Friday, October 26, 2007

Saddleback Park

Saddleback Park was an area used for motocross, and in its hey day, was one of the most famous destinations for MX riders across the Southern California. It was the first park in the USA designated specifically for MX.

In 1967, it's main track was designed by Joel Robert and Roger DeCoster, two famous MX racers at the time. Saddleback Park hosted many regional, national, and international motocross racing events.

But in 1984 the park shut down. The park was plagued by lawsuits. There were supposedly disputes between the park operator and the landowner (Irvine Company). There had been rumors that the park would reopen, but it never happened because of the liability. The 241 toll road now runs through the park, though some dirtbikes and motocross riders still manage to make use of its tracks even today.

I went through some comments and e-mails submitted by OCThen readers over the years, and found some mention of Saddleback Park. I've posted them here as comments. If you have some memories or facts to share of Saddleback Park, please click on "Post a Comment" below.

If you have photos of Saddleback Park, send them to me via the "Contact Us" link o the side, and I'll post them here.

167 comments:

  1. Does anyone remember Saddleback Park? It was a motorcycle off-road park in the foothills outside Orange off Santiago Canyon Rd. Right next to Irvine Park. My mom used to drop me and my freind off there with our motorcycles every Saturday.

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  2. I remember getting my first motorcycle when I was 15, in 1970. We would get my friends dad to take us up there for the day. I still ride dirt bikes, and I'm 51!

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  3. I remember Saddleback Park, although this article says that the 241 now runs through the park, which isn't exactly true. The 241 runs southwest of where the park was. You can still see some of the old track on Google Earth at lat=33.7723352636, lon=-117.738940654.

    Does anyone remember Escape Country, another motorcycle park that used to be where Robinson Ranch is now?

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  4. the labor day classic was great the track to tough to tame this track would beat the crap out of you if you werent in shape for it the memories will last forever ken mcLellan, torrance, ca k87

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  5. I just Googled it and came up with your blog. Saddleback was awesome. Back in the day it Saddleback, Barstow to Vegas' Hare and Hound, Hangtown up North and CycleNews. I lived in Irvine (unincorporated) at the time and it was Surfing or motocross. Live up North now in the Sierra Nevada foothills. SoCal was great then. Kind of a really nice cage now what with Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto deCaza etc.etc

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  6. i used to ride/race saddleback, escape country, carlsbad, de anza, rawhide, corona, o.c.i.r. ect. wed camp at escape country the night before, 1n 1968 at age 9, jim robinson, would ride up early in the morning, take me out for a open the race track and ranch tour, at night, hed come back over and hang out for the camp fire, the owner was a very nice guy. when i was 6, my older brother would take me to the market parking lot at monarch bay plaza, we'd ride from the beach, east all the way the the site of the 2 lane 5 freeway, later they had a private security group, called the rat patrol , to control the increasing riders, laguna niguel, aliso viejo, were all non exsistant, those were some great trails, moving from newport, i now reside at cajon summit, with 100 miles of riding north of me, i still enjoy those memories, want to go riding? joe jones

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  7. while on a family vacation as a kid i talked my parents into letting me { and my brother } rent kawasaki 125's at the park and go riding for an hour.i don't remember the cost, but as a kid growing up in cleveland oh this was a highlight of my young life. i will never forget saddleback park. {i still have my bumper sticker! }

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  8. We used to sneak into Saddleback park from Irvine Park when we ditched high school (Orange High School 1976/1977) to go riding.

    I had a Suzuki TM400, my friend had a Suzuki TM125, another friend had a Yamaha DT250 and another friend had a IT175.

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  9. I used to go to Saddleback almost every weekend with my family..125 pro Kenny Donelson and 250 pro Danny Klein..we had some great times there..wow those were the days..

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  10. In the early 1970's I saw a movie called "On any Sunday". After seeing it I just had to pack up my motorcycles and drive from Ohio to Southern California to see all those wonderful places to ride. I ended up going to Saddleback for a day while I was out looking for Malcom Smith's place. I also rode the desert course used for the Barstow to Vegas race.

    I can never forget that trip. Watching all the great riders at Saddleback inspired me to go back to Ohio and begin racing off road. I even ended up owning a motorcycle shop for a few years. I sold Bultacos and Hodakas, big names for dirt bikes back in the day.

    On my fridge there is a picture of me doing a wheelie at Saddleback. My wife loves it as it captures a moment in my youth of pure fun and excitement. I miss Saddleback, it introduced me to a wonderful time in my life.

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  11. I remember going there to ride on a week day in 83 and had the chance to get smoked by Broc Glover, Goat Breker, Jeff Ward and Tommy Benoklen. I loved living down there before all the people moved in.

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  12. Man o Man! These notes bring back wonderful memories of some of the best years of my life. Thanks guys for sharing!
    I'm probably one of the only women writing in, but I grew up riding there and still live about a mile or so (as the crow flys) from where Saddleback was. I was there every weekend with my dad and rented a Kawasaki 90. In 1976, my dad bought me my own Kaw 90 and I still have it to this day. I still ride a lot (now a CRF450), but will always miss Saddleback & its trails and tracks and hill climbs. On Any Sunday was my movie too. Bob Hurricane Hannah was my idol and the Superbowl of Motocross at the Coliseum was the ticket to heaven.
    A previous post from STEVE stated that the 241 does not go through part of Saddleback Park, but YES IT DOES - the 241 runs just South of the Soap Box Derby track (which is still there) and basically where the TT track was.
    Oh, and by the way, Steve at Motowest Sportcycles in Anaheim HAS THE ORIGINAL SADDLEBACK PARK ENTRANCE SIGN. It is a bit cracked, but how cool is that! It is hanging up in his business. Drop by and check it out.
    Thanks guys, I can never reminisce enough with people who remember that place as I do. I love hearing about the stories!

    BonnieDoll99@aol.com

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    1. Bonnie,
      I came across this post while searching for the Soap Box Derby that was in the area. I couldn't recall exactly where it was. In the mid 70's we were hauling dirt and rocks to the dump and saw a sign asking for, well dirt and rocks. So we pulled over there and ended up driving up a small road, dumping our loads at the Derby track. Years later a friend and I were wondering out there and stumbled across the starting gate. I wouldn't be able to find it today but your comment confirmed that I was thinking it was in that area. Loved watching the bike races and I still miss hearing the roar of Saddleback Park from Irvine Park. Good stuff!

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    2. Hi Bonnie, I rode there about 4 years& made it over the matter horn hill manny times! It was some of the best times of my life; I also rode at gorman back in those days but saddleback was the best ever! Randy

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  13. Saddleback was great!Remember the Widow Maker?I spent every Sunday there.I could'nt get enough.Escape Country was great too,although I broke my leg there in 1978 on my Can-Am 250.
    Will someone re-open Saddleback Park for us "old timers" who used to ride there!
    Im glad I was part of the sport when there were 2 strokes,places to ride and most of the riders were just normal dudes,not wanna be thugs and full blown knuckleheads.

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  14. Thanks for the great stories.Is the park still accessible ? It would be cool just to walk around and check it out. Pick up this months Motocross Action there's a big article on Saddleback park and some great pics ! Scott O'grady

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  15. The park is still intact and partly visible from the road but there's a police sub-station across the bridge and they dont want anybody up there.You would have to park down the road a ways and hike up there.I have often wanted to do that for old times sake.

