Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126465
Tripes claimed mechanical setbacks w.ere only half the problem Honda's team structure was the other. "Dennis McKay (racing department manager) tried to run the team like Mr. Businessman. You can't do that. A bunch of backstabbing went on also. I'd tell Gunnar (Lindstrom, MX team manager) something, and by the time it got to the top it came out aU different," Tripes said. Things went from bad to worse with Tripes' attitude following suit. Party time Marty was living up to his name, letting MX take a back seat. "I use.d to drink a lotI used to get drunk once or twice a week." "I used to drink a lot· I used to get drunk once or twice a week," Marty related about that period with Honda:. 1979 came to a close, with Tripes claiming a sixth in the Supercross Series and a third in the 250cc National standings. Not bad, but for Marty Tripes it wasn't good enough. It was time for him to change. "You've got four years you can really go fast. You can't wait around when it happens. Once it's there you've got to go for it. That's why I left Honda." Tripes gave his thirty day notice to Honda, started looking around for a ride, and found himself clad in yellow as a Yamaha team member. One opinion that many have is that Ke.nny Clark, Yamaha race team manager, may have hired Tripes' as a gamble just in case he got hot. "Why would they hire me if I was a gamble? He (Clark) doesn't say anything directly to me, but he expects me to win. There's more of a team effort here. There's magic in the team. I can and I will win." . Tripes made his new Yamaha debut and has so far ridden the fust few rounds of the 1980 Supercross Series, again putting in a hot and cold performance. In the Seattle doubleheader he charged to a thir,d place finish in the final on Saturday but on Sunday, thpugh he made the final, was out of the top 20. At the Oakland round he tallied seventh in the final. In Atlanta he didn't make the final, and in Daytona he made the final but was again out of the top 20. At Houston Tripes again failed to make the final. ''I'm _not happy with any of my finishes. I've been getting knocked down every race. That's why I'm bummed. "I used to get drunk. Now I train but nothing's been good. Maybe I'm trying too hard. "I worked to get where I am. Whatever felt good, I did it, but I worked to get it. People are paying me a lot of money, JT is paying me some good contingencies, I want to please everybody. I want to be a MX racer." The conversation turned to free time activities which led to speedboats, to water-skiing and to one of Tripes' best friends, Bob Hannah, America's premier motocross rider. . "He (Hannah) was bermin' off those rocks." On August 18 of last year Hannah went into some rocks while waterskiing on the Colorado River in California. He severely broke his leg severely enough that Trir.es doubts he'll ride this year. Marty Tripes was the driver of the boat that was pulling Hannah when the crash occurred. Since they were rivals on the track, some blamed Tripes for crashing Hannah purposely. He doesn't relate to the accusation in any way. "Some people I didn't even know called my house and said I did it on purpose! He (Hannah) was bennin' off those rocks. His girlfriend at the time (who was in the boat) told me he was too close to the rocks, SO I cut out. "Then he bobbled and crashed. I saw him tumble and get up and I said to myself geez, he got away with this one, too. You know, I've seen him crash so hard and get up. Anyway, he didn't stay up - he started floating in the water. Then I saw the hole in his leg. Soon after that his girlfriend passed out." That hole in Hannah's leg is still keeping him off the track. An infection set in which slowed the healing process and still requires more time. In Tripes' opinion, though, the whole incident might have been for the better. Hannah is enjoying himself, taking some time to relax. "I think Bob needed the break . things were catching up with him." One unique trait about Tripes' and Hannah's friendship is that motocross is only a small part of their ties. Both seem to be rather reclusive whenever they can. Tripes has a girlfriend, Beaner, and relates to Steve Wise and Jim Gibson, both of team Honda, but few others on a personal level. o 00 0') .-I "Bob and I don't need the little MX groups we don't need the fantasy world." "Bob and I don't need the little MX groups - we don't need the fantasy world." Tripes quashed his reputation as a care-free berm basher with some deep thoughts on what motocross in the U.S. is today and what he would like it to become. What more of an expert on the subject could there be? Tripes has been a fixture on the National circuits almost since the sport's inception in this country. "We're a damn circus. Just look at what golfers make - I'm not knocking them - MX riders make an awful lot less. We'll never change unless we do things different. "One example is the mudhole at Daytona Supercross (which was not used in 1980). It's no good. That doesn't make it a legitimate sport. "The only one who ever did anything for MX is Jimmy Weinert. He dresses well and talks well. When you see riders with long hair and stuff it doesn't cut it. "Maybe we have to run the AMA different. Maybe we have to have some Japanese come in ahd help run it. I'm very forward about things. Sometimes it gets me in trouble." Tripes said it himself - you've gpt four years you can really go fast. What happens after that? "I've done some slalom racing with my Porsche. I did real well in the events I entered. Maybe I'll get serious about that someday. Maybe a business in motorcycles designing or something - it doesn't have to be in bikes, though." Mount Marty Enterprises, with the help of friend John Arndt, is already underway . Tripes' personal business endeavor. He has also been involved with John Bassett of Bassett Engineering and his new water-skiing related products. Tripes uses all of Bassett's products on the water. There are definitely enough coals in the fire to prosper. Keep an eye on Marty Tripes during the season. If you get a chance to watch hIm race. take advantage of it. Say Hi to him if you can. The Typhoon' will be out there one more time, trying • to make it tick. 19