Burger King (pretty face) and she came out from behind the counter and you said, " god, your phat....wha-what happend to you?" LMAO!!!!! I've got tears rolling right now......

Butter, were you Enis Penis or was it dickslap??? Troy's many nicknakes.


Troy, Marv and myself stayed at the Howard Johnson (dez Moinez) and table of ladies couldn't help notice that Marv and Troy were fighting (geeee, not in public) and Troy blerts outloud, "Marvin stop talking so loud so these eve's dropping old ladies won't here you". They were all offended, I'm totally embarrased, then the waitress is also pissed at us because T and M are getting louder and she comes over...
Waitress: " can I take your order?"
Troy in his erogant voice " Ya, I'll have that or whatever THAT is" as he points to the picture. Waitress: " well THAT is out eggs and ham"
Troy: really? it looks like someone barfed on the plate" then he looks at me, because no he's trying to get me to laff. I'm in tears at this point... Ya had to be there

This thread has really picked up steam lately. .. Dont forget that everyting Troy did was more than likely just a echo of the young Marvin- we can only imagine what Marv was like as a teen. When Marv told us stories it was always worth hearing. how boring it would have been for either Troy or Marv if they didnt have someone like themselves around.

There was just something great about riding in the St. Paul civic center. I remember riding down that slope going to the arena. Talk about goose bumps. The first time I ever seen BMX live was at that place. Seeing that live when I was 12 was all I needed... I still remember Harry Leary wiping out around the first corner.. Bob Haro putting on a show.. That was a great day...

I saw Harry Leary warming up before a race and some guy walks up to him with 100.00 bill and says "I'll give you this if you do a 360 for my son".... he did it and said, "its on me"
I like Leary. Pretty cool rounded guy IMO and love bikes. I ran into him about 10yrs ago at a bike shop in Cali were Insane Wayne Crowsdale was working or giving a clinic.... both guys very cool.

I raced Wayne in 2000, NORBA Nats. downhill.

Wasn't he one of the downhill mtb pioneers? I remember him in the early 90's around the area. Tinker Juarez also lived in the area I did (CA). Actually, there's allot of retired Moto and bmx guys living in that area. Bob Hannah was from Antelope Valley as well.

As for my memory. It is, like your very own memory, somewhat selective. Plus, I did not do any drugs prior to the age of 21. I do not remember the bad times. Family or friends will remind me of something that happened to me when I was younger and I say "Who did what? Oh right, I lived that at that time" and I think this helps me make it through a day. Most of my immediate memories are pink and rosy and nearly always funny.

Mind you, Troy was a hand full and I had him in my care for far to long. Frankly I don't even know if we like each other. I may have done something that I forgot about. Or he did.

Troy had this Mustang see, well it was almost a Mustang, little four banger with the emblems that would indicate it was a little 4cyl. were all removed. Troy tried to drive it like it was a V8 but that does not work, not only could my mothers 73' Dodge Dart beat the Stang', Loads papa's Volvo wagon could take it in the corners. Anyway, he near killed the lot of us several times.

Nor do I remember some of the bad things that I have done. When reminded of an incident of wrong doing I say "What, that was me?". I simply don't remember doing that at that time.

I would never...

I do remember details of bike race finishes and certain lead guitar solos from Judas Priest, Metallica and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Radio Head and Dire Straights. Oh right and Faith No More. Ween. Funny stuff manganese.

Butter, Troy graduated from the Capri/Stang long ago. I know from my residents in Owatonna for 3 years he owned two 5.0's, 4.9L Cobra, 95 SS Camaro, 3000GT, Ford Ranger, Escort GT to name a few. He had some nice cars. I think he has a 90's V8 stang now.

Butter, don't read into the past so much.

Great, at least I know Brad is still a dork.

I am reading nothing into or of or next to or near anything. Just musing.

I still don't believe you ever beat me B_APOLD. I require a photo for verification. See above crap I wrote for further explanation of memory. I may have blocked it out.

NOT.

THANK GWAD! Someone else FINALLY realized this!

Mark - have you set a date for the Condo yet?

Working on it ShaWheely!

Hopefully should have it confirmed next week

10-4

MN rider on Grands TV coverage (and an ugly crash on the pro section) http://tinyurl.com/6g27qu

Oh man.. That crash was sweet..... That is definitely a do or die section there. Wow, I'm still laughing at that... It would take alot to get the confidence up to jump that again..

Harry Leary,, I got to talk to him at Rockford a few years ago.. He was just sitting in a lawn chair all by himself. I just went over and chatted.. Great guy for sure.. I was telling him things I remembered about the Rondo and whatever else, and he was cool..Sometimes it's hard to believe that people like that are real.. SOmeone you just see in magazines, and has did it all..

Butter, Not sure what to tell you, but I did. It was close though. I'm not sure why it so hard to believe, you're human and certainly NOT un-beatable.

Well we can just settle it at Rehbien's if you'd like

B_APOLD

Just messing with you old timer. No need to settle anything. You beat me fair and square and destroyed my reputation in the process. I hope you are happy now.

Moving on.

Hero's of America unite. Save the spotted city Squirrel.