RacerX Tribute Photo - Smith Rd

PitRacer

PitRacer

PR Founding Father
Interesting photo I found at the back of the latest RacerX mag....check it out.

RacerXTribute_sm.jpg
 
I remember Jon Leak, and heard of the Macks. Was right about the time I started taking interest in racing. Probably saw them at Barn Hill in Streetsboro (?)
 
Jon Leak was the epitome of Cool and Fast back in the day from Northern Ohio Motocross scene........... back then it was cross up's that showed your control and coolness over the jumps and Jon Leak was way ahead of his time in terms of working a bike in the air............... He was one of the "fast" Ohio guys and I remember watching him at Norwalk Raceway Park (Yes the dragstrip that used to have a Motocross track and race at night on Friday's) and being amazed at how cool he could jump a motorcycle............ which led to my first attempt at a double jump ever on my KX80 at the same location - Norwalk Raceway Park. Wow was I happy when I made that jump on the very first try and I have Jon Leak to thank for giving me the courage to turn the throttle and "Go for it!"

Cool Pic, that's how we used to rock it in the 70's, we had a full size Van, a tie down board in the back of it, and 2 bikes and a trunk of chemicals for the bikes and a gas can. No Pressure washer, just a 5 gallon hand pump with a wand on it............., no trailer just 2 bikes in the van................ no gear bags just one set of riding gear, a helmet, and boots.................... no goggle bags just one pair possibly with tear offs if you were really into it....................., no EZ UP's park by a tree if you want shade....................., no spare bikes.................., no spare motors.................., no Motor Homes.................... life was simple back then. Just ride your bike and have a good time!
 
If it is 1973...it is late 73. That is a 1974 CR125 in that Ford truck bed.....that's why the Penton-riding Blonde kid is in such awe!

.....I am diggin' the Beetle in the background.

Leak was smooth and so fast.....
 
barrington314 said:
should i know who those guys are? pretty cool tho.
Click to expand...

Though a bit before my time, Jon Leak was one of the best MX'ers that Ohio ever produced. In the 70's he held National Numbers in the twenties.

I raced once at the old Norwalk Raceway Park (Leak's home track), and in similar fashion I have a pic of myself and my friends from that day, even down to one of them no longer being with us.

Rocket was borderline "factory" back then with the full size van -- we were sporting the old barge-sized Olds with a 3-rail trailer.
 
Glad you said something Mike because I was thinking 74 as well……
Actually, that may very well be OUR Beetle in the back ground. My dad was a BIG Volkswagen fan (go figure) and at one time (when I turned 16) we had 5 in the driveway. We ran my moms’ baby blue 1300 series Beetle for two years before getting a van. Dad fabricated a hitch and we pulled a three rail with my XR 75 on the back.
Good times!!!!!!

……I was thinking the blonde guy was Leak…..
 
jon leak, jeff hicks, jerry sales, john resien, gary easton, tim hollinger, all in the 70's where local hero's and fast guys. forgot duh,me, harold robinson.
smith road,malvern, oir, western reserve, mid-ohio.

me 74,penton-75,elsonore-76,suzuki-77,yamaha-79,80,honda. miss the days when bought a new bike every yr.
 
Actually, in 73 or 74.......... we had a Pontiac Catalina with a 3 rail trailer......... we stepped up to "almost factory" status in 1976 with our family's first full size Ford van....... which my dad still drives one today 9 full size Ford vans in a row!!!! Although I still rock the bikes in the van on occasion........ like this weekend at Crow Canyon for ease of parking...... we usually tow an enclosed trailer now.
 
Leak used to do the coolest cross ups coming up Smith Roads "ski Jump" hill. Jumped higher and farther than anybody with alot of style. Add Harold Robinson to the list. That was when George would have a light weight and heavey weight pro class that ran first on a freshly tilled track. I think they would run 10 laps and always had some great racing. Me and my buds used my dad's 72 Chevy Pickup that had an over the cab cap. The back opend up, we thought we were factory. We used to cram 5 bikes and full of young guys wanting to race and ride. No one had gas money and used to sneak into races in the back just to afford to go. Very fond memories. Crashed and ruined my brother's 73 Elsinore before the race pit riding at Smith RD. Hit a tree with no helmet, I still have head aches over that. We have so few pictures from that era, who had money for film.
 
MarctheSharc said:
Glad you said something Mike because I was thinking 74 as well……
Actually, that may very well be OUR Beetle in the back ground. My dad was a BIG Volkswagen fan (go figure) and at one time (when I turned 16) we had 5 in the driveway. We ran my moms’ baby blue 1300 series Beetle for two years before getting a van. Dad fabricated a hitch and we pulled a three rail with my XR 75 on the back.
Good times!!!!!!

That's funny you say that Sharc...my Dad was a VW freak also...we had 1200's, 1300's a few Super Beetles and a two-panel, Flat windshield Microbus..... We put a JC Whitney BBK in a red Beetle that also had a '40 Ford 'glass front end with a Continental engine lid out back, dual Webers, megaphone and riding on raised white letter bias ply 60-series tires wrapped on baby moons......
Click to expand...
 
we cant for get jack pfaff and the owner george, they really were super fast, me and steve(jacks son) most of you know him, grew up chasing jack althrough our 80 and 125 days.thats how steve and myself are top b riders in this area.anyway thanks to jack for making me and steve the riders we are today.
 
I remember one of the first times I saw George ride. Probably my first time at Smith Rd., sitting around after packing up, and out comes this '86-'87 Honda, blazing thru a corner all laid over, rider in a full face helmet, jeans, boots and no shirt. I says, "Man, if that guy gets off going that fast, he'll be all torn up!" Guy next to me says, "He ain't getting off, he owns the place and is always going that fast." And still is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top