This month we will have on going questions about the homepage photo and its rider. Please have some fun and join in if you think you can add any questions pertaining to the subject. Thanks to Ron Carbaugh for providing the photo and the questions.
This Penton is unrestored and generally in the condition that it came off the track. So let's get started!
http://www.pentonusa.org/index.html
1. What year and size and any added accessories?
2. Who was the rider of this Penton?
3. It won some important races. What races? (This is a very difficult question.)
4. What magazine article does this bike appear in? Magazine? Date?
If this is the bike I think it is it belonged to Steve Wise, was a 125 maybe 1973, had a pipe, was ported to the moon, was once protested to see the ports by Bill Kasson at Lockhart motocross track, was in Texas Motocross Magazine, and won most any race Steve rode it in. Those are my guesses.
Is it in a magazine article because of it's (their) race results... modifications...or was it a test bike ?
Is there a particular personal significance to the meaning of the "W", such as someones initial, or no ?
Is the cylinder and head black, I can't tell from the picture
Oh! this just came to me, does the "W" stand for Wilford ?
Thanks Ron!
Too late, never mind, sounds like Larry's got it pegged, I did'nt know he went back that far, he does'nt look that old. :)
I would say the bike is a 72 by the aluminum fenders and the motor braces. Can't see the kickstand well enough to see if is on the side of the swingarm or underneath.
Rocket
I will try to make this fun and hopefully bring back some old memories and names of some riders that gave a lot to the sport of Motorcycle Racing.
questions:
1. The Penton is a 125 Six Day 1972 model with the added motor mounts which did not come standard. These motor mounts were a real frame saver - trust me on this one! Good job Rocket.
2. The rider and owner was Steve Wise. For those of you too young to remember Steve, I will be throwing out some questions and comments so stay tuned. It's not over YET! Good job Larry, I hope it was great for you to do see this old warrior in it's original unrestored condition. This is the protested bike as far as my memory serves me. Lockhart was a real exciting track that helped develope several national champions including you.
3. The bike did win many races. I never saw it beat. But there are one or two races that stand out.
4. The bike is in several pictures in Texas MX, but it does show up in a National Magazine (I know Larry the Texas MX is a national publication to you and me). There will be no doubt of the bike when you see it. Rob W - It was in a test article.
Rob W - the cylinder just appears black.
Ron Carbaugh
Since the rider has been guessed we will move on to Phase 2. Remember we are now talking about Steve Wise and how he moved on from Penton to the National Circut.
5. What was the year and location of his first National win and most importantly who did he stop from making a clean sweep of what class?
Ron Carbaugh
Ron
Thanks for the test and the pic. The bike brings back many memories. By the way the bike looks different seen from the side. It looked different coming up from behind me and seeing it whiz by while being lapped. Did Steve also for a while run a blue tank on this bike or was that another one?
Oh yeah, Rob I will be 50 later this year so I am old enough to have been getting regular whippings on Central Texas MX tracks back then.
Larry,
I don't remember the blue tank, but I will ask Steve or his old Mechanic - John - and see if either remember. Now he did have 250 (blue) Bultacos in his pit at the same time I remember, or may be that was much later.
Ron Carbaugh
had to root through the stack of oldies for that one!--for a while, I thought it might belong to "WAN"
rob
Ron, I am not sure of the location but could it have been Marty Smith on a Honda ?
Thomas Carmichael
Question #5
Thomas you are correct. It was Steve Wise that put a stop to the domance of Marty Smith in the 125 class by winning a 125 National July 4, 1976 in Maryland. This also will go down in history as the first privateer to win a 125 National in the USA at 16 years old. He landed a contract with Kawasaki in 1976, but the company pulled out of the 125 class during mid season. In 1977 he raced for the powerful Moto-X Fox team of Pat Richer. He was top Privateer in the 125 class that year. In 1978 he moved to every rider dream - Team Honda.
Question #6. What event did Steve Wise win that was Nationally Televised in 1980? Who was some of the people he had to defeat for this prestigues acomplishment (think big as in world contenders -champions - of all forms of motorcycle racing).
