T
here is an old saying that "luck is what
happens when preparation meets
opportunity." It could be more simply
stated that we "make our own luck," which
might be more applicable to the two types
of luck: one being "good," which folks can
capitalize on when they are ready for the
moment at hand, and the other, "bad luck,"
which requires little in the way of prepa
-
ration. Of course, bad luck just is, which
seems to better match the meaning of the
word anyway. You can prepare until your
fingers bleed, but bad luck just befalls us. "I
was in the right place," said the great New
Orleans jazz musician Dr. John, "but it musta
been the wrong time."
The story of the 1977 AMA 125cc Na
-
tional Championship series has been told
so many times that the dust kicked up from
that final race has never been able to settle.
It is best known for the infamous pit board
sign "Let Brock Bye," and even though ace
mechanic Keith McCarty left his spellcheck
tool in the box, his words have become
motocross' version of "the shot heard
'round the world." But while motocross fans
might point to that controversial incident at
the Cycle-Rama MX track in San Antonio,
Texas, hindsight reveals that the players on
that day included not only Broc Glover, Bob
Hannah and Danny LaPorte but also Jimmy
Weinert, Billy Grossi and a certain unknown
spectator in Midland, Michigan.
A spectator? Yep! Likely, this was an aver
-
age fan who forked out eight bucks for a
ticket, downed a hot dog or two, and maybe
even a cold beverage of some sort. This fan
was likely no major dude, but unbeknownst
to him, he was about to play a major role in
CNIIARCHIVES
P136
BY KENT TAYLOR
The 1977 Midland 125cc Motocross
National round in Michigan was a
historic one for Yamaha and Suzuki.
MIDLAND
MOTOCROSS,
1977
LAPORTE VERSUS
SPECTATOR; ULTIMATELY,
LAPORTE LOST OUT
