Full Version: Illinois 80's racing, stories,people, and pics
why should minnesota be the only ones, illinois represents too
Itasca, Illinois back in 79-80. My brother and I raced every weekend while my Dad got heat stroke waiting for us to finish. My brother had a Schwinn Competition and I had a Scrambler. I remember those day's as having the best times of my youth. Now I collect the bikes I could'nt have then. 38 years old and I still love the hobby.
i raced almost all of the chcicagoland tracks. does anyone have ANY pixs of joliet, itasca, lombard, peoria, etc...........
i posted this last year and got no results. i find it hard to believe we dont have guys with pixs.
i drive by the location of the old joliet ymca. the track is long gone but the lites that went around the track are still there. i can take a shot of it if anyone would like to see what it looks like now.
i posted this last year and got no results. i find it hard to believe we dont have guys with pixs.
i drive by the location of the old joliet ymca. the track is long gone but the lites that went around the track are still there. i can take a shot of it if anyone would like to see what it looks like now.
Yeah Tone I would like to see the pics.
Always nice ta hear fellow Illini. I only raced a few times in Il.Mostly in Springfield and Peoria.I mostly just have great memories of riding the endless trails around Taylorville and southern Il.
Rev you know the Cemetary Bridge trails dont ya !!!!!!!!
Always nice ta hear fellow Illini. I only raced a few times in Il.Mostly in Springfield and Peoria.I mostly just have great memories of riding the endless trails around Taylorville and southern Il.
Rev you know the Cemetary Bridge trails dont ya !!!!!!!!
anyone race batavia? remember that bridge?
greg hanna and i went by there a few years ago. weeds and wreckage of a long gone track.
man that track was so nice.
greg hanna and i went by there a few years ago. weeds and wreckage of a long gone track.
man that track was so nice.
I grew up just south of Chicago in Bridgeview. I never raced at a track back then but there were lots of trails we went to and had our own races or just jumped all day. Some cool ones on 79th and Roberts Rd before they bulldozed the woods to make houses. Also some cool little ones between these factories on 78th Ave by my grade school. The ones in Burbank or Bedford Park between the factories there were pretty awesome too. All of those are gone now. I got into freestyle in the mid 80's which is just as well because all the trails were disappearing, but once we got cars as teens we found more a little further away outside of our own little world. A few guys from the neighborhood went to races and I think my cousin Steve raced a few times, I never did though at a real track until a couple years ago. It's fun, I wish I had back then.
[ August 31, 2007, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: donvader ]
[ August 31, 2007, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: donvader ]
Peoria is gone i drove by there last week and i didnt see the track anymore. as for other race track in IL there was one at peck park in Ottawa in the late 70's early 80's there was one in Mendota IL also and there was a couple INdoor tracks in southern IL i am trying to get old video footage from someone whos kids use to race all those tracks i restored his kids bikes for him awhile back I never raced myself have the same story at donvader trails trails jumps but no track time for me
elf dude.........
i remember me and a buddy jason heard about a track in ottawa. we went out there one saturday. it had a super small showing (maybe 50-75 kids.
the track had a section that went way underground. like a 10' foot hole. is that the track. i remember jason and i both won our classes but the showing was stupid small. nothing to brag about
i remember me and a buddy jason heard about a track in ottawa. we went out there one saturday. it had a super small showing (maybe 50-75 kids.
the track had a section that went way underground. like a 10' foot hole. is that the track. i remember jason and i both won our classes but the showing was stupid small. nothing to brag about
You can always join in on the MN thread, god knows everyone else has, LOL!!!
Tone, I remember a bridge track in IL. I raced in Illi a few times.
Tone, I remember a bridge track in IL. I raced in Illi a few times.
thats more than likely batavia brrrrad. fun track with a really cool setup. had an arcade, bike shop, food, etc.
Tone, Dont forget Tinley, Manteno, Rockford, Elgin, and the Odeum indoor fall/winter. There was a track in Riverside, Naperville, and one in Elmhurst, that all lasted only about 1 or 2 years. There were also 2 national indoor races held at the Amphitheater in the late 70's.
During the summers in the early 80's in the Chicago suburbs I think you could race almost everyday/night based on all the tracks schedules.
