I just spoke with the legendary Danny Oakley and he has officially joined our ranks here on Vintage. Danny was a legend back in the day and was a member of the Mongoose Factory Team the same time I was. We ended up several times at Skip's house together and I can tell you that he is a fine human.
Danny actually became a Rocket Scientist after his fabulous bmx career. YIKES!!! On top of that he is a nominee for the ABA BMX Hall of Fame this year.
Welcome to the site Danny! Now, we have this little tradition...new guy gets the coffee....I like mine black, just like Carlisle tires!!!!
Have Fun Danny Oakley!
Full Version: Welcome Danny Oakley
Danny was the first big factory legend out of Nor Cal. Welcome to the site. He paved the way for Frank Post, Brent Patterson and John Crews. Welcome to the website and others you may join.
QUOTE (Cash Matthews @ Aug 7 2008, 08:55 PM) 
I just spoke with the legendary Danny Oakley and he has officially joined our ranks here on Vintage. Danny was a legend back in the day and was a member of the Mongoose Factory Team the same time I was. We ended up several times at Skip's house together and I can tell you that he is a fine human.
Danny actually became a Rocket Scientist after his fabulous bmx career. YIKES!!! On top of that he is a nominee for the ABA BMX Hall of Fame this year.
Welcome to the site Danny! Now, we have this little tradition...new guy gets the coffee....I like mine black, just like Carlisle tires!!!!
Have Fun Danny Oakley!
Danny actually became a Rocket Scientist after his fabulous bmx career. YIKES!!! On top of that he is a nominee for the ABA BMX Hall of Fame this year.
Welcome to the site Danny! Now, we have this little tradition...new guy gets the coffee....I like mine black, just like Carlisle tires!!!!
Have Fun Danny Oakley!
Cash, thank you for those kind words of welcome...
That was a great time in our lives being on the Mongoose Factory Team.
It is truly an honor to be a nominee for the ABA BMX Hall of Fame.
Cash, do you want a donut with that coffee... Or is a bear claw more to your liking...
QUOTE (Racer @ Aug 7 2008, 09:10 PM)
Danny was the first big factory legend out of Nor Cal. Welcome to the site. He paved the way for Frank Post, Brent Patterson and John Crews. Welcome to the website and others you may join.
That is kind of you to say, and even kinder of you to notice, thank you!
It would be fantastic to hear from Frank Post, Brent Patterson, and John Crews.
If they are here on vintage, or if anyone knows how to contact them, please let me know.
Again, thank you for the warm welcome.
Danny, welcome back to your roots! I found my way back just a couple of years ago.
Things have changed but down deep it is still just a bike and a track or a trail.
I remember racing you at the Centurian Grand Prix at Auburn, Roseville, and Grass Valley.
Dennis Dain
Things have changed but down deep it is still just a bike and a track or a trail.
I remember racing you at the Centurian Grand Prix at Auburn, Roseville, and Grass Valley.
Dennis Dain
WOW! Now we're talkin'!
Welcome!
Welcome!
Wow, Dennis Dain is COOL!!!! 
Hey Danny, I'm on here too. Welcome.
The North is rising!
Spike
...Wells
......Oakley
...of course there are others here also, but these guys have/are history.
Spike
...Wells
......Oakley
...of course there are others here also, but these guys have/are history.
Hey Danny , welcome to vintage . The last time I saw you at a race I was a little wooden wheels brat . Glad to see you getting props from ABA . Hope to see you back at the races slinging goggles and shades at racers again . I'dd like to see the kids of todays reaction to the DUKE 
. Hope you can find all your old friends here .
. Hope you can find all your old friends here .
Good to see you here Danny Boy..
QUOTE (The Red Baron @ Aug 7 2008, 11:19 PM)
Danny, welcome back to your roots! I found my way back just a couple of years ago.
Things have changed but down deep it is still just a bike and a track or a trail.
I remember racing you at the Centurian Grand Prix at Auburn, Roseville, and Grass Valley.
Dennis Dain
Things have changed but down deep it is still just a bike and a track or a trail.
I remember racing you at the Centurian Grand Prix at Auburn, Roseville, and Grass Valley.
Dennis Dain
Dennis, thank you, it's great to be back, and to hear from you!
You're right, things have changed, yet the bike, the track, and the trail remain fun.
I remember racing you too at the Centurian Grand Prix at Auburn, Roseville, and Grass Valley.
Danny
QUOTE (Mark Conley @ Aug 7 2008, 11:25 PM)
WOW! Now we're talkin'!
Welcome!
Welcome!
Mark, thanks for the welcome!
QUOTE (spike @ Aug 8 2008, 12:10 AM)
Hey Danny, I'm on here too. Welcome.
Spike, there you are, I knew I'd find you. Thank you for the welcome.
QUOTE (The Red Baron @ Aug 8 2008, 12:23 AM)
The North is rising!
Spike
...Wells
......Oakley
...of course there are others here also, but these guys have/are history.
Spike
...Wells
......Oakley
...of course there are others here also, but these guys have/are history.
Dennis, the North is rising! Thanks for those kind words...