This was a huge WIN that actually in my opinion, started some of the people in other forms of motorcycle racing to take note of Moto X as a true form of racing and not just something else to do on a bike. Get out those books.
Hint: It was televised on ABC.
Keep an eye out Steve may actually tune in and answer some questions or more importantly correct me on some of my statements.
Ron Carbaugh
Keysers Ridge, MD. July 4, 1976
The bicentennial AMA 125cc National Championship Motocross at Appalachian Highlands Park saw Texan Steve Wise hold off Honda teammate Marty Smith on the last lap of the final moto to snare the overall win with his Jimmy Strait tuned and Flying Machine Factory modified Elsinore.
Moto one: Wise sets the precedent
It was late afternoon when the first National moto knocked down the starting gate, and Steve Wise pulled out his first of two holeshots as Broc Glover, Don Kudalski, Bob Hannah, Ron Turner, Warren Reid, Marty Smith and Billy Grossi gave chase.
With Hannah out of the way (crankshaft), Smith closed in on Wise to pass the Team Honda supported rider just two laps before the finish.
Smith, the two-time 125cc National Champion was surprised to win his first moto in this year's series.
Wise remarked "I wanted to win that moto, but Marty's just too hard to beat"
Moto two: Tied on points
Obviously Steve did'nt take his own words too seriously as he again took the second holeshot and began immediately to pull out a sizeable lead on Ron Tuner, Kudalski, Glover, Hannah, Grossi, Jennings, Smith, LaPorte, Kessler and Dan Turner.
As the moto neared it's end, Wise got the signal from mechanic Jim Strait that Marty was closing on him, but this time Steve found he had the strength left to keep his lead of about 50 yards.
Steve Wise's second moto win tied him on points with Honda teammate Marty Smith, but gave Steve the overall win and made a lot of folks happy. Honda finally picked up a 125cc National. Steve's dad owns a Honda shop in McAllen, Texas, which should give them a good reason to hold a corn-o-cross and beer bust. And Donny Elmer of Flying Machine Factory finally picked up some good advertising for all the hard work and expense he's put into the production Elsinores used by the Team Honda riders.
#6
It all began on Dec. 1, 1979 at Carlsbad Raceway, the brainchild of promoter Gavin Trippe who wanted to bring together the worlds top motorcycle racers for an all-star race to be televised on ABC's "Wide World of Sports".
Trippe designed a course that had elements of every form of motorcycle racing, motocross, road racing, flat tracking, TT racing, and speedway.
Kent Howerton won the first "Super Bikers" ....Steve Wise won the next two, followed by Danny Chandler and Eddie Lawson.
I can't say who Steve Wise beat the years he won, I would guess it to be guys like Wes Cooley, Sprinsteen, Randy Goss, Steve Eklund, Mike Bell, Gary Semics. I don't really know, that was my blacked-out period in motorcycling , but it's fun to try to think of those guys again.
Thanks, Ron
Rob it sure is, I was talking with a friend the other day and we were talking about helmets and I mentioned that I had been a Gary Nixon fan. as a result I had painted a white four corner star on top of my bell open face helmet, just like Gary had. As it turned out he is more of a fan than I. I use to go the the San Jose mile to watch the big bikes roar around the track at speeds at more than a 100 miles an hour. The half mile was fun but nothing can compare with the mile. I understand now that the only mile track still being used is springfield. That is a shame. My brother had been a local flat track expert but the speed scared me. I alway prefered the challenge of motocross. which is odd since none of the original guys I learned to ride with rode motocross only me and even the guys I use to ride with from work never rode more than two or three motocross races. I was hooked after my first race. Life is strange sometimes. who would have thought that I would be a Pentonite when I had never seen at the local races only the pictures in the magagines and a few Pro's at the the Trans Am races.. Like I said life can be strange.
Thom Green,I own and ride a 76 250 MC5 MX which I bought new.
Gary was one of the best class C guys around and he was from Oklahoma too! Another great Okie Flat Tracker was the late great Freddie Nix.
