The classic bad ass motorcycle racer thread

[budman]

That is awesome John.

Love it.

 

[flying_hun]

Were those photos taken at Imatra in Finland?

 

[Johndicezx9]

Yes, John threw in a link...

 

[SFMCjohn]

Were those photos taken at Imatra in Finland?

Yes, John threw in a link...

who doesn’t love motorcycle clubs?

ONE OF THE MOST LEGENDARY ROAD RACES IN THE WORLD

The Imatra road races - also known as Imatranajo - carries a long and prestigious heritage. The first ever international TT race was organized already in 1962.

After a fairly complicated turn of events, in 1964 The Motorclub Imatra (est. 1937) got the permission to organize the World Championship race in Imatra. This marked the first ever Imatra World Championship race, and so Imatranajo was born ... Imatranajo soon gathered a reputation as one of the best organized races in the championship.

Imatra enjoyed it's World Championship status until 1982. After this year it was evident that the World Championship circus was heading towards purpose built tracks.

Mr Agostini was Mr Imatra … he won the 500 GP Imatranajo race ten times, and the 350 GP race six times.

 

[budman]

Ago. Hard to say he was not the GOAT historically.

 

[SFMCjohn]

"Mr Jimmy Weinert made motocross history at the 1979 Oakland Supercross when he led every lap of both his heat race and the main event. Where’s the history-making part?

"Mr Weinert’s secret weapon was a 16-scoop paddle tire called “The Hooker.”

"The Oakland track was very sandy and while everyone else struggled to find traction, Weinert’s 16 paddles not only dug into the loose stuff, but threw a tremendous roost out the back. It was Weinert’s first Supercross victory in three years.

"A couple weeks later, the AMA banned paddle, studded or retread tires. Jimmy went on to win the Daytona Supercross two months later without the help of The Hooker."

god bless Kawasaki ... arty

 

[budman]

Took his MX School at Sandhill in ‘82. Really good stuff plus Mr World Champ Brad Lackey came out to inspire us.

 

[Johndicezx9]

Didn't want this day to go by without noting our loss in 2017....

 

[flying_hun]

Didn't want this day to go by without noting our loss in 2017....

 

[Johndicezx9]

Nicky would have turned 42 years old today....

Happy birthday, Nicky.

 

[budman]

I still have my Nicky Hayden Funeral - Life info card - on my desk.

He is surely missed

On an up note Josh Hayes has firmly reafirmed his status as a Bad Ass this weekend by winning the 600SS race and becoming the winningest American Motorcycle Racing Series roadracer. Plus as a fill in the Superbike he showed well. At 48 yo this Bad Ass is still raging on the track.

 

[Johndicezx9]

 

[budman]

Sammy Tanner

Sammy was missed so lets fix that.

In Memory of Sammy

Seven Grand National Champion, Sammy Tanner was born in Houston, Texas, on May 23, 1939.

A race fan since early childhood Sammy bought his first motorcycle and started racing it at age 14. Only 5 feet tall and 100 pounds Sammy was a fierce competitor. His weapon of choice was a 500 cc Triumph. As a teenager, Sammy competed in the dirt track races on the Midwest county fair circuit. One night an announcer told the crowd that Tanner was a rock 'n' roll star from Texas. It was a huge hit that had many of his fans asking about his singing and where they could buy his record. Sammy was no dummy so he quickly wrote a song and cut a record based on his nickname “' The Flying Flea” Fans loved the song and Sammy would sell autographed copies of his record at the race track.

Sammy Tanner qualified as an AMA Expert In 1958 and began competing for the title of Grand National Champion. That first year, he finished sixth in the circuit. In both 1958 and 1959, he was the top points earner in AMA half-mile races.

When Ascot Park opened its half-mile track in 1959, JC Agajanian received a long-distance collect call from Sammy asking to be put on the program. Rumor is Aggie paid his expenses to drive from Daytona Florida to his California facility. A smart move as Tanner won on opening night and followed it up by winning five of the next, six events held at the Ascot ½ mile.

Called “The King of Ascot” Sammy became the local hero after he broke the long-held eight-mile race record by six seconds and won the first AMA Grand National race held there.

From 1959 to 1966 Tanner competed regularly at the Ascot Park weekly races and won four Grand National Championships on the ½ mile track. Very popular his white racing leathers had a guitar emblazoned on the back, and yes, Sammy still sold copies of his record to the fans after the races. The ultimate souvenir an autographed copy of his record is still a highly valued collector’s item.

Over his career Tanner campaigned Triumph and BSA motorcycles and won a total of seven AMA nationals, including the prestigious Springfield Mile. An astonishing lifelong record Sammy had won 408 regulation AMA races and 67 Trophy Dashes when he retired from competition in 1972.

Sammy Tanner has been inducted into the AMAand Trailblazers, Hall of Fame and still does personal appearances at various tracks and reunions. On any given day you can find him working at his company, Sammy Tanner Distributing, supplying Arai Helmet to the racers and public.

Godspeed to the Flying Flea

 

[gixxerjeff]

He was a small dude but a huge man.

 

[budman]

He was a small dude but a huge man.

With a very strong right wrist.

 

[rbrockmeyer]

Great collection, thanks!

 

[SFMCjohn]

this is awesome:

[YOUTUBE]hj27DglJUEM[/YOUTUBE]

some Willow Springs, air cooled superbikes at full song, and racers from back when we were all young and beautiful. 24 y/o Mr Cooley, 19 y/o Mr Spencer and 30 y/o Mr Crosby.

(can’t imagine this isn’t a repost of this vid, but couldn’t resist after listening to the opening shots at Willow. air cooled to redline still makes my heart beat faster. arty)

 

[budman]

Well that looks like it slaps classic and bad ass right on the butt cheeks.

Added to my cue.

 

[Johndicezx9]

Wes was awesome! He replied to one of my zuckface posts in a classic racers/race bikes group not long before he passed....

For Daytona, I still have these... I wonder if one would still stick on my car!

 

[gixxerjeff]

Thanks for that video, John. Great stuff. What a stroll down memory lane.
It was fun to see a young, long haired Dave Despain in action too...that iconic voice.
I miss him on Wind tunnel.