QUOTE (Gary Mason WWR @ Aug 8 2008, 12:25 AM)
Hey Danny , welcome to vintage . The last time I saw you at a race I was a little wooden wheels brat . Glad to see you getting props from ABA . Hope to see you back at the races slinging goggles and shades at racers again . I'dd like to see the kids of todays reaction to the DUKE . Hope you can find all your old friends here .
. Hope you can find all your old friends here .Gary, thank you for the welcome.
QUOTE (Reilley1 @ Aug 8 2008, 12:26 AM)
Good to see you here Danny Boy..
It's good to be seen...
A few pieces from an Interview this past week.
Danny takes it back to the mid to late 60's!
GRH
Danny, What track did you start racing at? What were your local tracks and how did you find the sport of BMX?
Danny
I started racing at Baldwin Park, located in the Baldwin Hills area, above Ladera Heights, in Southern California. The track went through a number of variations from 1965 (when I first started racing, informally, of course), until it was refined. I helped in establishing organized BMX racing in early 1970, by working with the Parks and Recreation Department to formally hold races there at our Downhill Track.
For me, Baldwin Park was mecca, it was so vast, you could ride all day, and explore different types of terrain and inclines, (imagine Saddleback Park, if you have ever ridden a motorcycle around and through the entire Park, you know what I am trying to convey). Back in Malibu, I had not found a place of this type, yes, my parents let me build a race track on our property and hold races, but it could not hold a candle to Baldwin Park, and Malibu had some exceptional places, thus venturing over to my relatives in Ladera Heights was
heading to mecca...
My local tracks, in those early days (1965 to 1972), included Baldwin Park, and Malibu, (my backyard track, and the Dryer's backyard track). Shortly thereafter, Malibu Country Club, and Palms Park became some of the local tracks I raced. Beyond the local framework of where I was currently racing, I found my way to other tracks in Southern California, including Indian Dunes, B.U.M.'s Long Beach, Escape Country, Soledad Sands, Yarnell, Randall Ranch, and then it happened, it all came to a screeching halt, my parents said we were moving to Northern California, oh geez, you're kidding me, right!!!
You see, moving to Northern California was pretty traumatic for me, I found solace in my passion for riding and racing (including all the technical aspects of development regarding my skills and my bike). In Northern California, I needed to start from scratch once again. I started by talking to Parks and Recreation Departments, Police Activity Leagues, and other organizations to get organized BMX racing established (where to build the track, how to build the track, race formats, etc). I started this in such locations as Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Campbell, San Jose, Santa Clara, etc.
I found the sport of BMX, well, BMX found me, actually, I believe we found each other. From the first day I taught myself to bunny hop, to wheelie, to jump, I wanted to share this with my friends, from there, it turned into competition, and the rest is history...
GRH
Did racing come easy for you? How long did it take to get results the big sponsors were looking for? What year was that?
Danny
Did racing come easy for me, well, coming from a racing and technical background, racing is in my blood... Simply put, I believe it is in your approach to life, if you truly have a passion for something, then it may seem easy, as you are not quite aware of the emotional and physical investment you are making.
Getting the results the big sponsors were looking for, is an interesting question and viewpoint. You would need to determine when the "big sponsors" started to exist in our young sport of BMX. By 1975, I had already won numerous championships and titles throughout the years, which20brought a big sponsor to my doorstep.
While on Silver Shield, on a race day, I was approached by an individual who wanted me to help form a Company and a Team, that went on to become Pro Products, Inc., MotoPRO. Pro Products, Inc. was to be a distributorship, initially, for Redline, Webco, Motomags, etc. MotoPRO was the team. I raced a Redline with Motomags. Then, the owner thought that we should make our own products, the fun for me was being able to design, develop, race, and win with, and on my own designs. This was the first Company and a Team I helped
form, there was another that would follow...
GRH
Your results as a racer earned you a spot on the Mongoose team and landed you a spot in their ads promoting the product. When did your ride for them? Who asked you to ride for them? What other teams did you ride for?
Danny
My results as a racer earned me a spot on the Mongoose team and landed me a spot in their ads promoting the product, well, that is an interesting viewpoint. Looking from the outside, I can see the validity of that viewpoint. The reality is Skip Hess Sr. and I knew each other long before Skip asked me to join him at B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose.
At B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose, I found my second home, and my second family. Skip Hess Sr., Bruce Smith, and Mike Hodson, were always so caring, so encouraging, so supportive, in=2 0every way that family can be, I will carry those cherished memories all the days of my life. I enjoyed designing my own frames (Prototype Supergoose Frame & Prototype Moosegoose Frame), and components, racing them, along with racing production bikes, which
B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose was known throughout the world for its unequaled quality.
I conducted BMX Racing Clinics, BMX Demonstrations, promoted B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose, promoted the sport of BMX Racing (family participation, values and sportsmanship), designed/built BMX race tracks, and organized race formats in the United States, and in Europe, for Skip, Bruce, and Mike. These were some of my contributions for 5 years, until my retirement in 1981.
The other teams that I raced for, besides B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose are:
Bikette & Dirtmaster
Rick's Bike Shop
Silver Shield
Pro Products, Inc., MotoPRO
Speedo
GRH
What top 3 results come to mind as your favorites from racing BMX?