Donny Smith
Thanks Ron for calling me and informing me about my old Penton on this web page. I have so many great memories about those bikes. The race track in Lockhart was one of my favorite stomping grounds of that bike. My dad had a Honda dealership before the CR's so he decided to also add the Penton line only so I could be competitive in Texas MX. I am so thankful to my Dad for giving me the chance to be successful in MX. Enjoyed talking with you ROn.
Steve Wise
Quotequote:Originally posted by Admin
This month we will have on going questions about the homepage photo and its rider. Please have some fun and join in if you think you can add any questions pertaining to the subject. Thanks to Ron Carbaugh for providing the photo and the questions.
This Penton is unrestored and generally in the condition that it came off the track. So let's get started!
http://www.pentonusa.org/index.html
1. What year and size and any added accessories?
2. Who was the rider of this Penton?
3. It won some important races. What races? (This is a very difficult question.)
4. What magazine article does this bike appear in? Magazine? Date?
Quotequote:Originally posted by rob w
#6
It all began on Dec. 1, 1979 at Carlsbad Raceway, the brainchild of promoter Gavin Trippe who wanted to bring together the worlds top motorcycle racers for an all-star race to be televised on ABC's "Wide World of Sports".
Trippe designed a course that had elements of every form of motorcycle racing, motocross, road racing, flat tracking, TT racing, and speedway.
Kent Howerton won the first "Super Bikers" ....Steve Wise won the next two, followed by Danny Chandler and Eddie Lawson.
I can't say who Steve Wise beat the years he won, I would guess it to be guys like Wes Cooley, Sprinsteen, Randy Goss, Steve Eklund, Mike Bell, Gary Semics. I don't really know, that was my blacked-out period in motorcycling , but it's fun to try to think of those guys again.
Thanks, Ron
I guess I am having trouble getting into the right place on this site to post.
SW
Steve,
Great to see you on the POG site,and thanks for putting your input into the thread.I was 12 years old when you won the superbike race I remember watching it and going nuts.It was one of the main reasons I started racing and continue today.
Also I caught a replay of it on ESPN classic Wide World Of Sports a while back it brought back some great memories.
Keep us informed from time to time.
Bobby Joe Stults
I really wanted to play this game, but was told I couldn't cause I would have known all the answers. I once tuned for a young man that raced many times against Steve. I have seen the big W on the number plates more times than most.
Donny Smith
Donny,
The gag order is off. Thanks for offering others a chance for the fun.
Ron Carbaugh
Question # 6 Answer:
Thanks Rob W for the correct answer on #6 which was The Superbikers. Some of the people that Steve bested that day were Kenny Roberts,Andre Malherbe, Eddie Lawson, Hakan Carlqvist and Wayne Rainey. In my opinion it is difficult to imagine the gathering of these greats (eagles) and have one winner because you see, they are all Champions.
Moving on.....
Question #7
In 1981 Steve Just missed winning the USGP at Unadilla, although he did win the second moto. But in 1982 he ran a race at the first of the season that was the talk of everyone in racing. He shocked a sigment of the racing faternity and I will say it goes down as the most memorable and greatest race I have wittnessed.
What race am I refering to and where was it held?
Ron Carbaugh
Howdy Ron,
Feb. 7, 1982...AMA Camel Pro Series..."The Wild West TT National"...Houston Astrodome. Houston, Texas
Wise a converted motocrosser, had never raced in a TT event before that Feburary evening, but the Rookie of the Year canidate came from the back row for his stunning third-place finish.
Also in 1982 Steve Wise began his road racing career, finishing in the top five in five out of six races, best road race finish being 2nd at Pocono, besides the third at Houston in the dirt he also got an eighth at Peroia.
Steve Wise was the 1982 "AMA Professional Athlete of the Year"
Thanks Ron :)
Bob
Rob W,
Thank you for your incredible homework you put in to make the Quiz fun. You are correct and I never dreamed you or anyone else would have came up with the Wild West National. In those days (early 80's) Houston Astro Dome races set the show for the year. It came actually before Daytona. There was a huge trade and consumer show at the same time.
