Motorcycling is losing its authenticity. It is getting more and more difficult to find any motorcycling enthusiast holding a position in upper (or lower) management at a motorcycle company. Long-time employees (meaning enthusiasts with tons of experience) seem to be the first booted in takeovers and consolidations. Harley-Davidson’s new CEO’s first move was to visit a dealership and buy a Harley-Davidson because he had never owned a motorcycle. His predecessor spent a claimed million bucks to have a design company come up with a new logo for the storied company. The new logo removed the words “Harley-Davidson Motorcycles” from the logo. And it’s not just motorcycle brands. Even race teams and race promoters are bankrolled by companies that know next to nothing about racing heritage. We are seeing the heart being ripped out of the sport that shaped many of our lives. Luckily, the Trailblazers are still the real deal and the 81st Trailblazers Banquet proves they are going as strong as ever.
The Trailblazers are authentic. I dare you to find anyone wearing a golden jacket (the Trailblazers leadership’s official attire at the banquet) who doesn’t have a significant motorcycling background. These men and women are all passionate about motorcycling and it shows. The Trailblazers Banquet exists to celebrate motorcycling. There is no ulterior motive here. If motorcycling is losing its authenticity, the Trailblazers are doing their best to protect its soul.
This year’s inductees into the Trailblazers Hall of Fame were a stellar crew. Each is well represented in the banquet’s magazine (which I don’t believe is available for purchase and becomes an instant collector’s item) so I won’t go into detail here, but congratulations to everyone honored.
The Dick Hammer Award: Kel Carruthers
Earl & Lucile Flanders Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Holley
Hall of Fame Inductees: Dave Arnold, Brad Baker, Jeff Ward, Randy Hall, Mitch Payton and Ronnie Jones.
The best thing about the Trailblazers Banquet is rubbing shoulders with the most authentic motorcycle people on the planet. I leave you with two bits of advice if you plan to attend next year. Watch the Trailblazers website and buy your tickets as soon as they become available (it sells out quick). Then, if you can swing it, get a room at the event’s hotel for Friday and Saturday nights. The bench racing in the hotel’s lounge is legendary. Click on any photo to enlarge.
Usual Suspects: Clyde Williams had this bitchin’ custom-designed shirt made from scratch. Clyde, if you make more of them, I wear a size XL and I’ll pay top dollar. One of Clyde’s bikes won an award on the night, but I’m not going to show you that bike. I’m gonna show one of his other bikes that I’ve wanted to post for a long time.
Ridden Hard: Saw this 1971 Norton at the Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show (coming up again on June 7th). The Clyde-Williams-owned, Harold-Allison-built bike was raced by Jody Nicholas, Dave Aldana, Shorty Seaborne and Dennis Kanegae to name just a few (there are nine other riders). Thanks for protecting this historic bike.
Labor of Love: Darrick Contreras built this Brian Myerscough replica and, in doing so, had to learn how to fabricate the tank from scratch. Amazing! Look close and you’ll see two inductees to the right of Darrick. Dave Arnold and Mitch Payton. The hall is packed with celebrities.
Too Pretty To Dirty: I begged Darrick not to race this bike. I know motorcycles are made to be ridden, but this 1980 RA125 clearly falls into the two-wheeled art category. I don’t want to think what could happen in a first-turn pileup.
Quality, Not Quantity: The number of bikes entered in the show was off substantially from last year. Still, the bikes that made it were impressive. Maybe the Blazers will let me display my motorcycle album collection next year?
Cycle Tunes: The Jimmy Mac On Two Wheels Album Collection would have fit into the bike show this year. Maybe next year? My addiction, I mean “collection,” has over 300 covers and is constantly growing.
Speed Metal: This 1980 AMA Superbike really speaks to me. It looks as bad ass today as it did when raced by Ron Pierce. This was displayed in Randy Hall’s area along with other bikes connected to Randy’s amazing career.
Hall Pass: Another work of art that won races attributed to inductee Randy Hall. I learned so much about Randy during his induction. Each inductee receives a video bio that is worth the price of admission. Randy accomplished a lot in the background. He is not in the background anymore thanks to the Trailblazers.
