This is my first post.

Any Azusa locals out there from 84-86? I raced for Main Bikes out of Alhambra.

Do you remember Peter Yi ?

Yeah. He left main bikes prior to my arrival. Never raced him though. I think he may have a year or two younger than me.

The guys on Main Bikes when I was there were the Clark Brothers, the Wilson Brothers, and Tim Testa (mostly NBL).

I raced Azusa '79-'80

Kevin,

What locals did you race against back then?

I raced Azusa from it's beginning to the end.

Same with the USBMX track up the street

Don't you miss Happy Jack's ... ahh, those were they days

I rode with Peter Yi often. He lived in some apartments near Azusa Ave south of Arrow hwy

I've got a few photos of me racing Peter Yi
in my Open class at the 83' Jag World Championships
in Burbank California.
He was 14, I was 15.
He did very well at that race.
I was doing good, but blew it in my Semi's and watched the mains from the grandstands.

I raced Azusa one time.
It was a Christmas race in December of 1978.
I remember the first straight into the left hand berm.
Then the drop off into the left handed bowl berm,
then uphill, then to a right berm, then the finish.

Rick Wilkinson, Erik Kocen, Steve Shobert.

Kocen is in the Rad Grip ad
Upper right



His dad threw the gate pretty good.

Set'em up ... RidersreadypedalsreadyGO!

His dad threw the gate at Azusa? Was he the short guy that always wore a hat? I got smoked on every start until the day Dave Wilson finally told me to leave on "riders ready". The rest was history. Never knew until years later Dave was one of the original JMC factory riders. That would explain why I could never beat him.

MainBiker,
So you're born around 68' to be racing David Wilson.
He was an excellent racer. We're same age, but never got to race him.

Eric Kocen is stil a friend of mine. I see him every two months or so.
He rides skateparks for fun now a days.

This picture is from the USBA So. Cal. Nationals, Oct 84.

I had not raced in a couple of years and this was my one and only cruiser race.

I ticked off a bunch of the fastest guys of that time when I beat them in the first moto.

I ended up 6th in the main but I didn't care, I made my mark in that 1st moto.

My local tracks were both Azusas and Monrovia.

I also rode for Main Bikes. I was getting results at some of the bigger races so they gave me a Kuwahara and sent me to TX for the Grand National Championships and the ABA grands. I made both mains in the expert class with good results at the line. Soon after I got the Vans ride.

I was always greatful to them for that. It played a major role in getting me out on the national scene.

Gary

Gary,

I was actually born in 1967. Dave was lightning fast but so low key. Were you on Main Bikes the same time as Clark Brothers? I had heard a rumor that either Scofield or Donnell were on Main at one time. Any truth too that? Kija was a great guy. A push over. But a great guy.

I lived at both tracks at different times.

I lived at both tracks at different times.

Just signed up and this is my first blog. I raced 14 and 15X at the USBMX track during that time frame. If I remember correctly, Tim Testa, with the exception of one or two local races, was the only one I could beet. No matter how hard I tried. Always had fun racing Bryan Dorsey to (sorry to hear about his mom). Would be nice to hear from some of the local hot shoes from that track. Don't know if anyone remembers Rick and Deena Barber, Randy Robertson, Mike Sorell, Grover Adams, Danny Squire, little Ray Mendoza, Mike Cosen, Ron House(whos dad owned Super BMX Magazine), Nick Waters and many more I would probably remember if I heard their names. I raced for Ray's Chevron and Alosta Bikes back then. Raced on Torkers, an LRP( from Pete Loncaravich), and a Star BMX(GHP) bike.

Tim Testa and I were fairly close in ability. I was kind of upset when he was placed on the team as we were both 17X at the time. I do remember alot of guys on the Alosta & SK teams. Were you there when Larry Wilcox broke his leg at the War of the Stars?

Trussel,
Do you have any pics of the LRP ?
Welcome to the site!

This is a great little thread. My name is Kevin Keller and I raced for JMC at one time. I signed up / found this site a little over a month ago. Both Azusas and Monrovia were also my home tracks from about 79 to 85ish. There are some great names / local racers mentioned on this thread that bring back alot of memories. Dave Wilson helped me improve my starts as well at one time. Joe Fox called the finish line from his wheelchair for many years and his son (Joe Jr.) was a strong rider in my class. My dad, Tom Keller, ended up becoming an announcer for a while.