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  16. Unreal ! I can now smell the Casto Oil burning. C. Fortier. 125 Pro Class. Still holdling the track time record at Escape County. Sponsor at the time: R&D Racing Engines, Norwalk Ca.

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  17. Ahh Escape Country...I drove up Robinson Ranch Rd. and parked my truck in the neighborhood that occupies the old riding area.There's a small utility building next to the street and you park there and walk down a trail and suddenly you're on the back side of the old riding areas. If you keep walking, you end up at the downhill that leads to the old pond. It was cool to sit there looking at the old trails and have flash-backs of the good ole days.I miss that place and those times.
    Ted Mercer, Capo Beach

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  18. Saddleback Park MX and Escape Country was MEGA...as a kid through my teenage years, racing MX at Saddleback for sure kept me out of trouble with the law. While all my so called friends at the time got into the smoking and not going to school, this place gave me goals to strive for and life long friends.

    It taught me that hard work does pay off, to be healthy, and enjoy the moment. Because of Saddleback MX Park, it helped me to become a sucessful business owner today. It made me who I am in this time and place. It's too bad in this day in age, things like this are not around anymore for our childeren to experience so close too our homes.

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  19. Saddleback park, escape country.
    I started riding there in 1969.
    I had a honda 50 mini trail then work up to xr 75.
    then rm 125.What great memories with my dad and friends.my first race was at escape country.
    Does any one remember bonanza motorcycle park behind angels stadium?
    Thanks for the great memories.
    Henry Whitsett Coloradosprings colorado

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  20. While at Orange HS in the early 70's, my friend Bob, had an older brother, Bruce NcDougal..we would hang at his house and his bikes...I was hooked, got a bike and hit Saddleback from 1971-84, as it was just up the hill(still live just down the hill)...shortly thereafter I hung up my boots...then in 2000, I ran into some guys that actually still race these old bikes...So, today, My 13 yr old son and I run National series with AHRMA,AVDRA, and CALVMX...I now have 6 Montesa's, 1973-80 models...the bikes I always wanted, but couldnt afford.....So, as before I had fond memories, I now am able to line up next to Lackey, Pomeroy, Aldana, Grant, Benolkin,Smith, Mann and many other Support riders of the day, all on period correct tracks for these bikes....Thanks Saddleback, we'll never forget...it's been great seeing my son on a bike that was made 22 years before he was born...Life is still good!!!

    Jeff Clausen

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  21. Hey Jeff, you were hanging out with Bob-o McDougal. Bruce was a factory Honda rider who finished in 2nd place in the 1974 125 Nationals , behind Marty Smith. McDougal family still lives in the same house in Orange. You can park towards the back of Irvine Park, look for a beat up asphalt road facing Santiago Cyn.Rd. Throw your mountain bike over the gate, the old road will take you straight to the soap box derby track. the starting gate,roof structure, and old trash can with bubble up cans still inside. You can still find pieces of the wooden snow fences
    that used to line all of the tracks. We could make a track any place inside of that park. The toll road did cut through the back sand track and the back T.T. Track.

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  22. You can see Saddleback Park in the 1970s era - Warren Oates film called "Dixie Dynamite!"

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  23. Dixie Dynamite, will check on that...thanks.

    I would really like to find that old asphalt road...where exactly is it? Do you enter Irvine Pk and drive to the rear, where it backs up to Saddleback park? Probably would get arrested, but it would be fun.

    Jeff

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  24. Funny you mention the old soap box derby track. I'm going with a group of people there next week to film a historical piece with Jim Sleeper and Phil Bergandi.
    You can get there from just west of Irvine Park parking lot # 15 but please don't unless you have permission from the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.
    -Mike in Silverado

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  25. Sorry, that would be Phil Brigandi.
    -Mike

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  26. Mike, thanks for the info...I did send an e-mail to the conservancy, waiting a response. I know Jim does alot of OC history..where might one see this film piece when completed?
    Jeff

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  27. Jeff, email me and I'll send you some photos.
    rockdad@cox.net

    Mike

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  28. We're going tomorrow to some historical sites on the Irvine Ranch that are very close to the old Saddleback Park: the 1965 military plane crash and hangman's tree, both on Loma Ridge near the OC emergency operations center, and either the soap box derby track or a monument in Weir Canyon marking Portola's expedition. I will write more info tomorrow after I know when it will air.
    Mike

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  29. Just checking my other account.
    Mike

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  30. Never got to the old Saddleback Park/soap box derby track with KOCE on Tuesday, sorry.
    the closest we got was hangman's tree.

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  31. OK......it has been 33 years since I raced at Saddleback Park.

    Does anybody know for sure exactly where it was located? I have seen two different "Google map" locations along Santiago Road....but I can't remember now if we used to drive past the reservoir or not when coming up from Newport on Jamboree?

    If anybody is interested…..I do know exactly where Carlsbad used to be as I have lived a few miles from that track since 1980.

    Carlsbad entrance gate was at 33-08'01.7 N, 117-13'47.45 W. The park extended south to Carlsbad Airport Rd.(Where the big dirt parking lot was) and to Melrose Drive west towards the beach.

    Thanks..........Dale

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  32. Hey Jeff , E mail me @ helmet994@aol.com. I can take You to the soapbox derby track without getting arrested. Is your brother Marty? I still live in Orange. Mike H.

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  33. Hey Dale,
    Saddleback is next to and above the 241 toll road.You take Jamboree east all the way to Santiago Canyon and turn right.Go about a mile and its up on the left. Theres a bridge that goes over the toll road that is directly across from the park.You can still see the old starting line and the entrance from the road.Its a good place to go for flashbacks.
    Ted Mercer

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  34. Wow, this is great. I was just on the supercross website and was watching the "Saddleback 84" video and it brought back memories. I grew up in Orange Co. in the 70's and early 80's, I now live in the farthest NW reaches of Ca, right on the ocean so it's mountains and trees but I love riding the tight woods. Saddleback was the first place I actually rode a "real" motorcycle. My brother took me there, probably around 79 or 80 and he borrowed his friends bike for me to ride. I think it was a 100 Honda but I could be wrong. It is one my fondest motorcycle memories as that is what started it all for me. I am now 41 and ride my Husky every chance I get, the brother that took me there is now 54, he still rides on the street. My oldest brother lives up here where I am, he is 60 and he still rides off road with me.
    I also remember riding in Corona, right off of the 91. According to Google Earth that spot is on the Santa Ana River trail and it starts right across from the Prado Dam, you can see it from the 91 as you drive by. Does anyone still ride there? It looks to be undeveloped but I know how they like to crack down on that stuff. Those were some great times growing up. I will have to go sightseeing next time I am down there.

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  35. Unfortunately, Saddleback shut down in 84 due to lawsuits(thanks to all the lawyers)and it never re-opened.Only the weed covered trails and ghostly echoes of all our bikes remain.I spent many a
    70's Sunday there with my family too...I could'nt sleep the night before!
    Its a sad state of affairs when there's nowhere like that to ride anymore.Saddleback created a lot of champions,great memories and kept kids off the streets.
    Ted M.

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  36. I am from the UK and i grew up reading Motocross action and racing Motocross in the 80s, I always wanted to ride there and when they closed the park I even penned a letter to the land owner to keep it open.

