By Jody Weisel
I have conservatively been to more AMA Nationals, Supercrosses and Grands Prix (and, yes, that is the plural of Grand Prix) than any one person deserves to enjoy or, in my case, endure. I know that isn’t something you would complain about, but you have to remember, I don’t go to Pro races to enjoy them, hang out with my buddies, tell John Ayers jokes and eat food out of Team Kawasaki’s ice chest. This is my job. I’m working. Back in the days of 35mm Fuji film, I had to shoot 35 rolls of film during a race this was in the pre-digital era. Back then, I couldn’t see the photos I shot on the spot. When I shot the “Let Broc Bye” photo, I didn’t know whether I really caught it, if it was in focus, or if my F-stop was spot-on. I had to drive my rental car to the airport, catch the Sunday night red eye to Los Angeles and develop the film in my home dark room before I was sure. It didn’t help that I only had six frames left on my 35th roll of film when Keith
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Hirotake Arai on his Harley-Davidson. You wouldn’t guess it, but Hirotake’s straw hat was the foundation of the original Arai helmet.
By Daryl Ecklund
“I’m not a very good business person,” 81-year-old Michio Arai admitted during a conversation at the Arai headquarters in Omiya, Japan.
For me, that statement brought up even more questions: “Why be in business if you aren’t looking to make a solid profit? Why not change the round, boring Arai shape? How about adding some sharp lines like the competition? A new edgy look would spike sales, wouldn’t it?” Mr. Arai agreed with me, but there was one thing he was not willing to give up his pride. Michio prides himself on making the best helmets possible, delivering exceptional quality and providing rider comfort and safety, regardless of the cost. Everything else is subordinate to those goals. Arai’s philosophy puts strict constraints on the design features of an Arai helmet. I wasn’t going to argue with a ma
PHOTOS YOU LOOK AT AND THEN NEVER FORGET
It is either El Chucacabra or the Abdominal Snowman out testing. You’re guess is as good as ours.
Not only does MXA always park in the exact same spot every week at the races, but it is valet parking.
And you thought electric bike stands were only for bikes and that girls didn’t know how to work on trucks.
You can find Motocross Action logos in the strangest places, but you never expect to see it at an air show on a Sbach 342 Thunderbolt aerobatic plane.
This kid has a lot of BMX trophies! He also has seven AMA Supercross Championships and the most Supercross wins of any rider in history.