Sears Point Raceway in the 1970's
Today is the first time I'm going to visit The Cheerleader since the pancreatic cancer was confirmed. Motorcycles have been a dominant fixture in his life - for nearly his entire life. He started a motorcycle dealership the same year I was born. And when I turned 16, I began working there.
That's a pretty kickass bike I'm riding there, for its day. A dumb kid making $4 per hour couldn't afford a bike like that on his own. The Cheerleader made it possible.
Besides a couple of crappy snapshots, this is the only picture I have of me racing. I was once on the cover of a motorcycling newspaper, but I don't have a copy. Someone who shall remain nameless threw out all my motorcycling memorabilia.
This was a very eventful day. My first motocross win. Two other guys and I swapped the lead every lap, it was a slippery track. During one of the Pro races, I had seen Bob "Hurricane" Hannah pull off an incredible move on the last corner. Running in third on the last lap I decided I would try the Hurricane's move. It was crash or win. I don't know who was more surprised, me or the other two guys, when I shot past them at the checkered flag.
Chasing Bob Hannah in the Pro race was none other than Danny "Magoo" Chandler. He had the nickname Magoo because he rode so crazy that people wondered if he was partially blind. I had never seen anyone ride like that, so off the edge. A short time later he would become a paraplegic. He now lives only about 40 mile from me.
The Cheerleader did not go to races. But you know that was the first call I made after I got home. Clutching my four foot trophy. All made possible by The Cheerleader.