    This year I finally got to walk around whats left of the track. Man I wish the place would re open even for one race,

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  37. My first memories of Saddleback: I must have about 4 years old maybe younger. My dad would tie my brothers Taco mini bike on the front of our 69 Ford Bronco and we were off to the races. My brother who was about 8 or 9 would put on his white bell helmet complete with bubble face shield and a black vinyl jacket and race all day. I think we were part of the Southern California Mini Bike and Go Cart Association. One night, Dad and I were watching TV. There was a scene of some guys riding motorcycles on a track. My Dad said, “Hey that’s Saddleback”. I asked him how he knew. He pointed out he and a friend had built the white announcers stand. Later in high school, some friends and I would head out to Saddleback as often as we could get enough money for gas. The bikes we rode were converted endures, but they were fun.

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  38. Wow, Saddleback...that brings back memories...driving up to the little shack at the entrance where they rented bikes and sold a few parts. My first race was there in 1975. I was 15 and they would not let me race, so I had my 16 year old cousin be my "guardian". I raced, fell down in the first turn, got ran over and got up hooked. I have raced motocross ever since. But it (racing) has never been the same since. That place was magical and gave me lots of fantastic memories....

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  39. If you want to see Saddleback over the years go to historicaerials.com and click down to near Irvine Lake for a land mark. Click on 1980 to change the aerial photo to see the expanse of the park in the day. You can also click on "compare two years" to see the changes between then and now. I rode there in 1969-close.

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  40. There is a DVD called "BackTrack." It has some old film of Saddleback in the 1970's.

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  41. Saddleback OOOh yaa those were the days I got my first bike at 8yrs.old 1968 a honda mini 50 my dad and brother also rode we would go about once a month it was great i never raced but loved to ride and still ride to this day when we didn't go to saddleback we spent a little more time riding at claude osteen park in pomona and oak park off of I-15 we also rode more desert rides in death valley in the spring and fall trona was fun also as for the posting from oct.12 2008 my dad and brother rode at bonanza i was sick that weekend i moved from so cal.in 1978 and went to colorado now ended up in wisconsin ridind single track in the woods and plan some hare scrambles this summer, thanks for the memories

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  42. Ahhhh... Saddleback Park. Memories for a life time. I lived in Anaheim Ca. and raced there every weekend for many years. I raced CRC and AMC clubs. My most memorable would be when I took 4th place at the "High School Motocross State Championships". I have attended International Grand Prix races there. The facility also had a TT Track. Kind of a mix of Flat Track and MX. And The Matterhorn! This was the hillclimb for experts. At the top was a sign with those that had made it in competition. We would use the hillclimb on weekends for no recognition, just for fun. Yes... I made it over the top. This blog posted in OC Memories... don't forget Escape Country which was in Trabuco Canyon, and OCIR (Orange County International Raceway) which was in Irvine near the US Military Airfield. All have a soft spot in my heart. If you want to view a couple of my photo's from back in the day, check out my page at www.thebikersnet.com see Danny Mac's page. I'll be #57 riding a BULTACO!

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  43. Saddleback was the place to be in the early 1970's All the big guns would come there to ride Motocross with Rodger Dexter but I was there for the Mini Bike races. I had a small store in Long Beach and sold Indian mini cycles as well as Powell mini bikes. I sponsored a young man Todd Petersen and he was a great racer.
    One weekend we were having our national event and all the top riders were there Jeff Ward , Shad & Terry McQueen, all members of the Indian racing team. I was selling raffle tickets for a Buck each for a new Indian SE 74 mini cycle.
    And Steve McQueen came over to where I was selling the tickets and bought just one so I said to him I hope it don't break you Dude. He gave me a weird look and left but about 20 minutes later Chad & Terry came over and bought $20.00 worth. Those were great days and who knew how all the events of the day unfold in life Jeff Ward was just a 12 year old boy and Todd Petersen was the same and it is sad that we can't have that type of fun anymore.
    Steve Durham Portland, Oregon

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  44. I am from South Africa and often ride trails with Jim Tarantino - He is originally from the United States and was your 1982 AMA Rookie of the year and a former King of Saddleback Park, Jim won the 1984 250cm2 South African National Championship from fellow American riders Rex Staten and Larry Wosick. Jim still lives in a South Africa and is a multi millionaire businessman today. Thought you would find this interesting

    Regards

    Brett

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  45. The entrance to saddleback park was across from the fire station. On the same road as the entrance to the Landfill.

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  46. Born and raised in the OC then in Norco. Grew up ridding in the Corona/Norco hills. We used to ride through the hole in the fence and ride on the motorcross tracks at Corona race way.
    Oh and by the way, I too rode my Taco mini bike at Saddleback.
    Thanks for all the memories.
    Those were the "Good old days"
    Mike S.

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  47. The last promoter was named Marv Hendricks. He took over the track with mall of it's liabilities and really tried to make it work. My Father was Marv's partner in a lot of his business ventures. Marv owned Hendricks GMC in Anahime. One of Marv's employees and best friends Everett Grant was watering a section of the course when the truck he was driving tipped over on a berm and he was ejected and crushed. That was the final straw And it was decided to wrap it up.

    My Father was the promoter at Bay Mare in Moorpark Ca. and he was the founder and president of Champion Helmets. If anybody has an old Champion Helmet please let me know.

    Ken

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    1. I remember Everet and Marv. I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman and EMT. He hired several of us to do search and rescue at the park. It was an amazing experience.

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  48. One of my husband's first major trauma calls working at the time as a pay-call firefighter (Villa Park Fire Station 23) was for Everett Grant (park employee who was killed). To date, this call has been one of those events that he has never forgotten. My husband was 19 at the time. He mentioned Mr. Grant's son was also on scene, very tragic accident.

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  49. De Anza, Rawhide, the end of imperial in east Yorba Linda, can't remember the name, all forgotten and great, back in the day . Matt L

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  50. We moved here from upstate New York in 73 and my dad would drop me off there in the morning with my Honda SL70 and pick me up when the park closed every weekend. When I got my license in 76 I would ride my XL125 up there. A lot of fond memories from the TT track to hillclimb valley. I remember when Jim West died there in an accident during a Trans-AMA race (remember them?).

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  51. I began with a 250 Husky from Milne Bros. in Pas. 1st race at Huntington Beach on a TT/MX track somewhere off Beach Blvd. Raced at Deadman's Pt., Saddleback/Carlsbad, CMC,CRC,DeAnza, Esc. Country, Corona Raceway, Ascot MX, Adelano, etc. etc. Best times of my life. I'm 67 now and still have dreams of racing! I'm sure many of us here have clanded handlebars in the past. It was great guys1 -Dan

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  52. saddleback park and escape country photos at the sears building conference room historical wall. meet at 18 truman irvine may 2009 with mike steven and the asset open space preservation protection. the attorney room is for snacks.

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  53. My best buddy and I rode Saddleback maybe a half dozen times. That and Escape Country. I preferred Santiago Canyon myself though for it's sheer solitude. Must have been 1973-1980 for us. El Mirage ended up being our primary focus soon thereafter. I rode a Honda 100 and buddy rode an Ossa 125 both vintage 60's bikes. Also rode the oil fields in Fullerton on a daily basis since they were so close to home. Also rode at a very short lived Claude Osteen's Motorbike Park in those same oilfields in Fullerton. Should have had OC bronzed back then so it would be just like that, now. Would love to teach my granddaughter to ride at all of those places.

