VintageBMX.com > 80's Ohio racing stories, photos, etc

svtfmook

Mar 11 2010, 03:16 PM

Hilltop and Akron BMX ~1980-1986
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esDxdzeFlcA

Jradical

Mar 11 2010, 06:41 PM

QUOTE (svtfmook @ Mar 11 2010, 04:16 PM)

Hilltop and Akron BMX ~1980-1986
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esDxdzeFlcA

NICE!

svtfmook

Mar 11 2010, 06:48 PM

what's funny is, my son and 2 of my nephews started racing last year. my one nephew is riding an 89 VFR and the other is on a 90 NSX. at the heartland nationals, the tech inspectors were like, wtf? to boot, i teched my skyline and my nephews were using my brother's old frankford bmx and zeronine jerseys.

my oldest nephew in the frankford jersey circa 1984

my younger nephew in the zeronine jersey circa 1985

svtfmook

Mar 11 2010, 07:23 PM

protour77

Mar 11 2010, 07:38 PM

QUOTE (svtfmook @ Mar 11 2010, 04:16 PM)

Hilltop and Akron BMX ~1980-1986
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esDxdzeFlcA

Thanks for posting this. I am in it at the 2:24 mark in the yellow jersey on the green and white Cyclecraft. I don't have very many puctures of myself back then and it was really cool to see that. Thanks!!!!!

svtfmook

Mar 11 2010, 07:43 PM

QUOTE (protour77 @ Mar 11 2010, 08:38 PM)

Thanks for posting this. I am in it at the 2:24 mark in the yellow jersey on the green and white Cyclecraft. I don't have very many puctures of myself back then and it was really cool to see that. Thanks!!!!!

the pic with you in front and me between the other kids was blown up to 18x36 and is a poster in my son's room. he loved that pic so much he had it blown up. my father was a photography nut and literally took hundreds of pics at every race. i'll have my mom rip a dvd with all our pics and rummage through it, if i find anymore of you i'll let you know.

protour77

Mar 11 2010, 07:55 PM

QUOTE (svtfmook @ Mar 11 2010, 08:43 PM)

the pic with you in front and me between the other kids was blown up to 18x36 and is a poster in my son's room. he loved that pic so much he had it blown up. my father was a photography nut and literally took hundreds of pics at every race. i'll have my mom rip a dvd with all our pics and rummage through it, if i find anymore of you i'll let you know.

Very, very, very, cool. If there is anyway I could get a copy of that or any other pictures of me picture I would be a very happy man!

Its funny to think that after all these years that there is a picture of me hanging on someones wall !!!! LOL

svtfmook

Mar 11 2010, 07:57 PM

QUOTE (protour77 @ Mar 11 2010, 08:55 PM)

Very, very, very, cool. If there is anyway I could get a copy of that or any other pictures of me picture I would be a very happy man!

Its funny to think that after all these years that there is a picture of me hanging on someones wall !!!! LOL

dude, you're 8 year old famous! lol

protour77

Mar 11 2010, 08:03 PM

QUOTE (svtfmook @ Mar 11 2010, 08:57 PM)

dude, you're 8 year old famous! lol

LMAO!!!!!!!

TrickStarRick

Mar 12 2010, 12:14 AM

Welcome to Vintage, I saw that TA at Akron at the Nats last year, but never got a chance to find its owner...
COOL vid and pics, can never get enough Old School...
I'm sure we will cross paths this season at Akron or Norwalk..my kids race 6 & 12.
Thanks for sharing

Rick

svtfmook

Mar 12 2010, 10:31 AM

QUOTE (TrickStarRick @ Mar 12 2010, 01:14 AM)

Welcome to Vintage, I saw that TA at Akron at the Nats last year, but never got a chance to find its owner...
COOL vid and pics, can never get enough Old School...
I'm sure we will cross paths this season at Akron or Norwalk..my kids race 6 & 12.
Thanks for sharing

Rick

i'm sure we will see each other. my son will be racing 8 rookie this year and i will be racing 31-33 cruiser

Chris C.