Danny
I believe that you are asking about race wins, if this is the case, then:
6 Time, Northern California Champion
4 Time, West Coast Champion
NPSA National Champion
With the trauma of moving to Northern California, at a time when my friends, my racing, my life, was in Southern California, these a ccomplishments became a showcase in my life for the elemental drive of rebuilding something that meant so much to me.
Please understand that I truly enjoy Northern California, this is my home, but it was the shock of being uprooted from everything I knew and loved, at that time. To this day, I have heard people ask if I am NorCal or SoCAL, let me think about this for a moment, I'm SoCal, wait, I'm NorCal, geez, I'm So-Nor-Cal!!!
Danny takes it back to the mid to late 60's!
GRH
Danny, What track did you start racing at? What were your local tracks and how did you find the sport of BMX?
Danny
I started racing at Baldwin Park, located in the Baldwin Hills area, above Ladera Heights, in Southern California. The track went through a number of variations from 1965 (when I first started racing, informally, of course), until it was refined. I helped in establishing organized BMX racing in early 1970, by working with the Parks and Recreation Department to formally hold races there at our Downhill Track.
For me, Baldwin Park was mecca, it was so vast, you could ride all day, and explore different types of terrain and inclines, (imagine Saddleback Park, if you have ever ridden a motorcycle around and through the entire Park, you know what I am trying to convey). Back in Malibu, I had not found a place of this type, yes, my parents let me build a race track on our property and hold races, but it could not hold a candle to Baldwin Park, and Malibu had some exceptional places, thus venturing over to my relatives in Ladera Heights was
heading to mecca...
My local tracks, in those early days (1965 to 1972), included Baldwin Park, and Malibu, (my backyard track, and the Dryer's backyard track). Shortly thereafter, Malibu Country Club, and Palms Park became some of the local tracks I raced. Beyond the local framework of where I was currently racing, I found my way to other tracks in Southern California, including Indian Dunes, B.U.M.'s Long Beach, Escape Country, Soledad Sands, Yarnell, Randall Ranch, and then it happened, it all came to a screeching halt, my parents said we were moving to Northern California, oh geez, you're kidding me, right!!!
You see, moving to Northern California was pretty traumatic for me, I found solace in my passion for riding and racing (including all the technical aspects of development regarding my skills and my bike). In Northern California, I needed to start from scratch once again. I started by talking to Parks and Recreation Departments, Police Activity Leagues, and other organizations to get organized BMX racing established (where to build the track, how to build the track, race formats, etc). I started this in such locations as Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Campbell, San Jose, Santa Clara, etc.
I found the sport of BMX, well, BMX found me, actually, I believe we found each other. From the first day I taught myself to bunny hop, to wheelie, to jump, I wanted to share this with my friends, from there, it turned into competition, and the rest is history...
GRH
Did racing come easy for you? How long did it take to get results the big sponsors were looking for? What year was that?
Danny
Did racing come easy for me, well, coming from a racing and technical background, racing is in my blood... Simply put, I believe it is in your approach to life, if you truly have a passion for something, then it may seem easy, as you are not quite aware of the emotional and physical investment you are making.
Getting the results the big sponsors were looking for, is an interesting question and viewpoint. You would need to determine when the "big sponsors" started to exist in our young sport of BMX. By 1975, I had already won numerous championships and titles throughout the years, which20brought a big sponsor to my doorstep.
While on Silver Shield, on a race day, I was approached by an individual who wanted me to help form a Company and a Team, that went on to become Pro Products, Inc., MotoPRO. Pro Products, Inc. was to be a distributorship, initially, for Redline, Webco, Motomags, etc. MotoPRO was the team. I raced a Redline with Motomags. Then, the owner thought that we should make our own products, the fun for me was being able to design, develop, race, and win with, and on my own designs. This was the first Company and a Team I helped
form, there was another that would follow...
GRH
Your results as a racer earned you a spot on the Mongoose team and landed you a spot in their ads promoting the product. When did your ride for them? Who asked you to ride for them? What other teams did you ride for?
Danny
My results as a racer earned me a spot on the Mongoose team and landed me a spot in their ads promoting the product, well, that is an interesting viewpoint. Looking from the outside, I can see the validity of that viewpoint. The reality is Skip Hess Sr. and I knew each other long before Skip asked me to join him at B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose.
At B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose, I found my second home, and my second family. Skip Hess Sr., Bruce Smith, and Mike Hodson, were always so caring, so encouraging, so supportive, in=2 0every way that family can be, I will carry those cherished memories all the days of my life. I enjoyed designing my own frames (Prototype Supergoose Frame & Prototype Moosegoose Frame), and components, racing them, along with racing production bikes, which
B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose was known throughout the world for its unequaled quality.
I conducted BMX Racing Clinics, BMX Demonstrations, promoted B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose, promoted the sport of BMX Racing (family participation, values and sportsmanship), designed/built BMX race tracks, and organized race formats in the United States, and in Europe, for Skip, Bruce, and Mike. These were some of my contributions for 5 years, until my retirement in 1981.
The other teams that I raced for, besides B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose are:
Bikette & Dirtmaster
Rick's Bike Shop
Silver Shield
Pro Products, Inc., MotoPRO
Speedo
GRH
What top 3 results come to mind as your favorites from racing BMX?
