Mitch Simmons
Diary of a Mad Man
This past week I was handed a big box of the late Mitch Simmons photos and memorabilia. You can see those photos in the "Pictures" category on the menu selection. The memorabilia in there was amazing and sheds a brighter light on Simmons racing career, and of ourselves during that time.
Mitch had all his race licenses over the years, NMA #1 patches in different Expert classes, Almost every race report in "Cycles North West." with his results attached and highlighted, mileage charts and something else that most people would not have imagined. Mitch kept a race by race diary of every race from 1973 through 1977 in two, ring binders. There was the original and one later that he rewrote in some very good penmanship including more details. Separately he had his mileage chart that on one side had "How to keep records." 1 - 10 were parts & accessories, interest on vehicle, excise tax on vehicle & motorcycle trailer, race license,entry fee costs,car wash, mileage traveled,ferry fees, out of town meals/lodging, difference between new bike and when sold. You can see why he was a long range truck driver. The mileage charts from his home in Lynnwood round trip were:
Destintion Miles
Washougal 400
Puyallup 106
Bremerton 60
Startup 70
Twin Falls, ID 1,400
Straddleline 200
Lynnwood Yamaha 10
SIR 75
Bellevue Suzuki 40
Sun Target 300
Hangtown, CA 1,900
Here is one outstanding fact from the binders in that Mitch competed in 1973 84 races. 84 bloody races in one year!! Today most would consider that lifetime career chart. One year? Bloody hell! Won 52 races while podiuming in 20 money paying classes. And in doing so won the #1 plate for 1974. You can see that he wrote these some time after the races were done as he speaks about engine problems they found out later. And a scary detail of where he was in the 1st corner of races. Didn't know he had that much time to be counting. The more I read these essential diary of a young man you get a glimpse into who he was and what he was thinking and his future life. Talking with others who knew him much more than I did concur on who Mitch was. All the words, punctuations and spellings are exactly as he wrote it.
Here some excerpts from those races:
January 7, 1973 Puyallup
30 degree weather - ground frozen & covered with snow. 21 bikes started 125 Expert. 15 bikes finishing 1st moto. 13 bikes in 2nd moto. Two first places.
January 14, 1973 Bremerton
Two 1st places. 1st moto of about 13 bikes, got off the line about 5th. Working my way up to 2nd till Dan Brown spun out on a hill n the 2nd lap, passing him holding the lead for a 15 minute moto. 2nd moto about ten bikes. I got 3rd off the line & all of the 15 minute moto I rode a bike length behind Brown till the last lap. Then passing him t take 1st in 2nd moto. Sky was clear with 2 creeks running through 2 parts f the track which we had to cross each lap.
February 11, 1973 Shelton
Dan & Dave both had bike trouble. Cloudy with a few sprinkles of rain. 17 bikes signed up. Holding 1st Pl in series with 1 race day left.
February 18, 1973 Bremerton
1st moto bike stalled at 1st corner & had to push it starting last & worked my way to 1st place. Passing Craig Elliot, he had a flat tire on the last lap of 1st moto.
2nd moto got 7th off the start working up to 3rd. 3rd moto got 6th off the start & before 1st lap the bike slid to a stop. Plus all the bike troubles for the day.
I forgot my gas can at home. Almost missed the ferry having to go back home. Then coming home we got to Bremerton & found we left Dino (dog) at the track. Found Dino running on the race course trying to find him.
March 4, 1973 Puyallup
Bad luck again - got 2nd off the line & leading with 2 laps left of 1st moto. Bunker right behind me & my bike blew a piston & ring. Had ideal weather for racing in a dry track.
March 18, 1973 Puyallup
Finally a good day! Bike running good had long lead in 1st moto. 1st off the line. 2nd moto got 3rd off the line with Bunker 3 or 4 seconds in front. I fell but was far enough ahead of 3rd place no one passed me.
Buck Murphy rode a 125 Yamaha 1st moto try his best to pass me - till he finally gave up & pulled off & not finishing moto. 50th trophy.
April 8, 1973 Hangtown, California
Left for Reno April 5 at 4 AM only stayed there that night. Left Reno 1:00 in the afternoon. Drove to the race track. Had Cubby and Dino, they wasn't to much trouble. The van (64 Dodge) was really crammed full. Except Cubby rolled in a cow pie & had to stay that way because of water shortage. Dino was still sore from getting ran over the week before by Burt in his van. Had bike trouble, got 16th out of 63 bikes 1st moto. It was loosing power & only made 1/2 lap in 2nd moto & quit completely (Bunker took 3rd $250) he rode a 250 Penton for 2nd place on Saturday for trophies. Brown blew his bike up in practice. Noble didn't finish either moto, he took a bad crash & got a bruise on the chin. I got burned real bad on the leg from my Hooker pipe.
May 5, 1973 Puyallup Saturday Night race
Decided to try old Husky 1 more time. Hopkins put a reed valve - but spun the fly wheel key off in 2nd moto. Finished 2nd in 1st moto - 2nd moto made about 34 laps when bike quit. Last race for this Husky with 6 DNF's. First race where they ran with lights and a short scrambles course.
May 16, 1973 Puyallup Wednesday Night race
Had good luck 1st moto, finishing 2nd. Bad luck 2nd moto finishing 13th. For 7th overall. Bike acted like it ran out of gas , by the time I re started it didn't have enough time to finish in the money. Found out later, wire from spark plug rubbed on pipe - shorting out the Motoplat ignition.
May 18, 1973 Straddle Line Friday Night Scrambles
Kind of a lousy day. Went to school till 11:00 & skipped early so I could start my 1st day at ycle Barn. Left for race at 5:00. Marc drove his pickup - coming home a cop stopped Marc for swerving, he was to tired to drive so I drove the rest of the way home.
