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/1502241
I t is one of the most powerful and onerous tenets of the U.S. Army's soldier's creed: "I will never leave a fallen comrade." Motorcycle racing should not pretend to be a battle of life and death, a clash between good and evil, but back in 1986, some of the best motocrossers in the history of the sport put their own brand of loyalty on the line—liter - ally! At Sacramento's SVRA, the longtime site of the AMA's Hang- town National, the best American riders (and several Europeans) raced not for points or prize mon - ey of any sort. Instead, they took to the track for one of their own fallen comrades, a freckle-faced redhead named Danny Chandler. "Magoo" Chandler needs no introduction to the vintage moto heads, but for the generation that can't comprehend the oxymoronic nature of the term "rap music," Chandler was one of the most popular racers of the early 1980s. His victories at the United States' Grand Prix at Carlsbad, the AMA Superbikers, and the Trophee and Motocross Des Nations made him one of the most successful racers of his era, but it was his wild rid - ing style that made him a crowd favorite. Chandler perfected the act of rider/motorcycle separation at high speed and motocross fans seemed to love him for it. Chandler's flashy, yet solid career ended in early 1986. Dis - carded by American sponsors, he had gone to Europe to compete in the Grand Prix series, along with an occasional Supercross event. It was at one of those indoor events in Paris where Magoo crashed for the last time, suffering injuries that resulted in permanent paralysis. Danny Chandler would not only never walk again, but his injuries also left him with only partial use of his arms and hands. The Sacramento OHV event (where, just three years earlier, Chandler had won an AMA 500c National) drew an estimated 5000 spectators, a number that would've topped many regular AMA Nationals of the 1970s. The day featured two pro races; one for the current top riders of the day (where Jeff Ward would top his teammate Ron Lechien for the win) and another race, dubbed "Champs of The Past." The champs lineup read like a 1970s Trans AMA race program: Roger DeCoster, Brad Lackey, Jim Pome - roy, Jim Weinert, Marty Smith, Rich Eierstedt, Billy Grossi, Darrel Shultz, Donnie Hansen and others came out to help raise much-need- ed medical funds for Danny. Some of these riders had been Chandler's teammates. DeCoster, as Team Honda manager, had even hired Magoo. But it was Grossi who had perhaps the most storied relationship with the wild child from Palo Alto, California. Billy's ride that day would be not only a brilliant display of MX skill, it would also put a nicely tied bow on the odd rivalry between these two top Northern Cal riders. CNIIARCHIVES P132 BY KENT TAYLOR A BAND OF BROTHERS THE MAGOO INVITATIONAL MOTOCROSS In 1986, many legendary and top motocrossers of the time gathered at the Prairie City SVRA, aka Hangtown, to race in honor of Danny "Magoo" Chandler (center). PHOTOS: KIT PALMER