Mar 12 2010, 05:25 PM

Welcome to the old guy cruiser classes. And thanks for the great pics/video!

Chris Cline

syklystt

Mar 15 2010, 01:47 PM

WOW.....what a cool site....i was feelin nastolgic this mornin and was looking for the old school GT bmx bikes like used to have......and

i came across this site....how feekin awesome.

I am 44 yrs old, raced in 78-81...ummm...maybe 79-80....ahhh afew years in there...mostly ELYRIA, the one that was north of putt

putt...avon lake, norwalk, medina a couple times and one called stratos supercross park...I can get better info from the old trophies

still collecting dust in my garage....i raced from 13 or 14 to 16 (gave up at 16 to chase chicks....doh!)....my name is jeff minnich,

i hung around mostly with Todd mounts, dont remmeber manyother names, i do remember cullin thompson, todd mounts, rich houser, danny

contrerous,the joe and jim (cant remember names...from sheff lake..a year older than me) ahhh....bender seems familiar...
my first race was at elyria, i was that poor kid with worn tires, wearing jeans that were duct taped on the leg...freekin kids were

making fun of me waiting for the start...never looked back (took first place...and the rest was history)...won most of my races but

could never get to the big nationals to get a spoonsor...i did end up like top 20 ABA for ohio with only a half year of races (the

year i quit) but of course i quit and had to only dream about it as I got older. I got back into riding MTB'2 in 91'...raceed MTB's

for the next 10+ years,still ride a bike like i stole it and absolutely love it every time!!!....i goto rays MTB(i helped build it

from day 1)....you can always catch me there...full face helmet, 26" jumper...going fast as hell and never stopping.....anybody go

there??? stop me and say hi!
i'm prob gonna make some bmx races this year (akron?), been wanting to for a couple years now (rays MTB is like bmx training). Been

training to race MTB again(been many years off the reace circuit but have never quit riding)...I will definately make the next outing

for the old guys, seems like a ton of fun....thanks to all who have written the stories here and posted pics...shure puts a smile on.
Jeff[/size][/size]

villiagebmxracer

Mar 15 2010, 04:17 PM

hey whats up the williams brothers just on here checkin up on the old bmx in ohio

villiagebmxracer

Mar 15 2010, 04:51 PM

QUOTE (villiagebmxracer @ Mar 15 2010, 11:17 PM)

hey whats up the williams brothers just on here checkin up on the old bmx in ohio

any one remember apple skate park a lot of madison racer used to go there for the contest on bmx niteClick to view attachment

Chris C.

Mar 15 2010, 05:15 PM

QUOTE (syklystt @ Mar 15 2010, 03:47 PM)

WOW.....what a cool site....i was feelin nastolgic this mornin and was looking for the old school GT bmx bikes like used to have......and

i came across this site....how feekin awesome.

I am 44 yrs old, raced in 78-81...ummm...maybe 79-80....ahhh afew years in there...mostly ELYRIA, the one that was north of putt

putt...avon lake, norwalk, medina a couple times and one called stratos supercross park...I can get better info from the old trophies

still collecting dust in my garage....i raced from 13 or 14 to 16 (gave up at 16 to chase chicks....doh!)....my name is jeff minnich,

i hung around mostly with Todd mounts, dont remmeber manyother names, i do remember cullin thompson, todd mounts, rich houser, danny

contrerous,the joe and jim (cant remember names...from sheff lake..a year older than me) ahhh....bender seems familiar...
my first race was at elyria, i was that poor kid with worn tires, wearing jeans that were duct taped on the leg...freekin kids were

making fun of me waiting for the start...never looked back (took first place...and the rest was history)...won most of my races but

could never get to the big nationals to get a spoonsor...i did end up like top 20 ABA for ohio with only a half year of races (the

year i quit) but of course i quit and had to only dream about it as I got older. I got back into riding MTB'2 in 91'...raceed MTB's

for the next 10+ years,still ride a bike like i stole it and absolutely love it every time!!!....i goto rays MTB(i helped build it

from day 1)....you can always catch me there...full face helmet, 26" jumper...going fast as hell and never stopping.....anybody go

there??? stop me and say hi!
i'm prob gonna make some bmx races this year (akron?), been wanting to for a couple years now (rays MTB is like bmx training). Been

training to race MTB again(been many years off the reace circuit but have never quit riding)...I will definately make the next outing

for the old guys, seems like a ton of fun....thanks to all who have written the stories here and posted pics...shure puts a smile on.
Jeff[/size][/size]

