SADDLEBACK CLOSED 34 YEARS AGO :(

dimetime
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dimetime 9/14/2018 12:19pm
9/14/2018 12:19pm
TT Special wrote:
Oh, I get it. You have perfect,great,really good,good,okay,not so good,bad,really bad,kind of sucks,really sucks,and fukin horrible. Well IMHO that blue groove one lined hard pack shit...
Oh, I get it. You have perfect,great,really good,good,okay,not so good,bad,really bad,kind of sucks,really sucks,and fukin horrible. Well IMHO that blue groove one lined hard pack shit is fukin horrible. carry on
Good god you're just the fucking worst. An ignorant, arrogant twat.

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Hallzilla
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Hallzilla 9/14/2018 12:24pm
9/14/2018 12:24pm
TT Special wrote:
Oh, I get it. You have perfect,great,really good,good,okay,not so good,bad,really bad,kind of sucks,really sucks,and fukin horrible. Well IMHO that blue groove one lined hard pack shit...
Oh, I get it. You have perfect,great,really good,good,okay,not so good,bad,really bad,kind of sucks,really sucks,and fukin horrible. Well IMHO that blue groove one lined hard pack shit is fukin horrible. carry on
No it's just for MEN. Not Hipsters or Pussies, or lil girls who complain.
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Mr. G
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Mr. G 9/14/2018 2:00pm
9/14/2018 2:00pm
I wish my wife could have set foot on Saddlback. Only track she ever set foot on was Milestone. It is 5 acres. Saddleback was 70! Truly the Disneyland of moto parks. You could trail ride there all day.
1

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Mr. G
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Mr. G 9/14/2018 5:36pm
9/14/2018 5:36pm
Was looking at pictures of Saddleback and I found one with me in it. Yellow shirt sitting on hill.
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Ozy
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Ozy 9/14/2018 9:00pm
9/14/2018 9:00pm
DC wrote:
"I'm 99% sure Saddleback closed in late June or early July 1984. SondraP or Tim Buck would know for sure." Saddleback actually closed a couple of...
"I'm 99% sure Saddleback closed in late June or early July 1984. SondraP or Tim Buck would know for sure."

Saddleback actually closed a couple of times in the summer of 1984, but it reopened. It was finally closed for good at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 7, according to Rex Reese's Cycle News report:



DC
Racer X
We went to practice and by coincidence it was last day it was open in July. Guy at the gate didn't even want our money. told us to go have fun.

I never heard it opened up again after that. We would have gone again if we had known.
Ozy
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Ozy 9/14/2018 9:13pm
9/14/2018 9:13pm

Our buddy "Metro" on the Saddleback 2 vet track.



this is me on the front table of saddleback 2. Really fun track. Heard the president of the Irvine Co shut down saddleback 2 at Irvine lake . . . guess he remembered all the lawsuits that got dumped on his company as land owners of the original saddleback park
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DC
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DC 9/15/2018 7:13am
9/15/2018 7:13am
The one and only time I went to Saddleback we didn't ride -- it was just before the 1984 Anaheim SX, my first trip to California. We had driven across the country in the family truckster so my parents could go to a promoter's meeting and then the swanky Hi-Torque dinner at Chasen's near Hollywood. We thought we would just come back some other time when we had bikes with us, or could line some up through Super Hunky or Tom Webb or Paul Clipper at Dirt Bike, but by the time we did come back it was closed for good. I still remember pulling in for an afternoon practice and looking at the track and thinking that probably every single guy out there was faster than me!

DC
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2
Bigfoot
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Bigfoot 9/15/2018 11:23am
9/15/2018 11:23am
One of my shots of RJ leaping up Suicide Mountain in the 1984 AMA 250 National. Damn, if only the focus ring was turned a smidge more! Sad



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wwoberg
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wwoberg 9/15/2018 11:33am
9/15/2018 11:33am
I remember one weekend there was a race going on the front and back tracks, a BMX race, a 3-wheeler race utilizing the Oval, and a cross-country race way out back. All going on the same day. The place was packed out.
Ozy
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Ozy 9/15/2018 12:52pm
9/15/2018 12:52pm
wwoberg wrote:
I remember one weekend there was a race going on the front and back tracks, a BMX race, a 3-wheeler race utilizing the Oval, and a...
I remember one weekend there was a race going on the front and back tracks, a BMX race, a 3-wheeler race utilizing the Oval, and a cross-country race way out back. All going on the same day. The place was packed out.
I wonder how many acres Saddleback was? There was a dirt road that went from the front gate all the way to the back of the park. You could easily drive a truck full of bikes or pull a trailer anywhere on this road. Was the hill climb named "Matterhorn?"

