Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

At this year's season-opening Daytona Short Track, Camlin hounded defending Grand National Champion Carr in the closing stages of their heat race and transferred directly to the main. Camlin battled with Parker throughout the National and finished eighth, posting the best finish of his career, thus far. He then finished ninth at the San Jose Mile and 11th at the Sacramento Mile. He had more than his share of problems at the Pomona Half Mile, though, and failed to qualify for the main event. "I'm hungry this year. I know what it takes and I think I can finish the year in the top 10. Hey, they're just men like me. Carr and Parker put their pants on one leg at a time." Camtin's hard-charging style has caught the attention of more than a few of his competitors, but perhaps it is his personality that has captured the most attention. "Davey is a neat kid," said Parker's tuner, Bill Werner. "He's a little flamboyant, but that's good. I remember after one race he came up to me and said, 'Hey, when are you going to get rid of that Parker guy and pick me up?' I played along with him and told Scotty he was out. It was funny." And Camlin is an easy one to pick out in the pits. Compared to the generally conservative dirt track crowd, Camlin sticks out like a sore thumb. Sporting two earrings - one on each ear - and a pair of flashy round sunglasses, Camlin can often be found strolling through the pits saying things like, "Hey dude," and "Yeah, man." He defends his appearance and mannerisms. "Hey, if you can't be yourself, who can you be?" said Camlin in his defense. "Look at Michael Jackson, he isn't known best for his voice, is he? I get some grief for the way I look, but so what? I'm just being myself and people notice me." CarnIin is quick to point out, though, that he doesn't fit into the stereotype often associated with such an image. "I'm a clean kid. r don't go out and party a lot, I've never done any drugs and r hardly ever drink. I hear the rumors about drugs and stuff in racing, and it just bums me out. My dad always said that if you can't go out and perform with your natural body chemistry, then you're not really performing at all." Camtin mentions his father often when he talks, which is not surprising considering all the time that they spend on the road together. "My dad is cool, a real good dude," said Camlin. "I'm glad he's mine and not someone else's. He's always been supportive and has never pressured me. Dad has given up a lot for me to go racing." This past winter, CarnIin actually had an offer to compete throughout the '93 season aboard some good equipment the Charlie Gardner-owned, Walters Bros./Weibler-sponsored Harley-Davidsons campaigned last year by Ronnie Jones - but he turned down the offer in order to stay teamed with his father. "It just wasn't right," said Camlin. "Dad and I have come so far and are so close that r couldn't see jumping on someone else's bike. Don't get me wrong, if the Harley factory offered me a ride, I'd take it, it's just that I feel better teamed up with my dad." So Camlin continues on aboard the same machines that his father owns two Harley-Davidson XR750s and a Rotax-powered 600cc flat tracker. Camlin reports that power is no longer a problem, as Don and co-tuner Bill Weibler coaxed "at least 10 more horsepower" out of the XR's motor. "My whole race effort isn't just a list of sponsors," said Camtin. "It's more like a large group of friends that share a (Above) Davey Camlin in action aboard the "Bamburner" 600. "My dad got the Rotax motor out of a Can-Am MXer that gol burned up in a bam fire," said Camlin. (Right) Camlin says that his father, Don, is his best friend. desire to go racing. My step-mom Becky works two jobs so that dad and I can go racing." Camlin credited Brenny's Cycle, a Silvis, Illinois, used-motorcycle and accessory shop owned by John Brenny, as his major sponsor. Brenny's supplies all of the tires that Carnlin will use throughout the year, and helps with spare parts as well. Weibler Harley-Davidson is the dealership that backs Carnlin and "never pressures me about my million dollar tab," while Vought Machine Shop and Southwick Machine & Design take care of the chassis tha I Carnlin races. Carnlin also mentioned Max Leathers, KK Motorcycle Supply, Jim Sutter, Bell, and DePaepes Gym as part of his network of "friends." Bul as always, Camlin gives the most credit to his father. UI always make it a point to see him before r get on the track, whether it's for practice or a race. A lot of times he'll wink at me, and that makes me feel like everything is okay. I know it's mental, but one time when I didn't see him before I went out onto the track for practice at the Castlerock TT, I crashed and got a concussion," said Camlin. And how does Don Camlin feel about his son? "All my life I've always wanted to know someone who is one of the best at their given profession," said Don. "I think Davey has a real shot at becoming just that and it's a real thrill, that's for sure." As mentioned, a string of bad luck kept Camlin from qualifying at the Pomona Half Mile, and for the first time this season he dropped out of the top 10 in the Grand National Championship point standings, but both father and son are optimistic about the rest of the year. "We'll be in there," said Camlin. "Like my dad and I always say, nothin' to it but to do it." (N 19

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