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  54. If anyone has any info on the old soapbox derby track, I would be very interested. I raced there in 1975 and 1976. I also raced at Saddle back park. It was a great place to race. Please email me at nrosa6@verizon.net.
    Thanks,
    Kerry

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  55. I remember saddleback park.. I went to foothill high-school from 1974 to 1976. Every Saturdays I was a park patrol ranger and on Sunday I raced the 125 class with a Suzuki RM. I loved the TT track that was in the back part of the park. Looking over some of these posts, does anyone remember climbing the Madder Horn? I remember the first women to climb it on a Honda 125, Lori Watson. I remember after she climbed it, I had to do it. It took me a month to do it and many new handle bars but I did it. After that first time I did it, it was easy then

    I am going to be the big 50 this year and a drive a Yamaha R1 and my wife rides a Ninja 636 and now I want to ride dirt bikes again. I must find a way to ride in the park again. This site brings back so many memories. Back in the mid 70 everyone new me as Coma5 number 19.. I can go on for ever with bench racing stories about Saddleback, and the Riverside Grand Prix

    Someone tell me where to find pictures email me links
    tlaydon@x1speed.com

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  56. I remember the matterhorn. It was steep and tall and steeper at the top.Not too many guys had the huevos to try it.I too would be thrilled to ride there again...on an old bike naturally.It would be sweet to open the park to vintage bikes only.Somebody do it! T Mercer.

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  57. I grew up in Newport and my dad used to take me to Saddleback about every weekend. Many times he just dropped me off unless it was a race day. I raced there in the early 70's, I was about 11 and had a Yamaha mini enduro that ran on methenol. Jeff Ward was always there as well as Greg Byers, Mark Shader, Chad McQueen, and another guy, an amazing rider named Davey Carlson who was the best rider I'd ever seen, I don't know what happend to him. Those were great times, Jeff Ward had a Honda 50 and an Indian Bambino, he used to do weelies around the parking lot. I remember trying to climb the Matterhorn, there was a plaque on top with all the names of the guys that made it. Remember the Trials Competitions?

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  58. My aunt is Lorie Watson - the first woman to climb the Madder Horn! She still rides bikes and is 70!

    Keep riding everyone it keeps you young!!!

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  59. loriinib@aol.comMay 23, 2009 11:19 PM

    What an exciting postsite! I googled just to see if Saddleback Park had any info and found all these posts. I used to ride on the back of an old boyfriend's bike (Roger Medford) back in '80. We practiced for months trying to get over the Matterhorn riding doubles and we both screamed in delight the day we topped that mountain together! He drove a black Toyota 4 by and his best friend was Jeff. Anyone know their whereabout? Sure would like to chat about the good ole days.

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  60. Your Aunt Lorie Watson taught me and Greg Cameramen how to ride at Saddle Back Park in the 70. Like I said in my other post after she climbed the Matterhorn I had to do it. That is great that she is still riding.

    I think Lorie was the only woman on record to climb the Matterhorn.
    Coma5
    t-laydon

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  61. My mom use to drop my big brother and me off every Saturday, my brother had a Yamaha 125 and I had a mini enduro. We went to St. Cecilla's in Tustin so we also spent all the Catholic holidays at Saddle Back Park when the park would be 1/2 empty. That was back in 1969, 70 & 71. It was the best time !!! I remember the Matterhorn, it was way too big for us, but we found another smaller hill and named it after my brother's girlfriend, she was well endowed. Like I said, it was the best time. RFB

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  62. I just searched for Saddleback Park to see if progress had wiped it out like everything else and I have enjoyed reading all the posts. I moved to Tustin when I was 12 and became friends with Glen Watson, son of Lorie Watson. I bought my first bike (Yamaha 90 Enduro) and the Watson's taught me how to ride. I remember meeting Bob Hannah through Lorie and getting to listen to him talk about riding and racing. A great memory. We rode at both Saddleback and Escape Country. Lorie was the first PowderPuff National Champion in 1975. I rode the park until 1978 when I left for college and sold my bikes. Now in Texas, I just ride 4 wheelers. Hello to the Watson's. Scott Smart

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  63. At that most bitchin park, as a kid, I saw the following:
    Danny Chandler wasting Bob Hannah who couldn't do the double. Chandler on a off-the-shelf Maico and Hannah on a factory ride.
    The demise of the Dutch Dentist - Garret Wolsink.
    The first long-travel bike riden by Jim Holaday - a Wheelsmith Maico. Crazy looking at the time.
    The first Olymiads (or some name) hosted by Bruce Jenner.
    Superbikers.
    Rex Staten hitting someone in the face with a cresent wrench - or maybe the other way around, in the pits.
    Jeff Ward on the most killer XR75 I ever wanted to own.
    Bobby Jones on the most wicked Hacienda Honda mono-shock XR75. Way cool.
    Miller-By-Mano super custom XR75's - the first real pit bikes. Wicked.
    Retarded Orange Harley MX bikes made by a Spanish company - still very cool crossed up over the little river jump area about half way through the track.
    Baja-De-Saddleback - way cool. A.C. Bakken - coolest desert rider ever. I still have the little slide viewer picture on my key chain.
    The first moped race hosted on the back track. At the time, DG was king, and that mechanic made sure he only fixed up his rider's bike.

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    Replies
    1. Bobby Jones died on his birthday 2005 he was 45

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  64. There's a video on youtube of the 1982 Superbike race at Carlsbad. Danny Chandler destroyed everyone...watch him pass Steve Wise,its awesome.I had the pleasure of talking to him recently, 25 years after meeting him at Carlsbad! What a stud he was and is!
    T Mercer

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  65. Does anyone remember the two motorcycle shops on Chapman, one was called "Racers Pitstop" and the other one was "Cycle Shack"?

    Racers Pitstop was somewhere near Chapman and Hewes??? Cycle Shack was originaly at Chapman just west of Main, then they moved to a bigger building on Chapman just east of Main.

    I always prefered Cycle Shack, it was family owned and the whole family raced bikes, desert racing as opposed to motocross if I remember correctly.

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  66. Escape country::::::::::::::::: rented a green yamaha 100 [stripped of course]. 1973 or 1974. Watched my buddy roll backwards 50 feet or so down a hill and into a cactus patch.Took my first dirt bike,a'67 kawasaki green streak,up there.[I think it had 3 inches of travel on the rear and 6 inches up front,with 19 inch front wheel. what a tank for a 14 year old.
    Talbert motorcycle park,between Beach blvd and Gothard, just east of railroad tracks.Use to sneak in for very breif rides. H.B.police didn't care for noise.This was after it had shut down as a track.
    Santa Ana river bed south of 405. Chased a few times by flood control and sheriff.
    Saddleback park! Matterhorn! Saw my neighbor leave in the morning with a nice 250 Elsinore and he was healthy and when he got home in evening bike was in 2 pcs. and he had broken arm and a limp!Matterhorn!
    My cousin and I were racing around M.X. track and he wouldn't get out of way of faster rider and when he slid out on a corner the other guy used his head for traction.I laughed so hard I had to stop.Took a bit of scrubbing to get those knobby marks off his helmet.GOOD MEMORIES.