May 25, 1973 Straddle Line Friday Night Scrambles
Broke rear axle in 1st heat. Borrowed one for 2nd race which was the trophy dash. Took 1st place. Couldn't keep bike for 3rd heat cause the guy needed it to be able to complete his race. Marc did lousy, went in his van - got home at 2:00 AM & had to be at work at 9:00 AM. Kind of tired. Brought home first paycheck $47.18, take home $44.42.
May 27th, 1973 Startup
1st moto track was dry & just muddy in spots. 2nd moto it was pouring rain & really slick. 3rd moto track was getting better but just still couldn't go as fast as 1st moto. They ran all A's in one class 125 - 250 - Opens - scored separately - I took 1st overall all classes.
June 3, 1973 Startup
Not to a good of a day. Rode a CZ. From Foss. The carburetor fell apart in 1st moto. 2nd motoit sounded like it was going to quit completely. Everything was shaking apart, found out later pipe was falling off & maybe that's why it was trying to quit. Got 7th overall & never even finished 2nd moto. Couldn't ride Husky because no fork leg. 1st time for riding 450 prototype Kawasaki. Been trying to ride this bike for a long time. Finally Bolts said OK. 1st overall.
June 8, 1973 Straddle Line Friday Night Scrambles
Decided to go at last minute - missed Wed night at Puyallup - had to work. Brought home my 2nd paycheck $103.60. Borrowed fork tube from a new bike in crate from the shop.
June 17, 1973 Startup
Rode 2 classes today. Rained most of the day - awful muddy track. Only 3 of the 9 bikes raced 2nd moto.
July 1, 1973 Washougal
Nice warm day. 1st time at this track, steep hills, lots of jumps. Took 3rd in the 3 motos. Burgett got $110 - Bob Leach $85 - Me $60 - Gene Smith $40 - MikeGreen $20
450 Kaw didn't handle on this track. Burgett also won the Open,125 and 250 for $330.
July 11, 1973 Puyallup
Got bad starts, broke shifter off in 2nd lap of 1st moto. 2nd moto after getting terrible start I just gave up. Bunker got 1st - Brown 2nd. Didn't ride 450 Kaw. my back was hurting from falling on it a week ago.
July 13, 1973 Straddle Line
Had a pickup load of bikes & riders. John Hail took 0 in 100A,Steve took 0 in Open B, Remquist 0 in 125B. I crashed in 1st heat B. Rider knocked me down , got leg stuck & almost broke it. Burt went to just watch. 2 guys had to ride in back of pickup & the motorcycle trailer was also loaded.
1st place A Main and Trophy Dash.
July 15, 1973 Startup
Nice, dusty day. Marks 1st race after being gone t Calif to a Moto X school (Rolf Tibblin). I crashed bad on the start. My bike was coming apart, held 2nd 1st moto. Spun key off of flywheel in practice. 2nd moto 1st. Had lots of bad luck, but was able to finish, 1st moto was blowing head gasket, put some sealer all around, ran better for 2nd moto.
July 22, 1973 Startup
Had a good day. Bunker & battled it out. I took a 1st by a few bike lengths in 1st moto. 2nd was closer yet, he tried to pass me on last corner just seconds before flag. I took the inside & was able to stay ahead. Finally had competition. 1t place.
August 3, 1973 Straddle Line
Had to work till 5:00. Dad went with so could rest after working all day. Boltz didn't like me racing Honda's but wouldn't help me out on my Husky either. Buck Murphy got a 125 Honda for the night. I beat him both times.
Got 1st in both motos on the Kaw - broke brake cable in 1st lap - no brakes. Buck Murphy rode a 125 honda in Open class & beat him again.
August 8, 1973 Puyallup
Had good luck. 1st moto 2nd. Ron Pomeroy took 1st, My foot peg kept fouling up & gear shift kept hitting & going into neutral. Fixing bike & in 2nd moto I lead after passing Pomeroy on 2nd lap. Found out later Boltz was watching & made him feel good that I beat Pomeroy, he just got back from New York racing with the fast guys.
September 2, 1973 Washougal
3 20 minute motos. 1st moto 1st, 2nd moto 2nd, 3rd moto 2nd. Hot day, but no dust. Got 1st off the line in 1st moto. 3rd other two. Fell in second moto, got up being in fifth & working up to to 2nd. Last moto I was on Burgett's tail but couldn't pass. After I got back from last moto a Honda rep gave me $20 for a good ride. Burgett got $150 in 250.
Craig Elliot, Rick McCafferty rode down with Burt but our place was the restaurant. Thorton, Wareham, Shorts, Hiteman all stayed over night, we borrowed Mike Simmons trailer. So between all the vans - Wareham's boat & trailer we all had a good place to sleep.
September 7, 1973 Straddle Line
Last night of series race. Trying to race on Sun - Wed - Fri is a hassle & working to. And with school starting my sleep hours getting slim. But trying for extra NMA points.
September 14, 1973 Straddle Line
Got docked 2 places for bumping Goodwin got 3rd overall instead of 1st which I should have took. Left the Husky at Cycle Barn for sale. Rode Husky from Nov of 72 to Aug 73. Like the Honda a lot better & $300 cheaper.
September18, 1973 Puyallup
Rainy night. Made us run with the 250 & Open A's. 19 bikes total of the three classes. I got 3rd overall. 1st night for my new pickup - 18 month contract of $83 a month.
September 21, 1973 Straddle Line
Rainy - Muddy night. Got home at 2:30 AM. Went to the car wash & after cleaning all the mud mess finally got to bed at 4:30 AM. Had to be at work at 9:00! Mom had a hard time getting me up for work.
