Heading into April, the national news was non-stop coverage of April 8th’s total eclipse. The Trailblazers figured they could eclipse that hype by throwing their annual banquet, awards ceremony and vintage bike show two days before the moon crossed paths with the sun. Surprisingly, they accomplished just that. Saturday’s event easily outshined the eclipse for any self-respecting motorcycle fan. And you didn’t need blackout glasses to enjoy the Trailblazers’ event.
The Blazers started out by choosing a strong class for 2024. The Trailblazers Hall of Fame inductees included Roger DeCoster, Broc Glover, Mercedes Gonzalez-Natvig, Mike Haney, Walt Fulton III and Pete Pistons. Legends all. To top it off, the Earl & Lucile Flanders Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed to the articulate and passionate Rod Lake who held the banquet hall rapt with his acceptance speech. Friends, that is no easy feat in a giant room full of well-lubricated racers. If Rod was the icing on the cake, David Aldana was the cherry on top. David and his wife became a stand-up comedy duo on stage, but there was nothing funny about the passion and gratitude that David showed to the sport he loves (and to Bruce Brown).
The weather blessed the vintage bike show segment of the evening, there was plenty of time to mingle with all the celebrities before the dinner and the Trailblazers president, Don Emde, did a commendable job of keeping the awards presentation flowing smoothly.
No wonder this event sells out hours after tickets go on sale every year. And since 2025 marks the 80th year of the banquet, you better have speed-dial set on your phone if you want a seat in the hall.
Early entry: Before I even check in, I bumped into these old friends. From left are World Champion Kevin Schwantz (at the event for his first time), Charles Halcomb and Pete Murray.
Rare finds: I’ve attended larger bike shows but it is hard to top the pedigree of the bikes on display at the Trailblazers. There is a history lesson behind every handlebar.
Swedish connection: Gunnar Lindstrom (is that the coolest name or what?) raced for Husqvarna and Bill Berroth (right) worked at Husky before running Sidi until his retirement. Bill lives full-time in Mexico.
Paying tribute: In her acceptance speech, Mercedes Gonzalez-Natvig (left) gave a shout out to Sue Fish for being a trailblazer of women’s off-road racing. I’ve followed Mercedes kicking butt in both her motocross and mountain biking career.
Man of the hour: (From left) Inductee Broc Glover hangs with Wayne “Don’t Call Me Warren’s Brother” Reid, Jon “R” Rosenstiel, and Jim O’Neal.
Tons of respect: Mitch Payton (right) is one of the most complex and accomplished figures in motorsports. I could (should) write a book. Next to Mitch is Randy Fleisher who heads up Mitch’s pipe business (and has from the beginning). The stories I could tell about Randy on the Troy Lee Design’s Thursday night mountain bike rides!
Dressed to impress: I gave Dennis Kanegae (right) the best dressed award. That’s no small feat when Sonny Nutter is in the house. Bert Sumner is a race promoter and flat track historian. Check out his site by clicking here.
Setting the tone: I’ve seen great public speakers but don’t remember a better one than Rod Lake. His delivery was so smooth, his references to champions right on and his love of the sport obvious. I was looking for a teleprompter he must have been reading from. There was none. Rod was speaking from his heart. Well done and well deserved.
Bench racing: World Champion Brad Lackey (left) was reminding Jim O’Neal about the time a then 15-year-old Lackey beat him at Hopetown. Former Simi Valley Mayor and professional racer, Keith Mashburn, has heard the story before.
Hands off: Some amazing memorabilia was on display and this one blew people away. It is the actual helmet bag that Roger DeCoster used to transport his helmet.
Look close: Airline tags were still on Roger’s helmet bag. This should have been under glass and heavily guarded. Luckily, Trailblazers attendees are honorable people.
Don’t mess with Texas: The Lone-Star state was well represented at the banquet with people like Pat and Janell Hanlon. They operate The Hill Country Motorheads Vintage Motorcycle Museum in Burnet, Texas. It was their first time at the banquet.