Heck yeah! I race now, but do it on a 26". I was at Ray's yesterday (Sunday) and try to get there at least once a month. Love that place. There are several guys racing cruiser on a 26". Come on back out!

Chris Cline

protour77

Mar 15 2010, 06:55 PM

Yeah, there are a number of us on here that are regulars at Rays. We will be there this Saturday afternoon. I am riding a white 20" Standard with DXR cranks. I am usually with Chris who is on his 26" Standard.

Your name is really familiar, maybe I already met you there at some point. Hope to see ya soon.

syklystt

Mar 16 2010, 06:18 AM

i go to rays a few times a week...i usually B.S. with most folks there...especially old farts on bmx bikes...i have a 199? GT pro tour freestyle thats rotting in my garage, i gave up riding it when all the 26" park bikes became available (since i ride 26" most of the time for many, many years)...that and the rigid forks kill my arms after awhile of jumping. At rays i ride a 26" gt ruckus...about 5 years old...beat to deth and keeps on goin (great bike). Gotto go back in time on this thread and read some more, it's some very interesting reading. it seems that the BMX thing exploded in Ohio right after i left..81'-82' time zone....i did get to ride the MTB wave though, all through the nineties and still goin strong.....

oh, and here's the clincher...i started back on bicycles at age 26...up to that point, i was of the mindset that adults shouldnt be riding bicycles, they should have graduated to motocross....till a friend made me ride a mountain bike....i miss my motorcycle now, but wont give up bicycling again till i have to.

svtfmook

Mar 16 2010, 06:48 AM

i was at rays on sunday (two days ago) with my son (my son has a black intense race, wht/blu fly's helmet, jersey and answer pants), i have a red dk sentry 24", red fly's jersey, black pryme helmet and i'm fat, lol.

i go to rays about once a week, usually on saturday or sunday mornings. usually from about 9am-1pm.

infact, i just uploaded some crappy cell phone videos i took on sunday to my youtube account, can't go to you tube right now due to work blocking it, but my username is svtfmook if you want to search it.

Jradical

Mar 16 2010, 07:32 PM

QUOTE (villiagebmxracer @ Mar 15 2010, 06:51 PM)

any one remember apple skate park a lot of madison racer used to go there for the contest on bmx niteClick to view attachment

I remember hearing about Apple, some of the older riders from Dayton would go up there, wish I could have checked it out. The photo is super rad! Is that you? I wonder exactly where Apple was, and if the building still stands? Rumor has it that the bowls were filled w/ gravel and then cemented over. How cool would it be to dig them out and ride that place! Here is some more info on Apple:
http://www.skatepunk.net/apple/appfront.html

Edit- OK figured out where this place was.... someone go to 5100 Sinclair Ave. w/ a jackhammer and re-open this gem!

Reddy1947

Mar 17 2010, 03:42 AM

QUOTE (Jradical @ Mar 16 2010, 09:32 PM)

I remember hearing about Apple, some of the older riders from Dayton would go up there, wish I could have checked it out. The photo is super rad! Is that you? I wonder exactly where Apple was, and if the building still stands? Rumor has it that the bowls were filled w/ gravel and then cemented over. How cool would it be to dig them out and ride that place! Here is some more info on Apple:
http://www.skatepunk.net/apple/appfront.html

Edit- OK figured out where this place was.... someone go to 5100 Sinclair Ave. w/ a jackhammer and re-open this gem!

