Rider Files

One of the great debates in the world of superbike racing is which is better – AMA Superbike or British Superbike? Ben Spies’ domination of World Superbike helped the AMA’s case, but the last time the two series went head to head was in 1991 in the Match Races and the AMA boys suffered a sound thrashing by the Brits.

To be fair the AMA squad didn’t have Doug Polen or Fred Merkel. Certainly they would have helped the cause, plus the BSB men were racing on their own tracks (Mallory Park and Brands Hatch), but the bottom line was the BSB team spanked the AMA gang. In fact only Scott Russell and Miguel Duhamel – until he got hurt – made any kind of showing at all for the AMA team.

This photo is during one of the races at Mallory Park at Shaw’s Hairpin.

Carl Fogarty (9) leads on the Silkolene Honda over Ray Stringer (17), John Reynolds (6), Trevor Nation (3), Miguel Duhamel (97), Scott Russell (22), Terry Rymer (1), Ron Haslam (20) and Rob McElnea (8).

I believe the time is right to renew the Match Races. Both championships could use the boost in interest this series could bring. The only thing I would like to see done differently would be to have each team travel to the other’s country on alternate years.

Carl Fogarty (9) leads on the Silkolene Honda over Ray Stringer (17), John Reynolds (6), Trevor Nation (3), Miguel Duhamel (97), Scott Russell (22), Terry Rymer (1), Ron Haslam (20) and Rob McElnea (8) at Mallory Park during the 1991 Trans-Atlantic Match Races. (Larry Lawrence photo)

The start of the 2008 Indy Supercross, the last one held in the old RCA Done before it was deflated and imploded. Josh Hill (40), Kevin Windham (14), Ryan Dungey (28), Josh Hansen (100), Troy Adams (44) and Josh Summey (24) try to make first to the first turn. Chad Reed took the victory, but Hill was a surprising second. I did take note there were three riders named Josh in the photo.

The start of the 2008 Indy Supercross. (Larry Lawrence photo)

I don’t know where this photo was taken or who the photographer was, but to me this shot is the very essence of flat track racing. It’s from an old Steve Morehead press kit/autograph book. I do know at least some of the riders and the year the photo was taken. It’s 1979 and that’s none other than Scotty Parker railing around the outside of the turn on bike 40x. The raw talent of Parker, who would go on to become the all-time wins leader in AMA Grand National history, is obvious even though he’s a rookie in this photo. Notice how completely sideways Parker has his Harley-Davidson XR750, yet his left foot is still touching his footpeg. Supreme confidence. I also recognize Corky Keener (62), Bill Schaeffer (96), Steve Morehead (42) and Hank Scott (14). I’m not sure of the other riders in the photo, but it’s a true classic.

A field of flat track riders, led by Scotty Parker (40x) broadslides through a turn.

Fred Merkel was the master of the sound bite. (Larry Lawrence photo)

I’ve had the privilege of working with dozens of riders across all disciplines over the years in presenting racing to the media. I’ve seen riders who were great and some who were not. I won’t mention the ones who weren’t that good, but Miguel Duhamel, Anthony Gobert, Jeremy McGrath, Chris Carr, JR Schnabel and Rich Oliver quickly come to mind as riders who were great with the media.

Perhaps the best racer I ever saw do amazing media work was one who ironically hated to do media work and that was Fred Merkel. Merkel was not only exceedingly photogenic, he was also a master of the sound bite. He had an amazing knack for putting a memorable quote into a 10-second segment of video. One example I vividly remember was when a Milwaukee television reporter asked the legendary Superbike World Champ  what it was like to ride a Superbike. His reply was not exactly what the stick-and-ball oriented TV reporter expected.

 “It ain’t fun, I’ll tell you that,” Merkel said matter of factly. “What you have in a Superbike is a 150 horsepower, 375 pound bucking beast that wants to throw you off in every corner. I don’t really recommend it.”

The reporter stood stunned.

Merkel’s sound bite led that evening’s sports report.

Michael Martin (96), Donald Jacks (59) and Christian Gardner are in perfect formation as they rail around Indianapolis Raceway Park’s carousel turn in a WERA Formula USA race in August of 1992. Martin and Jacks rode for Valvoline Suzuki, while Gardner was with Gold Hill Racing Yamaha.

Michael Martin (96), Donald Jacks (59) and Christian Gardner are in perfect formation as they rail around Indianapolis Raceway Park carousel turn in a WERA Formula USA race in August of 1992. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Ohioan Richard Merhar was tough to beat in Vintage racing during the mid-1990s on his 1972 Yamaha TD2. Merhar several  national titles in AHRMA during that period. This photo is of Merhar en route to victory in a Formula 250 race at Putman Park sometime in the mid-1990s.

Richard Merhar en route to victory in a Formula 250 race at Putman Park sometime in the mid-1990s. (Larry Lawrence photo)