I want to thank Ted for a great article. As I was reading it gave me goose bumps to remember those wonderful days. I remember so many races on my Penton. I just sat in my office viewing the pictures in the Newsletter and reading the article dreaming of those days. What a great time my Dad and I had together. Thank you guys for having me in your member profile this issue. God Bless,
Steve Wise
steve, its a pleasure having you in our midst. chime in any time. and yes, it was a great article. chijer
Steve,
That cover shot is the best. You look like the happiest teen on earth!
Tom B.
Being from SW Oklahoma and traveling to races all over Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas, Steve and I crossed paths many times. I am sure he wouldn't remember me, but he did lock handlebars with my rider more than once. Steve was one of the smoothest I have ever seen on any track. Unless his bike broke down, he was always in the top 3 at any track. No matter what anyone else will tell you folks, at that time in MX history, Texas produced more than their share of Great riders on and off the track.
Donny Smith
Lakeside, CA, soon to be Paragould, AR
Donny,
Are you sure you are not from Texas?
Tony
Tony,
Donny is from North Texas(Oklahoma) most of the year, but when it comes to The Texas/Oklahoma Game he is deffinately from Oklahoma since he played Football in Oklahoma. He says I am from Baja Oklahoma. Donny really grew up at the gates of Fort Sill Army Base and lived the days of the Greatest MX Wars of the South. I think he has a little Texan in him...but he is a Big Guy so I don't mess with him too much.;)
Ron Carbaugh
Kerrville, Texas
I have a picture..actually a few of Donny's rider (Tommy Sims) battling with Howerton and Priddy wearing lace up leather work boots. Era photos are the best!
And he is my other Big Brother!!!:D
Thomas Carmichael
1970 125 Six Day
1976 250 Hare Scrambler
We have some old MX pictures from Texas events but the riders names were a mystery. Texan Richard Sanders offered to help name the riders and I just recieved the pictures back from Richard with all of the riders identified. Sure enough there is a rider with a W on his plate. Some of you guys may remember the race location, Southwest MX Park in Lockhard, Texas. The date was August 27, 1972.
Steve Wise and Joe Witter are in the picture. Joe is running 08 as his number. If any of you have the old Penton race poster with the two guys in mid air on CMF 125 machines, the lead rider carried 08 as his number, that is Joe. Below is a message posted by Joe's sister awhile back, we did get her a copy of that poster. Maybe some of you guys will remember Joe, his sister's message is quite touching. Paul
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My brother, Joe Witter died on Jan 13, 2004 at the age of 45. As I was going thru his things I found a letter dated Nov 2, 1972 from John A. Penton. He would have been 14 at that time. It brought back great memories of our moto-x days. It also made me remember that at one time Joe was on the Penton poster. If I remember right, it was of 2 riders. Joe was #08. As with any teenager, he had written a letter to Mr. Penton asking about the 250cc Penton and Mr Penton wrote "It is true, Jack was riding a 250cc Penton at St.Louis. However, it was still a proto model and production won't start until after the first of the year." The letter goes on to say that "It is my intnetions to see that riders like yourself will receive one of the first in the country but we can't very well rush the issue." Of course there is more to the letter. My reason for posting this is, I was wondering if it was possible to find this old poster with my brother. My family (my mother and myself) Have an old one that is very damaged and not repairable. Could someone e=mail me and let me know where I might find one? Thank you, Robin
Paul, I remember Joe Whitter, Dwight Know and many other riders from those Lockhart days. I'm sorry to read about Joe's passing, which I didn't know about. I don't think I have ever seen that photo or poster of Joe and myself. I would love to have one in my library. Please let me know how I can get one, if possible. Please e mail me at
[email protected] Thank you,
Steve Wise
correction - Dwight Knox
Steve,
I can have the picture of you and Joe copied for your library, I will email you about this.
In another picture Benny Jones, Randy Carthel and Joe Moss are standing behind a van in their riding gear holding their trophies, all have their Penton race jerseys on in what is a classic, after race pose, with their newly earned iron. Obviously their ride of choice was Penton, three proud young men. I just thought you Texas riders might enjoy hearing these names again.
Actually there is a lesson to be learned here, without Richard Sanders doing some research with his Texas race buddies we may not have ever known who was in these pictures. As we all get a bit older it might be a good idea to write on the back of your pictures who all is in them, just a thought. These pictures will make good homepage photos.
Paul
I'd be interested in aquiring a copy of that poster if possible? I'm sure others might also? Possible??
I am looking at getting the Penton Poster reproduced and hope it can be done. I spoke of this before about being at Lockhart the day the Penton poster was shot. It was not known that day that it would become a poster. The Penton poster had a good sky shot 70's style over the Big jump at Lockhart. It was Joe Witter and Mark Roberts. The racing pic with Joe and Steve that Paul talks about is different.
Steve,
The article and pics in the POG Newsletter were great. It was great seeing the youthful Steve Wise again. It was the face I remembered from "The Day". Watching you, Stackable, O'Leary, Howerton, Wheeless, and others in 125 Ex at Lockhart kept me in the 100 class longer than most. It was truely an honor to eventually share the track and battle with you. Of course the only battle on your part was trying to find a line around when you lapped me.:D Thanks for all your great racing over the years. It is always great to tell guys I raced with you or at least a facsimile of that. Thanks also for participating here on the POG site. I look forward to seeing you in person again.
Larry Perkins [8D]
Thanks Larry, It's great to talk with so many over the years who know about racing back in my day. I look forward to seeing you as well.
Steve W
Thanks Larry, It's great to talk with so many over the years who know about racing back in my day. I look forward to seeing you as well.
Steve W
You know Mr. Wise it is just as much fun racing these oid bikes as it was then...I promise it is. The minute you hop on one its like going back in time 30 or more years and you feel as young and vibrant as you did then...at least for a lap or two until you get tired! Seriously, think about it, its a total blast!!