Jrad,
Mike and I went there a few times - I watched. They did fill the bowls with gravel and concrete over them. They made it a UPS delivery site. It was an incredible skate park and a shame to see filled in.

Mike

syklystt

Mar 17 2010, 06:53 AM

ok...hope this works, gonna try to post some pics....
first one is me and my buddys at Elyria BMX....prob 79' (the course that was north of putt putt).
the second one is looking up at the starting hill at avon lake..again 79'-80'
the thrid is the guy that changed my racing perspective....Harry Leary at the elkhart Ind. national 80'-81'....
i went to bike america in cleveland in 80-81 and saw harry playing around (i missed the races)...him and a few other pros, i was at the age to move up and was doing well and considering it, but then i saw this guy ride...he was about 10 years older than me at the time so i shouldnt have used him for a gage...but i figured that i could never beat someone like that...and sold all my stuff a week later.
cant wait to see more vintage pics from everybody.
Jeff

syklystt

Mar 18 2010, 09:22 AM

QUOTE (borntooloose @ Apr 16 2008, 08:02 PM)

I remember the Diggens, brother and sister.
Whats up with Porter?
Remember Bender's, Griffith, Chernega, Cowley, Dillon, Kelly, Carje, Thompson, Hamillia, Hill, Riggle.
Hamillia told me a story about diggens stealing some grips @ the murray world cup.
he spit on the grips,
put them on,
"sure there on good"
One flew off over the big double down the 1st straight.
What was the name of the mexican kid who was fast as $hit.
raced @ norwalk
pre bmx track
dad owned a bike shop

just readin old stuff......i grew up in sheffield lake, there were a few good riders from there and your mentioning two of them...JIm and joe griffith were a year ahead of me and jim (i think) went on to race pro for many years.
The guy that his dad owned a bike shop was Danny Contrerous...he was a year younger than me and very fast....his das shop is the first bike shop i ever went to and where i bought all my stuff till i got deals from north coast cyclewry (by LCCC in elyria).....anyhow...dans dad's shop was reel and wheel in lorain.....great folks...i was takin to dans bro on facebook recently...byt he way, he's phillipino....

tried ot get jim griffith to race/ride MTB's after he quit the BMX scene , but he went for the motocross fun instead...last i heard he got hurt real bad on his mX bike.

almost done reading this entire thread....backwards...HA.

murrdog

Mar 19 2010, 05:15 AM

I remember the bike shop by LCCC and the owner. The owner opened a bike shop in North Olmsted and I heard later he married and retired from the bike business. I use to buy road bike parts from him in North Olmsted and he was the best at building wheels.

Jeff, did you ever race at the Elyria track West of the putt putt course?

syklystt

Mar 19 2010, 06:43 AM

QUOTE (murrdog @ Mar 19 2010, 07:15 AM)

I remember the bike shop by LCCC and the owner. The owner opened a bike shop in North Olmsted and I heard later he married and retired from the bike business. I use to buy road bike parts from him in North Olmsted and he was the best at building wheels.

Jeff, did you ever race at the Elyria track West of the putt putt course?

Hey Bob...just PM'd you....no, ididnt see that one, or the newer avon lake track.....or vermillion....i quit at a cruicial time in BMX history in Ohio...what a bummer it is that i find this out now. Much of it was due to money, but i had no idea that there were several decent tracks local to me still....but ow well, never better time than the present...or never too late...i hope.

I raced the 15 class at the track north of the putt putt....i just checked my old stuff, the metal plates fell of all the trophies in the garage, but the one says "1981 bmx high points series banquet 1st place 15 yr. boys class"
it was for that elyria track. It looks like i was racing there 80-81-82.....i'm not too sure though...bad memory from the years when i wasnt riding bikes..i was good then, but there wasnt the cometition that it seems to have grown to in latter years....i got to enjoy some good racing at elyria, norwalk, avon lake, stratos (medina?)...these are what i remember......one thing i do remember is that i always dreamed of doin it again someday....and witht he advent of MTB's, i thought that i got that fix.....but i see it really was the BMX that i craved.....so i'm gonna be back and have some fun rubbin elbows with the fine folks that i missed out racing in the 80's.
sure sounds like a blast now...cant wait!