Some other great local racers from the day that are not listed yet, Geoff Schofield, Ryan Crupi, Ron and Valerie Mckiernan, Scott and Danny Martin. (It has been a while so I am sure I will remember more after I send this) Main bikes, Rays Chevron, Martin's Concrete Pumping and Temple City Bikes were great local supporters.

Gary Haselhorst, that was an excellent article you wrote about Jim Melton. Keep up the good work!

I raced there one time for an NBL national in 86. Stayed @ Ryan Crupi's house as we were team mates on Titan. I think I got 3rd in cruiser and 2nd in X. Cool track as I remember.

If I can find it, I know I had one of those key chain things that held a 110 size slide. Unfortunately, I dont think I have any of the bike by itself. If I find one, I'll try and post it on this site or email it to you. If you remember, it was one of the first bikes designed with twin downtubes.

Yeah, I remember. And if I remember correctly, he was promoting his own riding apperal.

If you're who I'm thinking of, you raced 12 or 13X around 83/84. While I was there, Both Bullwinkle Weeks dad and Eric Kocens dad usually ran the gate while Linda Dorsey announced the races. I also remember Gary Haselhorst riding there every once in a while. Also remember seeing a pic of him and Ron House doing tricks in a half pipe when they rode for Vans. Correct me if I'm wrong but you wore a full face Echo helmet

I did have a full face Echo helmet but I also had an open face one at times through the years. If I have my math right I was 12 in 1984 and that would have been my last year of racing. I raced a ton of tracks but Azusa and Monrovia were always home for me. I will try to find some Azusa or Monrovia pictures and post them. I forgot about Bullwinkle until now. Linda started annoncing toward the end of my racing days but she was always involved in other ways before that and I remember going over to Linda's house with Brian a few times back in the day. I was sad to hear of her death.

A few other local riders, Jason Palmeze and Mike Luna.

Azusa was my favorite track, I lived in HB and we made Asuza our local track we liked it so much.

I've been waiting for an Azusa thread, throw up some pics.

Tinker Juarez rode that track better then anyone, my brother, cousin and I would be talking about Tinker on the ride there just about everytime hoping to see him ride

Bullwinkle owned it, that kid was a great rider. How long did he race and how phenominal did he get?

Not sure how long Bullwinkle continued racing for. Although he was an excellent racer and pretty easy to get along with, I did hear on occasion (and witness) him being an over confident little brat. That could be contributed to his dad being in good with Ray Mendoza and Jim Barber.

I've seen Tinker's name come up quite a few times in the mountain biking scene. He used to ride for Bandito. Also saw Matt Haden trying out for the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department but don't know what has happened since. I heard Stu Thompson worked for Riverside County Sheriffs but lateralled to O.C. a few years ago. Also heard Harry Leary still works for Diamond Back.

Oh yeah, I was trying to find some pics of the track but all I found were pics of me either practicing or racing. Will get them on soon.

Brian B,
I looked through all my old photo's and could find any of the LRP; Not even the little key chain viewer thing-bummer. I'll have to see if my dad has any old photos. He may have some stuffed in a drawer somewhere. I also tried google searching the frame but couldn't find any pics there. I'll keep searching

The Azusa nationals were always a great time. I remember racing there a few times as a kid. I stayed with Scofields, Carter's and Crupi's. Wish the nationals were still held there.

Did they develop the land? Pics would be great to see but sad at the same time.

I remember the week day trip to Knotts Berry Farms with the Scofield's. Good times for sure! Geoff and I were talking about it not so long ago.

No probs. Thanks for all the great info! Dig around, you'll no doubt find tons of great stories here.

I drove by the old ABA track a couple of months ago. It is flat but still empty.

Click to view attachment

Here is a pic of me in an Echo full face helmet at Azusa ABA.

Click to view attachment

This is my dad, Tom Keller, announcing at the Azusa ABA track. If I am not mistaken, the lady furthest to the left might be Linda Dorsey.

Click to view attachment

Someone brought up the movie filmed at Asuza NBL. (Uncommon Valor) Here is a pic of me on the set. Gene Hackman is one of the actors in the background.

I found a bunch of photos that have been sitting in storage for years and they brought back some great memories.

