The dominate Penton Six-Day motocrosser

[brian kirby]

I was very fortunate that my Mom and Dad (and Uncles and Cousins too, even my Grandma and Grandpa) rode. Dad and I rode enduros together many times, and rode all day long on the weeends. I think my first full length one I was 12. Since I grew up around a family that all rode and raced, I didnt really understand how fortunate I was until I got older.

Here is a picture of me on my '80 Honda XL80S, I think this is at my second full length enduro, the first one was up in the mountains.



I rode on row 23 with Dad and one of his friends. I'm 12 and I bet I dont weight more than 60lbs. I got 3rd in the "Under 16" class against kids on MX two stroke 80s.

Brian

[Larry Perkins]

Between the motorcycle and the bicycle 42 years and 1 World Championship and 10 National Championships later and it is the same as my old Texas buddy Jody Weisel-my Father NEVER saw me race and my Mother has just seen me race ONCE though she gave a great effort to come see me this past year and I was robbed of that opportunity.

I have at least been able to share that long road with many great friends like a lot of you guys and it has been an adventure that has taken me all over the United States, to Mexico 3 times, and to Europe twice.  My life would have been emptier without it.

Larry P

[firstturn]

Larry,
  Your Win at the Astrodome will always be one of most memorable Races ever!  You never gave up and you beat the best of the best.  

Moral: To Win you must start and finish.  You Did and thanks for the Great Memory.

Ron Carbaugh

[Larry Perkins]

Love you Ron. I have told you before you are like the old saying about my dog-"I wish I was half the man he thinks I am."

Larry P

[Gavin Housh]

My parents never wanted me to ride a motorcycle and never saw me race one. I was able to get them to come to a bicycle race one time. It was a criterium (Road circut)with about 100 riders. I got forced into the gutter on a turn and crashed hard onto the curb. When I got up I was pretty banged up with my skinsuit completley torn off my right buttock. I remember walking into a bar on the coarse with a towel I had in the car and asking for some ice. You should have seen those peoples faces as I walked to the bar with my ass bleeding all over the place. My coment was "what, you never seen someone fall off a bike". I laugh now but it was pretty ugly. My parents never came to another race as a couple, my mother just couldn't stomach it. My dad did come to one other bike race but that was it. Those of you that had there family with them every week are the luck ones.

[firstturn]

Larry,
  I like your Dog too!

Ron Carbaugh

[Larry Perkins]

Ron,

Buck thinks EVERYONE Loves him!:D

[firstturn]

Smart Dog.

Ron Carbaugh

[Mike Lenz]

Prior to 72 what was the hot set up in the 125 class. I started racing MX in 72 so I really dont know.  Monarks, steel tankers?

[OUCWBOY]

Mike,
I started racing MX in 69 on my Six Day. From April 69 thru Sept 71, racing every other weekend, I only lost 2 times. Once to a 125 Maico because my rear wheel locked up and once to an AT 1 Yamaha because I crashed and burned. As I recall, other than the Maico and Yamaha, a few other brands were active, such as Harley Baja 100's, Bultacos, a few Hondas and Montesa. None were at the caliber of the Penton.

Donny Smith
Paragould, AR

[rob w]

quote:Originally posted by Mike Lenz

Prior to 72 what was the hot set up in the 125 class. I started racing MX in 72 so I really dont know.  Monarks, steel tankers?

[Larry Perkins]

In Central Texas prior to 72 the 125 Expert Class was dominated by 125 Yamahas.  A kid I went to High School with wailed on one.  His name was Steve Stackable.  He had some good battles with another lesser known Yamaha rider Jackie O'Leary whos Dad owned the Northside Yamaha shop.  Jackie's Son's have ridden a couple of ISDE's recently.  There was another kid from San Antonio that did well on a pretty clapped out Kawasaki I think.  Might have been a Suzuki.  Some modified trailbike.  His name was Howerton.  When 72 rolled around that pesky kid from McAllen would come up on his Penton to Lockhart and things got real interesting.  I believe his name was Wise.[8D]  It all made for a VERY Hard row to hoe for the slow kid named Perkins.  Got lapped a bunch and hung my head a lot.[]

Larry P

[firstturn]

Great point Larry.  One race I remember Stackable had to stop twice to put his worn out chain back on his Yamaha and still won.....tough racing, but great memories.

Ron Carbaugh

[sixdazed]

My Pops finally agreed to come and watch me race Sunday@Speedworld-better late than never! Hope i don't disappoint him...:(Ron-i'm alone at the shop today,i'll call you early evening(if i get out of here at a decent hour).
                                          Ric

ric emmal

[firstturn]

Sixday won his class after 30 years of no MX....way to go Ric.

Ron Carbaugh