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  67. Claude Osteen grew up there in the 70s me and my bud Bob riding there every Sunday My Dad would drop us off and his dad would pick us up it's now Phillips ranch I had so many good times there I remember the little snack bar. I remember how my stomach would turn with excitement on that dirt road in my whole life was motocross back then tourqure pipes full bore boots the first bell star. I think back on what a good dad I had all the different bikes he bought me Yams,Kawies,Hondas I bought my 15 year old a kx125 this year and I ride a kx500 97 we ride together all the time

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  68. Danny Magoo Chandler has a biography movie out right now. If you want to see some good memories and some outrageous riding,even in this days standards check it out. I helped Danny with it.
    Go to Dannycahandler.com to order.

    Ken

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  69. Richard FernandezJuly 18, 2009 10:58 AM

    OK - anyone remember jeff Ward on his bonanza, sliding feet-up, smokin gene woods (who had matching orange leathers) zack barratt, davey hamilton (nascar), renee payne, Bobby Tocco? PK hondas (red heads) J&B Racers? Fastest on mx track: Mark Tyer (DG) Todd Campbell. Have pictuers with Steve & Chad McQueen at one of mini races (1969?) How about Saturday's 45 minute motos...Or monday practice (watered track) Went one Monday, some dude named Marty Tripes saw my brother's one-off WHITE 1979 YZ250F water- cooled (not typo) and ASKED to ride it........CRC grand prixs where they loop in the WHOLE park ....Golden State Series, (toyama, reseigner, locey, snortland, gillman ) I could go on all day. Saw ake Jonnson, Baily, omara, you name it......Without Saddleback back in the day my adrenaline probably would have put me 6 feet under...Right?

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  70. What ever happen to ZACK Barrett five time miniworld champion Bonanza

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  71. I remember my little brother bet Jeff Ward, the Moran brothers and another guy on an Indian at a little flat track coarse in Garden Grove called Atlantis Park. I had put a after market pipe and handlebars on his 73 Yamaha GT 80 and he had to ride in the modified class. 3 races and my brother got 1st place overall. It was great my brothers bike quit on the back straight and refired he took the outside and rode on top of the tires that was the saftey barrier between the track and the fence.

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  72. Mathew David mentioned Jeff Ward's wicked XR 75, that thing was an XR 75 but had a 100cc motor in it. It was fast.

    I can remember Fountain Valley High School's first high school tryouts in 75, I think. We were racing around the track trying to make the team and all of a sudden I heard this God Awefull roar right behind me. I had just made the diving board jump and was about half way down that hill. I turned around to see where this roar was coming from and didn't see anybody. Then I realized it was over my head. I turned around to see in front of me and then I knew who it was. In the flesh, Roger Decoster, the Flying Fin, had just jumped the diving board, me, my bike a 250 Elsinor, and landed what lookeed like 6 feet from the bottom, made the turn and was gone.

    I was glad I was only racing in highschool and not pro that day.. Thanks for the memories folks. All these places were so much fun. And like someone else said, those places kept alot of us kids out of trouble in those days. It's too bad the "LAW" has to get involved and ruin things that saved kids from getting into trouble.

    I have noticed some other tracks out past San Bernardino, Helena, and past there. But nothing close to Orange County anymore. Not worth a darn anyway. Good luck riders, ride like the wind, and love it like there is no tomorrow.

    John Gilbertson raced Escape Country for years, and usually won the 250 expert class. I was his pit crew for a long time and I loved watching him race. That guy was like poetry in motion.

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    1. Do you remember the welding teacher at F.V. high? Mr. Goddell?? He was the one who got the high school motocross team going. All my friends fondly remember him.

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    2. Roger DeCoster was Belgian.. Heikki Mikkola was the Flying Finn.

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  73. I worked Search and Rescue, while stationed at MCAS El Toro, there and remember Everett Grant & Marv Hendricks!!

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  74. The greatest park in Orange County has ever had,
    period ! I remember riding there one time with a
    school buddy of mine and his older brother and
    forgetting to pull in the clutch when we stopped.
    I went down 2 stair step inclines, broke through
    a fence and ended up in the middle of a turn on
    the motocross track. Oh the days of our youth.
    I spent many, many wonderful days riding and racing there after I got a handle on the whole
    clutch thing. My younger brother raced there,
    among other SoCal tracks, for several years. I had my one and only encounter with Jeff the freckle Ward one fine day. He was riding one of
    the 4 wheel Honda buggies, remember them ?, and I chatted with him by at a picnic table. My dad, Ken Kendall, was good friends with Marv and my family all got security passes the weekend of the 1984 outdoor nationals. When I was not out on the track I was sitting on the roof of Micky Diamonds parents motor home. Never knew him personally but my dad did. Any remember the Cagiva rider who owned the track ? Ron something I believe. Fastest local to call SaddleBack home. Anyone remember the first rider to double the backside parking steps uphill ? Danny " Magoo " Chandler. There is a spectator tape of that race out on the net. Take a look at it and you will be flooded with all your long lost memories of the fun we all had there. $10 for a day of yellow flagging. I was rich ? And a free burger and Coke to boot. FUN. OCIR motorcross was another hangout of mine. Another story to be told. If anyone wants to share pics you can email me at jkn949@yahoo.com

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  75. Davee Collins (Collins & Son) KTM

    Sure miss those days at Skedadleback.

    Now a MTB Race Promoter (check out crashinnovations.net or myspce.com/crashinnovations)

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    Replies
    1. Collins & Son... used to spend a lot of money at that place! ;) Had a 125cc Penton

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  76. I rember watching Zack Barrett the year was 1971 he was riding a Bonanza Typone at Saddleback National on the minibike track doing the best feet up slides I have ever seen and one of the fastest riders in the country !.

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  77. Spent just about every weekend 1978-1981 racing Saturday MX and sometimes Sunday CMC. The years before that I remember getting out of school and my friends dad driving us to Saddleback or Escape Country. Sure do miss those days...got to ride on the same track as Johnny O Mara, Jeff Ward, Warren Reid etc. and watch them pass me as I read their names on back of their Jersey's. I do wish those parks were still there... I still ride, take the kids riding, but the MX parks of today just don't have the save feel. Great memories.... best days of my life. Maybe one day... it will re open even if its just for the memories.

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  78. I am David Kerr. My favorite memory of Saddleback Park was winning the 1972 1 to 3 hp national. I was running second behind Jerry Shore and with two laps left, I passed him on the inside line going up the left handed hill. I stayed in front to the checkered. For a ten year old, my trophy was up to my waist. I rode on the TT track on the back side alot. I attempted the Matterhorn, rode on the super dry speedway track and actually attempted riding on the motocross track after the races were over and I remember how narley the turns where. I went on to race dirt track at Corona Raceway, and Ascot. My career racing to a turn when the AMA banned the 250twins. I was stuck racing a Dallas Baker/David Aldana piece a junk Ossa 250. My bike had no possible chance against the likes of the great Wayne Raineys and his Shell 250 YZ Yamaha or Mike Minnings 250. It is what it is as my older brother Jeff Kerr would say. At least he became a professional junior 750cc dirt tracker on Tony Dells Norton. Enjoy your life and consider the Lord Jesus Christ. He is awesome. Late. David

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  79. OKAY, I am 47 Live in Tustin my whole life. I grew up riding there, and now I have 2 boys of my own, 14 & 12 They want a place to ride.

    SO LETS MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN. . .

    Lets start up a network to see what we can find out.