October 5, 1973 Evergreen Flat Track
Had a terrible day, worked 3 1/2 hrs on the 250 Kaw wanting to flat track it. Couldn't get back wheel to fit right. Lynnwood Honda gave me a free $24 tire. The 450 kaw fell over on the 250 Kaw & they both fell into then TV. Didn't put a scratch on the TV. The Rec room looked like a disaster area. Brought my new Honda home today. After the whole day of things going wrong I did get my 125 ready for flat track. 4th in the "A" Main.
October 14, 1973 Washougal
Had quite a day, lots of bad luck, had rained during the week, practice & 1st moto of 30 min was muddy. 1st moto I held 3rd not really trying. 2nd moto Burgett - Nils Arne Nillson from Sweden & me was all neck & neck. I fell, Burgett had bike trouble. I was just about 4 seconds behind Nillson who was 20 ft from taking checkered flag he popped a wheelie & I flew past to take the checkered flag. 3rd moto I got off the line with Nillson on my back wheel, went over a jump together - I fell hurting my head & shoulder - I didn't finish. Thinking I maybe had a broken collarbone. Doc said was pulled muscle. And my racing was over for few weeks because of my pulled muscles.
"1973"
Summary 84 races won # plate for 1974.
125 cc class. Won 63 times. Won 52 trophies. Placed in the $ races 20. Made $548
Open class. Won 26 times. Made $100.
"1974"
Got pro License #425 - Cost $55 plus physical. Rode more 250cc than in 73. A hard year, a lot of ups & downs. Went to tracks that had more competition. Graduating from High School. Quit Cycle Barn i June. Worked at Boeings for couple months. Started dating Lora in July. Sold my 73 Chev pickup - bought a new Dodge Van July 4, 1974.
February 3, 1974 Puyallup
Took old Kaw - new one we thought had a broken rod. Alls it was - studs was stripped to the frame. Rained from practice on. Got bad starts about 20th. Working up to 6th 1st moto. 2nd moto was in 4th - fell at 1st corner - starting in 13th & got up to 5th for 2nd moto. Scoring was wrong again should have gotten 2nd.
February 17, 1974 Puyallup
Good luck in both classes. 4 1st in each moto. Mike Hayes let me ride his 125 Honda & I rode the 250 class. Bad luck going home - $38 speeding ticket
March 17, 1974 Puyallup
1st & 2nd moto 1st. 3rd moto 2nd for 1st overall & winning $200. Boltz - Doug - Steve Sarg & all our team pitted at our motor home. Mom cooked for everyone.
March 24, 1974 Arizona
1st time that far away to race. John Hail went. 2nd moto 1st lap I crashed - broke collar bone my 1st Pro race. Stopped at Disneyland on way home.
April 21, 1974 Startup
Didn't wait for collar bone to heal - took it EZ & rode slow. 2nd moto I hurt my collar bone but stayed in 1st. I thought I rebroke it. 3rd moto I wasn't going out - went out & went slow. Mark Murphy broke his collarbone in 3rd moto.
May 3, 1974 Puyallup Qualifier
1st 30 mini moto 16th. Had trouble with my hands - took brace off for 2nd moto & got 4th. Rock hit my goggle, getting a black eye.
May 5, 1974 Startup
Dry weather real bumpy track, fell in practice landing on my hurt shoulder. When I went to Doctor for my checkup he said I re cracked some time since he'd seen me last. Fell again in 2nd moto. Starting in last getting 1st.Went in motor home stayed at track 2 nights. Nobles came down for Sunday's race. Burt rehurt his collarbone, he only made a couple laps.
May 18, 1974 Bend, Oregon
Took Barker - drove steady after got home from work so Dale could ride Amateur class. Dale took 2nd in 250cc class. I wanted to learn the course better for next day - pro race Trans AMA qualifier May 19, 1974.
June 9, 1974 Startup
Kind of a bad day - extra rough track, 450 Kaw jumped all over. Gave it up after 1st lap. Didn't ride 2nd moto.250 A Class not much better luck. Bike hopped all over too. 3rd 1st moto. 2nd 2nd moto - found out at car wash - motor mount broke - frame broke in 2 places - plus few other things. No wonder it handled so bad.
September 5, 1974 Evel Knievel Race Idaho
$300 entry fee. 10th place for qualifying for $75 - fell hard in 2nd moto.
September 6, 19741st moto got 9th for $110. 2nd moto got 6th for $150 plus wining 5th overall for $1,200. Total of $1,535. Pros from all over - factory sponsored riders. 1st moto they flooded the track with water. Hard to hold up 30 min in the mud. 2nd moto track was drying out & every thing went better. got a lot of pictures & etc in scrap book on this race.
September 15, 1974 Moto X West
DNF. 250 Husky 1st moto - 1st. 2nd moto bike blew up again. Boltz was mad at me for not riding Husky at Evil's race. I'd of been out of $300 entry of my own money. They wouldn't work on it & get it ready is why I decided to run 125 at Evils race. Glad I did now.
September 22, 1974 Startup
Took Powers YZ, but wouldn't run - decided to ride 125 Honda in 125 class & 250 class. Won the 250 to but being the same bike only could cash in 125 class.
October 27, 1974 Straddle Line
Rainy muddy day. This was a pro & sidecar race. Didn't do to well, had gotten a few days before a $180 speeding ticket. That was bugging me. 1st time for Gramma to watch me race, picked her up at airport from trip back east. Stayed over night - Mom took her home next day.
November 10, 1974 Puyallup
DNF 125 - Way out in front on Stage 5 Honda & bike blew up. Bad gas. 250 YZ DNF - Fell three times 1st moto getting about 15th. 2nd moto got next to last. Too much goofing around was making a mess out of my racing.
November 17, 1974 Puyallup Trans-Am
DNF - Bad luck - first bought new Bultaco. Bike broke down in practice. By going to Puyallup - Dechutes - Arizona I qualified to ride init. Maybe next year.