Danny
I believe that you are asking about race wins, if this is the case, then:
6 Time, Northern California Champion
4 Time, West Coast Champion
NPSA National Champion
With the trauma of moving to Northern California, at a time when my friends, my racing, my life, was in Southern California, these a ccomplishments became a showcase in my life for the elemental drive of rebuilding something that meant so much to me.
Please understand that I truly enjoy Northern California, this is my home, but it was the shock of being uprooted from everything I knew and loved, at that time. To this day, I have heard people ask if I am NorCal or SoCAL, let me think about this for a moment, I'm SoCal, wait, I'm NorCal, geez, I'm So-Nor-Cal!!!
QUOTE (Gary Haselhorst @ Aug 8 2008, 08:53 AM)
A few pieces from an Interview this past week.
Danny takes it back to the mid to late 60's!
GRH
Danny, What track did you start racing at? What were your local tracks and how did you find the sport of BMX?
Danny
I started racing at Baldwin Park, located in the Baldwin Hills area, above Ladera Heights, in Southern California. The track went through a number of variations from 1965 (when I first started racing, informally, of course), until it was refined. I helped in establishing organized BMX racing in early 1970, by working with the Parks and Recreation Department to formally hold races there at our Downhill Track.
For me, Baldwin Park was mecca, it was so vast, you could ride all day, and explore different types of terrain and inclines, (imagine Saddleback Park, if you have ever ridden a motorcycle around and through the entire Park, you know what I am trying to convey). Back in Malibu, I had not found a place of this type, yes, my parents let me build a race track on our property and hold races, but it could not hold a candle to Baldwin Park, and Malibu had some exceptional places, thus venturing over to my relatives in Ladera Heights was
heading to mecca...
My local tracks, in those early days (1965 to 1972), included Baldwin Park, and Malibu, (my backyard track, and the Dryer's backyard track). Shortly thereafter, Malibu Country Club, and Palms Park became some of the local tracks I raced. Beyond the local framework of where I was currently racing, I found my way to other tracks in Southern California, including Indian Dunes, B.U.M.'s Long Beach, Escape Country, Soledad Sands, Yarnell, Randall Ranch, and then it happened, it all came to a screeching halt, my parents said we were moving to Northern California, oh geez, you're kidding me, right!!!
You see, moving to Northern California was pretty traumatic for me, I found solace in my passion for riding and racing (including all the technical aspects of development regarding my skills and my bike). In Northern California, I needed to start from scratch once again. I started by talking to Parks and Recreation Departments, Police Activity Leagues, and other organizations to get organized BMX racing established (where to build the track, how to build the track, race formats, etc). I started this in such locations as Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Campbell, San Jose, Santa Clara, etc.
I found the sport of BMX, well, BMX found me, actually, I believe we found each other. From the first day I taught myself to bunny hop, to wheelie, to jump, I wanted to share this with my friends, from there, it turned into competition, and the rest is history...
GRH
Did racing come easy for you? How long did it take to get results the big sponsors were looking for? What year was that?
Danny
Did racing come easy for me, well, coming from a racing and technical background, racing is in my blood... Simply put, I believe it is in your approach to life, if you truly have a passion for something, then it may seem easy, as you are not quite aware of the emotional and physical investment you are making.
Getting the results the big sponsors were looking for, is an interesting question and viewpoint. You would need to determine when the "big sponsors" started to exist in our young sport of BMX. By 1975, I had already won numerous championships and titles throughout the years, which20brought a big sponsor to my doorstep.
While on Silver Shield, on a race day, I was approached by an individual who wanted me to help form a Company and a Team, that went on to become Pro Products, Inc., MotoPRO. Pro Products, Inc. was to be a distributorship, initially, for Redline, Webco, Motomags, etc. MotoPRO was the team. I raced a Redline with Motomags. Then, the owner thought that we should make our own products, the fun for me was being able to design, develop, race, and win with, and on my own designs. This was the first Company and a Team I helped
form, there was another that would follow...
GRH
Your results as a racer earned you a spot on the Mongoose team and landed you a spot in their ads promoting the product. When did your ride for them? Who asked you to ride for them? What other teams did you ride for?
Danny
My results as a racer earned me a spot on the Mongoose team and landed me a spot in their ads promoting the product, well, that is an interesting viewpoint. Looking from the outside, I can see the validity of that viewpoint. The reality is Skip Hess Sr. and I knew each other long before Skip asked me to join him at B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose.
At B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose, I found my second home, and my second family. Skip Hess Sr., Bruce Smith, and Mike Hodson, were always so caring, so encouraging, so supportive, in=2 0every way that family can be, I will carry those cherished memories all the days of my life. I enjoyed designing my own frames (Prototype Supergoose Frame & Prototype Moosegoose Frame), and components, racing them, along with racing production bikes, which
B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose was known throughout the world for its unequaled quality.
I conducted BMX Racing Clinics, BMX Demonstrations, promoted B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose, promoted the sport of BMX Racing (family participation, values and sportsmanship), designed/built BMX race tracks, and organized race formats in the United States, and in Europe, for Skip, Bruce, and Mike. These were some of my contributions for 5 years, until my retirement in 1981.