    Use This space as a community. I'll do some research and see what the heck is up.

    We had a "Saddleback II" at Irvine lake. a couple of dirt bike businesses sprung up on Chapman Ave, and El Toro. So there is a TON of $$$ to be made here. . . OC U S E D to be the CENTER of MX. . . what happened?

    C'mon. . . let get this rolling

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  80. Saddleback was always a great place to spend a full day riding what ever you had the scope of bikes was just about everything under the sun. Mine bikes to full race motocross bike and they all had a place to ride. I remember being there on a play day with my Rokon Trail breaker and a little trike. well I saw this young boy sitting and watching everyone ride and he looked so sad so I asked him what was wrong and he sad a older rider ran into his mini bike and broke it. And even at 12 years old he was left in the park by his father for the entire day ( Cheap Boy sitter ) Being that I owned a mini bike shop in Long Beach I had lots of parts in my van so I started to work on the little mini bike a couple of new chains a new clutch fixed up the throttle better and so by 10:00 AM the boy was back riding all day long. For me it was the best of times to give a helping hand to a young rider and enjoy the freedom that Saddleback was all about.
    Steve Durham Portland, Oregon

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  81. Man I just loved Saddleback. First rode there in 1974 and used to race there dang near every second Saturday through 1975 (Escape Country was the alternate week) and sometimes even back the following day. Also spent many hours testing pipes & tires there too after the RMs hit the showroom floor.
    Test riding the first RM125 (S model) I raced every day for a month - AMC, CRC, HSMX and a bunch of other clubs I can't remember. Those were certainly the halcion days of our sport and it is a shame the kids today don't have the opportunity to ride all of the tracks we did.

    Saddleback
    De Anza
    Rawhide
    Carlsbad
    Escape Country
    OCIR
    LACR
    El Toro
    Indian Dunes
    Muntz
    Hopetown
    Irwindale
    Castaic
    Elsinore
    Corona
    Riverside

    Probably forgot some, but man some of those will be missed by many. It is a crying shame how progress sometimes destroys things that are good.

    Russ Stark

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  82. David Nitzen...you got the right idea and I agree 100%. Im 47 too and would absolutely love to take my daughter riding at Saddleback like I used to do. Lets just round up all the blood sucking lawyers and send them on a boat ride so we can resume riding again!

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  83. David
    Your on the right track. Lets take it back.It's what made OC great not Coto de Caza.There were so many feilds to ride in and we would never get hassled.Growing up in Anaheim we used to ride everywhere along the 5 fwy including under the 5 and 91 freways until the rescent construction of the new on ramps.It was a great little spot and we had it to ourselves.We built a killer track under there and we would be riding while people were sitting on the fwy in traffic.We rode out all the places untill there was absolutly nothing left in the city to ride. It's gut wrenching to see this happen.Every last feild is gone.What is a childhood without a dirt feild to play in while you grow up. When I used to ride down there it gave me the same feeling as ridding in places like Saddleback,motorcycle hill off beach blvd.and carbon cayon,the smell the trees and the wet dirt it's was the best.I feel sorry for my kids they look at the pictures from those days and say what happend.All I can say to them is that it will never be the same as it was when I was a kid.If you rode in the city now like we did then you would be on the 6 o clock news. some of my best memories of riding are at places like indian dunes and saddleback.I got to ride there for a few years before it closed down on my gt 80 xr 75 and 1976 yz 125 complete with the canisters on the forks.I also rode the short lived track at irvine lake around 2001 it was nice but just not the same.The Flatbiller has ruined it for everyone.So lets watch out we cant loose any more riding areas so be active and dont let them take anymore.The military wants to take johnson valley.I told my daughter about this and she started to cry.I felt hopeless for a moment and got really down,but I snaped out of it "I need to be her rock" I took her by the hand we got on the computer and wrote letters to all the senators and congressmen it was good therapy.Then we fired up the crf 50,I cracked a beer set up a lawnchair,and watched her rip about 50 laps around our tiny back yard.It put a smile on her face and made our day.She said they cant stop us here.
    Dave Mac

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  84. In 1972, Steve Rose was my boyfriend then and he lowered a seat on a dirt bike so I could ride with with my short legs. I still managed to land the bike on my leg and had a web pattern scar on my leg or many years from the muffler burning my shin.

    We would ride Saddleback almost every Saturday. He drove a tan Ford Econoline van.

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  85. Hey everybody, go to TheFasthouse.com. Saddleback videos, t-shirts, photos, history....

    (sorry for the spam)

    Tim

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  86. Wow, lot's of memories. My very first race was in 1970 at El Toro speedway. I got to race against Davey Carlson and Jeff Ward. I think Jeff lapped me 3 times in a four lap race. He was on the cool 50 with the 90 motor in it. I raced mainly nights at Lyons Drag strip and Irwindale. When I turned inter. I decided if I was ever going to be any good I needed to race Saddleback and Carlsbad. Guys I use to beat in the night races lapped me during the day stuff. I went with my buddy Klaus Landsberg to the "Husky Training center" with 2 time world champ Rolf Tibblin. Man did I learn alot. I was only 14 and I got to train with Tom Rapp, Mark Blackwell. Tim Hart and Karsmakers even showed up at Carlsbad that week. I loved Saddleback . I was starting to win at Carlsbad and Saddleback and I was actually leading the CMC points standings in June of 75. I came around the bottom of webco hill in second place and crashed right on the hill. They had to pic me up in a helicopter. I had dislocated my hip for the second time. My moto career was over. I then started riding with my friend Paul Williams for Steve Bultaco. I rode trials for 3 years. Paul and I got to practice with Bernie Shreiber out in Tahunga what a trip that was. Bernie could ride a motorcycle like no one. Anyway I still ride today just for fun i have a Honda CRF 450X I ride with names some of you will remember. David Potts, Dean Jocic and I got to see Zapata Espinosa at my dads birthday earlier this month. Saddleback was a big part of my life. Good luck to all of you. Enjoy it while we are here. Keep riding and you will never grow old. Skip Keeley

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  87. If you want the real deal Saddleback T-shirts, go see Todd Peterson at Team Swolen in Anaheim, Ca 714-978-3797 I think the prices are $8-$10 a T-shirt

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  88. The thought of somehow reviving Saddleback is awsome but the reality is that it would never be what it used to be. There was different mentality back then. Today it would all be about "extreme" attitudes, almost boardering on evil, you know what I mean, skulls, iron crosses, "monster energy", It is a different world today than it was back then. Take a look at the crowd in Glamis and imagine trying to have a nice father and son day out at the new Saddleback with the mentatlity of that crowd.

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  89. Your right!! Never thought of that, but the modern guys would want to build that track into a Jumpocross track...wouldnt be the same. I run with 3 vintage clubs here in SoCal, and luckily the mentality remains the same, except for the occasional modern rider that wants to try out VMX racing along with his tactics...there are support classes for the youth and adult modern bikes, but those guys want to race, just not with the modern crowd and their style of tracks....its all good, to each his own, I just prefer to hang with old guys on old bikes...

    Merry Christmas to everyone and be safe!!

