Review by Doc Melloy

When Shand Garcia told me about his idea for a book, I remember thinking it was about time somebody bothered to chronicle motocross racing here in Texas. I really didn't think much more about it until Shand informed me that the project was well underway and was coming along nicely. This peeked my interest and I waited, along with all other MX enthusiasts in the state, for the finished project. Upon receiving my copy of the book, I was curious, but figured it was more of a nostalgic thing more than anything else. Well, I was wrong.

First, of course, I had to glance thru the photos. There are some classics ! You can't help but feel for those guys and gals who rode on equipment far inferior to that which we enjoy today. And the old gear is still so cool. But as I actually began to read thru the various biographies and such, I found much more than I expected. For instance, I was not aware that, to date, Kent Howerton is the only Texan to have won three AMA Motocross Championships and was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000. I remember seeing Kent win his age class at Lake Whitney only a few short years ago. Even more interesting was the fact that Howerton was the guy who started the trend of "feathering" the clutch to get a two-stroke motor to rev quickly. Jody Weisel - Motocross Action: "Clutching it....and I don't mean using the clutch to start or shift gears.... but using it to maintain momentum and rpm was invented that day in Herman, Nebraska."

I was not aware that Steve Stackable is the only Supercross champion the Lone Star State has ever had. Stackable won the championship in 1975 in what was then the 500cc class. No other native Texan has won an indoor championship.

The book goes on to highlight the feats of such notables as Steve Wise, Dennis Hawthorne (Arenacross was born in Texas !), Jason Langford, Trampas Parker (2 time World Champion), and Dee Ann Wood (early women's champion). There is an interesting section on amateur racing and nationals coming to Texas. Garcia talks about some of the popular riders who were not Texas born and bred, but eventually made their home here in the Lone Star state. Last, he talks about the motocross magazines that have called Texas home. And then there are the pictures.....tons of photos dug from umpteen archives and family scrapbooks. He finishes up by covering the rebirth of pro outdoor racing in Texas with coverage of Freestone County Raceway.

To gain a copy of this treasure, go to http://www.holeshotmag.com and enjoy a walk down memory lane, or get a whole new perspective on motocross racing in Texas. Enjoy !!!

Doc Melloy  #483