The other teams that I raced for, besides B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose are:
Bikette & Dirtmaster
Rick's Bike Shop
Silver Shield
Pro Products, Inc., MotoPRO
Speedo
GRH
What top 3 results come to mind as your favorites from racing BMX?
Danny
I believe that you are asking about race wins, if this is the case, then:
6 Time, Northern California Champion
4 Time, West Coast Champion
NPSA National Champion
With the trauma of moving to Northern California, at a time when my friends, my racing, my life, was in Southern California, these a ccomplishments became a showcase in my life for the elemental drive of rebuilding something that meant so much to me.
Please understand that I truly enjoy Northern California, this is my home, but it was the shock of being uprooted from everything I knew and loved, at that time. To this day, I have heard people ask if I am NorCal or SoCAL, let me think about this for a moment, I'm SoCal, wait, I'm NorCal, geez, I'm So-Nor-Cal!!!
Danny takes it back to the mid to late 60's!
GRH
Danny, What track did you start racing at? What were your local tracks and how did you find the sport of BMX?
Danny
I started racing at Baldwin Park, located in the Baldwin Hills area, above Ladera Heights, in Southern California. The track went through a number of variations from 1965 (when I first started racing, informally, of course), until it was refined. I helped in establishing organized BMX racing in early 1970, by working with the Parks and Recreation Department to formally hold races there at our Downhill Track.
For me, Baldwin Park was mecca, it was so vast, you could ride all day, and explore different types of terrain and inclines, (imagine Saddleback Park, if you have ever ridden a motorcycle around and through the entire Park, you know what I am trying to convey). Back in Malibu, I had not found a place of this type, yes, my parents let me build a race track on our property and hold races, but it could not hold a candle to Baldwin Park, and Malibu had some exceptional places, thus venturing over to my relatives in Ladera Heights was
heading to mecca...
My local tracks, in those early days (1965 to 1972), included Baldwin Park, and Malibu, (my backyard track, and the Dryer's backyard track). Shortly thereafter, Malibu Country Club, and Palms Park became some of the local tracks I raced. Beyond the local framework of where I was currently racing, I found my way to other tracks in Southern California, including Indian Dunes, B.U.M.'s Long Beach, Escape Country, Soledad Sands, Yarnell, Randall Ranch, and then it happened, it all came to a screeching halt, my parents said we were moving to Northern California, oh geez, you're kidding me, right!!!
You see, moving to Northern California was pretty traumatic for me, I found solace in my passion for riding and racing (including all the technical aspects of development regarding my skills and my bike). In Northern California, I needed to start from scratch once again. I started by talking to Parks and Recreation Departments, Police Activity Leagues, and other organizations to get organized BMX racing established (where to build the track, how to build the track, race formats, etc). I started this in such locations as Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Campbell, San Jose, Santa Clara, etc.
I found the sport of BMX, well, BMX found me, actually, I believe we found each other. From the first day I taught myself to bunny hop, to wheelie, to jump, I wanted to share this with my friends, from there, it turned into competition, and the rest is history...
GRH
Did racing come easy for you? How long did it take to get results the big sponsors were looking for? What year was that?
Danny
Did racing come easy for me, well, coming from a racing and technical background, racing is in my blood... Simply put, I believe it is in your approach to life, if you truly have a passion for something, then it may seem easy, as you are not quite aware of the emotional and physical investment you are making.
Getting the results the big sponsors were looking for, is an interesting question and viewpoint. You would need to determine when the "big sponsors" started to exist in our young sport of BMX. By 1975, I had already won numerous championships and titles throughout the years, which20brought a big sponsor to my doorstep.
While on Silver Shield, on a race day, I was approached by an individual who wanted me to help form a Company and a Team, that went on to become Pro Products, Inc., MotoPRO. Pro Products, Inc. was to be a distributorship, initially, for Redline, Webco, Motomags, etc. MotoPRO was the team. I raced a Redline with Motomags. Then, the owner thought that we should make our own products, the fun for me was being able to design, develop, race, and win with, and on my own designs. This was the first Company and a Team I helped
form, there was another that would follow...
GRH
Your results as a racer earned you a spot on the Mongoose team and landed you a spot in their ads promoting the product. When did your ride for them? Who asked you to ride for them? What other teams did you ride for?
Danny
My results as a racer earned me a spot on the Mongoose team and landed me a spot in their ads promoting the product, well, that is an interesting viewpoint. Looking from the outside, I can see the validity of that viewpoint. The reality is Skip Hess Sr. and I knew each other long before Skip asked me to join him at B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose.
At B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose, I found my second home, and my second family. Skip Hess Sr., Bruce Smith, and Mike Hodson, were always so caring, so encouraging, so supportive, in=2 0every way that family can be, I will carry those cherished memories all the days of my life. I enjoyed designing my own frames (Prototype Supergoose Frame & Prototype Moosegoose Frame), and components, racing them, along with racing production bikes, which
B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose was known throughout the world for its unequaled quality.
I conducted BMX Racing Clinics, BMX Demonstrations, promoted B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose, promoted the sport of BMX Racing (family participation, values and sportsmanship), designed/built BMX race tracks, and organized race formats in the United States, and in Europe, for Skip, Bruce, and Mike. These were some of my contributions for 5 years, until my retirement in 1981.
