A day in the Dirt 2010
I had been
talking to Ken Ferguson about recipients for this event. He
suggested Gene LeBell , a stuntman with incredible
credentials. Not only was he a Judo National Champion back to
back, he was one of the few to make it to the top of the infamous
hill climb, “THE MATTERHORN” at Saddleback park. He also rode
with Steve McQueen. Judo is a very Extreme Sport and to
have mastered it in the early 50’s is definitely a Pioneer in the
American theater.
I had run into
Joe Kehoe at this event last year and was going to do a family of
motocross recognition . I raced against Rick and Joe back in
the day and we had Chuck Daly building our motors. Their dad
(Joe Sr. ) helped with the shifting problems of the Sachs/
DKW. Eric is now team Honda’s manager and still a
formidable MX racer.
I had a plaque for
Joe Root as one of the pioneers belonging to the AMA District 37 #1
Club the Claimjumpers and figured he might be racing the team race
with Chad McQueen ( if he was there).
This year the event
moved to Pala and with the recent weather the track was
perfect. We headed down Friday eve and made it as far as
Elsinore once again and stayed the night. We arrived at the
track early and began to check out how things were set up. It
was a little different than at the Nationals. I found the
stunt guys and asked Ronnie Rondell if he knew where to find
Gene. He responded that Gene was around but
where???
About that time Ken
had called and through the miracle of the cell phone we were able
to connect with Gene and did the presentation on the Day in the
dirt Podium. Gene is one heck of a nice guy and you
would never guess by his demeanor just how baaaadd this man really
is. He is still doing stunts for the movies and
television. His list of credentials is quite impressive,
amazing, almost impossible!!! He was very appreciative of
being recognized as a pioneer in the EXTREME!!! Thanks for
your contributions to all the EXTREME SPORTS !!!
I talked to Eric
Kehoe and his brothers were not going to make it so I related what
I was up to and would have to wait until he saw a break in the
action. A while later I went to his compound with the plaques
and a photo of his dad Joe Sr. helping my younger brother Rich
Brooke out from under a massive pile up at the start of Hopetown
1973. He thought that was pretty cool. I know he
receives accolades from more prominent sources than myself but he
sure seemed to appreciate my endeavor and thanked me several
times. Thanks for all you and your family have done for Moto
Cross!!!!
I found Joe Root
helping one of the up and coming stars of women’s motocross.
Passing on the knowledge is a big part of this
sport. She was doing all of the big jumps.
Awesome!! Anyway Joe said that Chad hadn’t made it so
he was teamed up with another stunt personality and they rode to a
solid 2nd place finish. I found him again after
the race and presented him with the recognition. I
should also mention that Joe was probably the senior American vet
at the USGP back in May. Veryy Coool !!!