Anybody still have one of the park maps? Would love to see one of the old maps posted online - nice piece of nostalgia
SCR
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SCR 9/15/2018 1:01pm
9/15/2018 1:01pm
Bigfoot wrote:
One of my shots of RJ leaping up Suicide Mountain in the 1984 AMA 250 National. Damn, if only the focus ring was turned a smidge...
One of my shots of RJ leaping up Suicide Mountain in the 1984 AMA 250 National. Damn, if only the focus ring was turned a smidge more! Sad



That's a bad ass photo. Out of focus a bit but you can tell from it how difficult that jump was.
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dimetime
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dimetime 9/15/2018 1:33pm
9/15/2018 1:33pm Edited Date/Time 9/15/2018 1:33pm
wwoberg wrote:
I remember one weekend there was a race going on the front and back tracks, a BMX race, a 3-wheeler race utilizing the Oval, and a...
I remember one weekend there was a race going on the front and back tracks, a BMX race, a 3-wheeler race utilizing the Oval, and a cross-country race way out back. All going on the same day. The place was packed out.
Ozy wrote:
I wonder how many acres Saddleback was? There was a dirt road that went from the front gate all the way to the back of the...
I wonder how many acres Saddleback was? There was a dirt road that went from the front gate all the way to the back of the park. You could easily drive a truck full of bikes or pull a trailer anywhere on this road. Was the hill climb named "Matterhorn?"

Anybody still have one of the park maps? Would love to see one of the old maps posted online - nice piece of nostalgia
700-800 acres is what comes to mind for some reason. It seem limitless as a kid. We had three of us who rode and each weekend one of our dads would drive out and drop us off and then come back at dusk to pick us up. This shit started at like 12 years old! Great days, great days.

It was called the Matterhorn and one time while me and a buddy were out riding during the week with Goat Breker we were following him down the upper access rode and god damn if Goat didn't just ride/ jump off the top of the Matterhorn instead of following the road to the right. Needless to say we we fucking impressed. I guess it was pretty common but he's the only person l actually saw do it.
1
barnett468
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barnett468 9/15/2018 1:56pm
9/15/2018 1:56pm
wwoberg wrote:
I remember one weekend there was a race going on the front and back tracks, a BMX race, a 3-wheeler race utilizing the Oval, and a...
I remember one weekend there was a race going on the front and back tracks, a BMX race, a 3-wheeler race utilizing the Oval, and a cross-country race way out back. All going on the same day. The place was packed out.
Ozy wrote:
I wonder how many acres Saddleback was? There was a dirt road that went from the front gate all the way to the back of the...
I wonder how many acres Saddleback was? There was a dirt road that went from the front gate all the way to the back of the park. You could easily drive a truck full of bikes or pull a trailer anywhere on this road. Was the hill climb named "Matterhorn?"

Anybody still have one of the park maps? Would love to see one of the old maps posted online - nice piece of nostalgia
dimetime wrote:
700-800 acres is what comes to mind for some reason. It seem limitless as a kid. We had three of us who rode and each weekend...
700-800 acres is what comes to mind for some reason. It seem limitless as a kid. We had three of us who rode and each weekend one of our dads would drive out and drop us off and then come back at dusk to pick us up. This shit started at like 12 years old! Great days, great days.

It was called the Matterhorn and one time while me and a buddy were out riding during the week with Goat Breker we were following him down the upper access rode and god damn if Goat didn't just ride/ jump off the top of the Matterhorn instead of following the road to the right. Needless to say we we fucking impressed. I guess it was pretty common but he's the only person l actually saw do it.
I know goat from when i raced mx then i got a job at kawasaki in the r and d department and went out testong with team green and the racing department a few times and goat was testing with us on a few of those outings and he would be jugglinng between testing sessions and showed me how to juggle. He was always upbeat and very entertaining.
pelted
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pelted 9/15/2018 2:04pm
9/15/2018 2:04pm
I attended the 84 National. Dug out the program and here are the rider entry lists.






3
dimetime
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dimetime 9/15/2018 4:37pm
9/15/2018 4:37pm
Ozy wrote:
I wonder how many acres Saddleback was? There was a dirt road that went from the front gate all the way to the back of the...
I wonder how many acres Saddleback was? There was a dirt road that went from the front gate all the way to the back of the park. You could easily drive a truck full of bikes or pull a trailer anywhere on this road. Was the hill climb named "Matterhorn?"

Anybody still have one of the park maps? Would love to see one of the old maps posted online - nice piece of nostalgia
dimetime wrote:
700-800 acres is what comes to mind for some reason. It seem limitless as a kid. We had three of us who rode and each weekend...
700-800 acres is what comes to mind for some reason. It seem limitless as a kid. We had three of us who rode and each weekend one of our dads would drive out and drop us off and then come back at dusk to pick us up. This shit started at like 12 years old! Great days, great days.