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  90. These were the best riders in the country,from 1968 to 1973 please add if you know anybody else. Dave Miller, Todd Petterson, Davey Carlson, Zack Barrett, Jeff Ward, Gene Woods, Jeff and Dave Kerr, Danny Becker, Bobby Taco, Mark Grandburg, Vince Mead, Nicholes, Steve Lyons, Shawn and Kelly Moran,Mark Malauzo, Wayne Rainey,Alan and Steve Daniels. Theses guys were the founding fathers of Minibike and minicycle racers, they were true guys you would see them at almost every race track during the week, Elisnore,El Toro, Trojan Speeway,Saddleback,Corona Raceway,Huntington Beach TT track,Indian Dunes, San Jose, Perris TT track, These guys were true flat trackers and very fast.

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  91. I never rode there, but sounds like you guys would love this post - it has then/now pics of saddlepark

    http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Old-School-Moto,22/Saddleback-Park,683768

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  92. Escape country? Saddleback? How about corona raceway? How many of you MX freaks remember that place? Or Elsinore-I used to race "T.T." there in the early 70's. I even used to ride bikes where "North Court" (north o.c. justice center} stands today. God I feel old......

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  93. Hi my name is Zack Barrett I was one of the old racers from the 70s I just got back from Haiti you can not even amaging how bad it is I am asking the racers to step up and give a little donation so we can put in a water well I work for the City of Garden Grove I am the water quality for the last 30 years let ban together and help out our fellow country people. Fill free to call me 714 743-2887

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  94. I grew up in Diamond Bar and have so many fond memories of riding and racing in the area. My mom used to drop me off at Claude Osteens motorcycle park and I would ride all day. When I started racing it was all Saturday Saddleback for many years, I think I started around 1974. Man those were the days. I used to race just about everywhere, OCIR, Irwindale (remember the head to head races between the best of the time), Indian Dunes, Escape Country, Corona, DeAnza, etc. Later I raced mostly GPs and desert. Remember Riverside Viewfinders GP, CRC, SRA, Check Chase, B to V. Reminds me that I have some old 8mm movie film from my days at Saddleback. I remember having a great shot of Mike Bell doing a faceplant into the wall of dirt just before the crossup jump. Geez I miss that place - Good times!

    Rob Miller

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  95. Wrote this a while back about Bonzai Hill at Saddleback...

    Banzai Hill

    I am 45 years old and have ridden and raced motorcycles since I was 16. I have never achieved a status higher than a novice racer, but I love to ride just as much as any Pro.

    When I first started racing, my favorite place to race was Saddleback. I raced Saturday Saddleback with CMC and enjoyed every minute of the 45 minute plus one lap motos. I never missed an opportunity to come out and watch the Pros when there was a National or Trans-Am. Every once in a while, the weekend after one of those races, Saddleback would leave in sections of the track so that it was just like the track my favorite riders – “The Rhinestone Cowboy,” "Hurricane,” "Magoo,” "Rocket Rex" and "The Bomber" rode on the week prior. I couldn't ride like those guys, but just riding a track they had ridden on was an experience I knew few people were lucky enough to have and boy did I look forward to it.

    One part of the track they never left in, however, was Banzai Hill. And was I ever glad for that. I saw Banzai every weekend when I would race at Saddleback, but it was one of those things that stood silent and ominous, off in the distance, shadowing you with its eerie presence. I saw Banzai attacked by the Pros with what appeared to be absolutely no fear. Just standing there watching riders fly down Banzai, touching the ground just a few times on the way down, scared the crap out of me. It was terrifying just to watch. In fact, I remember vividly the day Jim West died form crashing off the little jump right before the uphill run to Bonzai.

    The weekend following a National, I arrived in the pits at Saddleback running a little late to the race. Being excited and familiar with the track, I put my gear on and bolted out to practice without checking the track first. As I pulled a long fourth gear pinned wheelie on my Maico up the crest of the start hill, I hit fifth. I was flying and it seemed odd that it was taking longer than normal to get to the first turn.

    As I began my turn, I saw a bunch of riders to my left, all gathered up and so I went wide to avoid them. Then I realized why they were stopped at the top of the start hill and what they were staring at. This was why it took so long to get to the first turn, they had extended the start to leave Banzai in and I had just committed myself to going down.

    This was one of those moments where time stands still. In the matter of probably less than a second I was barraged with a couple of hundred different thoughts. With adrenaline driving my thought process, each thought was perfectly analyzed and worked to conclusion in my mind. To this day I can remember it as if it were yesterday.

    Oh sh*t! - This is Banzai - Should I stop? - Can I stop? - Will I die if I don't stop? - I want to race - This can be done - People around me are going down - If I go down I can't just ride down, I have to pin it - If I race today I will have to go down every lap, damn! - Where is the best line? - If I ride to the side, at least if I cartwheel nobody will hit me, maybe? - Should I leave it in fourth? - What is going to happen at the bottom? - What the hell - Here it goes!

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  96. Bonzai continued...

    I gassed it and decided to play it safe and go a little slow, so I left it in third.

    Quickly, I was at a speed that was way beyond my ability for the circumstance I was in. I would have applied the brakes, but it would have been useless as I was spending most of the time airborne. I think I touched the ground two or three times (this part I don't remember as total fear took over).

    I do remember feeling as if the ground had been pulled out from under me and my eyes felt as if they were pressed against my Carrera goggles like a cartoon character.

    The sound of my bike red-lining brought me back to conscious reality like being slapped awake out of a bad dream. If I could just figure out how to slow at the bottom and not cross rut on the boot deep grooves, I would survive. Somehow, someway, as the G-forces slammed my internal organs into the tips of my Hi-Point boots, I made it. I immediately pulled off the track. There was no way I could finish a lap with my heart pounding like it was. I had over-revved my heart like a beginner twisting the throttle on a mini bike for the first time.

    I asked around and sure enough they were going to run Banzai. All right, I decided, even though I was petrified from my experience, I was going to race today. All I had to do was figure out the "good line" down Banzai and everything would be just fine.

    I rode over to Banzai and looked down from the top. The ground dropped away and tucked back into the hill like a huge wave sucking out and folding over on itself. I couldn't see a thing. As I looked over the edge I got the same sick feeling you get in the pit of your stomach as you creep forward and set the edges of your skis just before you drop in from the ledge of a steep chute you have never skied before. Only this time I was on a dirt bike.

    I decided to ride slowly down and pick out my line. I went over the top and it was like riding over Niagara Falls. Gravity took control and held me captive. My ride down was committed to a full locked rear brake and trying to stay on two wheels. I was just trying to survive my trip over the falls and…I didn't remember a thing on the way down, let alone pick the "good line". My heart was racing again and my eyeballs were really starting to hurt from being pressed against the inside of my goggles for the second time.

    When I got to the bottom I stopped, took a breath (as I forgot to breathe on the way down) and looked back. I saw a mountain. It was a hard slippery rock and shale nightmare. It was full of bumps, little rocks and ruts. There was no line! This was insane! I got dizzy. I rode away.

    As I sat on the tailgate of my truck, I was faced with a huge decision. I knew this would be a turning point in my life. Do I race and risk life and limb? Do I ask to have my race and gate fee returned to me? What would my friends think? I looked over and stared at Banzai. I tried to picture myself going down the face. My mind was filled with terror and anxiety, the likes of which I had never experienced. This was not good.

    As I left the track that day I rationalized my decision. It was worth the gate fee and entry fee to have ridden down Banzai twice and survive. Hell, that was a lot more than most. Besides, I wasn't going to tell anyone I chickened out anyway. I felt as if I was becoming a man (I was 17). I had made a mature decision that probably saved my life.

