Frank - look at you now winning everything in your path of travel and on pavement besides.  Who would have ever guessed.  And third in Daytona this year.  Woo. Thanks for all of the good times and funny experiences.

Most do not know that David is a very skilled and talented artist.  This is a copy of a drawing that David drew in 1987.  He also drew an amazing sketch of Elle MacPherson.  I remember it as his best work at that time.

Sorry David ,"I just gotta" tell the "Story of Larry".  "Yu hear want I'm say-n."  In 1986 at the Lake Sugar Tree outdoor national while in the main office with David's mother, Mitchell and a few of the others who were helping out with the event and Larry, a wonderful older colored man who also worked there.  Now you know that Southerners have ascents and unique ways of self-expression, which may seem to some as quaint.  Well, Larry was one of those and he always made us laugh.  His body language, hand jesters, and facial expressions were so different and hilarious.  He had his own unique way of saying things and when it came to David he would just beam.  Well someone would get him started and he would just take off with his unique ways of self-expression and run on about how good David was.  Sometimes it got so deep that even David had to leave.  And when David would leave everyone would just roll. .  And after a short while someone would ask Larry, "Larry, How fast is David"?  Well most of us had heard it before and were already rolling on the floor but trying not to laugh.  Mike Ryan was laughing so hard he was crying.  Mitchell and Gina were laughing so quietly that they were crying, which only added fuel to the fire.  Old Larry would come back and say, "David, he be fast - real fast.  Others can do the track in so many minutes but David - he do the track in so many seconds.  Yu see what I'm saying?"  Even as I am trying to write this story I find myself crying with laughter.  Well, for some of you - you would have had to been there but not for the riders from the Virginia district.  Thank you "The Baileys" for including me into your families and your hearts.

Gary Bailey introduced me to John Penton (the inventor of the KTM motorcycle) and his Hi Point Fiberglass Trailer company.  I pulled his HP-24" approximately 70,000 miles a year for about 10 years without any trouble.  It is truly an amazing trailer.  Thank you John, Dame, Dave Rothban, and Gregg Cook for all of your helps and support over the many years we were to together.  John, I love all the old stories about early racing, building motorcycles, and your riding adventures you shared with me.

This incredible family allow me to stay at their homes in Florida and Connecticut as a part of their family.  You should also know that they did this for so many riders, as well. Their home in Brooksville, FL was a Mecca for all of the New England riders and the majority of riders from out of state.  Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Naumac for all of your kindness and your graciousness that you always shown us.  You're the "Man".

I have never met a more loving individual that Chris Jones.  She is always there and completely supportive to her family.  She is the reason why Mike has been so successful in motocross.  Mike is on the road 25 days out of every 30.  That's not much of a home life but Chris puts it all together and makes it happen.  How do you like those apples?  And she is a very beautiful woman, besides.  Mikes raci41 schedule takes him all over the US, to Austria, Europe, and South Africa. All of that equates to approximately 250,000 air miles each year. Chris, you are a wonderful person.

Eyvind & Marsha and Young Eyvind, Dog, and Glen.  The Boyesen are a very close nit wonderful family with traditional family ties.  They allowed me to be a close part of their family and when ever I was coming to or near the area, they would invite me to come by visit.  I always love those visits where I was accepted for just me.  What a wonderful quality of personality they shared with and taught me.  It was, "Don't expect of me but rather take me as you find me and I'll do the same for you."  Thank you "The Boyesen Family" for the closeness you always shared with me.  Oh yes, Glen, I never forgot how to spell "Boyesen" thank to your training.  Do you remember? 

When Jeff started working with me his national number was #56 and he was riding for Yamaha.  The next year he advanced to #7. And by the next year he became #1.  This advancement is excellent by anybody's standards, including mine.  I remember the announcers at all the big races saying he was just lucky.  They said that again when he won the Atlanta Supercross.  And again the next week when he won the Gatorback Outdoor national at Gainesville, FL.  But when he won the next weekend at the Daytona Supercross they immediately changed their tune and began saying it was "Good Luck".  Good luck, what is that, exactly?  But when you ask other champions about winning they'll  tell you that luck only plays a small part of the win.  But no matter what is said about luck all champions will tell you that winning takes a lot of hard work, determination, and an excellent plan to get you there. Despite all the hard work, intent determination and well planning we have a lot of fun along the way.  I remember the adventures and all of the fun times we have along the way more clearly than the winning. 

