I have seen many BITD threads about racing in various regions of the U.S. so I thought I would give my perspective. I got involved in BMX racing in Germany. My brother and I raced primarily at the Rodermark BMX track (both indoor and outdoor) from 1984 to 1985. We recruited a few of our neighborhood friends and some from school and got them involved as well. We were a group of about 6 American racers in the mostly German Rodermark Club. The first moto of my first race, I flipped over the gate (only time that I have ever done that) because I wasn't used to the starting cadence, which was in German. I had to borrow a friend's Bell Moto 3 helmet. I don't even remember what place I got that day. I didn't win, so it wasn't important.

The indoor track was the smallest BMX track that I have ever ridden. It was in a warehouse with no heat. The track circled back and the finish line was at the base of the starting hill! It had a 4-lane starting gate so it was only 4 riders per moto! Passing was almost impossible unless you were able to pimp someone in a corner. I didn't do too well racing there considering I was at novice skill level racing in Expert class (it was a mistake that never got corrected) but I loved the sport so I kept riding. My brother was a better racer than I was at the time and really improved his skills. He went on to race in the German National Championship, in Itzehoe (northern Germany) in 1985. (We met Travis Chipres at this race. Don't know why he was there but it was cool to hang out with him). My best racing experience at Rodermark was beating the track owner's son, Sven Steubener, who was the local hot shoe, once.

The best experience for me at this track was seeing many top riders from the U.S. race there on a stop over before heading to the World Championships in Holland. At this particular race I met many BMX "stars" that I had only read about in BMX Action and BMX Plus. On this day, I met Tommy Brackens, Mike Miranda, Steve Veltman, Rob Fehd, Nelson Chanady, and Tim Judge. Since my brother and I were among the few American kids there we were able to spend some time talking to them in between motos.

We met some great people while racing at this track...Ronnie Sampson, who told my brother and I about Rodermark and coached us on racing, Rainer Schadowski, one of the best German racers at the time and long time friend, Eddie Duchover, who had several years of racing experience from racing in the U.S. and gave us inspiration, and Eddie (now Ed) Martin, my friend from school, whose dad would videotape us racing (Glad to see you got back into racing with your kids).

Found the photos to go along with my story.

Rob Fehd and an unknown Hutch factory rider, leading the field


Steve Veltman


Nelson Chanady and Clint Miller


Tommy Brackens jumping the doubles


Rob Fehd in front


BMX Mentor, Ronnie Sampson, with my brother Mike.

Tommy Brackens in front


"Hollywood" Mike Miranda


Tommy Brackens

Just stumbled on this thread.

The fondest memories of my youth are riding all over Frankfurt. I bunny hopped and jumped everything from Drake-Edwards to Hajo's in Sachsenhausen. Thanks for getting me off the streets and on the track.

I enjoy riding again but wish I found it sooner. It's still more chasing than racing though. Cruiser class started at Expert just like Rodermark.

My dad still hasn't found the videos he said he saw a year ago. If they turn up, I'll be sure to get you copies.

-Ed

Welcome to the Vintage, Ed. We had some good times in Germany. I have been communicating with Ron Sampson through Facebook. He still lives in Frankfurt.

Thanks. I've been reading some threads every month or so for the last year Way too busy with the other side of my life. I would love to transfer my software development and project management skills to the BMX industry someday and find more meaning in life.

It's relaxing to troll through the board and find some suppressed memories through someone else's post.

I can get lost in the old magazine scans. I read every BMX Plus and BMX Action from 82 to 86 cover to cover multiple times growing up. The "Buff" build posted recently caused me to yell to the boys to come look. We were in the hotel room at the East Coast Nationals. It made me miss my Ripper and the time I spent practicing that exact tucked pose. Jeffery Woods, from school, was into photography/yearbook and probably has a lot of pictures I would love to see.

Ron, I remember how strong he looked. If I remember correctly, he had a few impressive flatland tricks I went home to learn. He also told me my frame (without stickers) was a Patterson. Within a week, it had stickers.

A Patterson F/F post I saw today had me call my dad for the number to the father of the kid who bought it 25 years ago. I wonder if it's tucked away in a garage somewhere.

Can you get me Ron's Contact info. I was one of the ones riding with you guys all over Germany.

Bobby Shadoan

Hi there,
although this all happened long before i started to race, i found it very interesting to read the stories about your time in Germany.
There was one name mentioned here, i somehow remembered reading in our foum too. I searched and Voilá! Look what i´ve found.
The guy who posted the pic said, that it was taken near Schloss (castle) Phillipsruhe in Hanau. It shows Ron Sampson. He also said that Ron is still remembered as a "Daredevil" over here. lol
Enjoy.

Talk to Ron quite a bit on facebook myself...he's a character, but a good guy!

He's like 45 and still off the hook.

Great guy.

Rons a good guy.

Ron has ruffled some feathers around here but it's all in fun, some people take things a little too seriously. Had he not gone in the military when he did he would have been right up there with the top of the early pro class in the US. But he does have a bizarre mixture of Nor Cal English and German English sometimes.

naja,RandyS

du bis korrekt..meine beste friend..LOL
but while in germany i had fun amd met some of the best people and still friends with many..had i stayed in the US..

GHP would be RAD RON Products
STU would Norcal

hahahaha!!!!

ja,i ruffled feathers,but that nothing new..

Leute,

fur alle meine deutscheland bmx'er..ruf mich an oder schickt mich eine email..ich hoffe ich will nachste jahr in weiterstadt Vet Cup race..ich bin immer im frankfurt..

And there is the man himself.




Welcome to the site.

WOW...i feel special...

but i still have to learn how to play well with others...

A video that my brother found with Ron (Ronnie Sampson).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OcpgHOlAhY

Here's one I found of you. Listen for gate 7.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5-XkeWTeZI

I don't remember the race but it looks like I finished 6th. Too cool that this video exists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrFP0NAersA...feature=related