During the summers in the early 80's in the Chicago suburbs I think you could race almost everyday/night based on all the tracks schedules.
The names that come to mind from BITD are Stacy Scott and his older brother (can't recall his name), Craig Jeffers, Jason Kick, Craig Reynolds, Roger and Jeff West, Shawn Carmody, Fred Svobada.
I raced Shawn Carmody allot. Stand up rider and consistantly fast all the time. We had a few great battles at some Nationals and some triples. I only raced him at the bigger events as we were so far from each other. He was on BXC right?? Wasn't Jason White from ILLi as well....
Alright fellow Illi racers, does anyone know who this rider is. Far right #3-m. Mark Conley and myself can't remember his name for anything. I know he drove all the way from Chicago in a snow storm to be at the first ever indoor event..and probably in the 5 state region...
The Event:
[ September 01, 2007, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: Brrrrrrad A. ]
The Event:
[ September 01, 2007, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: Brrrrrrad A. ]
Okay, sorry the poster above is from the second annual indoor event. That Chicago guy came to the first race in 1979.
Tone, check out the cool tan JU-6 my buddy had... Sweet ride and rare.
[ September 01, 2007, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: Brrrrrrad A. ]
Tone, check out the cool tan JU-6 my buddy had... Sweet ride and rare.
[ September 01, 2007, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: Brrrrrrad A. ]
wow cool ju-6 ! Your friend looks a little loose in the wrist though.
I think he was being funny. My Mom took that picture. John (ju-6) was a HUUUUUUUUGE body builder a few years after that photo..
well dont tell him I said that ! LOL
One of the original Itasca racers and the Sundance Cycle team members. In addition to Sundance Cycle's team, you had Team Chicago, Advanced Trickery, Schaumburg Schwinn, Village Cycle in Elk Grove and many others. The area produced some good national caliber riders in Denny Owens (RIP), Nuccio (still going at it), Hibner, Ross McMahon, I can go on and on. Would love to see pics
Denny Owens is RIP? For real? I had know idea. Tragic!!!
Mushkow, don't worry about him now...He was big along time ago...LOL!!
I remember my first trip to Chicago to race I became aquainted with "The LOOP" radio station and plastered the stickers all over my bike.. haahahaa
Mushkow, don't worry about him now...He was big along time ago...LOL!!
I remember my first trip to Chicago to race I became aquainted with "The LOOP" radio station and plastered the stickers all over my bike.. haahahaa
That JU6 is a round top tube version too.
Elf Dude. Peoria is most definately NOT gone. Detweiller BMX on Rt29 still runs a weekly program April through October. Very alive and well.
I remember the two tracks at Pekin Park too. One indoor in the Livestock review building and one outside right behind the building. Oh the memories.
Elf Dude. Peoria is most definately NOT gone. Detweiller BMX on Rt29 still runs a weekly program April through October. Very alive and well.
I remember the two tracks at Pekin Park too. One indoor in the Livestock review building and one outside right behind the building. Oh the memories.
Brian, good eye on the round TT. I forgot about that feature. I know that bike is float'n around somewhere. I love tan.
hey greg did ya get my last pm?
tone
tone
This thread brings back lots of memories--mostly of how bad a racer I was! I raced mostly at Itasca and sometimes at Zion and Elk Grove. Itasca park district built baseball diamonds on the site of the track. And I think there is a water slide where the Elk Grove track was.
I was into BMX pretty early and there wasn't any racing around until 1976, I think. The first track in the area was Zion and I was so stoked that the Chicago area finally had BMX racing. Itasca opened a little while later followed by Elk Grove. I was out of BMX by 1981, so I never had the chance to try out all of the other ones mentioned here.
I was into BMX pretty early and there wasn't any racing around until 1976, I think. The first track in the area was Zion and I was so stoked that the Chicago area finally had BMX racing. Itasca opened a little while later followed by Elk Grove. I was out of BMX by 1981, so I never had the chance to try out all of the other ones mentioned here.
Mary and Don @ Zion Cyclery have tons of pictures of the old Zion track. I believe the pictures originate in '75. I believe Zion was the first in Illinois for sure. They later moved to Winthrop Harbor and that is where I began. I'm feeling motivated to fire up the scanner and scan some pictures. I've been saying it for some time now...
