I was there this day and what the video doesn't show you is exactly how fast Lechien was in the first moto. Never before or since have I seen someone go that fast in a single moto. He made the rest of the pack look like mid-pack B class riders. He absolutely SMOKED the field like they were stuck in the mud. It was truly a sight to behold.
Me too man, I was in the 10th grade. We made it to the top of a hill. I saw Ron Lachine go by so fast and lean the bike on the downhill… I thought for sure he was going to crash… Nope, he kept that pace of the whole race, it was unbelievable! I have never seen anybody ride so fast! What a day!
@@christophertiredofbs8514 You're talking about the very top of the far side of the track right at the top of the frog pond, right? I was up there too for a while cheering on Johnny O. I was, and still am a Suzuki guy. Ronnie's pace was mind boggling. He made RJ look pathetic along with everyone else. Just unbelievable.
@@stkyfngrszmooth ......yeah i was there too an ronnie almost hit me as i walked by the gate to the opening of the track.....he was late to the starting gate and pissed right by me......i was almost a casualty
@Joe Typical Lechien. Lucky he made it to the track in time, but nope, he had to go out there and severely embarrass everyone in the process. DAMN he was fast that day.
@@stkyfngrszmooth .......yeah wasnt he like late because of partying or something the night before , i cant remember the exact story.......also, did you see that interview with ricky johnson a year ago or so saying he was suicidal back in 1987, you just never know.....i remember ricky during practice stopping and just starring at the track right in front of me about 30 feet away......i thought he was just scoping out the track in his head but who knows what he was really thinking.......i used to ride at the MX track in the woods next to the mass pike in wilbraham, across from the friendlys ice cream sign on the hill.......to be young again
Great narration of a great race at a killer track. Was at this race and in 1982. Miss the smokers and the characters. Lots of awesome new guys with personality, but no PC back then.
Commentary should be revised to :"Dogger, who has been up for 4 days & spent the night with today's trophy girls, just put on a clinic in the first moto." Loved watching Ronnie back in the day
Lechein was such an animal when he was on it! And Wardy was like a metronome, just lap after lap, he and O’mara were spectacular athletes! Johnson and Hannah were also just madmen, Hannah the master of the save, regardless of how out of shape, he lust let it hang out out; and Johnson just a brute on the bike! There were probably 10 or more really talented guys showing up any National back then who could win the day, the talent was just so deep in the field. I guess I could go on and on....
8:58 we don't put your leg forward for balance, we put our leg forward to put weight on front tire for better traction (I raced this track in 1983 - 125 novice class - n.e.m.a. did ten races, got one first overall, one fifth overall(at this track -southwick 338) 😁 my thumbnail pic is taken at southwick Massachusetts 338
I was 17 years old back then, i always loved the american riders because off their riding skills. So much different back then as the european riders. ( i live in the netherlands)
10:50 the 1988 RM250 was Hannah’s creation but he didn’t ride it. Wicked machine, I was embarrassing new bikes on every start in 1995 and 1996 with my old ‘88. The first two turns were MINE and that was all bike.
God so cool! I remember getting these videos from Action Video back in the day! Used to get MX and Trials videos. Same narrator! Great time in MX history!
Corner speed; thats the difference between pros& weekend warriors, these top dogs have the fitness to hammer 100% in the corners all day.anyone can get going fast on straights, these guys keep their speed through corners
it. Such a shame Ricky johnsons career got cut short while he was still the best in the world.he would have won numerous more championships.he all but had The 89 Supercross championships
Does anyone have the 1988 Southwick national on video? I'd love to see it because I was there and watched Pat Barton almost pull off the first 125 moto win. He crashed on the last lap while leading, which winning one of these as a local was supposed to be impossible back in those days.
Greatly enjoying the vid, (thank you), but oops, Bob Hannah did not enter his first race at 11 years old, (you mention in the second 250 moto). I think he was just out of HS when a riding buddy dared him to try a race, and loaned Bob a CZ250. Wearing jeans and work boots, he entered some kind of junior class and won. About 2 years later, he won the 1976 125 National Championship, at the age of 20. Sorry man. It is Hannah, and I had to set it straight. :)
Yeah you didn't turn pro at 16. He might have got his 1st bicycle at probably 3 years old but that guy was crazy saying that Hannah torn pro at 16 and then hannah's 1st race. Was at ten maybe he was talking about bicycle racing maybe maybe
All in all I'm really happy to get this video man. It's impressive it's very impressive to see Hannah moving that good. I saw Em earlier that year down here in Brooksville and Florida. At the win her series and a Bradshaw was there he was riding a Mini bike and something happened. It was Mini bike and he just threw it down like a tampered tent trim and walked back to the pitch and like Hey you guys. Go get my bike man anded things junk but those Hannah stuck around late that day and shine all kind of autograph. He's a cool guy man. He's that bike he was cool and bread. Shaw seemed like a little bread that day.
God I was at this race and I remember the day. I’m so sad nowadays, 50 years old, feel like a big pile of poop. Nowhere to ride motocross anywhere, the world has gotten to shit! Somebody please invent a time machine
im 63 and feel pretty good......still race and plenty of places to ride......im sorry you feel like crap, maybe you can change it......i try to ride my bicycle everyday and eat healthy and lots of water......you can do it!!!!!!