Dean,
After lurking on this site and reading your thread, the recent posting of the pics from “Speedway 117” compelled me to write. I had the privilege of racing during this era. Started with the first year Honda Elsinore 125 at, what was then called, South Bay Speedway. We would practice in the hills on the north side of what would become 905 all weekend long and race on Wednesday nights. Back then Marty Smith was still in school at Point Loma (with a Factory Honda Support contract). He and Tommy Croft were riding 250’s at the big races and Marty would show up at South Bay on Wednesdays for pocket change in the 125 class. Over the next 10 years or so I got to ride and race with all 3 Martys. Smith at South Bay, Tripes at Santee (San Diego River sand pits), and Moates at Carlsbad.
In ‘81/’82 I sold my house, packed my belongings, took a leave from work, and tried my hand at self employment. Went in with some distant relatives in Ennis, Texas. We owned several businesses including a Kawasaki shop. Our practice track was located on the land that became the Texas Motorplex racing complex. I had attended the Riverside race in previous years and had heard that the next edition would include a 3wheeler class. We went to work fabbing an open class (Kaw 420 engine-new crate motor from the factory) to race at Riverside. Rumor had it that Ace would be riding an open class Honda and we were determined to compete. I had raced with Ace once at the Cajon Speedway infield course (he was on a Tri-Yamaha at the time). My inflated sense of invincibility had everyone convinced that we could be “in the hunt”. Well … reversals of fortune (the shop took a severe monetary dive) relegated the dream of racing against Factory Honda at Riverside moot. I escaped from Texas with the clothes on my back and a freshly assembled (by me from the crate) Eddie Lawson Replica 1000. Upon returning to San Diego, I took the Lawson bike to Alba (at that time in Encinitas) and traded it straight up for a race ready ATC250R. I re-started racing back at “Speedway 117” and got to race with Dean and Wax on a semi-regular basis.
The whole point of this post was not to drop names. During that span of years it wasn’t uncommon to line up along side Broc Glover or Rick Johnson at the gate or Mitch Mayes out in the Mojave. Back in the mid 70’s, a group of co-workers would go to the 24th st. tidal flats in National City and end up using our ATC90’s as tow mules for Larry Williams and Don Pauter’s sand dragster.
The gift of living in So. Cal., specifically in San Diego County, and being involved in the off-road scene can only be appreciated in retrospect. During the last 5 years I’ve been gradually rebuilding my love of the hobby. Resurrecting a ’67 Bug, introducing my son to the desert, and rebuilding/play riding my pride and joy … an ’86 ATC350X.
The glory days have come and gone. Riding in the outback in San Diego County is virtually unknown today. The Ocotillo and Glamis areas are so crowded now. But the fire still smolders within. Off-roading is a life long passion. Working on buggies, bikes, and 3wheelers will always hold a part of me captive. As it should!
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20 year old atc500r