I'll post up soon.
[ September 05, 2007, 11:46 AM: Message edited by: cornfed ]
I'll post up soon.
[ September 05, 2007, 11:46 AM: Message edited by: cornfed ]
Does anyone remember Team Chicago or a local guy named John Walker?
There was a bridge on the Green Valley track in Moline
Tell me more about Denny Owens. I was pretty good friends with the Traker Bunch.
Cornfed-
That would be awesome if you could scan Zion pictures. I could use a flashback! I used to have a some photos of Zion from 1976, but I have no idea what ever happened to them.
That would be awesome if you could scan Zion pictures. I could use a flashback! I used to have a some photos of Zion from 1976, but I have no idea what ever happened to them.
Do we really suck? Or are Minnesota-inions really that good??
Does anyone remember the old Rockford Jaycees track before the current Rockford track? Or where exactly it was located?
How about the South Beloit track? (South Beloit technically IS in Illinois, right?) If I recall, it was in South Beloit Park.
How about the South Beloit track? (South Beloit technically IS in Illinois, right?) If I recall, it was in South Beloit Park.
things I remeber from BITD
Tearing down the starting hill at Elk Grove and hitting the backside of the 2nd berm at warp speed and launching big air landing to flat like it was no big deal
watching a guy named Grant DuBois in Sundance colors lay out FLAT tabletops over this jump. Rode a jet black JMC with graphite tuffs. Guy was kinda cocky but was he fast! I wound up working with his ex girlfriend years later.
An African American rider who had UFO on the back of his leathers who could also jump like a kangaroo and had style for days.
An older dude who raced cruiser at Elk Grove with 'Crazy' on his leathers who used to walk around on all fours barking like a dog while someone held him on a leash. I also remember him jumping into the creek next to the track at the end of one season, which was s'posed to be for sewage.....
how about the hamburgers in the hut?
Itasca memories: Everyone always considered Itasca to be the major leagues around here. I recall that they consistantly had 90 motos, most with full gates every local race. I remember when Tommy Brackens, riding for Torker DECIMATED the pro class with a perfect double. I believe he went on to double at Batavia ( Funway ) the next day. Mighty BMXA covered the Batavia national.
I also remember a blonde haired little girl in pigtails, who rode an all pink, little bike, and all pink sweats who was 3 years old and raced every week. Her mother used to push her up one of the jumps every time. I also wound up working with her; she became a nurse, and is quite easy on the eyes. How about the rivalry between Sundance and Funway for the states top team?
I remember racing under the lights at crystal lake ymca friday and saturday nights. How bout Northbrook's manual starting gate?
I remember turning around and bumping into Wendy Rutherford in full factory Kuwahara colors at Lombard BMX and I thought she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.
Chicago's Best riders........? Missy Fred won Nat'l #1 riding for mongoose. Frank Nuccio riding for National Pro. Todd Blaser riding for Sundance/EL, and who could forget the aforementioned Dr Smooth.
Some of the best times of my life were at the track in the mid eighties................................
Tearing down the starting hill at Elk Grove and hitting the backside of the 2nd berm at warp speed and launching big air landing to flat like it was no big deal
watching a guy named Grant DuBois in Sundance colors lay out FLAT tabletops over this jump. Rode a jet black JMC with graphite tuffs. Guy was kinda cocky but was he fast! I wound up working with his ex girlfriend years later.
An African American rider who had UFO on the back of his leathers who could also jump like a kangaroo and had style for days.
An older dude who raced cruiser at Elk Grove with 'Crazy' on his leathers who used to walk around on all fours barking like a dog while someone held him on a leash. I also remember him jumping into the creek next to the track at the end of one season, which was s'posed to be for sewage.....
how about the hamburgers in the hut?
Itasca memories: Everyone always considered Itasca to be the major leagues around here. I recall that they consistantly had 90 motos, most with full gates every local race. I remember when Tommy Brackens, riding for Torker DECIMATED the pro class with a perfect double. I believe he went on to double at Batavia ( Funway ) the next day. Mighty BMXA covered the Batavia national.