The other teams that I raced for, besides B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose are:
Bikette & Dirtmaster
Rick's Bike Shop
Silver Shield
Pro Products, Inc., MotoPRO
Speedo
GRH
What top 3 results come to mind as your favorites from racing BMX?
Danny
I believe that you are asking about race wins, if this is the case, then:
6 Time, Northern California Champion
4 Time, West Coast Champion
NPSA National Champion
With the trauma of moving to Northern California, at a time when my friends, my racing, my life, was in Southern California, these a ccomplishments became a showcase in my life for the elemental drive of rebuilding something that meant so much to me.
Please understand that I truly enjoy Northern California, this is my home, but it was the shock of being uprooted from everything I knew and loved, at that time. To this day, I have heard people ask if I am NorCal or SoCAL, let me think about this for a moment, I'm SoCal, wait, I'm NorCal, geez, I'm So-Nor-Cal!!!
Hi Gary,
Thank you for the opportunity to do the interview.
For those of you who haven't seen the interview in it's entirety, here is the link:
http://bmxactiononline.com/index.php?optio...95&catid=13
Cheers,
Danny
Definitely glad to see you here Danny. Hope to see you at the Hall Of Fame dinner in November 
Enjoy your time here!
Best,
M
Enjoy your time here!
Best,
M
Check out Danny Oakley's interview at BMXActionOnline posted just a couple days ago. A look at the true roots of BMX. .. Amazing stuff.
Danny Oakley Interview
Also, this legendary BMX staple is up for a BMX Hall of Fame nomination. If you'd like to vote for Danny, go to the voting website here:
BMX Hall of Fame Voting
Glad to have you here, Danny!
Cheri Elliott
Danny Oakley Interview
Also, this legendary BMX staple is up for a BMX Hall of Fame nomination. If you'd like to vote for Danny, go to the voting website here:
BMX Hall of Fame Voting
Glad to have you here, Danny!
Cheri Elliott
Hey Mike, are you going to be at the HOF Luncheon?
QUOTE (MikeCarruth @ Aug 8 2008, 09:31 AM)
Definitely glad to see you here Danny. Hope to see you at the Hall Of Fame dinner in November
Enjoy your time here!
Best,
M
Enjoy your time here!
Best,
M
Hi Mike,
Thank you Mike, for having this wonderful website http://www.vintagebmx.com/community/, that allows all of us
to share our experiences with each other.
Mike, if I am blessed enough, it would be fantastic to see you at the Hall Of Fame dinner in November.
Cheers,
Danny
QUOTE (Bikin_Broker @ Aug 8 2008, 09:50 AM)
Check out Danny Oakley's interview at BMXActionOnline posted just a couple days ago. A look at the true roots of BMX. .. Amazing stuff.
Danny Oakley Interview
Also, this legendary BMX staple is up for a BMX Hall of Fame nomination. If you'd like to vote for Danny, go to the voting website here:
BMX Hall of Fame Voting
Glad to have you here, Danny!
Cheri Elliott
Danny Oakley Interview
Also, this legendary BMX staple is up for a BMX Hall of Fame nomination. If you'd like to vote for Danny, go to the voting website here:
BMX Hall of Fame Voting
Glad to have you here, Danny!
Cheri Elliott
Hi Cheri,
Thank you for your encouragement, support, and words of well wishes.
You are sweet, charming, and most of all, a good friend...
Warm Regards,
Danny
Danny:
Did you race the Moose Goose as a professional during your career?
Did you race the Moose Goose as a professional during your career?
QUOTE (Cash Matthews @ Aug 8 2008, 04:07 PM)
Danny:
Did you race the Moose Goose as a professional during your career?
Did you race the Moose Goose as a professional during your career?
Cash, during my career as a professional I raced both my Prototype Moosegoose, and the Production
version of my Moosegoose. There were distinct advantages in racing my Prototype Moosegoose that
I created, but it was so unique, that Skip and I knew it would be difficult to mass produce, so a
Production version was created.
Cheers,
Danny
Danny, what years were you on Mongoose and who were your teammates at that time?
I am having a hard time remembering racing you in Mongoose colors.
Dennis
I am having a hard time remembering racing you in Mongoose colors.
Dennis
QUOTE (DannyOakley @ Aug 9 2008, 02:56 AM)
Cash, during my career as a professional I raced both my Prototype Moosegoose, and the Production
version of my Moosegoose. There were distinct advantages in racing my Prototype Moosegoose that
I created, but it was so unique, that Skip and I knew it would be difficult to mass produce, so a
Production version was created.
Cheers,
Danny
version of my Moosegoose. There were distinct advantages in racing my Prototype Moosegoose that
I created, but it was so unique, that Skip and I knew it would be difficult to mass produce, so a
Production version was created.
Cheers,
Danny
Danny, do you remember the specifics of the differences in your proto and the production Moosegooses? I knew someone who raced the production one and he struggled on it.
Ken
QUOTE (The Red Baron @ Aug 8 2008, 11:18 PM)
Danny, what years were you on Mongoose and who were your teammates at that time?
I am having a hard time remembering racing you in Mongoose colors.