This is one of my favorite stories and I would like to share it with you.  One that I have the pleasure of being a intricate part of.  Jeff and I were on our way to the Washougal Outdoor 500 National in 1989.  Now, usually we are playing the game boys, laughing, playing grab ass, pushing and hitting on each other, and having a good time.  But this time was different.  Jeff was being quiet.  In fact, too quiet.  And he was not messing around.  At the Detroit airport we stopped at a Burger King to get one of those chick filet sandwiches and Jeff was not hungry and Jeff is always hungry.  I should have known at that time, but I missed it.  The flight from Detroit to Washington state was boring and uneventful.  The ride in the rent-a-car from the airport to the motel was even worse.  I knew something was wrong but Jeff wasn't talking nor did he show signs of ever talking through the weekend.  This was not good if we were to have a chance of winning this race and capturing the 500 title for the year.  At the motel room Jeff was pacing back and forth like a caged animal.  After about 30 minutes of this I finally said, "Well, are you going to tell me about it?"  Jeff said, "Tell you about what?"  I laughed.  "About what is going on with you?  What's going on in your head?"  Jeff was quiet for several more minutes and then he said, "It's Sarah."  I said, "What about Sarah?"  Jeff replied, "She's going off to a large university in Illinois to study."  I said, "That's great.  Aren't you happy for her?"  He said, "Sure".  Then I said, OK, what is going on?"  Jeff said, "Nothing?"  And I said, "Yea.  Right."  And the Easter Bunny is going to be at the awards banquet tomorrow, too.  Tell me what's going on so I can make some suggestions and then you can go from there.  Is that OK with you?"  He said, "OK.  I said, OK what?" Then Jeff said, "Its Sarah.  She is going to be at that university in Illinois and all of those guys are going to be hitting on her.  I might lose her.  And I don't want that!"  I thought for a few minutes and then it hit me and I started laughing and with a very large smile on my face I got up and started hitting around on him.  And then Jeff said, "OK, what did you figure out."  I said, "I got the answer but I'm not telling you, nah, hah, nah."  He knew I had the answer and started chasing me around the room trying toget it out of me and we were back playing grab ass again for the first time in what seemed like centuries.  After the chase, we sat down and I told him what came to me. 

I started, "Do you truly love Sarah and nobody else?"  Jeff said, "Yes".  Then I said, And does Sarah truly love you and nobody else?"  And Jeff said, "Yes".  Then I said, "Well, everything is going to be OK, then.  It is all going to work out just fine.  "No it won't," said Jeff,  "I don't want all of the other guys at that university hitting on her."  I smiled and said, "I haven't finished, yet.  So be quit and listen.  First, let me ask you this question.  Do we still want to win this race tomorrow?"  Jeff said, "Yes, of course".  Then I said, "Good.  Then here is what you're going to do.  I want you to buy Sarah the largest and biggest diamond ring that you can possible can afford.  I want you to call her and ask her to become your wife.  I want you to get engaged to Sarah, today. Do you understand what I'm saying?"  "Yes," Jeff said, "But, why?" "For all the right reasons", I said.  "You love her and she loves you, for starters.  But more importantly  you must be able to support her in a life style that you want for the both of you.  That means we need to win the race, tomorrow.  Don't you agree?"  "Yes", Jeff said.  "So, here are the reasons.  First, she should have to get a wheelbarrow to transport her left hand around the campus because it is so heavy, ha ha.  And, everytime she looks and sees that beautiful ring she will think of you, how much you love and care for her, and about the love relationship between you and your new future together.  And, as an added bonus, when those other guys, who would try to hit on her, see that very - very - vary large diamond ring on her left ring finger they will know that she is off the market.  Jeff just smiled a very large smile, picked up the phone and a few minutes later he was engaged to Sarah.  After about 5 minutes of quiet talking he handed me the phone and said, "Sarah wants to talk to you."  I said, "Hello".  And Sarah said, "Thank you, Dennis."  I said, "You're welcome", and handed the phone back to Jeff.

Well, needless to say on Sunday, Jeff got the hole shot and never looked back.  By midway of both motos he was long gone.  Second place was, at best, a distant second.

Well, Sunday afternoon after the win, we celebrated in the usually Stanton way, we raced down the mountain from Washougal Motocross Park, in heavy and tight traffic, with all of his fans (in all of those other cars) cheering him on. 

What a ride?

He is 20 feet above the ground riding along on two small cables.  I know a lot of excellent riders.  None will even consider this stunt.  I have helped Doug set this act up and adjust the cables before his performance.  I would not even climb up to the perch where Doug is in this picture.  He wants to Wheelie the LA Coliseum across the top on cables.  
Doug is an amazing talent and a lot of fun to be with.  He Hang Glides, Parachutes, Parasails and has ridden into the Grand Canon down the Donkey trail.  If you have been there you know that the Donkey's have a difficult time along that path.

Doug's "High Wire Act" at the Miami Supercross


On the High Wire at Axton Virginia 1987

Can you believe Doug's High Wire Act?  Doug and I have remained close friends over the many years since 1986.  I have the privilege to tour with Doug in in 1988 and ended up at Lake Mead near Las Vegas, NV for a one week end-of-tour vacation on a house boat.  Of course Doug brought his Jet-Ski and did a performance on it.  If you think Doug is hot on a two and three wheeler and his high wire act,  you should see him on a Jet Ski.  Doug introduced me to Larry "The Ripper" Rippenkroeger (Mr. Jet Ski champion himself) in 1988 and I began coaching him through the 1989 season.  After Lake Mead I asked Larry if he could do all the stunts that Doug did on the Jet Ski.  Larry said that he could ride two (side-by-side) at once but when it came to performing gymnastics on a Jet Ski Doug was in a class all of his own.  If you ever get a chance to see Doug perform "Live" do it.  

