Our family headed to California for vacation one summer, I begged to bring along my bike so I could take a stab at racing the best. We had found our way to the Monrovia track somehow, well being from Michigan I was like a stranger in a strange land.
I was racing 16X if I recall correctly but what stands out from that trip is a local racer in my class named Charles Yelloweyes, I think he knew I was nervous and we made friends instantly. I ended up pulling off a 2nd place in the main which made my day but for some reason Charles still stands out in my mind from that trip. Does anybody know of him or if he is still around?

There was also a local pro if I remember right by the name of Bobby Creek, he was very cool also. Normally I am terrible with names but these 2 guys are etched in my head for some reason.

Are these guys still around?

I don't know either of those guys - seems like someone around here would..


I do know the feeling of going to an out of town local race though, really being the outsider - running the low district number. I went to Orange Y during a disneyland trip once and everything was really surreal, not having your regular friends / teamates and competition there...

Another time I raced at Selma - we went to visit someone in Fresno or something and I had to race. Jon Anderson (redline) was there and I beat him in the first moto. Maybe he let me win, I don't know - but he was just in BMXA for the japan trip, remember?

You mean this guy?

Click to view attachment

I highly doubt he let you win - LOL, its funny how some key things just stay with you. I remember we went to the Grands in Oklahoma in 83?? anyway the 17-21 Cruiser class practice was overlapping with the Pro practice and there he was!!! Stompin Stu Thomsen right next to me!! I was like holey crap he was my all time hero and he right next to me!! LOL. What an Icon! and NOO I didnt beat him LOL

Yeah I'm surprised that nobody remembers those 2 guys from Monrovia, well thats ok I just wanted to say hello and Thanks for making me feel at home.

The Wife and I are headed to LA late August for 10 days, I would like to check out a local race prefurably at one of the original tracks from BITD. Any suggestions?

I defnately remember the name Bobby Creek.
He placed high often enough to have his name noticed.

As for Jon Anderson, he was an excellent racer.
But hey, it's BMX.
Just because someone's fast and has a factory sponsor,
does not mean that they can not be beat.
I've beat Jon a few times. He was fast and respect worthy in the sport.
It's just a toss up who crosses the line first sometimes.

It was him for sure, like I said I was a little starstruck - he was just in the BMXa mag for that Japan trip.. but hey, I guess it charged me up, at least for the first round. I'm pretty sure he won the main.

It was just a single point race, but yeah - it was memorable.

Charles Yelloweyes

Wow #4, You just brought back memories!

Charles was part of the Temple City train track locals and road for Temple City bikes the whole time he raced. Ron at TC Bikes may know more about him if he ever still drops around. His little sister had a true love for racing so thier dad took them any chance they had to the NAts and she did pretty good. I must have some pictures with him in a box somewhere.

Bobby Creek!
Him and his brother Troy were part of the four day a week intertainment bmx racers.

Azusa and Monrovia provided some of the most intense racing on a local level. Wed/Fri/ Sunday at Azusa, Sun morning at monrovia.
Everyone at the track would be glued watching to see if Bobby, Troy, Kenny Battles, Clint Miller, Kim Jarbo, Dave Merrit or Rick Wilkerson would beat Harry Leary as he owned those tracks with killer intensity. Harry did not like to lose and did what he had to to win.

Man! The Bike throwing and fights were amazing but by the end of the day they all had each others backs.

I remember Bobby hacksawed off the top of his car so he had a convertable. Made it easy to throw his Surf Board and Bikes in the back seat.

Sorry but there is nothing left around here that is original. (except Johnny Johnson and myself, ok ok, and Greg Hill too)

The closest you can get to original is the Orange Y track. But the only thing original there is the location.

If your timing is right, you may be in for the time of your life! I will not go any further but to tell you to check out this link. Troll around over there for some threads on the same subject and you will be blown away by who will be at this event.

Visit My Website

Gary,

Your name brings me back also, If I recall correctly you certainly where no slouch either, National Pro ride?. Did you do battle with any of these guys back then? This site is so cool for this kind of stuff.
I highly doubt those either Charles nor Bobby would remember me, but maybe. Just basically wondering what they where doing now.

Holey crap I'm talking to BMX royalty here between Gary and yourself - LOL.

Thanks for the info, but it looks as if we will be flying in 4 days late for the event. That is exactly what I was hoping to find though, just kinda wanted to visit the roots of the sport again and soak it in a bit. I would love to visit some of these ambassadors of our sport just to shake their hands and say "thank you". As time/age passes I find myself missing racing and all that it was about, the good times and the flash backs whether reliving my own past or simply reading the notes placed here by some of my childhood hero's.

What a fantastic sport, I only wish that it would have grown with the times. I mean its still big but not like it was!

Thanks guys!!

Charles Yelloweyes!!!

He was a great guy and to this day I bring him up to friends who were never involved in BMX.

Charles and his family were good people. It was a very sad day when we buried his little bother. With trophies, bike parts and in his racing uniform.

Their parents put in everything they had so their kids could race.

Last I heard (from him) he was just out of culinary school and got his first cooking job up in Washington state.

If you met Charles you met me and Tom Berry and a few others too.

Gary Haselhorst was a pretty outstanding young man too.

I know I have pictures of Charles somewhere

The whole thing was very cool, as I said I was very nervous not knowing a single person there and we just started talking and its like we where pals, he made me feel at ease and I wont forget that. Ya know he did introduce me to a few guys and although I suck with names Tom Berry does indeed ring a bell, that trip to California will always remain one of my fondest. What was your name? and did you race in the same class? I mean what are the chances they we shared the same starting gate that day?, but if you recall they did anounce me that I had came all the way from Michigan to race!

Thats sad about his brother, what happened?

I wish I could relive those days, although I might try a little on the Cruiser this summer!

Gary Haselhorst was a pretty outstanding young man too.


Oh no! Now you've done it! Hahahah!

I got to going through another old box of photos

Here is one of Charles Yelloweyes at Honda Hills in Glendora California. It's early 1980's... very early



Hey Gary, I found some of you too

... and I got in contact with Charles last night

Great classic pics!!!

Tell Charles to log on here!!

Really cool thread guys!

Lunchbox67 --- Is there any chance you may have Charles Yelloweyes email address? I would really like to get ahold of him.

Definetely very sad about his Brother. He and I were pretty close during the Monrovia/Azusa Days. I remember services like they were the other day. We were all very young. But it was awesome that it was packed. Back then the BMX family's were tight.

The rest of the family was awesome. Did not matter if the stationwagon shutdown, they were still going to make it to Texas - AZ - OK - WA. I have the pleasure of still having one of Mrs. Yelloweyes feather roach clip. Man' some memories.

Great Pics of Charles. Please tell him I said Hi!

He did love to jump.

"Pat" Welcome!!

Gary