Humble greatness: Who did Roger DeCoster ask to join him on stage? Dave Arnold (who started by wrenching for the late Marty Smith) and Ian Harrison (who was a mechanic for Greg Albertyn). Both worked with Roger on the Honda and KTM teams. Roger thanked them. Both said it is actually the other way around. Roger is a class act.
Trailblazers magic: See the guy, bottom left, in the red circle. That is Don Ambrose. He worked at an Orange County motorcycle shop. Haven’t seen him in 35 years (maybe longer). Bumping into old friends may be the greatest perk for attending the event.
Show stopper: Lee Fabry built this Hodaka Mini Super Rat. It is not restored. Lee built it from scratch with a 55cc engine, 16/14 wheels, 27mm fork and down-sized tank, fenders and saddle. If Hodaka had made this bike in 1973, Honda would not have sold any XL70s in 1974.
More new and old friends: From left are Annette Mitchell, Nick Dimokas (son of the late Wheelie King, Doug Dimokas), Lee Chapin and Ted Boyco.
Missed opportunity: While checking out this awesome Kawasaki in my photos, I notice Trailblazers Emeritus Bryon Farnsworth in the background (gold sports coat). I missed saying hello at the event. Guess you can’t talk to everyone. Bryon put on an industry ride in Prescott, Arizona, that is still talked about today.
Solid crew: From left are Jim Perry, Allan Olson, Randy Fleisher (again) and the heart and soul of Team Green, Sharon Richards. I can’t think of another motorcycle event that brings together so many diverse and great people.
Expanded frames: Remember the days when you could tuck in behind a fairing this small? I know I wouldn’t fit today (I don’t fit into my Bates leathers anymore either). There were some old racers in the house who could still take a seat. Don Emde for sure.
Speaking of Don Emde: The Trailblazers President, Don Emde, is getting really good at keeping the evening moving along and interesting. He should. He’s been at it long enough. The Blazers are very lucky to have Don and an army of volunteers who make the banquet happen each year.
Together again: Catching up on current events and remembering the past were (from left) Rita Gregory (JT Racing founder along with John Gregory), Kaarina Vehkonen (Roger DeCoster’s wife) and Georgia LaPorte (Danny’s better half).
Sold out: It is amazing that every seat in the house is sold a short time after the tickets are made available. The food was great, the libations flowed and table banter was the best bench racing on earth.
The Golden Boy: Broc Glover gave an emotional tribute to his dad who passed recently. I remember his dad, not as a minibike parent, but as a guy who was instrumental in guiding his son and a behind-the-scenes asset to DG Racing when Broc was making a name for himself. Broc, no doubt your dad is very proud.
Crossing paths: I worked with Doug McIntyre (left) and Steve Pawling at Suzuki in the 70’s. They both went on to Honda but our paths never seemed to stop crossing (including bumping into Steve at a small private airport in California City). There are people who are destine to be life-long friends. I hope that’s true with these two.
Two great dudes: Scott Burnworth gets a smile out of Roger DeCoster. Scott, who deserves to be on the Trailblazers ballot, never left the sport after his professional motocross racing career. He promotes the Carlsbad Reunion, vintage motocross events and even has time to keep Maxima Racing Oils in front of a giant audience.
Show closer: David Aldana and his wife Sue had the crowd laughing with their clever banter and perfect timing. On a serious note, David thanked the late Bruce Brown for turning him into a star in the movie On Any Sunday. Classy.
Fit for a King: Roger DeCoster would have no problem fitting into his racing apparel from 50 years ago (that is the real stuff behind him). Seriously, The Man is still an athlete.
Too late to start?: I do BDR dual sport rides now. I’ve raced scrambles, motocross, road and even a cross-country race but never ridden a flat tracker. Is it too late to try at 70 years old? I know I’d attempt it if I could borrow this Yamaha for a weekend.
