TRAILBLAZERS BANQUET APRIL 10, 2010
A NOTE FROM OUR PREZ, KEITH MASHBURN
Well it’s the time of year that has your Board of Directors working hard towards our banquet in April. This year, as always, we feel that we have come
up with a great group of inductees.
The 2010 TrailBlazer Hall of Fame recipients are: Sonny Angel, Bryon Farnsworth, Don Brymer, Don Spargur, Larry Wilburn and Annie & Bill Brokaw.
This years Hammer Award will be presented to Dan Gurney.
With a group like this we are sure to have a great event!
I want to give a personal thanks to member Rick Gallo. Rick and I have been in e-mail contact for nearly a year as he lobbied for Bill and Annie Brokaw
to be inducted into our Hall of Fame. I laid out the involved process to Rick and explained that the board would need more than a name on a napkin to
consider his nomination. A complete package is required. In no time I started receiving information highlighting the reasons the Brokaws should be
inducted along with materials that could be used to produce the DVD for the program. Rick and his wife Margie drove to Irvine with package under arm,
to pitch the Brokaws to the Board. Due to the Gallos’ hard work and worthy recipients, Annie and Bill Brokaw will be among our 2010 inductees.
This coming December the AMA is holding their Hall of Fame induction program in Las Vegas. The AMA may not admit it, but they looked at our program and
made significant changes in theirs, based on ours. I think this is great. We are all family in the motorcycle world and I am sure glad to see the AMA
making improvements.
TrailBlazer member Chuck Palmgren will be inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame this year. I plan on being there in support of Chuck and the other
inductees. Several TrailBlazers have already made their reservations. Please check your calendars and see if you too can make the trek to Las Vegas in
December.
I look forward to seeing everyone again at our banquet on April 10th. Yes, we will embellish old stories, be sad as we remember those who have passed,
and laugh our butts off as we share the good times. We will again look on in admiration as we honor those we have selected to our Hall of Fame.
Nothing but the best to all of you, Keith.
AMA HALL OF FAME IN LAS VEGAS
The AMA will hold their ceremony for the induction into their Hall of Fame at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on December 5, 2009, at
6pm. Those being inducted are; Industry Innovator, Robert Bates; Off Road racer, Randy Hawkins; Suspension pioneer, Giles Vaillancourt; Off Road rights
activist, Mona Ehnes; Industry entrepreneurs & technological trailblazers, Geoff & Bob Fox; Motorcycle safety proponent, David Hough; Race team
manager, Gary Mathers; Dirt track racer and tuner, Chuck Palmgren. Amateur awards ceremony will be on December 4th.
Tickets can be purchased from TicketMaster for $49.00 plus fees. Lots of fees. Rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel are $99.00 per night for Friday and
Saturday nights. Thursday and Sunday nights are $59.00. The price will be held until November 9, if rooms are still available. The code is AMALO9E,
1-800-473-7625
MILNE NIGHT AND TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDS
A night to honor Jack Milne, winner of the 1937 World Speedway Championship, as well as legends of Speedway racing, was held at the Orange County
Speedway on August 15th... Thanks go to the Oxleys, Hicks, and their families and crew for including the Trailblazers in the program. Some
of those attending were Skip Van Leeuwen, Sammy Tanner, Mike Konle, Mike Vils, Ernie Aragon, Jody Nicholas, Tom White, Bryon Farnsworth, Sonny Nutter,
Bill Cody, Bobby Swartz, Andrea Phillips and Chris McEntee. Interviews were conducted throughout the evening and our legends of various types of racing
were featured in the “Laps of Iron”.
Tom White, and with the help of Bryon Farnsworth and Jody Nicholas, hosted and judged the vintage flat track and speedway bike show. Judges Choice went
to Bobby Schwartz for his 1969 ESO Speedway bike. The Best in Show was won by Smokey Elford for his 1935 Indian Scout, and Peoples Choice to Mike Vil’s
1955 HD Harley. There was a legends and bike parade for the fans. Andrea Phillips did a great job of co-coordinating with the TrailBlazers and Brad
Oxley for the event. Chris McEntee, Mike Vils, Ernie Aragon and Tim Gilligan were also a great help. Don’t miss next year’s tribute to Milne and the
Trailblazers.
GRIFFITH PARK SIDECAR RALLY, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
The 38th annual sidecar rally is from 9am to 3pm. The event is free to spectators. Come early . Learn all about sidecars and see some of the best and most unusual. www.sidestrider.com
For information call Doug Bingham (818) 780-5542
WEBSITES
I haven’t looked at these because I am on dial up. I am assuming they are appropriate for mass publication.
