The 2025 Trailblazers Banquet, held on March 15th, marked the 80th time the event has taken place. Plenty of things have changed over those 80 events. Back in the early years of the Trailblazers Banquet there were scramble races, not motocross. Road racing took place on a beach. Flat track racers didn’t have brakes. Hillclimbs attracted spectators by the thousands. And the racers of the era entered all or any of these events racing pretty much the same bike. So sure, things have changed, but one thing has remained a constant. The people who attend the Trailblazers Banquet have an undying devotion to motorcycling.
The club’s name pretty much sums up what the banquet is all about, honoring true motorcycle trailblazers. This includes racers, inventors, mechanics, business titans, visionaries, race promoters, film makers, actors, collectors and race team sponsors. The common denominator for the club members, their Hall of Fame members and the banquet’s attendees is a love of motorcycling.
The much-heralded, all-encompassing event is difficult to cover here. That’s why if motorcycling is in your veins, you need to do your best to secure a seat at the table for the 81st banquet. The event sells out fast and the club doesn’t announce the on-sale date too far in advance. That means it is in your best interest to check the club’s website and Facebook page often. Or better yet, become a member and get their newsletter featuring club news, great stories and seldom-seen or never-seen racing photos.
Here are just a few of the people and bikes that made the 80th Trailblazers Banquet another one for the record books.
Race gear: Last year’s Earl & Lucile Flanders Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Mr. Rod Lake, showed off a beautiful vintage Bell Helmets jacket. Rod explained that when he started racing he couldn’t afford fancy leathers like the other guys so he purchased this jacket and raced in it. Obviously, Rod must have kept it on two wheels more than most of us because the jacket still looked pretty good.
Fast and smart: Gary Denton (right) and yours truly. In his story about the DG years, Harry Klemm singles out Gary as being one of his best test riders. Gary was not just blazingly fast. He knew how to communicate what was going on with the race bikes. Gary is always a pleasure to connect with at the banquet. He has a positive attitude that is contagious.
Dream machines: Was Steve Baker the most bad-ass guy in the building? I believe so. He not only got inducted into the Trailblazers Hall of Fame and was America’s first road race world champion, but he got to race both of these bikes and live to talk about it.
The Bellingham Baker: Steve Baker gets inducted into the Hall of Fame by Trailblazers President Don Emde, Steve Storz and Nancy Mercer.
The back story: These two guys mean a lot to me. Tom Seymour (yellow jacket) and I grew up near each other in New York and raced the same scrambles tracks (including the legendary Fishkill) but didn’t meet each other until decades later. Talk about a small world. Tom is a Trailblazer Director, chairman of Saddlemen and race team sponsor. Dave Damron created Chaparral Motorsports and has sponsored everyone from Jeremy McGrath to Brian Deegan (the father of Haiden). When a business gets as big and as powerful as Chaparral, the owner can use that clout to push around suppliers. But not Dave. He never bullied or demanded “special” deals. He did make it clear, however, he better be offered the same deal available to any other retailer. A class act for sure. Dave’s Ocelot motorcycle tire brand is going like gangbusters. Hey Trailblazers, you need to add this guy to the short list of HOF nominees.
Missing in action: This beautiful Keith-Lyons-owned Ossa was raced by the late Scott Burnworth. The sport is still reeling from Scott’s passing and it is only fitting that this bike was recognized by the attendees. Scott’s wife, Debbie, was present to accept the award. Godspeed, Burner.
Fast Eddie and fans: It seems like Eddie Castrol is always surrounded by beautiful women. Eddie so deserves his place in the Trailblazers Hall of Fame. The guy has overcome health issues that would have broken a lesser man and he did it with a positive attitude and a smile. This guy has the energy level of a racer half his age.
The early years: This bike was raced by Don Emde, who later in the night would earn himself The Dick Hammer Award. The bike is now owned by Mr. Motion Pro, Chris Carter.
