A few words from Brad.

Clay,  Thanks for the compliment.  I was using an old range finder camera my dad gave me for the smaller pictures. Had to guess the light settings. Plus it shot in a small format. The larger pictures were my first SLR camera.  I was still getting used to it, although it had a built in light meter which made it easier. Plus I bought my first multi range zoom lens.   Brings back a lot of memories looking at them again. So many great riders and races I went to.  Wish I could remember exactly when and where they were all taken. Sometimes I wrote on the back of the print.  Thats whats so great about digital pictures. They’re automatically time stamped so at least you can identify when they were taken.

Thanks Brad for sharing your photos!!

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Ricky Johnson Helmet

This helmet was owned by Ricky Johnson and painted by his Father.  The helmet was dropped and the visor broke. Ricky never raced with the helmet.

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Marty Tripes’ Riding Grear

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Donnie Cantaloupi’s Helmet

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Bob Hannah’s MX Des Nations Helmet

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David Bailey’s

1985 Race Worn Helmet

Here is a brief history of this helmet from Neal and Ronnie Clark……

His name was Jake and the company was Competition Suspension in Southern California . My son, Matthew was about 5 or 6 at the time and always came with me to this shop.  Matthew always thought Jake was a great guy and told Jake his favorite rider was David Bailey.  He told Jake that David was his hero and watched him on videos all the time.  On one visit to the shop, Jake told Matthew he wanted to give him something, it was a helmet from David Bailey. After a discussion of how we could not accept such a gift, we finally left with the helmet.  The helmet never left Matthew’s room and was always a source of great pride.  My wife, Matthew and I attended as many pro races as possible and one day I noticed that David was going to be a VIP at a pro race being held at Glen Helen Raceway in Southern California . It was a long shot, but I thought maybe we could take the helmet and get David to sign it.  Well, on the day of the race we kept an eye out for David and finally saw him.  I ran back to the van, got the helmet and we walked toward David with Matthew carrying the helmet.  When we reached David and asked him if he would please autograph the helmet, he thought we had a replica helmet. After looking at the helmet, he said it was really one of his and told us about the tech stickers on the back.  We told him how we acquired the helmet and he said he remembered Jake working on his bike suspension.  David said he did not even have one of these helmets and Matthew offered to give it to him. David refused and we all walked away thinking that David Bailey was much more than one of the greatest riders that ever lived.  Meeting David was a great experience for Matthew and something he never forgot.  It was also about this time that Matthew participated in the Mickey Thompson Stadium Off- Road events.  There was an invitational only exhibition for pee wee riders and he did as many as 12 events per year as far away as Seattle and Denver for about 3 years.  He also got to take part in the autograph sessions and we had an autograph sheet (see attached) made up that he signed and gave out.  It was amazing to see him sitting on his bike with people standing in line to get his autograph (he is 14Y).

Matthew died in a car accident on February 18, 2003, just 14 days after his 16th birthday.  I know he is happy the helmet has found a good home. Thank you again. Neal and Ronnie Clark

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The photos contained on this page were taken by Justyn Norek and are the property of Justyn Norek Photography

On May 17, 2008, the San Diego Automobile Museum held it’s grand opening of the “Motocross America, The Early Years”  display with a motocross star studded event. Tom White (http://www.earlyyearsofmx.com/) was responsible for bringing this spectacular display to the San Diego Museum as well as orchestrating the banquet after the Grand Opening. Needless to say, the event was very well attended and provided the opportunity for   motocross fans to rub elbows with many of the MX stars from the past.  There was a raffle and auction at the end of the evening. One signed photo of Marty Tripes and Rex Staten standing next to the Harley Davidson Motocross Van sold for $3000.00.  A good time was had by all and all proceeds went to help fund the San Diego Automobile Museum.  Great job Tom!

Lake Elsinore, California.  This event, planned for over a year by Peter DeLaTorre, was to pay tribute to his parents, Andy and Marie DeLaTorre , owners of MID-VALLEY CYCLES in Van Nuys, California. The DeLaTorre’s were very active in the motorcycle/motocross community during the 1960’s, 1970’s and into the 1980’s. Through the years, they established very close relationships with many of todays motocross legends including Roger DeCoster, Joel Robert, Torsten Hallman, Malcolm Smith and the list goes on..

The DeLaTorre’s have had a tremendous impact on American motocross and was an opportunity for us to express our thanks for their support and encouragement over the years.

Peter DeLaTorre hired Marty Tripes to cater the event.  Marty and his crew treated the 250 plus guests to an unbelievable meal topped off with a 25 foot long dessert table and open bar.  No one went home hungry!

Putting together what will undoubtedly go down in MX history as one of the most enjoyable and memorable evenings for two very special people, Andy and Marie DeLaTorre!