I have a pic racimg against Scott Breverman back in 84 I think. I got a bunch of pic racing om the NBL Azusa track in 84 and 85. One with me doing a parade lap with Brian Gass behind me.
Eric

Nice pics. I see Randal "Tex" Cobb is also in the picture. I have a really bad memory. I do not remember Azusa ABA having an anouncer booth. What year do think that picture was taken?

what year did it go ABA, was always NBL when I raced there

what year did it close and why?

There were 2 tracks. The first one going north on Azusa was the ABA track. It was located behind an Elks lodge if remeber correctly.

Then around 1983 the NBL track opened up farther up the street. That is the track that Uncomon Valor was filmed at.

Main biker,

I thought that pic was cool for this thread because the name of the track (Azusa) was right on the side of the booth. I can not be sure on the exact date of that photo. I would put it between 1981 and 1983 but I will show my dad the photo when I get a chance and see what he thinks.

By the way, I also rode for Main bikes out of Alhambra at one time.

I just found some neat old photos of Monrovia races and several more Azusa photos.

To those that have additional photos......... Keep them coming

KK,

You rode for Main Bikes too? Man, everyone was on that team (LOL). This reminds of that I Love Lucy episode when the little kid says "it's a my birthday too" but for real. You had to have been on the team way before me. Were you on the team with the Clark Brothers or Ruben Fuki? I would love to see a picture of a Main Bikes jersey. Do you have one?

I rode for Main bikes for about 6 months. If I remember right the owner's name was Kisha (unknown spelling) In fact, my dad was introduced to that shop by Linda Dorsey. I believe Brian Dorsey was on the team during that time period. I am not sure on the other names, it has been a long time. I also rode for Ralph's Bikes (Bell Gardens) and Temple City Bike Shop before I got the JMC ride.

I found some old pics of Main bikes jerseys and pics of other people on the team during that time period. I will load them up. Somebody may be able to name who they are............

Click to view attachment

Here is the old uni you were asking for. I am #16

Very nice. That was before my time. We had the solid white ones. I always thought Main had the trickest uniforms. Thanks.

I raced at Azusa a couple times in '86 when I worked at Plus. I was on the gate in practice, trying to make small talk with Clint Miller. I said "this gate drops like a drawbridge" and he replied with "No Sh#$, I've been racing here for 8 years". Cool. I had my best finish against "big name" pros that day, with Eric Rupe, Todd Blazer, Travis Chipres and a couple others. I took third. There was also an empty pool there that I did ride my bike in, but really wanted to skate it. I was living the California dream!

Those are some big names Scott.

Main biker, bust out some pics of the white unis. This web site stuff is fairly new to me and it will not let me put up any more Azusa photos. I found a photo of Gary Haselhorst, myself, and others when we were on Main bikes but it will not let me post. Gary was older than me but we went to quite a few races together and he was always cool to me.

Ryan Crupi was mentioned in here. He used to be my neighbor in Temple City and my dad gave him one of my first JMC's back when he started out racing. I still have the others!

I found some photos of other local fast riders, Darrel Foster (His dad ran Monrovia), Jason Jensen (Torker), Bubba Hays (SE). Mark Kotsay was another name that comes to mind.......

KK,

I have not seen the solid white uniforms in years. It sounds like you are 4-5 years younger than me. My name is Kevin Wilson (no relation to Dave Wilson) I rode a DY & AP back in the day. My brother is Brian Wilson who was also on Main with Cory Clark. Here are a couple names of non Main local guys that I can remember.

Grant Inman
Tim Bubba Kersten
Rex Butler
Some Guy Named Delany
Boo & his old buddy (they both rode JMC's)
Chris Fikes
Partee? - Bicycles Unlimited

Memories.....

Hey Matt,

What ever happened to that LRP?

No question that the lady furthest to the left is Linda Dorsey.

Did this track have a bridge? I remember going to a clinic put on by Clint Miller and Harry Leary there. I don't think I ever raced much there though. I mainly stuck to Pipeline and San Bernadino.

The Azusa NBL track had the bridge.

There were the 2 track in Azusa on 39 (as stated in this thread) as you started going into Azusa Canyon
Both were on the west side of the road
the south-most track was behind the lodge and it was ABA as long as I can remember. Rich Long ran it for a time.

The one further up the road had the bridge and was known as USBMX. Originally it was built to be part of a new BMX organization, I got my card somewhere, but then it merged with the NBL.

I did not know that Rich Long ran the ABA track at one time. When I raced there the Wilson and Ainsworth families owned it.