I also remember a blonde haired little girl in pigtails, who rode an all pink, little bike, and all pink sweats who was 3 years old and raced every week. Her mother used to push her up one of the jumps every time. I also wound up working with her; she became a nurse, and is quite easy on the eyes. How about the rivalry between Sundance and Funway for the states top team?
I remember racing under the lights at crystal lake ymca friday and saturday nights. How bout Northbrook's manual starting gate?
I remember turning around and bumping into Wendy Rutherford in full factory Kuwahara colors at Lombard BMX and I thought she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.
Chicago's Best riders........? Missy Fred won Nat'l #1 riding for mongoose. Frank Nuccio riding for National Pro. Todd Blaser riding for Sundance/EL, and who could forget the aforementioned Dr Smooth.
Some of the best times of my life were at the track in the mid eighties................................
Anyone know Bruce Byerly or Brian Price? Couple of local freinds that were "full time" racers back in the 80's. Brian always rode JMC mini's and rode for Sundance and Bruce rode for Sundance too, and had one of every bike made I think but his last 20" race bike was a 86 Robinson Pro. Good dudes from the Peoria area. Both still live here.
[ September 11, 2007, 11:04 PM: Message edited by: BRIAN HAYS ]
[ September 11, 2007, 11:04 PM: Message edited by: BRIAN HAYS ]
I first raced somewhere around 1978 at Veteran's Park BMX track in Lansing Illinois, off of Burnham Avenue... just a little teacup of a deal, but it was close and it got us all started. I'll never forget winning my first race there, I remember maybe 12 and I was too scared to attempt to jump the doubles. I got the holeshot and was leading the all the way around... in my mind thinking, "Im in front! I'm winning!" Then came the straight with the dreaded doubles...
I knew if I slowed down to roll them, the better riders behind me would swoop in front easily and I'd lose. Split second decision, slow down and salvage a second or third but avoid a broken arm (something I had suffered previously and was fresh in my mind)? Or pedal my *** off and go for it, and maybe the one out of hundred chance I might make it?
I went for it. Me and my candy red MCS Magnum sailed over those doubles and landed soft on the backside like I'd been doing it all my life. Took the first win ever in my life. That was a good day.
Mostly I raced at the Joliet track, I didn't have anybody that would take me and my friends to the farther tracks too much. I wasn't that good a racer anyway, I was a skinny kid and didn't have the horsepower, I was a Greg Grubbs type running a 40/16 gear and relied on being smooth.
By 1981 I had a Redline Proline II and still raced a little, by 1983 I had coaster brake tuff wheels and I was Freestylin'. 1984 - 1988 I founded "Whiplash Freestyle" and we toured around the midwest doing shows. By 1990 I didn't even own a bike anymore.
Fast forward 17 years, I'm back on a Redline here at Powder Springs in Atlanta.
Riders I remember racing back in Illinois were Jay Hamby who rode a GT, Randy Tischmann who rode a custom welded-back-together Kuwahara, "Flyin'" Brian Nylen on a GT, and Jason Parrot who rode a Titan.
Tone, funny thing... right across the street from your shop is a big parking lot, where I got arrested for bunnyhopping onto the hood of somebody's station wagon. lol
[ September 11, 2007, 11:51 PM: Message edited by: Nighthawk ]
I knew if I slowed down to roll them, the better riders behind me would swoop in front easily and I'd lose. Split second decision, slow down and salvage a second or third but avoid a broken arm (something I had suffered previously and was fresh in my mind)? Or pedal my *** off and go for it, and maybe the one out of hundred chance I might make it?
I went for it. Me and my candy red MCS Magnum sailed over those doubles and landed soft on the backside like I'd been doing it all my life. Took the first win ever in my life. That was a good day.
Mostly I raced at the Joliet track, I didn't have anybody that would take me and my friends to the farther tracks too much. I wasn't that good a racer anyway, I was a skinny kid and didn't have the horsepower, I was a Greg Grubbs type running a 40/16 gear and relied on being smooth.
By 1981 I had a Redline Proline II and still raced a little, by 1983 I had coaster brake tuff wheels and I was Freestylin'. 1984 - 1988 I founded "Whiplash Freestyle" and we toured around the midwest doing shows. By 1990 I didn't even own a bike anymore.