Dennis
I am having a hard time remembering racing you in Mongoose colors.
Dennis
Dennis, Skip asked me to join him at B.M.X. Products, Inc., Mongoose in 1976, and there I remained
until my retirement in 1981.
Factory TeamMates (including myself) were:
John George - Southern California
Perry Kramer - Southern California
Neil Bonds - Southern California
Tinker Juarez - Southern California
Jeff Kosmala - Southern California
Bryan Curnel - Southern California
Danny Oakley - Northern California
Cash Matthews - Oklahoma
Matt Raymer - Oklahoma
======================================
Then we added:
Kenny Nachman - Southern California
Stanley Robinson - Northern California
Tim Richardson - Kansas
Charlie Litsky - New Jersey
Dennis, we raced each other with you, in Redline colors, and myself, in Mongoose colors, up here
at Auburn, Roseville, and Grass Valley. Your Redline TeamMates at this race were David Clinton,
Greg Hill, and Jeff Ruminer...
I hope this helps...
Danny
QUOTE (K Robison @ Aug 9 2008, 08:55 AM)
Danny, do you remember the specifics of the differences in your proto and the production Moosegooses? I knew someone who raced the production one and he struggled on it.
Ken
Ken
Ken, yes, I do remember the differences in my Prototype Moosegoose, and the Production Moosegoose,
however, I do not believe those differences have anything to do with why the person you knew
struggled...
That's a shame that the person you knew who raced the Production Moosegoose struggled on it,
because there were numerous modifications you could make to the Moosegoose to tune it to your
individual racing style. I have heard many people struggled on stock Mongooses, Redlines, GTs, etc.
The mark of a good racer, whether with years of experience, or just starting out, is to choose a bike
that you are comfortable with, THEN, fine tune it, to your individual racing needs.
I knew racers with years of experience, who bought a Pro's race bike, thinking they would instantly
improve their racing ability, and win, yet they struggled, doing no better than before, possibly
because they didn't tune it to their individual needs...
Wow! Living Vintage BMX history....just amazing!
Danny:
Do you know the whereabouts of your proto type Moose? That would be an awesome rebuild!
Do you know the whereabouts of your proto type Moose? That would be an awesome rebuild!
Hello Danny,
My name is Troy Souza and we raced against each other back in the late 70's. Im' not sure you remember me, I raced for Scot at SE Racing. I have great memories of those days of traveling with Stu, Perry, & Rod to races.
It would be good to here from other Pro's out there. Has anyone heard from PK?
Look forward to talking with you all!
Troy
My name is Troy Souza and we raced against each other back in the late 70's. Im' not sure you remember me, I raced for Scot at SE Racing. I have great memories of those days of traveling with Stu, Perry, & Rod to races.
It would be good to here from other Pro's out there. Has anyone heard from PK?
Look forward to talking with you all!
Troy
Troy:
PK is still around the bicycle industry. He works for Giant and is living in Oceanside. His kids play baseball and they participate in that a lot. PK is still a cool kat after all these years!
PK is still around the bicycle industry. He works for Giant and is living in Oceanside. His kids play baseball and they participate in that a lot. PK is still a cool kat after all these years!
Cash,
Thanks for responding to me. I will call Giant and get in touch with him.
Were you racing in Oklahoma? For BMX Products? I raced with Stanley Robinson, Danny Oakley, Tinker, Toby Henderson, Frank Post, Stu, PK, Greg Hill, Harry Leary, Scott Clark. The list goes on. Is there somewhere to look for vintage bmx bikes?
Troy
Thanks for responding to me. I will call Giant and get in touch with him.
Were you racing in Oklahoma? For BMX Products? I raced with Stanley Robinson, Danny Oakley, Tinker, Toby Henderson, Frank Post, Stu, PK, Greg Hill, Harry Leary, Scott Clark. The list goes on. Is there somewhere to look for vintage bmx bikes?
Troy
QUOTE (SETroy @ Aug 11 2008, 03:58 AM)
Cash,
Thanks for responding to me. I will call Giant and get in touch with him.
Were you racing in Oklahoma? For BMX Products? I raced with Stanley Robinson, Danny Oakley, Tinker, Toby Henderson, Frank Post, Stu, PK, Greg Hill, Harry Leary, Scott Clark. The list goes on. Is there somewhere to look for vintage bmx bikes?
Troy
Thanks for responding to me. I will call Giant and get in touch with him.
Were you racing in Oklahoma? For BMX Products? I raced with Stanley Robinson, Danny Oakley, Tinker, Toby Henderson, Frank Post, Stu, PK, Greg Hill, Harry Leary, Scott Clark. The list goes on. Is there somewhere to look for vintage bmx bikes?
Troy
Troy,
Welcome back, there is a picture of you, Scot, PK, and Giberson that showed up a few weeks ago I think on this site. I'll post a link if I can find it.
If you haven't already checked out these threads.
UBR1
UBR2
UBR3
UBR4
I turned Pro a little before you quit, you may or may not remember me from UBR days. There's a bunch of UBR people here, most of them are on that thread. Frank comes and goes every year or two.
We might be doing some kind of UBR reunion thing in the next year or two, I have of most of the stuff Johnny Valdez kept from back then including professionally shot videos from a couple of races that I'm having transfered to DVD.