A great video showing the first assembly lines at the original Ford auto plant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4KrIMZpwCY
Yamaha video
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/mcy/usgp/2009/video/video_office.aspx
TGMotocross3–AOLGames
Promovideo_mail_ek_09.wmv
Dangers_of_Motorcycling.pps
PACIFIC COAST NATIONALS AT POMONA FAIRGROUNDS
SATURDAY-- OCTOBER 24TH--6:30PM
Former Flat Track Racer and Promoter, Gene Romero, is bringing the AMA National Championship to Southern California in conjunction with California Bike
Week, which is held on the 23rd, 24th and 25th at the Los Angeles County Fairplex. At past races, Gene and his gang
have done an impressive job of grooming the 5/8th mile track. We are looking forward to some mighty fine racing. Entry to the event on
Saturday, which includes the races, vendors, music, demo rides, Wall of Death, Victor McGlaughlin Motor Corps and more, is $30.00. The National Hot Rod
Association has a museum on the fairgrounds also, so you may want to come early and wander around a bit before the races start. Spectator gates for the
Flat Track races open at 3:00pm and time trials start at 4:20. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance at TicketMasters. Gate 17 to the
California Bike Week opens at 10:00 am. Check their website for times and details. www.californiabikeweek.com.
And yes, the party is on.
Skip Van Leeuwen is again hosting a party in the club house at the track. To get on the wrist band list, call Mr. Bill at 818 899-4870. The wrist band
only admits you into the party. You must purchase a ticket to get into the race track before the party.
WEST COAST FLAT TRACK
On September 26, purchase a pit pass for the Digger Helm State National, with a pro purse of over $10,000, and you can also enjoy the Kern County Fair
in Bakersfield. For more details; www.eddiemulderswcdts.com.
LAKE ELSINORE GRAN PRIX November 7 and 8
According to the latest information, Diamond Stadium LLC, owner of Lake Elsinore’s baseball team, Storm, a farm team for the San Diego Padres, is
overseeing the race planning for this year’s event. The seven mile layout will start and finish at the Storm’s stadium. It will utilize a large portion
of the hillside layout outside the original town portion and feature sections that were seen in the filming of “On Any Sunday”. Also at or near the
stadium will be vendors, concessions, camping and a Saturday night concert with several bands.
MTA WORLD VETERAN MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS AT GLEN HELEN
Saturday, October 31st and Sunday November 1st is racing at its finest with riders from 30 to 70+ years of age competing in the
novice, intermediate, expert and pro classes. Expect over 1000 entries from as many as twenty countries. The Vet Pro Race is on Sunday with over $6000
in cash plus prizes. TrailBlazers, gas up those bikes and head to Glen Helen. At 1:00 pm on Sunday, the Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Award will be
presented to Tony Distefano, the three time 250cc AMA National MX Champion. For more information: www.glenhelen.com or (909) 880 3090 Admission is $20.00
GONE BY NOT FORGOTTEN
Our condolences to their families and friends of these members who passed away.
Bruce Oglivie 4/13/09
Harry V. Sucher 4/22/09
Bob Sinclair 5/10/09
Chet Herbert
Steve Whitson 6/17/09
Florence Emde 7/30/09
DANNY MACIAS’ BIKE AT BONNEVILLE by TERRY MORAIRTY
Danny Macias was my mentor, teacher and lifelong friend. I worked for him at Bellflower Triumph and on the Triumph Factory Road Racing Team, in Duarte,
California. Danny set a record at Bonneville on a 1957 Triumph 350 twin in 1960. He was in the process of rebuilding it to return to Bonneville, to
break his old record, when he died suddenly in 2007. He had the engine finished, but the frame and front forks were the only parts left of the original
chassis. With the help of Dan's family and friends, I finished the bike and we took it to Bonneville this year to complete Dan's dream. Due to several
factors, we were unable to break his record, but the bike did run again as Danny wished. The best part was the many friends that came together to help
on this project. We had a team of seven that I have known for over 40 years, and who were also friends of Danny. Many sponsors also stepped up to the
plate. It was truly a humbling experience. Our team consisted of; John Bommarito, Dan Jones, Vince Zine, Terry Morairty, George Nachtsheim, Kansas
Annis, Paul Beneditti, and Mike Caspers.
Sponsors: Alloy Graphics, Mike and Pam Caspers, Van Leeuwen Enterprises, JRC Engineering, Titanium Metalurgy, IMS ShirtWerx, Pechanga Resort and
Casino, Classic Restoration, Dan Jones, James J. Hill, Paul Benedetti, Rich Rohrich, Dennis Kanage, 2twenty9 Photography, Superior Office Services.
Attempt to break prior record of Danny Macias at Bonneville 2009, with same bike. Team members from left to right: John Bommarito, Dan Jones, Vince Zine, Terry Morairty, George Nachtsheim, Kansas Annis, Paul Benedetti. Missing from photo, Mike Caspers.
POETRY IN MOTION
This poem is a bit long, but it was written many years ago by Dick O’Brien, the head honcho of the Harley Davidson factory race team.
