Penton Owners Group

General Discussion => Penton Talk => Topic started by: Kevin Grimes on October 07, 2007, 09:37:38 PM

Title: Pepperell: Cradle of Motocross
Post by: Kevin Grimes on October 07, 2007, 09:37:38 PM
The Nov 07 issue of RacerX has a wonderful article about the early days of motocross written by Ed Youngblood. The motocross track at Pepperell Mass, where the Europeans were doing battle with American greats such as Barry Higgins and Dick Mann is the setting for this story. As an added bonus, check the picture on page 214. In this panoramic color photo of the pit area you can see the Penton Cycleliner in the distance.
         Kevin
Title: Pepperell: Cradle of Motocross
Post by: bkinnon on October 07, 2007, 09:54:32 PM
Thanks for the tip Kevin. I never was able to see the Europeans race there, but did walk the track, probably near the end of Pepperells life in 1971 or 1972. I will get the issue tomorrow.
Title: Pepperell: Cradle of Motocross
Post by: Mike Lenz on October 07, 2007, 10:39:57 PM
Yea, and I got a kick it was the only big rig in the pits!
Title: Pepperell: Cradle of Motocross
Post by: Doug Wilford on October 08, 2007, 09:18:37 AM
Yep it was the only big rig in the pits for quite a few years, just another item of the "Penton Revolution"   Sometimes it was even hard to get the Cycleliner out of the pits!   Lots of stories and adventures using the "Cycleliner".
Have Fun!
Doug
Title: Pepperell: Cradle of Motocross
Post by: Merlin on October 13, 2007, 01:41:42 PM
..........the track was active in to the mid 80's when the family that owned the property decided to sell it, they operated a small snow ski area across the side road from the track on route 111.......
(http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/BigMerlinpics/scan0003.jpg)
Title: Pepperell: Cradle of Motocross
Post by: Merlin on October 14, 2007, 02:27:20 PM
.........read the text under the photo, it was quite a day. Back when this was written the NESC (sanctioning body) and ARNE (promoters/racer supported ARNE = Associated Racers of New England) would at 2 day events invite the top 5 amatures from the day before to race with the experts sunday, David finished 3rd the day before, racing in New England at the time was the place to be, lots and lots of talent................
(http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/BigMerlinpics/scan0006.jpg)