Whatever happened to Scott Lykins?
Randy Schaffner
Oh, and since this is a Danny Oakley thread.
Danny,
I'll try to get back to you tomorrow, we seem to be playing long term phone tag. Guess I'm it.
QUOTE (Cash Matthews @ Aug 10 2008, 07:35 PM)
Danny:
Do you know the whereabouts of your proto type Moose? That would be an awesome rebuild!
Do you know the whereabouts of your proto type Moose? That would be an awesome rebuild!
Hi Cash,
Regrettably, I have no idea of the whereabouts of my Prototype Moosegoose... I wish I did...
Cheers,
Danny
QUOTE (SETroy @ Aug 10 2008, 10:04 PM)
Hello Danny,
My name is Troy Souza and we raced against each other back in the late 70's. Im' not sure you remember me, I raced for Scot at SE Racing. I have great memories of those days of traveling with Stu, Perry, & Rod to races.
It would be good to here from other Pro's out there. Has anyone heard from PK?
Look forward to talking with you all!
Troy
My name is Troy Souza and we raced against each other back in the late 70's. Im' not sure you remember me, I raced for Scot at SE Racing. I have great memories of those days of traveling with Stu, Perry, & Rod to races.
It would be good to here from other Pro's out there. Has anyone heard from PK?
Look forward to talking with you all!
Troy
Hi Troy,
Good to hear from you, yes I remember you, those are fond memories of our racing days...
Let me know how to contact you, it would be wonderful to talk with you!
Cheers,
Danny
QUOTE (RandyS @ Aug 11 2008, 11:03 AM)
Troy,
Welcome back, there is a picture of you, Scot, PK, and Giberson that showed up a few weeks ago I think on this site. I'll post a link if I can find it.
If you haven't already checked out these threads.
UBR1
UBR2
UBR3
UBR4
I turned Pro a little before you quit, you may or may not remember me from UBR days. There's a bunch of UBR people here, most of them are on that thread. Frank comes and goes every year or two.
We might be doing some kind of UBR reunion thing in the next year or two, I have of most of the stuff Johnny Valdez kept from back then including professionally shot videos from a couple of races that I'm having transfered to DVD.
Whatever happened to Scott Lykins?
Randy Schaffner
Oh, and since this is a Danny Oakley thread.
Danny,
I'll try to get back to you tomorrow, we seem to be playing long term phone tag. Guess I'm it.
Welcome back, there is a picture of you, Scot, PK, and Giberson that showed up a few weeks ago I think on this site. I'll post a link if I can find it.
If you haven't already checked out these threads.
UBR1
UBR2
UBR3
UBR4
I turned Pro a little before you quit, you may or may not remember me from UBR days. There's a bunch of UBR people here, most of them are on that thread. Frank comes and goes every year or two.
We might be doing some kind of UBR reunion thing in the next year or two, I have of most of the stuff Johnny Valdez kept from back then including professionally shot videos from a couple of races that I'm having transfered to DVD.
Whatever happened to Scott Lykins?
Randy Schaffner
Oh, and since this is a Danny Oakley thread.
Danny,
I'll try to get back to you tomorrow, we seem to be playing long term phone tag. Guess I'm it.
Hi Randy,
I look forward to talking with you...
How is that list coming along?
Cheers,
Danny
Hi Troy!
Yep, I was an Okie riding on the Mongoose Team during that time. Those were awesome times for us all! From your list, the only one I didn't know well was Toby Henderson. He was a "new school" guy to me. He and I became friends later though and I realized I was sorry to have missed his era!
Yep, I was an Okie riding on the Mongoose Team during that time. Those were awesome times for us all! From your list, the only one I didn't know well was Toby Henderson. He was a "new school" guy to me. He and I became friends later though and I realized I was sorry to have missed his era!
Hello Randy,
I remember your name but a picture would help. Thanks for writing me. I have some fond memories of the UBR days. How are Johnny and Ray Valdez doing. Would love to see the pictures you have on DVD. A reunion would be great. If you need help, let me know. I live in Santa Cruz, Ca.
Talk to you soon,
Troy
I remember your name but a picture would help. Thanks for writing me. I have some fond memories of the UBR days. How are Johnny and Ray Valdez doing. Would love to see the pictures you have on DVD. A reunion would be great. If you need help, let me know. I live in Santa Cruz, Ca.
Talk to you soon,
Troy
Hi Danny,
I live in Santa Cruz County and became a firefighter in Santa Cruz in the late eighties. I've been married 22 yrs and have two children (son-19, daughter-18). I have some old pictures i'll dig up and post from the Centurion Grand Prix at Grass Valley, Auburn and Roseville. I also have some pics of Frogtown.
What are you doing now? Hope things are well.
Talk to you soon,
Troy
tasouza@ucsc.edu
I live in Santa Cruz County and became a firefighter in Santa Cruz in the late eighties. I've been married 22 yrs and have two children (son-19, daughter-18). I have some old pictures i'll dig up and post from the Centurion Grand Prix at Grass Valley, Auburn and Roseville. I also have some pics of Frogtown.
What are you doing now? Hope things are well.
Talk to you soon,
Troy
tasouza@ucsc.edu
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