November 24,1974 Bremerton
Didn't get to go - cut hand night before - hospital & 5 stitches.
1974 went to 44 races, won $2,986 and 9 trophies. Went mostly to money races - entry fees cost me $678.50.
Won 1st (28), 2nd's (7), 3rds (2), 4th (2), 5ths (2), DNF's (13)
Rode 125 Husky - few times
Rode 125 Honda 23 times
Rode 250 Kaw 5 times
Rode 250 Husky 14 times
Rode YZ 250 6 times
Rode 250 Bultaco 4 times.
125 Husky I sponsored myself - 125 Honda's Dad bought
250 Kaw & 250 Husky Jim Boltz sponsored me.
250 YZ Jim Powers sponsored
250 Bultaco
"1975"
Finally getting my physical Jan 27 - sent pro license in mail. Found out Valley Cycle couldn't get me no $ to help sponsor me from Bultaco Rep. Don't know what will take take place now. Might have to change brands or just go back to riding Dad's Honda's. So far new year hasn't started out so good. Waiting for my employment checks - need $ - Was hoping for better year.
January 19, 1975 Puyallup
250 Bultaco. Not very good day. 1st moto was right on 1st PL guy for a 2nd. Had a broken shock from first few laps. Plus it helped square my rear wheel. Broke my seat during practice. Also bent shifter & made it hard to shift. 2nd moto made about 1/4 lap & seemed like transmission was cut.
January 23, 1975 Puyallup
1st moto had long lead winning easy. 2nd moto got out in 1st right away but started falling. Fell 4 times, hurting my back, worked my way up to 4th & held it the rest of the moto.
February 2, 1975 Puyallup
1st moto had a long lead till I stopped to bend out shifter, Not letting 2nd pass me. Held 1st. 2nd moto I had to fly. Was in the pitts fixing carburetor when they let them go. But took off & caught up with 1/2 the riders & finally working my way to 2nd, almost catching Chuck Sun who was in 1st, but white flag came out. I think if it would have been 5 min longer moto I could of passed him. 25 bikes signed up. Took motor home & Lora & her sister. Nice track & just a little rain, but not enough to be muddy.
February 9, 1975 Puyallup
DNF. Turned out to be nice weather, had fastest lap time. Good luck in 1st moto. Had a long lead lapping over half. About 29 bikes. 2nd moto was in 1st again when shifter kept bending. stop to fix that & bike started making funny noises & quit. Would of won it easy. First time Mrs Knight watched me.
February 16, 1975 Puyallup
DNF. Troubles with 250. Knight worked 1/2 the night to get it ready for me to race, rode few minutes & bike quit like it did at the Trans MA. He put parts off of Burt's Bul that he took back, but it did the saem thing. Bultaco 360 1st Place. Knight let me ride his bike. Not to many riders in Open class. 1/2 way threw 1st moto had flat tire. Was 15 sec ahead of 2nd (Burt). 2nd moto had good luck for few laps then shifter bent, letting Burt pass me. Burt led few laps till he bent his chain guard, falling & then chain fell off. . I just barely held 1st. With all my troubles I didn't think I could have caught up & would of taken a 2nd in the 2nd moto. 1st moto of the 250 - Chuck Sun fell hard, got out for a few minutes, so that slowed him up for the day (I threw a fit in the motor home after 2nd moto).
March 2, 1975 Puyallup
DNF. Not a good day. Rained all week, track was good for 1st moto. Just before 2nd moto it started to pour rain - leaving the track muddy. 1st moto was working my way from 4th to 2nd & about 4th lap got right behind 1st (Chuck Sun) but my shock busted than bike came to a halt. Would kick start, pushed & got it going & finished about in last. Got another pair of shocks from Joe - 2nd moto was about the same, I fell down & bike quit having to push it again & just finished out the moto for practice.
In reading these almost daily happenings (think texting 38 years ago) you see a boy from the ages of 17 to 20. Four years of highs and lows, and what he gave up for a shot at being a superstar racer. Mitch was never beaten in that he only had bad luck or mechanical breakdowns that prevented him from winning every race he entered. Not once were there any comments about another racer actually beating him. Every great racer has more ego than they can handle. There is always that statement about not reading your press clippings because you will believe that they are true. Mitch actually saved all his press clippings. He didn't like Buck Murphy very much or even Ron Pomeroy. Wasn't so much that he hated them as he targeted them to beat because they were the top of the NW racers back then as were Burgett and Chuck Sun. So if he beat them or was on their tail then he was just as good and probably better. Also while reading this I remember that when Mitch passed you he did it as if you weren't there and ran over literally quite a few people on his way to the top which didn't make him all that popular. In many young racers, including today's racers, they roll the dice for a shot at temporary immortality. And 98% of them fail. They didn't look to an alternative future as in through school. They lived in the moment. After the 1973 season where he won the #1 NMA title by racing in 84 racers his totals were cut in half the next year and dwindled more in the next few years until 1977 when he was done with racing at age 21. He began to get injured with a broken collarbone and other pains, his physical fitness in his own words dropped badly, he began to party more and more. He left sponsors in a bad mood after he left. In the beginning Mitch did every thing he could do to race sometimes four races in a week. Later if he wasn't up front he would just DNF and go home. The end was coming as you read this. There was a deadly accident that he was involved with on the I-90 bridge when he was driving for Atlas Van Lines that killed a driver in another car. It wasn't his fault, but that was the last most of us heard about him. Until today. I remember Mitch as being the most talented MX racer in that time. He was our Marty Tripes in that he just overcame obstacle with his talent. Unfortunately you need more than just talent to win these, and past, days. He had the forearm's of Popeye the Sailor Man, and never worked out. He just raced all the time for training.