Fast forward 17 years, I'm back on a Redline here at Powder Springs in Atlanta.
Riders I remember racing back in Illinois were Jay Hamby who rode a GT, Randy Tischmann who rode a custom welded-back-together Kuwahara, "Flyin'" Brian Nylen on a GT, and Jason Parrot who rode a Titan.
Tone, funny thing... right across the street from your shop is a big parking lot, where I got arrested for bunnyhopping onto the hood of somebody's station wagon. lol
[ September 11, 2007, 11:51 PM: Message edited by: Nighthawk ]
I haven't had time to scan; my old pics are in storage ATM...I am building a house right now so it might be a while 'til I dig them out. I have some of my old stuff...
44/16, I am confident you and I have crossed paths in the past based on your post...
Remember when the NBL had a HUGE presence in Illinois? It was a big deal to earn a state plate in the early 80's. 44/16, you mentioned Itasca w/ 90 moto's--I remember 90 moto's there to be a LOW turnout. I expected semi's and sometimes 1/4 on any LOCAL, regular race.
Here's some pic's of some of my old crap:
NBL plate w/ initial
Tony Sabatini Tristate champ disco jacket
NBL High points jacket from Ill. (3 letter abreviation )
State plates
Funway Nat. team uni--still fits, Haha!
44/16, I am confident you and I have crossed paths in the past based on your post...
Remember when the NBL had a HUGE presence in Illinois? It was a big deal to earn a state plate in the early 80's. 44/16, you mentioned Itasca w/ 90 moto's--I remember 90 moto's there to be a LOW turnout. I expected semi's and sometimes 1/4 on any LOCAL, regular race.
Here's some pic's of some of my old crap:
NBL plate w/ initial
Tony Sabatini Tristate champ disco jacket
NBL High points jacket from Ill. (3 letter abreviation )
State plates
Funway Nat. team uni--still fits, Haha!
johnny........(cornfed)
funny thing about racing in the 80's is that huge grey period from now until then. meaning, i remember racing and bangin' elbows quite a bit.
im horrible with names but memories of faces and situations stand out so clear to me sometimes.
back at the hobart event a few years ago we chatted briefly. i remember even then thinking damn, that guy looks familiar. then after going back to vbmx and seeing post after posts of yours it started clicking. i remember you from back in the day.
i raced a class younger than you but i do recall seeing you or possibly racing in some open classes.
once i read you raced for funway it all hit me. lol
got to love this site!
funny thing about racing in the 80's is that huge grey period from now until then. meaning, i remember racing and bangin' elbows quite a bit.
im horrible with names but memories of faces and situations stand out so clear to me sometimes.
back at the hobart event a few years ago we chatted briefly. i remember even then thinking damn, that guy looks familiar. then after going back to vbmx and seeing post after posts of yours it started clicking. i remember you from back in the day.
i raced a class younger than you but i do recall seeing you or possibly racing in some open classes.
once i read you raced for funway it all hit me. lol
got to love this site!
quote:You don't suck at all. LOL! As you can see MN bmx is still strong and we all love BS'n bout the good old days. Between Iowa, Wisc and Illi, it was all very much the same. Iowa seemed to be the melting pot for all the big Summer races...Very Central. I miss Waterloo's track.
Do we really suck? Or are Minnesota-inions really that good??
Question: What year was the first Illi event? Anyone know about Iowa or Wisc?? Just curious
rumblerdave,
i have pictures from 1981 and they say searles park on them. so same place, so i would think pretty close to where the track lays now. it was a cow path pretty much, and the weekend we were there they even blocked off some corners and ran us through the grass (standing water in the corners).
i showed them to jake (current T.O.) he said he took over the next year.
i have pictures from 1981 and they say searles park on them. so same place, so i would think pretty close to where the track lays now. it was a cow path pretty much, and the weekend we were there they even blocked off some corners and ran us through the grass (standing water in the corners).
i showed them to jake (current T.O.) he said he took over the next year.
We need Mike Carruth to crack open his pic vault and post a few from the early Itasca era.