Two-wheeled friends: Chris Dawson (left) and Rodger Fleming were seated at the JT Racing table because they both worked there at one time in their careers. Chris was involved in the design of the Scott Plastic Boot and later JT Racing’s helmets and that friends, is just scratching the surface. Rodger championed tank protectors (when tanks were still aluminum) and later graphics before anyone knew there was a market for them. If you look closely over Rodger’s shoulder you’ll see the legendary photographer, Kenny Jones. The Blazer’s banquet is so awesome!
Just being honest: I love catching up with Danny LaPorte but nothing beats running into Georgia LaPorte. Her warmth and friendship cuts through all the noise and distractions of the event. Danny, you are a lucky man!
Speaking of lucky men: Racer, industry leader and Blazer’s Hall of Fame member, Scot Harden, will be the first guy to tell you how lucky he is to have had this lady, Christie Harden, by his side throughout his illustrious career.
My Best In show: I fell in love with this 1967 Ducati 160cc Monza stuffed into a VanTech frame. It is such a simple-yet-elegant machine owned by Holly and Rob Walker. VanTech was so far ahead of the times. They crafted frames that made stock bikes into works bikes.
Two stars: Yamaha’s Bob Starr looks dapper in his bow tie while hanging out with last year’s inductee Broc Glover. These two guys are responsible for selling container loads of Yamaha motorcycles.
Race ready: Myra and Frank Thomason were responsible for Saturday morning motocross racing at both Carlsbad and later Glen Helen raceways. Remember Commotion By The Ocean? R.E.M. Racing? That was them. Thanks for all the laps. By the way, that is Jim “The Greek” Gianatsis over Myra’s shoulder, photo bombing my photo. My best photos were never as good as the images The Greek would throw away. He is a master.
Just the facts: Kit Palmer, Cycle News Editor, covered plenty of the racers that Sharon Richards guided through the ranks of Team Green. I call her the den mother of motocross. I call Kit the hardest working man in motorcycle journalism for getting Cycle News out every week. No easy task.
Best dressed: Sonny Nutter always shows up to the Blazers looking sharp but this year, Yoshi Kosaka (left) gave Sonny a run for the best-dressed title. Yoshi is the madman behind The Garage Company that specializes in memorabilia and vintage, custom and unique motorcycles. You can get more info on Sonny at his website.
Fast talk: “So bring that BSA engine by the shop Monday and I’ll get a few more ponies out of her,” says Pro Circuit Racing owner Mitch Payton (right) to David Aldana. David has been well honored by the Trailblazers. It is time to get Mitch in the Hall.
Moto legends: Racing has evolved over the last 80 banquets and the growing number of motocross-racer attendees proves the point. So good seeing Billy Grossi (left) and David Bailey representing motocross.
Lightning strikes twice: Don Emde welcomes Rita and John Gregory, the founders of JT Racing, into the Hall. JT Racing pretty much ended European motocross apparel and protective gear dominance with innovative products and a distinct Southern California vibe that took the sport by storm. Years later they would repeat this success in another sport, paintball.
Well deserved: Hall inductees get a short video introduction. There is no way a short video is going to capture what Roy Turner, getting his plaque from Steve Storz, has accomplished. It would take a one-hour documentary just to cover his days as a factory mechanic and that was just the beginning of this guy’s career. The Trailblazers know how to pick them.
The Emde Legend continues: I’m sure Don Emde was reluctant when the club told him they wanted to award him the Dick Hammer Award. He deserves it. Don has devoted his life to motorcycling as a racer, publisher, writer, historian, business executive and President of the Trailblazers. There may not have been an 80th Trailblazers Banquet if it wasn’t for Don’s efforts. Kevin Foley (left) and Steve Storz wouldn’t let Don say no to the honor.
Bring the family: Artist Dave Maestrejuan included Don Emde’s mom and dad in the painting that is commissioned each year for the Dick Hammer Award recipient. If you look close, Dave made sure to get Don’s sister, Nancy Emde-Steward, in the painting. Nancy is herself an accomplished rider and Trailblazers director.
