Rider Files

Larry O’Brien racing a Honda Hurricane to ninth in the very first AMA 600 Supersport race, held at Daytona International Speedway on March 6, 1987. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Orlando’s Larry O’Brien turned in a pretty decent ride in the very first AMA 600cc Supersport National. The race was held at Daytona International Speedway on March 6, 1987. Doug Polen won the race over Thomas Stevens and Greg Tysor, while O’Brien, riding a Seminole Honda-sponsored Hurricane, finished ninth – just behind Lance Jones and ahead of Ron Ewerth.

I have no idea if Larry was related to Dick O’Brien, Harley-Davidson’s racing manager from the late 1950s to the mid-1980s. O’Brien lived in Orlando for years and I believe his brother Jesse was from the area as well.

Oldrich Schmuttermeier (89) leads a pack of AMA Superbike riders in the 1989 race at Road America. Behind Schmuttermeier are Deiter Lane (53),  John Jacob (50), Joe Pittman and Ricky Orlando (12). Schmuttermeier was a Canadian rider who did some AMA racing in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. He also made a couple of appearances in the World Superbike Series.

Oldrich Schmuttermeier (89) leads a pack of AMA Superbike riders in the 1989 race at Road America. Behind Schmuttermeier are Deiter Lane (53), John Jacob (50), Joe Pittman and Ricky Orlando (12). (Larry Lawrence photo)