Yo! I just opened a new thread for Chicago BMX (IL, IN and WI, really, but...)
Czech it!
http://oldschoolbmx.com/community/index.ph...mp;#entry494800
Czech it!
http://oldschoolbmx.com/community/index.ph...mp;#entry494800
QUOTE (t burns @ Oct 16 2007, 09:37 PM) 
We need Mike Carruth to crack open his pic vault and post a few from the early Itasca era.
Tony Sabatini Tristate champ disco jacket
....
HAHAHA,,
I raced a few times at a race they held around late january in the Ft,Wayne Coliseum, ...wasn't there a hockey arena somewhere nearby, I remember seeing a bunch of people coming out wearing hockey jerseys, like they just left a hocky game, wooden jumps and concrete what fun,,,
....HAHAHA,,
I raced a few times at a race they held around late january in the Ft,Wayne Coliseum, ...wasn't there a hockey arena somewhere nearby, I remember seeing a bunch of people coming out wearing hockey jerseys, like they just left a hocky game, wooden jumps and concrete what fun,,,
QUOTE (LOUISVILLEBMX @ Feb 2 2008, 11:07 PM)
HAHAHA,, I raced a few times at a race they held around late january in the Ft,Wayne Coliseum, ...wasn't there a hockey arena somewhere nearby, I remember seeing a bunch of people coming out wearing hockey jerseys, like they just left a hocky game, wooden jumps and concrete what fun,,,
I raced a few times at a race they held around late january in the Ft,Wayne Coliseum, ...wasn't there a hockey arena somewhere nearby, I remember seeing a bunch of people coming out wearing hockey jerseys, like they just left a hocky game, wooden jumps and concrete what fun,,,I went to one of those in 1986 or 87. If I remember correctly, the ceiling was very low in the section of the "coliseum" the race was in. And the Clem twins were there.
QUOTE (t burns @ Sep 1 2007, 10:53 AM)
One of the original Itasca racers and the Sundance Cycle team members. In addition to Sundance Cycle's team, you had Team Chicago, Advanced Trickery, Schaumburg Schwinn, Village Cycle in Elk Grove and many others. The area produced some good national caliber riders in Denny Owens (RIP), Nuccio (still going at it), Hibner, Ross McMahon, I can go on and on. Would love to see pics
What can you tell me about Denny Owens RIP ?? My name is Mike Lummer & we used to be on the same local team (Cycle Sport in Decatur) right about the time he got his RRS ride. Mike
Hey Mike,
You sure we're talkin' about the same Denny Owens? The one who, unfortunately, was killed rode for Advanced Trickery, Kuwahara and Tracker.
Or was his Cycle Sport ride before/after that? I was not aware that he ever rode for RRS, and from what I knew, he hailed from Rolling Meadows, IL. But, I got out of the racing scene in 1983, so I may have missed this big chunk of history.
This is the hommie we're talkin' about:
Just want to make sure we are not talking about another D.O. who may be alive and well in Decatur in 2008.
Best,
M
You sure we're talkin' about the same Denny Owens? The one who, unfortunately, was killed rode for Advanced Trickery, Kuwahara and Tracker.
Or was his Cycle Sport ride before/after that? I was not aware that he ever rode for RRS, and from what I knew, he hailed from Rolling Meadows, IL. But, I got out of the racing scene in 1983, so I may have missed this big chunk of history.
This is the hommie we're talkin' about:
Just want to make sure we are not talking about another D.O. who may be alive and well in Decatur in 2008.
Best,
M
QUOTE (Lummer @ Apr 25 2008, 09:11 PM)
What can you tell me about Denny Owens RIP ?? My name is Mike Lummer & we used to be on the same local team (Cycle Sport in Decatur) right about the time he got his RRS ride. Mike
hello ther folks yes i remember that track with the bridge funway bmx facility still there but no track i was fortunate enough to be #1 numerous years in illinois 03 what fun try to still ride every now and then really like to look and collect some of this old school stuff very glad my parents kept all they did lots of artifacts and bikes jason parratt is tha name feel free to drop a line
QUOTE (BIRD6961 @ Apr 25 2008, 10:53 PM)
hello ther folks yes i remember that track with the bridge funway bmx facility still there but no track i was fortunate enough to be #1 numerous years in illinois 03 what fun try to still ride every now and then really like to look and collect some of this old school stuff very glad my parents kept all they did lots of artifacts and bikes jason parratt is tha name feel free to drop a line
Hey Jason! How are you? Do you ever run into any other Funway members? I've been trying to track down Stacy Scott to no avail. I have seen and spoken with Ken Klehr a few years ago. All is well with he and his son Kenny, last I spoke.