training now for the mohican 100......great way to build endurance, strength and cardio....in one day.

syklystt

Mar 19 2010, 06:53 AM

also....the last pics i posted were 1981....that was our gangs first race..for all of us....
in the pic are...from back left....
rich houser, todd mounts(raced for torker for a year...grass roots i think..not sure), joe rob.
then billy click and me in front.
i found the pic of me from that race....and it had some info on the back...gotta get it scanned.
I also still have my number plate from that race....one of the few things that i still have from back then.

BMX10K

Mar 19 2010, 08:09 PM

QUOTE (Reddy1947 @ Feb 3 2010, 05:52 AM)

What was the first bike you raced at a track where there was an entry fee to participate. I only mention the entry because in the mid-1950's we built a dirt track in Whitehall and all the neighborhood kids raced on it, but there were not organized/advertised races there.

By those loose guidelines, my first race was at Madison on Mike's Redline that we bought used at a police auction ...endo'ed on the first jump. First cruiser race was with a frame that I found, cut down and welded back together for better geometry. It turns out that brazing might have been a better idea. The steel must have gotten too brittle during welding and the frame let go during a National at Ft Hamilton.
Mike

Cool question Mike. My first BMX race was at Madison TWP on a cycle pro purchased from Eastland Schwinn. Had Dorrs build me a Hutch pro racer the following year.

Jeff Klamfoth

Jradical

Mar 28 2010, 11:32 AM

Old footage from early Kettering!

http://www.vintagebmx.com/community/index....wtopic=27044098

Reddy1947

Mar 29 2010, 03:55 AM

QUOTE (Jradical @ Mar 28 2010, 01:32 PM)

Old footage from early Kettering!

http://www.vintagebmx.com/community/index....wtopic=27044098

Jrad,
I can't get over how much fun the videos are. Great time pieces. Nice of you to post them for all of us to see.
Mike

steve smith

Mar 29 2010, 04:22 AM

Did everyone catch big /lil nard in there? Great stuff jrad !
Who was the first lady that talked about racing on sunday ? I remember her .

steve smith

Mar 29 2010, 05:16 AM

Part 2b big nard awesome!

Jradical

Mar 29 2010, 12:22 PM

QUOTE (steve smith @ Mar 29 2010, 06:22 AM)

Did everyone catch big /lil nard in there? Great stuff jrad !
Who was the first lady that talked about racing on sunday ? I remember her .

Yea, looks like an early Nardie for sure!

MR - can you name any of the 26" racers? Charlie Danishek is one of them, he has a pro-tec on. There is a quick clip of him helping a fallen rider also. FM Acre is the guy talking about the OM Flyer.

Steve - the first lady is Kris & Michelle's Kremers mother, Doug's sister in-law.

Reddy1947

Mar 29 2010, 04:44 PM

QUOTE (Jradical @ Mar 29 2010, 02:22 PM)

Yea, looks like an early Nardie for sure!

MR - can you name any of the 26" racers? Charlie Danishek is one of them, he has a pro-tec on. There is a quick clip of him helping a fallen rider also. FM Acre is the guy talking about the OM Flyer.

Steve - the first lady is Kris & Michelle's Kremers mother, Doug's sister in-law.

Jrad,
I'm extremely embarrassed to say I cannot name them. I didn't even recognize Charlie. I did think I saw Doc Zimmer in a white shirt kneeling in the second clip at about 3:40 or so. I'm 99% sure the child talking to big Nardie is little Nardie. (I still have a Nardie bird decal). Of course Ted Johnson talking about the NBL in the eastern part of the US was the state commissioner in '81. I even remember racing the guy who is talking about teaching his son how to work on bikes, I even remember his voice but I cannot remember his name at all.
The thing I really don't remember though is ever seeing Kettering that rough. During most of it's life back then it was one of the smoothest well kept tracks in the country. Anyway I thought so and loved coming there to race. Kettering - or maybe it was Ft. Hamilton - used to water the track heavily days before a race. Then the next morning they would find low spots because they would remain dark and damp longer than the high spots. They would just screen some fine dirt over the low spots to bring them up level for race day. Weren't we lucky to have so many good tracks in Ohio though.
Mike