This past week I was handed a big box of the late Mitch Simmons photos and memorabilia. You can see those photos in the "Pictures" category on the menu selection. The memorabilia in there was amazing and sheds a brighter light on Simmons racing career, and of ourselves during that time.
Mitch had all his race licenses over the years, NMA #1 patches in different Expert classes, Almost every race report in "Cycles North West." with his results attached and highlighted, mileage charts and something else that most people would not have imagined. Mitch kept a race by race diary of every race from 1973 through 1977 in two, ring binders. There was the original and one later that he rewrote in some very good penmanship including more details. Separately he had his mileage chart that on one side had "How to keep records." 1 - 10 were parts & accessories, interest on vehicle, excise tax on vehicle & motorcycle trailer, race license,entry fee costs,car wash, mileage traveled,ferry fees, out of town meals/lodging, difference between new bike and when sold. You can see why he was a long range truck driver. The mileage charts from his home in Lynnwood round trip were:
Destintion Miles
Washougal 400
Puyallup 106
Bremerton 60
Startup 70
Twin Falls, ID 1,400
Straddleline 200
Lynnwood Yamaha 10
SIR 75
Bellevue Suzuki 40
Sun Target 300
Hangtown, CA 1,900
Here is one outstanding fact from the binders in that Mitch competed in 1973 84 races. 84 bloody races in one year!! Today most would consider that lifetime career chart. One year? Bloody hell! Won 52 races while podiuming in 20 money paying classes. And in doing so won the #1 plate for 1974. You can see that he wrote these some time after the races were done as he speaks about engine problems they found out later. And a scary detail of where he was in the 1st corner of races. Didn't know he had that much time to be counting. The more I read these essential diary of a young man you get a glimpse into who he was and what he was thinking and his future life. Talking with others who knew him much more than I did concur on who Mitch was. All the words, punctuations and spellings are exactly as he wrote it.
Here some excerpts from those races:
January 7, 1973 Puyallup
30 degree weather - ground frozen & covered with snow. 21 bikes started 125 Expert. 15 bikes finishing 1st moto. 13 bikes in 2nd moto. Two first places.
January 14, 1973 Bremerton
Two 1st places. 1st moto of about 13 bikes, got off the line about 5th. Working my way up to 2nd till Dan Brown spun out on a hill n the 2nd lap, passing him holding the lead for a 15 minute moto. 2nd moto about ten bikes. I got 3rd off the line & all of the 15 minute moto I rode a bike length behind Brown till the last lap. Then passing him t take 1st in 2nd moto. Sky was clear with 2 creeks running through 2 parts f the track which we had to cross each lap.
February 11, 1973 Shelton
Dan & Dave both had bike trouble. Cloudy with a few sprinkles of rain. 17 bikes signed up. Holding 1st Pl in series with 1 race day left.
February 18, 1973 Bremerton
1st moto bike stalled at 1st corner & had to push it starting last & worked my way to 1st place. Passing Craig Elliot, he had a flat tire on the last lap of 1st moto.
2nd moto got 7th off the start working up to 3rd. 3rd moto got 6th off the start & before 1st lap the bike slid to a stop. Plus all the bike troubles for the day.
I forgot my gas can at home. Almost missed the ferry having to go back home. Then coming home we got to Bremerton & found we left Dino (dog) at the track. Found Dino running on the race course trying to find him.
March 4, 1973 Puyallup
Bad luck again - got 2nd off the line & leading with 2 laps left of 1st moto. Bunker right behind me & my bike blew a piston & ring. Had ideal weather for racing in a dry track.
March 18, 1973 Puyallup
Finally a good day! Bike running good had long lead in 1st moto. 1st off the line. 2nd moto got 3rd off the line with Bunker 3 or 4 seconds in front. I fell but was far enough ahead of 3rd place no one passed me.
Buck Murphy rode a 125 Yamaha 1st moto try his best to pass me - till he finally gave up & pulled off & not finishing moto. 50th trophy.
April 8, 1973 Hangtown, California
Left for Reno April 5 at 4 AM only stayed there that night. Left Reno 1:00 in the afternoon. Drove to the race track. Had Cubby and Dino, they wasn't to much trouble. The van (64 Dodge) was really crammed full. Except Cubby rolled in a cow pie & had to stay that way because of water shortage. Dino was still sore from getting ran over the week before by Burt in his van. Had bike trouble, got 16th out of 63 bikes 1st moto. It was loosing power & only made 1/2 lap in 2nd moto & quit completely (Bunker took 3rd $250) he rode a 250 Penton for 2nd place on Saturday for trophies. Brown blew his bike up in practice. Noble didn't finish either moto, he took a bad crash & got a bruise on the chin. I got burned real bad on the leg from my Hooker pipe.
May 5, 1973 Puyallup Saturday Night race
Decided to try old Husky 1 more time. Hopkins put a reed valve - but spun the fly wheel key off in 2nd moto. Finished 2nd in 1st moto - 2nd moto made about 34 laps when bike quit. Last race for this Husky with 6 DNF's. First race where they ran with lights and a short scrambles course.
May 16, 1973 Puyallup Wednesday Night race
Had good luck 1st moto, finishing 2nd. Bad luck 2nd moto finishing 13th. For 7th overall. Bike acted like it ran out of gas , by the time I re started it didn't have enough time to finish in the money. Found out later, wire from spark plug rubbed on pipe - shorting out the Motoplat ignition.
May 18, 1973 Straddle Line Friday Night Scrambles
Kind of a lousy day. Went to school till 11:00 & skipped early so I could start my 1st day at ycle Barn. Left for race at 5:00. Marc drove his pickup - coming home a cop stopped Marc for swerving, he was to tired to drive so I drove the rest of the way home.
