Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

factory pilot. The result was a special four-day school at Bailey's facililY in Axton, Virginia, It was a school which catered to 25 students, all amateurs with tbe exception of two pros. "I know you'd expeci LO see more National circuit pros here," said Bailey. "but truthfully, I don 'llhink any of the second-stri ng pros are tryi ng to improve. Many of them are still using the same ·tyles of riding they used three years ago. Without change, there's no advancement. orne ofthese young amateurs at the school this week will probably be the stars of lomorrow." The school djdn't prove LO be a substitute for a summer camp for boys, Each day consisted of 12 hours of instruction, either on the track by Bailey or off the tra k by Spencer. ''I'm very serious about Ihis," said Spencer, who was debuting information compiled for his new book Total Training For Motocross, which is due out in December. "I'm not inLO giggling and CUlling up with the students. I bel ieve I hey 're here LO £i nd out what Bob (Hannah), David (Bailey), Johnny (O'Mara) and the rest of the other LOp guys do to be the best. and they're not going LO learn all that by fooling around." Spencer, a member of the U.S. bicycle team in the 1972 Olympics, received a master's degree from the Universitv of Southern California in Physi ai' Education. He became involved with Honda MXer Steve Wj e in 1979, and through 1980-81 he created a full-time posilion with the entire Honda squad. The info used at the-school, and which is also pan of his new book. was compiled through his seasons with Honda. Much of Spencer's material was obtajned when ne trained Honda teammates for wins in the 1981 and 1982 Trophee and MOlocross des ations team races in Europe, "Injury prevention is the main topic LO address," said Spencer. "Racing is so competitive this season, and there are so few weekends off, that many of today's best riders are learning LO ride while they're injured. It's hard LO be competitive when you're hUrl, as David (Bailey) can tell you. He's competed with a sprained ankle, then a broken foot, and still stayed in the points when h needed them," David Bailey, son of MX pioneer Gary, is the first graduate of Bailey's 0(") 00 O'l Spencer. assisted by (left) David Bailey. leads the students in the daily flexibility training session. David Bailey demonstrates the proper way for motocrossers to utilize Nautilus weight training equipment. importance of conditioning was stressed by both Bailey and Spencer. Daily three-mile runs were conducted. school to hit the LOp, While many riders believe blasting around a practice track for hours on end is the key, David followed his father's advice and refined his techniques, trying first LO master the finer points of handling a mOLOrcycle before trying to go fast on one. That's Gary Bailey's philosophy on going faster: Know what you can do with a bike. and make ure you're telling the machjne what LO do, not lelljng the machine find your lines for you, "Too many times I'll see one rider after another miss the correct line out of a corner because they aren't in control of the bike. It's telling them what LO do, and if those riders don't alter their riding style, Ihey'll never be in charge. " From the first day of the school to the lasl, Bailey stressed the aggressive riding stance used by LOp MXers today: Up near the tank. arms out with elbows up, oneor two fingers on the clutch lever, with a relaxed body posture. Lelling the mOLOrcycle work around underneath the rider is the key LO agility, according LO Bailey, and you don't have LO take his word for it if you don't wish LO. "I've watched all of the best, and they're all riding with the same style. You mighl think you're fast the way you are, but until you're capable of taking a World Championship, you . might want LO try it the way I'm showing it LO you," said Bailey. One rider at the school who allested to the changes in modern motocross was Marty Tripes, a superstar of years past who ended his career in 1980. ''I'm thinJdng about making a comeback, but things have changed so much," said Tripes, who was trying to trim down his chunky 215-pound frame. "Nowadays, you have to be able to put together one lightning fast lap after another, and there's no room for mistak~s. In my day, you could make mistakes, some major, some minor, and get away with il. 'From what I see now;a small error in a Supercross can cost you three or four places." Bailey, like Barnett and other fast 29

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