              Keith & Katie                                                 Jason Flower  

Jeff Ward, in my opinion, is one of the smartest riders on the raci41 circuit. Don't get me wrong, he was a very skillful rider but his mind was his best raci41 weapon.  He taught me a lot just my watching his thought-actions processes.  His raci41 intelligence, at times was better than David's. 

We became friends at Daytona when he had some problems that I was able to help him with.  He is quiet and generally does not talk much but when he does you better be paying attention.  

I believe that history will teach us that the best car racers come out of motocross.  All of the best pavement racers that I know have come off of the dirt.  The dirt racers range from motocross, flat track, and move on to road raci41.  So when you see a two and four wheel pavement champions I bet that they have backgrounds are in two wheel off-road dirt raci41.   
My trailer was in an unique situation, that is to say that any factor rider could come to my clinic without reprimand from the company.  Many times everyone one in the clinic would be one of the top eight to ten and all were factor riders.  It was a place where the riders could just be themselves without the pressures of their positions.     


Unadilla, NY 1987 Trophy Des Nations

Jeff, I'm so happy for you and your driving career with Indy Cars.  I know that with your intelligence that the world will be seeing a lot more of you in the "Winner's Circle".  Best of luck to you.

I first saw Bob raci41 in 1986 at Unadilla, NY at a GP.  And for 45 minutes of both moto's first, second, and third were all just one bike length apart and no one was making mistakes.  Johnny O'Mara was in first, Bob was in second, and Billy Liles was in third.  On the last lap Bob came around in first and Billy in second and Johnny was missing.  Later we learned that Johnny was OK and that he had not fallen but rather ran out of gas at the bottom of Screw-U.  At the Awards Ceremony Johnny gave Bob his gas tank as a trophy.  The crowd went crazy.  And remember, at Unadilla, Bob Hannah rules.  The crowd at Unadilla came to see Bob Hannah.  And boy, I could tell you some great stories about Bob at Dilla, but maybe next time.

Eyvind Boyesen introduced me to Bobby at Unadilla, NY in 1986.  Bob and I would talk when we would see each other.  By the time I met him he was considered a senior rider but make no mistakes he still had what it takes.  It was my pleasure to see him race the Trophy Des Nations at Unadilla, NY in 1987 on a 125.  For a senior he sure put a case of the "Whip Ass" on all of those younger riders who were supposed to be a lot faster.  It was Bob's finish that allowed us to take a first place finish for the US.  Not to bad for a senior rider, hu.  Bob is one of the "Greats" in our profession. Say what you want but that race was the wettest and most muddiest race I have ever seen.  I saw Jeff Ward's 500 roost blast collect on RJ and push him off the back of his 250 in the out back section of Dilla.  


Dustin Medsker & Bob Hannah, Hang Town 1987

Bob always called it like he saw it.  A quality not displayed much in many people and one I truly respect.  So, if you don't want to hear the truth about what is going on - don't ask Bob.  

Bob, do you remember funning around with Dustin at Hang Town National in 1987 and pushing him down and then you turned around and started walking away when Dustin tackled you and you both fell to the ground.  After that you both were immediate friends.  Anyway, Dustin wanted me to give this picture to you .  But, whenever I saw you I never had the picture to give you.  I apologize for that.  So, here it is.  If you will e-mail me I'll mail it out to you.

Rick & Stephanie 1987	The Boys

Stephanie is one of the most beautiful and spiritual ladies that I have ever known.  And if you were to meet her you would know it too.  Her intuition serves her very will and she knows in advance what is going to happen.  She brought a sense of complete counterbalance to Ricky and, when she did, his raci41 got better.  And those who personally knew Ricky noticed it, too.  It was always a pleasure being with Rick and Stephanie.  Thanks for the wonderful memories.

 

The Harbin's built a regulation size Supercross track at their home in Warner Robins, GA, near Macon.  It was the place to be the week before the Atlanta Supercross.  Many top riders would come to their home to practice and live like "Kings".  Mrs. Harbin's home style cooking is some of the best food you would every want to eat.  Earnest is a great cook too, and the riders knew it.  The Harbin's provided living quarters for most of the riders who came or made, at least, some kind of living arrangements for them.  Something very unexpected and surprising to the riders.  

Jeff Stanton and I loved to visit and train there.  Can you blame us?  The Harbin's made arrangements for us to practice on outdoor tracks, as well.  One was very similar to the Gatorback track, so Jeff and I would always stay following the Atlanta Supercross race preparing for the Outdoor National race at Gainesville, FL the following week.

On behalf of my boys Derek, Dustin, David, and Bekki & myself, we would hope that you will enjoy the knowledge contained without our raci41 college campus and that it finds its way into your solutions, which make your life better, happier, and safer.  And remember that we will be here to help and assist you get to where you want to go in riding, racing, and life. 

The Medskers.