Steve did go on to place 3rd at Daytona Road Race the next year which is an incredible feat. He also won a Super Bike National at Mid-Ohio that year. Unfortunitely at Road America his throttle stuck wide open and he crashed at over 90 MPH. Steve crashed again at Laguna Seca and that was basically when he had to make the decision to move on with his life.
Steve then formed Christ Ministries and has been a moving force in motorcycle industry and racing in helping others find their way in life.
Rob - I want to tell you I pride myself in remembering a lot about the 70/80's, but knowing where the information is and finding it is sometimes better than memory. I am going to send you a gift for your RIGHT ON ANSWERS. I am going to send you a Brand New Program from that 1982 Astro Dome race. You may want to bring it to Mid-Ohio and show the people the cover. The guy on the cover was last months rider on the Quiz-Mike Kidd.
Also special thanks to Steve Wise for visiting the Forum.
Ron Carbaugh
Ron, I found all my info in the "AMA/Camel Pro '83 Racing Guide" which oddly enough, I picked up and have saved ever since that same 1983 race at Road America that you mentioned. I usually went to that national in those days...the following year there at Elkhart Lake, I helped/tuned for a privateer friend (Dave Busby), and he won his only AMA Grand National event in the Castrol GP250 class.....more stories for another day. Oh yeah, in '83 my only bike was a Honda VF750F Interceptor, same model as Steve Wise was racing.
Thanks for the fun,
Bob
Ron,
Oh yeah...the Houston Astrodome, was'nt that once declared the ninth wonder of the world.
I think that's why the "Texas Board of Tourism" came up with that catchy ad slogan "Remember the Alamo", they were afraid no one would go there again once they got a load of that dome in Houston.
If I could get a replay of a race run at the Astrodome, it would have to be from the "Yamaha International Motocross Super-Series" race on March 15, 74.
Penton rider, Buck Murphy won the first moto over Jones, Pomeroy, Karsmakers, etc......
Quote: "Murphy fought back and used the superior power of his Carl Cranke tuned Penton to pull away from Karsmaker's mono-shocked Yamaha on the straights, to hold series points leader Pierre securely in second place".
Murphy got a third the next day, third over-all in the series, and Penton rider Ron Huffman took tenth in that 250cc series in '74.
Just babbl'n again,
Bob
Ron, thanks for letting Steve Wise know about his bike on our beloved POG site. I remember Steve and was impressed with his ability to race so many motorcycle disciplines and do it with such impressive results. Once I had my conversion to christianity I saw an Ad in Motocross Action and was jazzed to say the least. I was glad to see someone reach those no one else cared about. I for one prayed for him but I never did contact him. Who better to speak into a racers life than another racer. Welcome Steve to a great place on the Web. I have always wanted to do something to reach fellow racers but felt I was no where near ready or up to the task.
Way to go Steve.
Thom Green,I own and ride a 76 250 MC5 MX which I bought new.
Thanks for everyones input and I hope it was fun from the History aspect. Just one final question on this period correct bike.
What does this bike have in common with Jim Pomeroy's Bultaco when he won the First World MX Race for an American. It is a simple answer, but became the very in thing to do back then. I know I'm showing my age[:o)].
Ron Carbaugh
Hi Forum,
I noticed some responses in here from Steve Wise. He's an old friend of mine from when I raced in Texas in the early 90's. We kept in touch for years then when he moved to California I lost track of him. If anyone can help me track him down I would appreciate it. I'll check back here in the next few days.
Thanks
Hey Dale,
Yes it's me, the real Steve Wise. Send me an E mail at
[email protected]. Look forward to getting in touch again.
Steve Wise
What an honor to have a guy like you on the Penton Owners' Group Web site! Welcome, Steve. Now the big question: Has anybody sucked you into the vintage racing thing yet and do you have a Penton? If not, I'm sure firstturn could hook you up.
Dane Leimbach
Penton Racing Products Inc.
and you should enter the ISDT Qualifier next month, April 22-23 in Combs, AR!!! Call me if you are interested 417-256-2002 days, 417-256-0699 eves.
Teddy