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/126953
Editor's Megaphone (Continued from page 13) The V's tag via the umpteen consecutive Nationals in which he scored : points. I recall, and I'm not one for detailed trivia statistics, races in which Goss even survived get offs and finished in the point paying positions. Believe me, one's not supposed to be able to do that in the high-speed wqrld of dirt track racing. Goss raced in the shadow of Jay Springsteen in his first couple of years as an Expert, but the sport's insiders oftimes approached this reporter and asked why we didn't print more about Goss. Mind you; Randy never asked, his fellow competitors did. I'll admit I remained, and I'll argue to my deathbed that I rightfully remained a Springsteen "[an" rather than a trumpeter of Goss' ability through those years. But one night at Chicago's Santa Fe Raceway I became a Randy Goss [an of the first order. The year was 1984, the exact date was Augu~t 3. That night I watched Goss get up from an early lap get 0(£ and storm back up through the field to win the Santa Fe TT. It was a night o[ "can you believe that?" and "I sure am glad I was a witness to that" types of comments from even the most hardened race watchers. I still get chills when I replay his performance in my mind. Goss and I broke our lower left legs in late 1984. Neither of us has fully recovered. His injury required a second operation, mine didn't. He· needed a strong left leg 10 carry and use a steel shoe. I needed my leg for nothing more strenuous than walking. Big difference. Both of us carry some steel around inside our legs. "It kind of detunes you, doesn't it?" Randy said when I called to verify a rumor I had heard. Sadly, Randy said it was true. Two-time Grand National Champion Goss, is hanging up one of the fastest arid certainly what was at one time the most consistent steel shoe in the business - in the dirt track racing business. Instead of sliding around dirt track circuits a€ross the country, 31-year-old Randy Goss will henceforth devote his time to operating' his nearly opened tool dealership in Michigan, near the Hartland, Michigan, home he shares with his wjfe Vickie and "she'll be four in May" daughter Janice. Not one to be able to kick back and relax, Goss will be "racing my late model stock car one or two times a week - as a hobby." Goss' only regret is that there isn't more motorcycle manufacturer involvement in dirt track racing. "It's sad to think of the many guys like me who have so much experience and so much knowledge about the sport and yet can't put that to use in a position in which they can earn a living." If the day comes when there is a Motorcycle Racing Hall of Fame, we're sure Randy Goss will be one of the early inductees. He'll be remembered on the Camel Pro circuit as being one of the real racers, and as he'll lind out as life goes on, more importantly he'll be remembered : for being one of those all too few -genuine nice people. Yeah., Mr. Consistency is also Mr. Nice Guy. He'll be missed. If you're in the Brighton, Michigan, area, stop by Randy's new "pit area" - Major Tool Company at 142 South Old U.S. 23. Tell him we said hello. See you around, champ. Jack Mangus .A~_ EldihphiAu PhlA~ 18th YEAR AT NATION'S LONGEST NIGHT .0 OPENER, FRIDAY, - APRIL ENTR~ 3,~ 7 p.m. FEE .•14.00 (INCLUDES GATE FEE) 30% TROPHIES'· 130% PRO PAYBACK ALL REGULAR ·4:00 GATES OPEN • CLASSES 6:00 SIGN-UP CLOSES TICKETS • PLUS' ATV 'S 5:30-6:30 .PRACTICE • 7:00 FIRST RACE ALL AGES 9 AND OVER $7.00 • 8 AND UNDER $3.00 INFORMATION (714) 261-6116 18300 S. VERMONT GARDENA, CALI F. 11: 01h ANNI1fERSARYJ] '''Ell VIP P.....KING FOR .TREST MOTOIICYCLES "WHERE THE HARBOR, SAN DIEGO & 91 FREEWAYS MEET" Racing A HONDA? Join SLOAN'S HONDA/YAMAHA ---WHEN· YOU MOVE:::-----------------' 1. For FASTEST service attach old mailing label in space below. If mailing label is not available. print vour'old name and address in this box. Competition Support Discount Programl! ' Please allow 3 weeks for change to take effect. 2. Print your NEW address here. NAME _ AOOAESS ....." -o--'-_ _ -;:- CITY STATE ZlP _ .. c,o.o.. 3. Mail to; Circulation Dept. CYCLE NEWS Inc, P.O. 80x 498 long a.ac,h. CA 90801-0498 ---------------------------------------------------------