NateChever

Mar 30 2010, 06:03 AM

Posted this originally where the video's were but actually wanted it here!
That brought back some memories, talk about a blast from the past! LOL Think I saw one of the Patrick boys in there, they were from Enon, had a starting gate in their back yard made out of wood that was like 8 foot tall, think their parents owned a florist shop in Fairborn? Also think I saw George Kramer in there, use to be K&G's team manager BITD! I did see Big Nard as well! LOL How about Bob Haro's Fro, that Off Shore lid was just hovering up on his head! I wouldn't mind having that Torker he was riding now-a-days tho with those graphite Tuff II's! LOL Thanks for posting J-Rad! Classic!

beefaroo

Apr 10 2010, 10:49 PM

When is the next reunion?I heard it is going to be at Kettering, I just can't remember the date.

NateChever

Apr 14 2010, 12:35 AM

QUOTE (beefaroo @ Apr 11 2010, 12:49 AM)

When is the next reunion?I heard it is going to be at Kettering, I just can't remember the date.

July 25th I believe?

scmcgovern

May 2 2010, 06:51 PM

Really, Kettering again.. Figure it would move again... Maybe south.. like new Monroe, or even Ft. Hamilton..

spunkysmurf00

May 10 2010, 07:32 AM

QUOTE (Dd24skater @ Jan 6 2010, 04:10 PM)

Ok well, if it's not Drew or Jay it must be Little Lisa!! Hello!

I can answer some of these because I talk to them or a regular basis. Steve Bender lives in Corona Del Mar CA, is married with two girls racing motocross. Dave Bender lives in Berthod Colorado married with two kids riding motocross and sking all the time. Chris Hedges I see on a regular basis, he is married to a school teacher and has two kids, living here in Cleveland. Dean Reynolds still lives in the Bucyurus area, is working for a boat maufacturer. Billy Morris is regular on the Cleveland music scene, check out Billymorris.net. I don't talk to him too much but we do see each other randomly I did see Larry Hembury a few years back, he was at a Carter Lumber, told me all the kids were doing well. I have one for you, what about Forest Whiticare? Not sure of the spelling, if this is who I think it is you must know what happened to this guy?

Hey Y'all!! How in the world are you? It's Cindy Wallace (Lau-Robertson)! I have often wondered where so many of you are and how you are? Lisa...Girl...How in the world are you? Great to see you on here!! My e-mail is ty02r@aol.com...Let's catch up!!

spunkysmurf00

May 10 2010, 07:42 AM

QUOTE (Dd24skater @ Jan 6 2010, 04:10 PM)

Ok well, if it's not Drew or Jay it must be Little Lisa!! Hello!

I can answer some of these because I talk to them or a regular basis. Steve Bender lives in Corona Del Mar CA, is married with two girls racing motocross. Dave Bender lives in Berthod Colorado married with two kids riding motocross and sking all the time. Chris Hedges I see on a regular basis, he is married to a school teacher and has two kids, living here in Cleveland. Dean Reynolds still lives in the Bucyurus area, is working for a boat maufacturer. Billy Morris is regular on the Cleveland music scene, check out Billymorris.net. I don't talk to him too much but we do see each other randomly I did see Larry Hembury a few years back, he was at a Carter Lumber, told me all the kids were doing well. I have one for you, what about Forest Whiticare? Not sure of the spelling, if this is who I think it is you must know what happened to this guy?

Hey Y'all......How are ya?
Hey Lisa!! How are you? It's Cindy Wallace!! What a cool website!! My e-mail addy is ty02r@aol.com...Let's catch up!

GaryKubisch

May 26 2010, 06:09 PM

This is me on the left sitting on the starting hill at Avon Lake in 83 or 84.

