Motocross Back When

[redbirds_imp]

We use to have motocross tracks all over the south and though they're not all gone, their numbers are diminished as more young guys seem more interested in gaming these days. Here are some pics I took years ago at a track owned by a retired fellow who just loved bikes, especially dirt bikes. He and his wife built the track with their own money and sweat and they were quite successful for a while, even to hosting the Mini Motocross Championship in '74 I think.

The bikes were certainly different then. With a few exceptions two strokes with twin shock rears and seat heights that even short guys like me could deal with. The bikes were slower and less capable than today but no less exciting to watch. The racing was informal as was the attire of the racers. Boots and a helmet were the only required safety gear. Some guys even raced without shirts on hot days. It was grand.




Yamaha


CZ, chec out those sideburns.


CZ


Husqvarna


Mini Championship winner on Honda






The Start




A couple more.


My brother testing his friend's CR250


Trophies and prizes at the Mini MotoX Championship.

[the Ferret]

Cool old pictures. I raced MX from 73 until 83, mostly Yamahas, 1 Suzuki, 1 Husky.
I remember when an open face helmet with a visor and Jofa mouth guard and a chest protector like # 43 in the 5 th to last pic were the cats meow!

[Inline4_imp]

Oh Man! Now there are some memories! To me, and probably to most of us, the 70s were the golden age of motorcycling!
Huskys, Montessas, Bultacos, CZs, Pentons...........WOW!
Then Honda introduced the Elsinore series, Yamaha eventually had the YZ bikes, Suzuki the RM.
My favorite rider back in those days was Marty Smith; Brad Lackey a close second. Then of course there was DeCoster, Robert, Mikkola.
We need to keep this thread going!!!!!!!!
THANKS, redbirds!

[davidsargee_imp]

My first bike, in 1972, was a 1970 Yamaha 175 enduro, just like this one. I was 13 years old and lied about my age to work in a fried chicken place to save up for it. Ahhh, the memories.

http://www.bikez.com/pictures/yamaha/197...0user..jpg

I rode that bike everywhere, we used to ride the pipeline right of ways around our community, and they could be very interesting to ride, particularly after a good rain. I never raced, didn't have time between working and school to seriously do it. But those were some fun times!

I learned to ride in the dirt, for the most part, and sometimes I think that is the best way.

Thanks, Redbirds!

[GUNFTR_imp]

Thanks for the memories of the "On Any Sunday" era where I would ride my 60's and 125 s for hours and hours every day. Seeing Moto on TV was a once a year deal on Wide World of Sports and it was broadcast months after the fact. I read Dirt Bike and Motocross Action to follow... Still love them both Today. Sure wish I had kept my 1976 yz125....

[TINK_imp]

Great photos. redbirds.
Really liked the Huskie's, back in the day.
I was a little young for a Huskie, rode a Honda S90 on the trails, LOL
BTW, what camera geat did you use to shot that? I have some old Nikon's that I shot "film" with from time to time.
TINK
photosbytink.com

[VTR1000F_imp]

Funny to see Czech made "ČZ" dirt bike on your pisc..those bikes were awesome! Nice pics.

[redbirds_imp]

A couple more pics.







A Montessa, a Maico and a Bultaco. Two stroke bliss!!!

[the Ferret]

Lol..rode a 450 Maico around in a big field one time. can't believe anyone raced one of them on a closed course.

[redbirds_imp]

Great photos. redbirds.
Really liked the Huskie's, back in the day.
I was a little young for a Huskie, rode a Honda S90 on the trails, LOL
BTW, what camera geat did you use to shot that? I have some old Nikon's that I shot "film" with from time to time.
TINK
photosbytink.com

Had a Nikon F2, a Nikkormat and a Mamiya/Secor back then. These were most likely shot with the Nikon and a Vivatar lens on ecktachrome 64 slide film. I would shoot pics at the races and sell prints to the competitors at later races. Made a little pocket money on it.