It was called the Matterhorn and one time while me and a buddy were out riding during the week with Goat Breker we were following him down the upper access rode and god damn if Goat didn't just ride/ jump off the top of the Matterhorn instead of following the road to the right. Needless to say we we fucking impressed. I guess it was pretty common but he's the only person l actually saw do it.
barnett468 wrote:
I know goat from when i raced mx then i got a job at kawasaki in the r and d department and went out testong with...
I know goat from when i raced mx then i got a job at kawasaki in the r and d department and went out testong with team green and the racing department a few times and goat was testing with us on a few of those outings and he would be jugglinng between testing sessions and showed me how to juggle. He was always upbeat and very entertaining.
Awesome, that guy is just the best. Goat was our hero growing up in Anaheim and we hung out at his place as much as possible. Then you must know Rick Ashe too. He was his mechanic at the time.

I remember how cool it was when he let me ride a pre proto KX 420 out at DeAnza one day while we were all out there. I thought l was just the shit.
barnett468
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barnett468 9/15/2018 5:06pm
9/15/2018 5:06pm Edited Date/Time 9/15/2018 5:12pm
dimetime wrote:
Awesome, that guy is just the best. Goat was our hero growing up in Anaheim and we hung out at his place as much as possible...
Awesome, that guy is just the best. Goat was our hero growing up in Anaheim and we hung out at his place as much as possible. Then you must know Rick Ashe too. He was his mechanic at the time.

I remember how cool it was when he let me ride a pre proto KX 420 out at DeAnza one day while we were all out there. I thought l was just the shit.
Oh yes, I know rick since racing department was only 50 feet away from r and d. I know norm bigelow and mike mcandrews and jeff ward also. I bought and sold 60's muscle cars part time and rick pilled up in a beautiful 69 z28 with factory headers ad chambered exhaust one day.

Rick and norm also raced at few vintage races i was raced at in 93. I think the last one i saw them at was glenn helen where i raced 4 of the expert classes during the summer when it was around a bazillion degrees, and i think it was one of them that came by and kicked me while i was sitting on the ground leaning up against the rear tire on my truck with my eyes closed and they said they just wanted to see if i was still alive, lol.

Goat also had a brother named brian that raced and was really fast but i heard he fell victim to the demons of alcohol or drugs or something.

I liked deanza but it was a bit far. i mostly raced saddleback, carlsbad, and ocir. I got to race for free for a while because my girlfriend owned AMC motocross club. We would get free dinners on sunday also because she let malcolm mcassey race for free and he owned a fancy restaurant chain called the captains anchorage so he would give her a business card and write "2 free dinners" on the back every sunday. had steak and lobster and several heinekens after ever sunday race for a while, lol.

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dimetime
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dimetime 9/15/2018 5:32pm
9/15/2018 5:32pm
Yeah, Goats brother was fast too and wild as fuck. He wasn't around all the time. Hint, hint.

We probably crossed paths a few times over the years. Rode at a lot of the same places.

One quick funny story, the first time l met Mitch Payton and Darrell Schultz was at Goats parents house in Anaheim. We were hanging out and here come Mitch and Shu pulling up on a Honda 750 Supersport or something and Mitch was in front and we couldn't figure out WTF was going on and when they pulled up and stopped we knew. Back in Norco they duct taped Mitchs feet to the rear pegs, so Darrell operated the shifter and rear brake while Mitch was in control of the throttle and clutch. Bad idea. Mitch was pinned from Norco to Anaheim with Schultz holding on and screaming for him to slow down the whole way. Of course we all though it was funny as hell but since Shu had to make the ride back still he didn't laugh along. Fucking Mitch.
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BB67
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BB67 9/15/2018 6:05pm
9/15/2018 6:05pm
Does anyone know the story behind Goats name? Real name,early nic name that stuck or other? Would like to hear the details if you guys know.
sirsparki
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sirsparki 9/15/2018 6:14pm
9/15/2018 6:14pm
I loved riding and racing Saddleback. It was a love hate relationship. There was nothing that compared to the first motos, the second motos were a real test of your endurance. I loved trail riding in the back country, spinning laps on the oval, making attempts at the Matterhorn, and just watching the best of the best of the So Cal Moto scene.
I have a good friend that also loves the good old days and the lifestyle that it carved into our futures. This is not and add by any means, just a link for lovers of Saddleback, and motrcycling in general.
http://www.mototherapyapparel.com/shop/matterhorn-tee