And this was today 5/26/2010...I was stoked to see some remanence of the track......
Same picture angle of the starting hill.

protour77

May 26 2010, 08:09 PM

QUOTE (GaryKubisch @ May 26 2010, 08:09 PM)

This is me on the left sitting on the starting hill at Avon Lake in 83 or 84.

And this was today 5/26/2010...I was stoked to see some remanence of the track......
Same picture angle of the starting hill.

Very cool to see that since that was where I first raced right around that same time frame.

oldrider09

Jun 4 2010, 11:58 PM

What a blast from the past. So I'm sittin' here searching for "chrome pitting" (for some project I'm working on), and I find a link to vintage bmx. Then... I find this thread. This thread certainly brought back memories. Going to make a post here, hope it doesn't stretch out too long. Here goes...

My first 3 races was in '78 with a neighbor whom was acquaintances with 'somebody', the "Ohio Express" and we hit this track in PA someplace 3 times. Then the next year was Hubbard in '79 and 3 races. No kidding, that first flat to downhill (and with the freakin' dual 180/180 'S' turn at the bottom), talk about hurry up and stop, then to an uphill, that was a killer. After Hubbard, that next year when 11, my old man and I spent the next four years weekly up at Norwalk. My dad was a sales guy so he/we only had time to race pretty much once a week, that was Norwalk. Later came some other tracks inbetween and one of my favorites, Vermillion, Wallace's track.

All those old names- Bender(s), Jason Thompson, Mark Hardy, Doug Minear, Scott Wallace, Billy Au, Billy Morris, Riggles, Tom/Tim Janes, Forest, Dean Reynolds, Rodney Conley, Denny Phaler (his dad was the show!), Scott Setta, Bill Bader, Brad Thomas, and whomever else was out there. For the one post, Setta had the trophy shop. In fact in the later 80's after I no longer raced, Setta's shop caught fire, saw it in the news. Don't know if it was an accident or arson, don't know if they rebuilt.

Over the years got to race at Norwalk, Avon Lake, Elyria, Hubbard, Vermillion, Madison, Kettering, Wapakenetta, Mansfield, Marietta, Burbank, Stow, Akron, the Ohio State Fair, and some tracks in Michigan (Endless Summer, Waterford Oaks (i think), and some place at a Friday night race where we ran into the Wallace's.) Also did two indoor National's in Mich, (whichever one that indoor one was; Eddy King and Harry Leary signed my Diamond Back crank bag there, that was pretty cool.) Oh yeah, and that downtown Cleveland indoor race at the Convention Center. Ran the state series in '82 13x, raced with Doni Hier, just remember the name, don't remember much else or where he placed. In that series by end, in lead for #3, myself and the rest could not touch 1/2, by the main at Kettering, got a lousy start and tied for the plate by end; got #4.

I spent my time coming up with and racing against Mark Hardy, Doug Minear, Billy Au, Scott Setta, Dean Reynolds, Greg Lynch, and whomever else was there (and names I've yet to remember), specifically at Norwalk. Mark Hardy was #1 for a reason back then, nobody could catch Mark, and everyone else was in a shootout for 2nd when Mark was around. I was friends with Mark at the races, I liked Mark, I remember when he buried his dad with his #1 plate (I heard about later.) Had no idea about Billy after my racing years, and to find out a few years back now that he became a National Champ and stayed in the sport, that's pretty cool. Way to go Billy

. Billy and I were at each other's heel's during our years, we had alot of good races between us. All in all I raced 11n-12n-12x-13x-14x. The track in Vermillion was way fun and in the Wallace's BACKYARD! The starting gate Mr. Wallace had was awesome, and looked forward to and raced there a number of times. The after season Norwalk banquets and the acquaintances met racing bmx those years was really great stuff. When 15 I ran three races at Akron, then hung it up. I'd guess I'd say now later and not 13, -THANKS- to all the 'parents' and interested 'folks' that created, provided, and -ran- the 'tracks' that we all (back in the day) got to race at because of these folks. -THANK YOU-.

