Not to many people know this but Mark is one heck of a ice hockey player I played against Mark at the ice rink next to his house in bridgeview, IL. I remember Mark as a quiet hard nose player. He even took power skating class at the ice chalet in Willow springs IL. My name is John Winkler. When I was in the army from 76-82 in the army my sister would send me magazines with Mark's picture on it. Mark's mom was always nice to us when we would take a break from playing we would warm up at Mark's mom and dad's house and Mrs Barnett would fix us hot chocolate. Take care.
One of the greatest. He was so dominant and was one of those guys who had something really special on a 125. One of my hero’s when I was a kid. I rode RM 125’s from 1979-1982 and wore Fox gear, greatly influenced by Mark Barnett!
100% agree on Mark Barnett , l raced a 77 - 79 - 82 RM125 & still have some of my gear from that era , moto-x fox winter thick jersey , goldbelt , JTRacing Suzuki leathers with my lst name on the back , Hallman Brad Lackey boots , still have a 1977 Moto-X Fox catalog with alot of Mark Barnett pic's #322 , l followed Barnett's career also like alot of guy's did back then , great memories .
We've since found out motocross is much more physically demanding then soccer. Hockey is more physically demanding then soccer. That's why they rotate every three minutes.
The late Bruce Bunch practiced with Mark at Sattleback before the AMA National. Bruce said he didn't want to pass Mark, he would want to make him feel bad....Bruce was on a mini bike.
Barnett smoked the 125 class in the early 80's One of the toughest riders ever. eventually ward and omara caught up to barnett around '84 and were the dominant riders in the 125 class. I think ward and omara's works 125's were better than barnett's suzuki ('83 - '85) and that's why barnett slumped after 2 or 3 years of total domination.
I think he lost his dominance in 83, even though he was still winning races I think into 84. It was "The changing of the fast" with the guys you mentioned and Bailey and Johnson. Mark switched to Kawasaki in 85, and that was the first time I saw him (my first time at a pro race), at Red Bud. He was not a threat for the win there. You could tell a newer style of riding was taking over. He retired at the end of 85. I guess he won't do an interview today. I wish he would, and not leave any dirt un-swept. :)