Trust me when I say, the Saddleback shirt is cool, and you can't go out in public in So Cal with out someone stopping you to talk about the glory days of So Cal MX
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sirsparki 9/15/2018 6:22pm
9/15/2018 6:22pm
BB67 wrote:
Does anyone know the story behind Goats name? Real name,early nic name that stuck or other? Would like to hear the details if you guys know.
Don't know the story, but if you are ever coming to So Cal, you can stay at one of his many cabins in Randsburg, Ca. In the Mojave Desert and ask him yourself. He's a very cool dude. search - Goats Sky Ranch B&B
Bigfoot
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Bigfoot 9/15/2018 6:41pm
9/15/2018 6:41pm
pelted wrote:
I attended the 84 National. Dug out the program and here are the rider entry lists. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/15/287533/s1200_Saddleback_84_125.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/15/287534/s1200_Saddleback_84_250.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/15/287537/s1200_Saddleback_84_500.jpg[/img]
I attended the 84 National. Dug out the program and here are the rider entry lists.






Thank you! 34 years later I finally get to learn that this pic is of John Welchel and Terry Griswold. It must have been shot during practice since Welchel was in the 500 class and Griswold was in the 250.



BB67
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BB67 9/15/2018 6:51pm
9/15/2018 6:51pm
BB67 wrote:
Does anyone know the story behind Goats name? Real name,early nic name that stuck or other? Would like to hear the details if you guys know.
sirsparki wrote:
Don't know the story, but if you are ever coming to So Cal, you can stay at one of his many cabins in Randsburg, Ca. In...
Don't know the story, but if you are ever coming to So Cal, you can stay at one of his many cabins in Randsburg, Ca. In the Mojave Desert and ask him yourself. He's a very cool dude. search - Goats Sky Ranch B&B
Thats cool. I have a friend in So Cal and I will tell him about the Goat B&B.
anniebertmojo
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anniebertmojo 9/15/2018 7:22pm
9/15/2018 7:22pm
BB67 wrote:
Does anyone know the story behind Goats name? Real name,early nic name that stuck or other? Would like to hear the details if you guys know.
Todd was Goats name . Goat and Payton always were betting on things. I grew up around Anaheim Husky /early PC race shop. Had the time of my life and I met life long friends from there.
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dimetime
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dimetime 9/15/2018 7:42pm
9/15/2018 7:42pm Edited Date/Time 9/15/2018 7:43pm
BB67 wrote:
Does anyone know the story behind Goats name? Real name,early nic name that stuck or other? Would like to hear the details if you guys know.
anniebertmojo wrote:
Todd was Goats name [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/15/287608/s1200_8047E144_C009_427D_B8E5_18E6071C81FC.jpg[/img]. Goat and Payton always were betting on things. I grew up around Anaheim Husky /early PC race shop. Had the time...
Todd was Goats name . Goat and Payton always were betting on things. I grew up around Anaheim Husky /early PC race shop. Had the time of my life and I met life long friends from there.
Dude! Probably ran across you as well.

Does the name "Nuh" mean anything to you? Fantasy Muffler? Huds? Moleman? Studly?
nuzzy211
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nuzzy211 9/15/2018 7:48pm
9/15/2018 7:48pm
my nickname is nuh was just reading all the posts . I still talk to Goat at least once a week
AZ35
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AZ35 9/15/2018 7:48pm
9/15/2018 7:48pm



Ok, sorry for the poor quality and the fact that I suck at uploading photos. I have dozens of old crappy photos of the last Saddleback national but don't know how you guys post such quality pics from photos taken 34 years ago? I was a teenager with a shitty camera and now I am old with no computer skills.

Top left- Glover leading up Suicide Mountain (did not jump it that lap), Bailey behind him mid-air jumping it.

Top Right- 125cc start

Bottom left- Bobby Moore jumping the Magoo double (on a KX80). Also have a pic of Eddie Hicks from the same spot.

Bottom right- some guy who finished on the podium that day, who is also a frequent poster on Vital, chasing Rick Ryan.
dimetime
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dimetime 9/15/2018 8:01pm
9/15/2018 8:01pm
nuzzy211 wrote:
my nickname is nuh was just reading all the posts . I still talk to Goat at least once a week
If you're who l think you are l hung out w/Huds and dated your sister for a little while in tenth grade.
nuzzy211
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nuzzy211 9/15/2018 8:08pm
9/15/2018 8:08pm
nuzzy211 wrote:
my nickname is nuh was just reading all the posts . I still talk to Goat at least once a week
dimetime wrote:
If you're who l think you are l hung out w/Huds and dated your sister for a little while in tenth grade.
my little sister is Kelly Wiseman I do know Tim Huddleston

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