May 25, 1973 Straddle Line Friday Night Scrambles
Broke rear axle in 1st heat. Borrowed one for 2nd race which was the trophy dash. Took 1st place. Couldn't keep bike for 3rd heat cause the guy needed it to be able to complete his race. Marc did lousy, went in his van - got home at 2:00 AM & had to be at work at 9:00 AM. Kind of tired. Brought home first paycheck $47.18, take home $44.42.
May 27th, 1973 Startup
1st moto track was dry & just muddy in spots. 2nd moto it was pouring rain & really slick. 3rd moto track was getting better but just still couldn't go as fast as 1st moto. They ran all A's in one class 125 - 250 - Opens - scored separately - I took 1st overall all classes.
June 3, 1973 Startup
Not to a good of a day. Rode a CZ. From Foss. The carburetor fell apart in 1st moto. 2nd motoit sounded like it was going to quit completely. Everything was shaking apart, found out later pipe was falling off & maybe that's why it was trying to quit. Got 7th overall & never even finished 2nd moto. Couldn't ride Husky because no fork leg. 1st time for riding 450 prototype Kawasaki. Been trying to ride this bike for a long time. Finally Bolts said OK. 1st overall.
June 8, 1973 Straddle Line Friday Night Scrambles
Decided to go at last minute - missed Wed night at Puyallup - had to work. Brought home my 2nd paycheck $103.60. Borrowed fork tube from a new bike in crate from the shop.
June 17, 1973 Startup
Rode 2 classes today. Rained most of the day - awful muddy track. Only 3 of the 9 bikes raced 2nd moto.
July 1, 1973 Washougal
Nice warm day. 1st time at this track, steep hills, lots of jumps. Took 3rd in the 3 motos. Burgett got $110 - Bob Leach $85 - Me $60 - Gene Smith $40 - MikeGreen $20
450 Kaw didn't handle on this track. Burgett also won the Open,125 and 250 for $330.
July 11, 1973 Puyallup
Got bad starts, broke shifter off in 2nd lap of 1st moto. 2nd moto after getting terrible start I just gave up. Bunker got 1st - Brown 2nd. Didn't ride 450 Kaw. my back was hurting from falling on it a week ago.
July 13, 1973 Straddle Line
Had a pickup load of bikes & riders. John Hail took 0 in 100A,Steve took 0 in Open B, Remquist 0 in 125B. I crashed in 1st heat B. Rider knocked me down , got leg stuck & almost broke it. Burt went to just watch. 2 guys had to ride in back of pickup & the motorcycle trailer was also loaded.
1st place A Main and Trophy Dash.
July 15, 1973 Startup
Nice, dusty day. Marks 1st race after being gone t Calif to a Moto X school (Rolf Tibblin). I crashed bad on the start. My bike was coming apart, held 2nd 1st moto. Spun key off of flywheel in practice. 2nd moto 1st. Had lots of bad luck, but was able to finish, 1st moto was blowing head gasket, put some sealer all around, ran better for 2nd moto.
July 22, 1973 Startup
Had a good day. Bunker & battled it out. I took a 1st by a few bike lengths in 1st moto. 2nd was closer yet, he tried to pass me on last corner just seconds before flag. I took the inside & was able to stay ahead. Finally had competition. 1t place.
August 3, 1973 Straddle Line
Had to work till 5:00. Dad went with so could rest after working all day. Boltz didn't like me racing Honda's but wouldn't help me out on my Husky either. Buck Murphy got a 125 Honda for the night. I beat him both times.
Got 1st in both motos on the Kaw - broke brake cable in 1st lap - no brakes. Buck Murphy rode a 125 honda in Open class & beat him again.
August 8, 1973 Puyallup
Had good luck. 1st moto 2nd. Ron Pomeroy took 1st, My foot peg kept fouling up & gear shift kept hitting & going into neutral. Fixing bike & in 2nd moto I lead after passing Pomeroy on 2nd lap. Found out later Boltz was watching & made him feel good that I beat Pomeroy, he just got back from New York racing with the fast guys.
September 2, 1973 Washougal
3 20 minute motos. 1st moto 1st, 2nd moto 2nd, 3rd moto 2nd. Hot day, but no dust. Got 1st off the line in 1st moto. 3rd other two. Fell in second moto, got up being in fifth & working up to to 2nd. Last moto I was on Burgett's tail but couldn't pass. After I got back from last moto a Honda rep gave me $20 for a good ride. Burgett got $150 in 250.
Craig Elliot, Rick McCafferty rode down with Burt but our place was the restaurant. Thorton, Wareham, Shorts, Hiteman all stayed over night, we borrowed Mike Simmons trailer. So between all the vans - Wareham's boat & trailer we all had a good place to sleep.
September 7, 1973 Straddle Line
Last night of series race. Trying to race on Sun - Wed - Fri is a hassle & working to. And with school starting my sleep hours getting slim. But trying for extra NMA points.
September 14, 1973 Straddle Line
Got docked 2 places for bumping Goodwin got 3rd overall instead of 1st which I should have took. Left the Husky at Cycle Barn for sale. Rode Husky from Nov of 72 to Aug 73. Like the Honda a lot better & $300 cheaper.
September18, 1973 Puyallup
Rainy night. Made us run with the 250 & Open A's. 19 bikes total of the three classes. I got 3rd overall. 1st night for my new pickup - 18 month contract of $83 a month.
September 21, 1973 Straddle Line
Rainy - Muddy night. Got home at 2:30 AM. Went to the car wash & after cleaning all the mud mess finally got to bed at 4:30 AM. Had to be at work at 9:00! Mom had a hard time getting me up for work.
