Hello and welcome to my new website. I will be adding photos and stories that go along with them, hopefully on a daily basis.
Right now I’m in the process of scanning two decades worth of negatives and slides. It’s a daunting task and since I have to work for a living my scanning will come along steadily, but it’s still likely to take me months to digitize something like 50,000 images.
I have a link on the right to a section on this site where you can browse the catalog and even purchase photos if you find one you like.
My trusty Nikon Coolscan V is currently humming along scanning the very first race ever held at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway (or Little Talladega as everyone called it, to differentiate it from the nearby NASCAR superspeedway.
Doug Polen crashed in practice at Talladega, but it didn't hurt him come race time. He charged from behind to win the very first Suzuki Cup race. (Larry Lawrence photo)
This was a WERA Regional event in February of 1986. It also happened to be the very first Suzuki GSXR Cup race. Doug Polen was the B Production race that day in his return from retirement. It was one of the most tension-filled days at a regional club race since it was the debut of the Suzuki Cup. Suzuki’s Hank Ota was on hand, but in the B Production race there were some top guns (like Ron Ewerth, Mike Harth and others) racing Yamaha FZ750s. There was no guarantee a Suzuki rider would win the race against the more established Yamahas.
Doug Polen shakes hands with Suzuki's Hank Ota after winning the very first Suzuki GSXR Cup race in Talladega, Alabama, in Feb. of 1986. (larry Lawrence photo)
Polen was running back in fifth or sixth place with a couple of laps to go. As I recall a relatively unknown rider named Mark Tanner led most of the race on a Suzuki. Anyway, Polen made his move and on the last lap took over and won the race. Happy days for Polen, Suzuki, etc, but not for me! Polen had been running so far back in the pack I hadn’t shot any pics of him. I was covering the race for Cycle News and American Roadracing. I think they had to run a photo of Polen shaking hands with Mr. Ota since that was about all I had.
As far as I know this race marked the US racing debut of the Suzuki GSXR750. We all know of course what that motorcycle has done in the 23 years since – quite simply it’s become the greatest production racing motorcycle of all time.
Thanks for visiting. Feel free to leave comments and check back often for updates.
Larry
Larry, what about details Schwantz GNF race with Brian Berney (another midwest nemesis). Brian was on his stock Yamaha RD500 (a handfull in itself) with Kevin on the FJ600. I believe it went down to a last lap pass with Schwantz winning.
Comment by scott reavis — June 17, 2009 @ 7:17 am
Scott,
Yes, Brian Berney was fast. His RD500 had just a little bit of an advantage on Schwantz and his FJ. I think Berney crashed sometme during the weekend. I remember his bike being held together with duct tape.
Comment by admin — June 17, 2009 @ 10:13 am
Hi Larry,
Keep up the good work,i just love the old pics and stories.
Rick
Comment by Rick Burdick — June 17, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
Hey Rick
Thanks for checking it out. I’ll have to dig out some old Team Machine photos someday!
Larry
Comment by admin — June 17, 2009 @ 8:23 pm
Hey Bro. Thats cool as hell. I bet the riders from the past will love this, and hopefully the young riders will bone up on the history of there sport. Well got to chase down a chopper. Bye for now,
Barry
Comment by Barry Lawrence — June 17, 2009 @ 10:02 pm
Good stuff. Brings back memories.
Comment by Pat Hernon — June 18, 2009 @ 9:20 am
Pat,
Remember the bent-framed, junkyard GSXR you brought to Grattan that did beautiful 130 mph wobbles down the front straight? And you never let off the gas!
LL
Comment by admin — June 18, 2009 @ 9:31 am
That’s because if you let off the gas it got worse! LOL
Pat
Comment by Pat Hernon — June 18, 2009 @ 9:58 am
i love reading these! my dad (mark tanner) used to tell me about his racing days, but it’s cool to see other people know the stories too.
Comment by tesstanner — May 10, 2010 @ 8:35 pm
Tess
Your dad was a very fast racer. Did he ever tell you about the time he led the very first Suzuki GSXR Cup race? That was pretty amazing to see him leading that race over all the fast Southeast Region riders.
Larry
Comment by admin — May 10, 2010 @ 8:42 pm