To find this site/thread really brought back memories. My dad took some pictures over the years, whichever ones are still around my folks have someplace. A couple I kept for myself are just me, figure I'll post 'em up and in 'em there's a couple more shots of tracks. After my time in racing bmx, I then moved on to other interests. But back then, in the day, I loved the competition and the racing week in and week out. Then and now today 'grown up', racing (I guess in almost any context), to me is the only pure form of sport, it's an individual thing, 'team' sports just can't compete.) I'm a big fan of supercross/motocross today and follow each series's races, each year. Cheers to everyone.

Chris Keller
Raced out of Cleveland, OH

(apparently there is another Chris who raced(es) out there someplace, I'm not him, and he's not me

)

Burbank - winter 81/82'. Fun track, good racing there. Man, was it cold in the winter at Burbank. Behind my left arm is Billy Au in the SE jersey. Scott Setta is in the Black/Red coming in to the turn.

Norwalk - 82', a shot over the doubles in practice.

Norwalk - '83, first turn

TrickStarRick

Jun 5 2010, 12:48 AM

Thats an cool history Chris. Our home track is the NEW Norwalk. Shady Lane BMX. Mark Hardy and his son Matt our the local favorites

Come on out and check us out, It's cool to talk about the old days, and watch the boys do what we did back ITD....
Rick

oldrider09

Jun 7 2010, 01:39 AM

Hi Rick, thanks for the info. I saw that, a couple of years ago, that now since there is no bmx at Norwalk Raceway (Now Summit), (however long that's been), that Shady Lane was the (seemingly) replacement location. Sounds good, maybe I'll get out there one day, thanks for the invite.

Chris

Vonderahe

Jun 18 2010, 07:51 PM

Hi Chris its nice to hear you are doing well!

-Lisa Vonderahe

timmyd

Jun 26 2010, 06:30 PM

Old School BMX Reunion Kettering July 25th, just a little reminder for all. Bring your kids and parents also... and any old memorys you have.

scmcgovern

Jun 27 2010, 10:09 PM

Word on the street is that is getting a make over.. maybe a bit longer too..

Chris C.

Jun 28 2010, 04:23 AM

Any details at all on this event? Times, race format, any bike show, swap meet? Its on my calendar, but I haven't heard much more than the date.

Thanks!

fastdog

Jun 28 2010, 08:29 PM

Gerry Barnette here.Whats up everybody.I raced early 80ies.raced madison,marion,mansfield,burbank just to name a few.I called madison my home track.

steve smith

Jun 28 2010, 11:53 PM

QUOTE (Chris C. @ Jun 28 2010, 06:23 AM)

Any details at all on this event? Times, race format, any bike show, swap meet? Its on my calendar, but I haven't heard much more than the date.

Thanks!

The show stuff is being promoted by somone else [i havent seen any flyers or writeups anywhere tho]
I wondered why whoever it was didnt just do the whole thing i guess bob may have thought that we would get more oldtimers out there idk?
I havent been racing any locals at all so i havent touched base with bob/ anna til yesterday .

We can do anything we want rules wise ,but i think last time rules were good .If anyone wants to alter its ok.The 30 over is in stone though! May be able to make one class 100% payback $ if there was a intrest oldschool outlaw? [prolly have to ask them]
Anyway if you have any questions bout the bike show you can email anna @ annabruns@hotmail.com

The oldschool race is all our deal so chime in here .
Todd Lyons isnt going to make it and im going to kick his butt next time i see him !

Oh yeah jrad had a idea last time bout wanting to race all 3 rounds and i agree so well do all 3 .We had semis and a main in the 2 classes we had last time ]im sure the only semis daytons had at a state race in many years]

The 2 classes we did last time for newer people who werent there were both 30 over .
One old dudes class any bike run whatcha got
Old dude -old bike [or retro /old appearing bike-no clips]

Bob will give 1 day free trial liscenses to anyone wanting to race these classes only.

Some oldster bmxers are coming into town on sat night to hang out and catch up as well.