October 5, 1973 Evergreen Flat Track
Had a terrible day, worked 3 1/2 hrs on the 250 Kaw wanting to flat track it. Couldn't get back wheel to fit right. Lynnwood Honda gave me a free $24 tire. The 450 kaw fell over on the 250 Kaw & they both fell into then TV. Didn't put a scratch on the TV. The Rec room looked like a disaster area. Brought my new Honda home today. After the whole day of things going wrong I did get my 125 ready for flat track. 4th in the "A" Main.
October 14, 1973 Washougal
Had quite a day, lots of bad luck, had rained during the week, practice & 1st moto of 30 min was muddy. 1st moto I held 3rd not really trying. 2nd moto Burgett - Nils Arne Nillson from Sweden & me was all neck & neck. I fell, Burgett had bike trouble. I was just about 4 seconds behind Nillson who was 20 ft from taking checkered flag he popped a wheelie & I flew past to take the checkered flag. 3rd moto I got off the line with Nillson on my back wheel, went over a jump together - I fell hurting my head & shoulder - I didn't finish. Thinking I maybe had a broken collarbone. Doc said was pulled muscle. And my racing was over for few weeks because of my pulled muscles.
"1973"
Summary 84 races won # plate for 1974.
125 cc class. Won 63 times. Won 52 trophies. Placed in the $ races 20. Made $548
Open class. Won 26 times. Made $100.
"1974"
Got pro License #425 - Cost $55 plus physical. Rode more 250cc than in 73. A hard year, a lot of ups & downs. Went to tracks that had more competition. Graduating from High School. Quit Cycle Barn i June. Worked at Boeings for couple months. Started dating Lora in July. Sold my 73 Chev pickup - bought a new Dodge Van July 4, 1974.
February 3, 1974 Puyallup
Took old Kaw - new one we thought had a broken rod. Alls it was - studs was stripped to the frame. Rained from practice on. Got bad starts about 20th. Working up to 6th 1st moto. 2nd moto was in 4th - fell at 1st corner - starting in 13th & got up to 5th for 2nd moto. Scoring was wrong again should have gotten 2nd.
February 17, 1974 Puyallup
Good luck in both classes. 4 1st in each moto. Mike Hayes let me ride his 125 Honda & I rode the 250 class. Bad luck going home - $38 speeding ticket
March 17, 1974 Puyallup
1st & 2nd moto 1st. 3rd moto 2nd for 1st overall & winning $200. Boltz - Doug - Steve Sarg & all our team pitted at our motor home. Mom cooked for everyone.
March 24, 1974 Arizona
1st time that far away to race. John Hail went. 2nd moto 1st lap I crashed - broke collar bone my 1st Pro race. Stopped at Disneyland on way home.
April 21, 1974 Startup
Didn't wait for collar bone to heal - took it EZ & rode slow. 2nd moto I hurt my collar bone but stayed in 1st. I thought I rebroke it. 3rd moto I wasn't going out - went out & went slow. Mark Murphy broke his collarbone in 3rd moto.
May 3, 1974 Puyallup Qualifier
1st 30 mini moto 16th. Had trouble with my hands - took brace off for 2nd moto & got 4th. Rock hit my goggle, getting a black eye.
May 5, 1974 Startup
Dry weather real bumpy track, fell in practice landing on my hurt shoulder. When I went to Doctor for my checkup he said I re cracked some time since he'd seen me last. Fell again in 2nd moto. Starting in last getting 1st.Went in motor home stayed at track 2 nights. Nobles came down for Sunday's race. Burt rehurt his collarbone, he only made a couple laps.
May 18, 1974 Bend, Oregon
Took Barker - drove steady after got home from work so Dale could ride Amateur class. Dale took 2nd in 250cc class. I wanted to learn the course better for next day - pro race Trans AMA qualifier May 19, 1974.
June 9, 1974 Startup
Kind of a bad day - extra rough track, 450 Kaw jumped all over. Gave it up after 1st lap. Didn't ride 2nd moto.250 A Class not much better luck. Bike hopped all over too. 3rd 1st moto. 2nd 2nd moto - found out at car wash - motor mount broke - frame broke in 2 places - plus few other things. No wonder it handled so bad.
September 5, 1974 Evel Knievel Race Idaho
$300 entry fee. 10th place for qualifying for $75 - fell hard in 2nd moto.
September 6, 19741st moto got 9th for $110. 2nd moto got 6th for $150 plus wining 5th overall for $1,200. Total of $1,535. Pros from all over - factory sponsored riders. 1st moto they flooded the track with water. Hard to hold up 30 min in the mud. 2nd moto track was drying out & every thing went better. got a lot of pictures & etc in scrap book on this race.
September 15, 1974 Moto X West
DNF. 250 Husky 1st moto - 1st. 2nd moto bike blew up again. Boltz was mad at me for not riding Husky at Evil's race. I'd of been out of $300 entry of my own money. They wouldn't work on it & get it ready is why I decided to run 125 at Evils race. Glad I did now.
September 22, 1974 Startup
Took Powers YZ, but wouldn't run - decided to ride 125 Honda in 125 class & 250 class. Won the 250 to but being the same bike only could cash in 125 class.
October 27, 1974 Straddle Line
Rainy muddy day. This was a pro & sidecar race. Didn't do to well, had gotten a few days before a $180 speeding ticket. That was bugging me. 1st time for Gramma to watch me race, picked her up at airport from trip back east. Stayed over night - Mom took her home next day.
November 10, 1974 Puyallup
DNF 125 - Way out in front on Stage 5 Honda & bike blew up. Bad gas. 250 YZ DNF - Fell three times 1st moto getting about 15th. 2nd moto got next to last. Too much goofing around was making a mess out of my racing.
November 17, 1974 Puyallup Trans-Am
DNF - Bad luck - first bought new Bultaco. Bike broke down in practice. By going to Puyallup - Dechutes - Arizona I qualified to ride init. Maybe next year.