Total Passion: Always a pleasure to bump into Bob Barnett. The guy is passionate about whatever project he is working on at the time. This time it is a beautiful 1960 Triumph 5TA Speed Twin. Bob explained the British-wet-weather styling never caught on in America so it is hard to find this model that wasn’t chopped to bits to please a sportier audience.
Old Pals: Bob Schaefer (left) owned Kearney Mesa Yamaha (and Husqvarna) in San Diego and Scott Harden used to sell him those Huskies. I didn’t recognize Bob because he is supposed to be old by now. Great to reconnect. That’s another perk of the banquet.
Talent On Display: The Trailblazers did a commendable job of creating a display for each of their inductees. Dave Arnold’s accomplishments could fill the entire hall. I don’t envy the Blazers who have to decide what makes the display.
Fast Talent: These two guys made bank racing the Southern California motocross circuit. Ron Turner and Gary Denton show up every year for the banquet. Two more reasons I try not to miss the event.
Senior Talent: “Fast Eddie” Castro should be sponsored by Red Bull because this guy still has wings. Eddie is known for beating speedway competitors half his age. He picks events more carefully these days and is always a threat to make the final. He was inducted into the Hall last year.
Meet A Legend: Saw Texas motorcycle legend Gary Davis who I’d never met but followed for years. Gary and his wife Donna treated me like an old friend. The racer/stuntman has performed in over 280 films and is in the AMA Hall of Fame. This was his first Trailblazers appearance and I’ll bet it won’t be his last.
Husky Alumni: Bill Kniegge (left) ran Husqvarna’s American operation and Gunnar Lindstrom won races for the brand. Where else could these two reconnect than at the Trailblazers Banquet? It was Bill’s first time while Gunnar is a regular. Bill runs Blue Strada tours where you can drive cool Miatas or ride on two wheels. Get more info by clicking here.
Yamaha Sponsored: Bob Starr (left) ruins my argument about motorcycle enthusiasts being excluded from motorcycle management positions. Bob is a true enthusiast and is important to Yamaha’s continued success. Jim Holley gave the most-entertaining induction speech of the night and he had tough competition on the stage.
Tailgate Party: Mitch Payton (left) is known for having the best tailgate party every year before the banquet. Lance Sallis flew in from Austin, Texas, to see Mitch inducted into the Blazers Hall of Fame.
Longtime Friendship: Lance Sallis’ connection to Mitch Payton goes way back to the days of Anaheim Husqvarna. That is Lance, second from the left, in the Metzler Tire t-shirt. The longest-serving motorcycle magazine editor in the world, Jody Weisel, is fourth from the left next to Mitch.
Enough Lance?: Got to post one more Lance photo. This one with Harry Klemm. Harry hired Lance to work at DG Racing before Lance was old enough to drive. He pedaled a BMX bike to work after school. I wonder if Mitch Payton knew about this? Probably not. Mitch was (and is) super competitive against his competition on and off the track.
Mitch Memorabilia: It is awe inspiring to track Mitch Payton’s amazing career over the decades. He never had a predictable path to success because most of what he has accomplished had never been accomplished before. There was no road map for Mitch to follow so he made his own. More impressive, he shows no sign of slowing down.
RJ and PM: Ricky Johnson (left) and Pete Murray both got their starts racing the Southern California motocross circuit. Ricky went on to world-wide motocross fame. Pete still races nearly every weekend of the year. So who wins?
Father And Son Reunion: Dad Al Olson finally got his “kid” Tim to show up for the Banquet. Al was a legendary Vet motocross racer and later wrenched for motocross champion Chad Reed. Tim was Assistant Editor for Motocross Action Magazine and today does public relations for BRP.
Moral Support: Ted Studley (left) and Mike Tripes were in the house to applaud Mitch Payton’s induction. Both got a shout out during Mitch’s acceptance speech. Mike twisted the throttle for Mitch while Ted did his best to guide the Pro Circuit rocketship that Mitch launched.
Jimmy Mac does not use AI for his stories. All poor wording, misspellings and dangling participles are his mistakes. Just trying to keep it authentic.