“To start at the beginning is a long time ago, I always love racing, for why I don’t know.
The question is asked a million times two, I have no answers, either do you.
Anything fast is a thrill to do, the challenge is great for all of you.
We start at the bottom and nothing will do, we must get our hands on a throttle or two.
If we are lucky and work hard enough, we may get a chance to ride the hot stuff.
Some of us make it, some of us don’t. The biggest percent are those who won’t.
The riders are flighty, but so is most youth. A few are bullets, the rest are just spoofs.
They drive and they party and have a good time, some will make money, others waste time.
Some become mechanics, for this takes much skill, Just as important as racing up hill.
A real top tuner has had much to learn, setting up engines from stem to the stern.
Knowing the track and all riders too, is part of a job he must learn to do.
Machinist and welder, fabricator too, takes many years and there are few.
The unsung hero behind the whole show, the satisfaction is great, but glory is low.
The people I work with use most of the night to have all machinery tuned up just right.
Your feelings run deep for family and all, you hope the riders don’t take a great fall.
Sometimes it happens and death comes to fast, you feel like saying this is the last.
Nothing you do will change the fast pace, so you try a lot harder to make a safe race.
It’s really a challenge to obtain number one, Final satisfaction compares to none.
The season is over and some rest will come. A few weeks only as we start back for one.
Somehow it’s worth it, the hassle and all, to see all the races from spring until fall.
Many years passed since I started out, millions of miles by every type route.
This is no ending or even a start, a fun way of living for those young at heart.”
DON EMDE 2009 GRAND MARSHAL
In 1971, a group of young American motorcycle racers who rode for the Birmingham Small Arms Co. (BSA), marketers of the BSA and Triumph brands, flew to
England to compete against some of the most talented motorcycle riders in the world at the inaugural running of the Trans-Atlantic Match Races. Don
Emde was one of those riders. Although the Americans didn’t win, Emde had a solid pro rookie year when he returned to the States. With third-place
finishes at the Daytona 200, the Talladega 200 and at the Kent, Washington 100 mile National. Emde scored the most road-racing points in the 1971 AMA
Grand National Championship, behind Dick Mann and Kel Carruthers.
Don Emde, an AMA Motorcycle Hall recipient, was chosen as the Grand Marshal at 2009 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, held July 24-26 at the Mid-Ohio Sports
Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. With BSA named as Marquee of the Year at the 2009 event, Emde was a natural choice for the honor of Grand Marshal. The
Southern Californian’s history with BSA runs deep. Emde grew up working at his father’s BSA dealership in the San Diego area, and when his dirt-track
status advanced in 1970 from novice to amateur, he graduated to a BSA A65. As an expert he won main events at Ascot, California State TT Championship
and then BSA put together its biggest race team ever which contested the first year of the Trans-Atlantic Match Races. Emde’s greatest competitive
achievement came at the 1972 Daytona 200, when he was competing for Team Motorcycle Weekly with backing from Yamaha. He raced a Mel Dinesen tuned
Yamaha 350cc two–stroke. Emde won, making it the first Daytona 200 victory for Yamaha and the first time a two-stroke won the race. Emde also was the
first son of a Daytona 200 winner to repeat the feat, and he did it on the smallest displacement bike to ever win the event. Congratulations Don.
TRAILBLAZERS ON AMA BOARD
Three members of the TrailBlazers have been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF); Jack Penton is
Chairman, Tom White is Vice Chairman and Jeff Heininger is Secretary/Treasurer. Their main function will be to raise money for the AMA Motorcycle Hall
of Fame.
SAN DIEGO FLAT TRACK CLUB REUNIION
On Saturday, October 17, the San Diego Flat Track Club will be honoring those who raced at El Cajon Speedway in the 60s and add two members to their
Hall of Fame. The event will run from 2pm to 8pm at Kon-Tiki Motorcycles, 1335 Garnet Ave. San Diego, CA 92109. (858) 272-6751 www.kontikimotorcycles.com Food will be provided. Donations are appreciated. Please RSVP to Wayne
Hosaka at; hos55x@yahoo.com.
MISC. BY JUDY
Thanks to those of you who sent me information for the newsletter. Without input from the members, I wouldn’t have anything to write. Please keep me
informed so I can keep everyone else informed.
Don’t forget to check our website. Don Emde and the staff at MIC have done a great job of setting it up. If you are going to Las Vegas for the AMA
event, share a ride or maybe a room. We had considered a bus, but the logistics just didn’t work. It is more fun as a group and it would be really nice
for the TrailBlazers to show their support.
If anyone complains about not getting their newsletter, ask if they paid their dues. If they think they have, tell them to contact me. If they haven’t,
send $10.00 to:
TrailBlazers
c/o MIC Inc.
2 Jenner Ste #150
Irvine, Ca 92618-33`3
You can contact me at mctrailblazers@cs.com or 951 780-1978.