November 24,1974 Bremerton
Didn't get to go - cut hand night before - hospital & 5 stitches.
1974 went to 44 races, won $2,986 and 9 trophies. Went mostly to money races - entry fees cost me $678.50.
Won 1st (28), 2nd's (7), 3rds (2), 4th (2), 5ths (2), DNF's (13)
Rode 125 Husky - few times
Rode 125 Honda 23 times
Rode 250 Kaw 5 times
Rode 250 Husky 14 times
Rode YZ 250 6 times
Rode 250 Bultaco 4 times.
125 Husky I sponsored myself - 125 Honda's Dad bought
250 Kaw & 250 Husky Jim Boltz sponsored me.
250 YZ Jim Powers sponsored
250 Bultaco
"1975"
Finally getting my physical Jan 27 - sent pro license in mail. Found out Valley Cycle couldn't get me no $ to help sponsor me from Bultaco Rep. Don't know what will take take place now. Might have to change brands or just go back to riding Dad's Honda's. So far new year hasn't started out so good. Waiting for my employment checks - need $ - Was hoping for better year.
January 19, 1975 Puyallup
250 Bultaco. Not very good day. 1st moto was right on 1st PL guy for a 2nd. Had a broken shock from first few laps. Plus it helped square my rear wheel. Broke my seat during practice. Also bent shifter & made it hard to shift. 2nd moto made about 1/4 lap & seemed like transmission was cut.
January 23, 1975 Puyallup
1st moto had long lead winning easy. 2nd moto got out in 1st right away but started falling. Fell 4 times, hurting my back, worked my way up to 4th & held it the rest of the moto.
February 2, 1975 Puyallup
1st moto had a long lead till I stopped to bend out shifter, Not letting 2nd pass me. Held 1st. 2nd moto I had to fly. Was in the pitts fixing carburetor when they let them go. But took off & caught up with 1/2 the riders & finally working my way to 2nd, almost catching Chuck Sun who was in 1st, but white flag came out. I think if it would have been 5 min longer moto I could of passed him. 25 bikes signed up. Took motor home & Lora & her sister. Nice track & just a little rain, but not enough to be muddy.
February 9, 1975 Puyallup
DNF. Turned out to be nice weather, had fastest lap time. Good luck in 1st moto. Had a long lead lapping over half. About 29 bikes. 2nd moto was in 1st again when shifter kept bending. stop to fix that & bike started making funny noises & quit. Would of won it easy. First time Mrs Knight watched me.
February 16, 1975 Puyallup
DNF. Troubles with 250. Knight worked 1/2 the night to get it ready for me to race, rode few minutes & bike quit like it did at the Trans MA. He put parts off of Burt's Bul that he took back, but it did the saem thing. Bultaco 360 1st Place. Knight let me ride his bike. Not to many riders in Open class. 1/2 way threw 1st moto had flat tire. Was 15 sec ahead of 2nd (Burt). 2nd moto had good luck for few laps then shifter bent, letting Burt pass me. Burt led few laps till he bent his chain guard, falling & then chain fell off. . I just barely held 1st. With all my troubles I didn't think I could have caught up & would of taken a 2nd in the 2nd moto. 1st moto of the 250 - Chuck Sun fell hard, got out for a few minutes, so that slowed him up for the day (I threw a fit in the motor home after 2nd moto).
March 2, 1975 Puyallup
DNF. Not a good day. Rained all week, track was good for 1st moto. Just before 2nd moto it started to pour rain - leaving the track muddy. 1st moto was working my way from 4th to 2nd & about 4th lap got right behind 1st (Chuck Sun) but my shock busted than bike came to a halt. Would kick start, pushed & got it going & finished about in last. Got another pair of shocks from Joe - 2nd moto was about the same, I fell down & bike quit having to push it again & just finished out the moto for practice.
In reading these almost daily happenings (think texting 38 years ago) you see a boy from the ages of 17 to 20. Four years of highs and lows, and what he gave up for a shot at being a superstar racer. Mitch was never beaten in that he only had bad luck or mechanical breakdowns that prevented him from winning every race he entered. Not once were there any comments about another racer actually beating him. Every great racer has more ego than they can handle. There is always that statement about not reading your press clippings because you will believe that they are true. Mitch actually saved all his press clippings. He didn't like Buck Murphy very much or even Ron Pomeroy. Wasn't so much that he hated them as he targeted them to beat because they were the top of the NW racers back then as were Burgett and Chuck Sun. So if he beat them or was on their tail then he was just as good and probably better. Also while reading this I remember that when Mitch passed you he did it as if you weren't there and ran over literally quite a few people on his way to the top which didn't make him all that popular. In many young racers, including today's racers, they roll the dice for a shot at temporary immortality. And 98% of them fail. They didn't look to an alternative future as in through school. They lived in the moment. After the 1973 season where he won the #1 NMA title by racing in 84 racers his totals were cut in half the next year and dwindled more in the next few years until 1977 when he was done with racing at age 21. He began to get injured with a broken collarbone and other pains, his physical fitness in his own words dropped badly, he began to party more and more. He left sponsors in a bad mood after he left. In the beginning Mitch did every thing he could do to race sometimes four races in a week. Later if he wasn't up front he would just DNF and go home. The end was coming as you read this. There was a deadly accident that he was involved with on the I-90 bridge when he was driving for Atlas Van Lines that killed a driver in another car. It wasn't his fault, but that was the last most of us heard about him. Until today. I remember Mitch as being the most talented MX racer in that time. He was our Marty Tripes in that he just overcame obstacle with his talent. Unfortunately you need more than just talent to win these, and past, days. He had the forearm's of Popeye the Sailor Man, and never worked out. He just raced all the time for training.
