Sunday, June 29, 2008

NPG, SPEED, RacerX step it up with "Almost Live" coverage of 1st-ever night-time AMA MX National

Last nite was a big event in the world of professional motocross. The NPG, RacerX Illustrated, and SPEED TV are really stepping it up. David Clabaugh, owner of Thunder Valley MX, and the NPG put on the first-ever night-time AMA MX National. The lighting was tough on some of the riders, and it wasn't perfect. But it was workable, and it was a hell of a first-time effort for lighting an entire, national-caliber, outdoor MX track.

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Thursday, June 26, 2008

Rick (aka Super Hunky) Siemen needs our help

This message came via e-mail from my friend Rick Salazar in southern California. With Rick's permission I reprint it here, in its entirety. There's some good stuff at the Super Hunky site. I just ordered a copy of "Monkey Butt" and some posters.

BTW, I did this post back in May when I first heard rumors of Rick's condition. It's a reminder to all of us about some new developments regarding PSA, what it means, and why we should get the finger every year. Please check it out.

Dear Friend,

I don't know if you are aware, but our old friend Rick (Super Hunky) Siemen has been facing some serious personal challenges lately.

SH recently found out that he has prostate cancer for the second time, and has been undergoing Chemo therapy. SH is now waiting to find out if the treatment was successful or not. As you may know, Rick has lived in Baja, Mex. for years, but recently had to move back to the US to get his medical treatment. Rick and his wife Tina moved out into the desert of Maricopa, Arizona, however, because Tina had to take a job to help with bills, they have had to move again. This time closer to town, to be near his doctor/hospital, so he could drive himself back and forth. The real estate market being what it is, Rick lost quite a bit of money that was earmarked for retirement and other things due to the moves.

I have been following SH's progress for months thru a friend of mine who is personal friend of SH and lives close to SH. A couple of weekends ago Rick's old friend Wes, (who was also arrested back in the day at the same time as Rick) gathered over a half dozen friends with trucks and trailers along with my friend and a few of the VMX community in AZ. to help move SH. SH being extremely weakened due to the chemo therapy was unable to help very much. My friend said Rick was quite humbled that so many strangers would turn out to help him move. Stephen mentioned to Rick that many in the vintage motorcycle community that had heard of SH's medical plight would like to help, if help would be accepted. SH said he wouldn't be offended or turn down any offers of help.

To be clear, Rick receives medical benefits from the US Navy, however he has lost quite a bit of money in the moves, and at his age (pushing 70), and condition (stroke, knee replacement as well as prostrate cancer for the second time) he couldn't really afford to lose that money.

For those of you that grew up in the "Golden age of Motocross" you may remember Super Hunky as the CZ, and Maico riding older brother that wrote of his adventures. Super Hunky gave us the straight scoop about the newest dirt bikes, which ones were worth the money, and which ones were junk. Rick also told us about waging a legal battle against the BLM and the Sierra Club to preserve riding land here in California. Rick was jailed, and almost bankrupt himself taking on the BLM, fighting to keep the Barstow to Vegas desert race going, for dirt riders everywhere.

The reason I'm writing this letter is that the vintage community has always helped out guys in need, and now Rick Siemen needs our help. It is time to give something back to Rick "Super Hunky" Siemen for his 35 plus years of giving to us.

There are FOUR ways to help Rick, whichever way you choose, the money goes right to Rick.

1. Go to his website SuperHunky.com and buy his books, CD's, posters and other collectible items. If you haven't read his book "Monkey Butt" you ought to.
2. I know not everybody has a PayPal account but if you do, a donation can be sent to Rick via https://www.paypal.com/ Simply click on "Send money to your friends and relatives". Enter Rick's email address: superhunky@gmail.com and follow directions.
3. Mail a donation directly to Rick Siemen. (this is his NEW address)
   Rick Siemen
   36607 West Cosa Blanca St.
   Maricopa, AZ. 85238
4. If everybody would forward this email to a friend or two and get the word out it it would help a great guy. Let the spirit of goodwill guide you.

Regards,

Rick Salazar

Sunday, June 15, 2008

MuddyWatersMX podcast in development

I've begun development of the Muddy Waters MX podcast. I'm planning to do some interviews with interesting folks from the vintage racing scene; "how-to" segments with some of the folks that do cool stuff with their bikes, trailers, and such; interviews with AMA area reps to better understand how we, the riders, make our voice heard in the AMA, and discussion with some of the leaders of the land access battle. I'm also open to suggestions for topics. Not sure when I'll be ready to publish the first one. I'm just getting all the gear together and lining up my first interviews. But stay tuned. It shouldn't be too long.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Vintage bike show this Saturday at the High Point MX National

This Saturday is the Parts Unlimited Vintage Bike Show at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, PA. Expect a first-class showing from our East Coast VMX brethren in conjunction with the world-class modern MX racing at the AMA Outdoor National.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Racer X Motocross Show continues to upstage SPEED TV

Racer X added Erin Normoyle to the broadcast team this year and already she has distinguished herself as a darn good interviewer. She doesn't ask nearly as many redundant, pointless questions as SPEED TV's female pit reporter, she doesn't mis-state the obvious, and she doesn't always sound like she's struggling to read cue cards written by a gammatically challened 9th-grader. I know SPEED's team covers a lot of different events, and motocross is just one of them. But still, after a couple of years you expect them to get better. Maybe it's just the difference in audience - SPEED trying to cater to a lowest-common-denominator TV audience, and Racer X having the luxury of catering to a knowledgeable enthusiast audience. Whatever. It seems to me that the standard Racer X sets would benefit everyone.

Don't get me wrong - it's not easy to be a good reporter/analyst/color person on TV (or radio.) And it's not like there is a huge pool of experienced talent to pick from for MX/SX. I'm sure Erin Bates and Ralph Shaheen are nice folks, but SPEED can do better. They've already put Leigh Diffey on the roster in place of Shaheen. Now let's get someone else in the pits and let Bates work in another area.