QUOTE (cornfed @ Apr 26 2008, 08:29 AM)
Hey Jason! How are you? Do you ever run into any other Funway members? I've been trying to track down Stacy Scott to no avail. I have seen and spoken with Ken Klehr a few years ago. All is well with he and his son Kenny, last I spoke.
HELLO THERE YEAH I HAVE BEEN LOOKING TO MEET UP WITH ANY OLD BMX FAMILYS FOUND VERY FEW HAVE NOT SEEN OR HEARD FROM THE JENSENS STILL CHAT WITH JASON KICK JAY HAMBY BOUGHT A BIKE RECENTLY FROM MARK MCCORMICK HAVE TASLKED WITH JT TALOR AND HIS FAMILY BUT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THES E PEOPLE ALSO ANY ONE EVER HEARD OF DALE SCHEFFS AND ANYONE NO WERE HE MIGHT BE
Frank Nuccio staill at it. I raced with him at Elgin thenlast few years and that guy is smokin fast. He raced last year at Rockford at the BS open and did well, cannot remember his place but was right there. Nice helpful guy who coached me. I was slow and stilll am.
QUOTE (ELF_DUDE @ Aug 31 2007, 10:58 PM)
Peoria is gone i drove by there last week and i didnt see the track anymore. as for other race track in IL there was one at peck park in Ottawa in the late 70's early 80's there was one in Mendota IL also and there was a couple INdoor tracks in southern IL i am trying to get old video footage from someone whos kids use to race all those tracks i restored his kids bikes for him awhile back I never raced myself have the same story at donvader trails trails jumps but no track time for me
dude peoria is still alive and kicking!!! we just did a total track rebuild for the 08 season... check out the web site. illiinoisnbl.com also springfield, waukeegan, east moline, farmer city track are all still alive and kicking.
I raced at Itasca, Elk Grove, Lombard, and Streamwood (does anyone else remember this track...it had one race and was located off Bartlet Road by the park district pool) between 1978 and 1982. I also practiced at Batavia (over/under bridge track at Funway {skating rink, bike shop, arcade, and snack shop}) and Rockford (I do not believe it was the same track as the current ABA track...for some reason I think it was by Rock Cut State Park...I could be wrong though).
Itasca was my favorite then Elk Grove. I remember setting up jumps and jumping into the creek at both tracks (especially after a War of the Stars in the rain!). I also remember having enough racers in almost every age and level not to have to combine groups...unlike today.
I am trying to find all my pictures from racing and I have old movies that I am going to convert to DVD...I will try to post it all.
We bought most of our parts from Jim at Sundance and I raced for Team Chicago for the team relay race at a War of the Stars. My dad use to race Jim on cruiser and my mom lost some skin at the Elk Grove track during a Mother's Race (over the first jump and then over the first berm).
I raced a huffy first, then a bike my dad custom made in 1978 out of a garbage picked frame...it was what today we call a Junior, then Race Inc, and finally a Hutch.
Itasca was my favorite then Elk Grove. I remember setting up jumps and jumping into the creek at both tracks (especially after a War of the Stars in the rain!). I also remember having enough racers in almost every age and level not to have to combine groups...unlike today.
I am trying to find all my pictures from racing and I have old movies that I am going to convert to DVD...I will try to post it all.
We bought most of our parts from Jim at Sundance and I raced for Team Chicago for the team relay race at a War of the Stars. My dad use to race Jim on cruiser and my mom lost some skin at the Elk Grove track during a Mother's Race (over the first jump and then over the first berm).
I raced a huffy first, then a bike my dad custom made in 1978 out of a garbage picked frame...it was what today we call a Junior, then Race Inc, and finally a Hutch.
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