This was the first National MX I ever attended at the age of 15 yo. I had seen and read about all of these Pro Motocrossers for years in Dirt Bike & Motocross Action Magazines. When I first laid eyes on these guys driving from the entrance to our parking area I could hardly contain my excitement as I ripped my seatbelt off! I could hardly belief these famous Pro’s like Hannah, Johnson, Ward, Lechien, & Diamond were literally racing in my backyard close to Pittsburgh, PA. I’ll never forget that sensational day. As Jon Romett & His father Tom & I drove North on I79 to Butler, PA, hot & sweaty, our hair filled with dust, me in the back seat of Mr.Tom Romett’s ‘86 powder Blue Mercury Cougar I literally fell asleep from exhaustion. I was tired, spent, but still riding a wave of excitement as got home and described the days events to my dad, Bill Olenic & my mother Beverly & brother Doug. As I laid my head on my pillow that Sunday night the images of that day kept flooding through my mind as I fell into a deep sleep. Observing that first Pro MX had so motivated me to go and improve my riding with my good friends like Ron Conrad, Brian Forcht, Jon Romett & Bob McChesney & others like Gregg West & Aaron Baker. Seeing this video 33 yrs later literally filled my soul with joy this cold clear winter morning in Western PA & almost made me cry. Thank you Gary Semics for bringing back that fantastic day by posting this! Being at that race in May 1987 has lead to a life long love of offroad motorcycle racing! Greg Olenic Butler, PA
Great story Greg, thanks for sharing. I was 17 that summer and living in Wyoming, I never did get to attend a pro event during that time period. My first was the 2000 Dallas Supercross. Im not Gary Semics though.
That’s a awesome story, I rode with the likes of mark Barnett , Keith Bowen , Jeff Stanton, Alan king, billy frank and Ed Warren at red bud during 1974-1981
This is exactly how I felt when I attended my first motocross national at Southwick in 1986. I literally thought the riders in practice with Johnson, Ward, Lechien and Hannah printed on the back of their jerseys were imposters and not the real stars I read about in MXA, Super/Moto Cross and Dirt Bike magazines. I just couldn't comprehend that these guys were actually at my local track. Sounds dumb I know, but that's how bigger-than-life these guys were to me.
If you watch the holeshot of the first 125 moto closely, you can see who I believe is Eddie Warren jump the gate on the right side. Somehow, he still didn't get the holeshot.
Ron "THE MACHINE" Lechien was one of the most naturally talented riders ever the race unfortunately he didn't train as seriously as the competition and it cost him alot of victories.
This was the first National MX I ever attended at the age of 15 yo. I had seen and read about all of these Pro Motocrossers for years in Dirt Bike & Motocross Action Magazines.
When I first laid eyes on these guys driving from the entrance to our parking area I could hardly contain my excitement as I ripped my seatbelt off!
I could hardly belief these famous Pro’s like Hannah, Johnson, Ward, Lechien, & Diamond were literally racing in my backyard close to Pittsburgh, PA.
I’ll never forget that sensational day. As Jon Romett & His father Tom & I drove North on I79 to Butler, PA, hot & sweaty, our hair filled with dust, me in the back seat of Mr.Tom Romett’s ‘86 powder Blue Mercury Cougar I literally fell asleep from exhaustion. I was tired, spent, but still riding a wave of excitement as got home and described the days events to my dad, Bill Olenic & my mother Beverly & brother Doug. As I laid my head on my pillow that Sunday night the images of that day kept flooding through my mind as I fell into a deep sleep.
Observing that first Pro MX had so motivated me to go and improve my riding with my good friends like Ron Conrad, Brian Forcht, Jon Romett & Bob McChesney & others like Gregg West & Aaron Baker.
Seeing this video 33 yrs later literally filled my soul with joy this cold clear winter morning in Western PA & almost made me cry.
Thank you Gary Semics for bringing back that fantastic day by posting this!
Being at that race in May 1987 has lead to a life long love of offroad motorcycle racing!
Greg Olenic
Butler, PA
Great story Greg, thanks for sharing. I was 17 that summer and living in Wyoming, I never did get to attend a pro event during that time period. My first was the 2000 Dallas Supercross. Im not Gary Semics though.
That’s a awesome story, I rode with the likes of mark Barnett , Keith Bowen , Jeff Stanton, Alan king, billy frank and Ed Warren at red bud during 1974-1981
This is exactly how I felt when I attended my first motocross national at Southwick in 1986. I literally thought the riders in practice with Johnson, Ward, Lechien and Hannah printed on the back of their jerseys were imposters and not the real stars I read about in MXA, Super/Moto Cross and Dirt Bike magazines. I just couldn't comprehend that these guys were actually at my local track. Sounds dumb I know, but that's how bigger-than-life these guys were to me.
Awesome to watch these old races, I was jeff Stanton’s nemesis in the mini B class in 1976-79. Great stuff. If you have more please post them
If you watch the holeshot of the first 125 moto closely, you can see who I believe is Eddie Warren jump the gate on the right side. Somehow, he still didn't get the holeshot.
Ron "THE MACHINE" Lechien was one of the most naturally talented riders ever the race unfortunately he didn't train as seriously as the competition and it cost him alot of victories.
Anyway to go back in time to re-remind the commentator that he is not hosting polo, yikes..