    Later that week, I learned too many people were injured in practice so they took Banzai out for the race.

    I felt vindicated.

    To this day I have never told my race buddies what happened.

    They would have had to have been there to understand.

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  97. Today was a sad day we lost a very special person and one of the best riders in the world, We love you Kelly.

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  98. God Bless Danny "Magoo" Chandler and Speedway legend Kelly Moran...
    2 of the most incredible motorcycle riders and good hearted people ever. RIP

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  99. My dad is Brad Dutoit him and my grandpa Lyle Dutoit owned Mission Honda and made these bikes called J&B Racers which stood for Jeff and brad (my dad).

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  100. Dear Banzia Anonymous,

    You rode that monstrous downhill two times more than I had the "rocks" to hike down it. I spectated several Trans Ams and other races in slack jawed fear for those brave enough to not only attempt to survive the decent but to be at speed throttling down that terrifying broken shale and sandstone feature! (read profane explitives) However, just as I had watched world champions the likes of Joel, Roger, Ake, Valic Vlasic, Jim West, Garret, Rex, Morris, and Marty, I watched my childhood friend John Fackler book that nightmare with the best of them on a Bike Shop preppared CZ 400. (Remember the Bike Shop there in El Modena run by George Kay?)

    Your account of that esperience is absolutely chilling and brought a lump in my throat for it's sheer capture of the level of fear that downhill conjures in my memory. It was a fear I tried to forget as it was so demoralizing to whatever it was that I had thought to be some semblance of courage I thoutht I had. Your account obsolves me of lacking courge in exchange for good judgement.

    The Saddleback Banzia Downhill has to be catagorized as not just "one of" but singularly, "the most" dangerously frightening downhills ever incorporated to the design of a race track of any kind!

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  101. It was pretty knarly. I remember going down it on my Elsinore cr125 and it was scary going slow but I've seen much worse on my crf450r and been much less scared.

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  102. Hi Guys, I remember once when I went
    all the way down to Saddleback Park to ride and watch some MX.(I lived
    in Pasadena)
    Watching the pro race one rider was
    so far out front he way just cruising long going off and on the track on little trails that ran a long the side of the track. In a couple of years everyone know his name.
    It was Bob Hannah

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  103. Loved Escape County and Saddleback from'73 through around '78. Pretty much used up a spanking new '73 Suzuki TS 100 at those parks & then got a used '75 Yamaha 400cc "monoshock" in around '76 or '77(mono still a novelty back then -- layed down rear shocks were trick up to about '77, if memory serves). Had my worst spill on the Saddleback track while riding, jumping, then sliding, then high-siding over a berm and then being chased down hill by my tumbling Yama-sled. Lots of scary-good times. Escape Country had a little BMX track near the entrance --still a new concept in '73 & what I played around with until I could go motorized. At that time bmx was transitioning from banana seat, goose-neck handlebar Schwins to MX bars and small seats. Escape country MX track seemed to be a great place for the younger riders and in some ways was a better spectator track than Saddleback. Just lots of different kinds of riding at those parks like you can't find anywhere--race tracks, trails, flat track, hill climbs..they really were awesome places to practice all kinds of skills and constantly be challenge to do something new. Also loved Yucca Valley (may have been Johnson Valley) --there was a big round asphalt bomb target, abandoned copper mine, bomb craters to avoid, sand washes, flat out desert flat so see what your bike would do completely wound-out--another kind of play gound altogether. Yup, So-cal in the 70's was moto-paradise.
    Lyndon

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  104. I do remember the TT track --we all tried to learn "powersliding" around that thing & do trials-like things with non-trials bikes. I even made my own trials bicycle for kicks. Great fun. Had the opportunity to ride a modern trials bike in the last few years & I remember thinking "this could be fun"! Wayyy different from the 76 TL 125 I had for a while , but I digress... Take care.
    PS--I assume you are aware of Rick Sieman's "Don't Ask" column on "Off-Road.com?" (aka Superhunky). He is stil dishing out the dirt as always. I remember seeing him at Saddleback in the late 70's.
    Lyndon (2nd post)

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  105. What an amazing memory...just like Indian Dunes Moto Park. I rode at Saddleback from the time I was 10 on my Kawasaki 75 two stroke while my friend rode his Honda Trail 70. We would spend the entire day just riding around the park on that fire road trail that circled the whole park. Two of my worst memories as a teen are when both parks shut down.... as I had spent my entire childhood looking forward to the day I could drive and go riding there weekly. I have some amazing pictures of us riding at Saddleback! I know drive down the 241 almost daily and its really sad such an amazing place was shut down!

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  106. Hello my name is Jack Riggi. I raced & rode at Saddleback park from around 70--til when it closed. I have some pictures but if anyone has any of me please email me them please!!. I raced for 13 years strait! raced 4 day a week at all the tracks everyone is talking about, even Baymare race track it was really cool. I would race 125, then my 250 CZ & then the 500 class on my 250 all in one day. I knew Rex S. first raced with him at Dead man's point!. Brad lacky, Hannah, Kenney Zhart all the pros that raced back then. 83 I broke my leg for the second time got scared & finally quit. Three mounth after I quit my race buddys Dannie Laporta was the first american to win the 250 World MX series & Brad Lacky also won the 500 World MX series in 83. Any way if u find any old pics I sure would like to see them. I raced CMC, AMA, AME, any clubs that raced. I also knew & raced Bruce McDougal if any one knows & see's him tell him I said Hello. I realy learned how to race hard at Saddleback & did a lot of trail riding there, those were really the good old day!!!. My email address is riggi54@live.com , I think my race no. was 331 around 72-75 too busy raceing to take pictures!!.

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    1. hello jacki i know you dont remember me but when we were kids growing up in lakewood ca we would ride in the same feild together with the diaz brothers and jimmie watson and mark jianuzzi and steve birdwell i rode ayamaha 80 and a hodaka ace 100 i think you used to have a dune buggie back then and you would drive it in our feild when the grass was tall and green john hewitt is my bname please email me at spract2hewgmail.com if you want

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    2. email me please

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  107. many great memories @ Saddleback Park..its sad that its no longer there. Used to ride my Yamaha 60 there all the time & saw MX races there & talked to Marty Tripes. Used to ride the track they had the mini cycle chapionship on & the TT track mostly. Sometime wandered out on the big MX track or the Matterhorn. My friend took my 60 up to the last exit before the top! I got up to the 2nd exit. I remember the mini cycle chapionship with Jeff Ward as the winner..had to be about '74-'75.Steve McQueen carried an injured rider across the track to medical attention. We had our own small track located on Orange-Olive in Orange much to the chagrin of the local cops & businesses. Also a popular local spot in Orange was Buhler's(Tank & Welding)..there was a field & hill that local riders would use although this was raided by the fuzz all the time..then would come the mad scramble :0)..those were the days!!

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  108. CLAY BRANCH said....................... ON APRIL 19,1982 @ SADDLEBACK PARK ....... I WAS INVITED TO RACE IN THE 60CC YAMAHA RACE OF CHAMPIONS EVENT HELD AFTER THE WORLD MINI GRAND PRIX. I ENTERED THE 80CC 9-11 NOVICE, (STOCK, MODIFIED, & 105) CLASSES. I WON TWO (WORLD MINI GRAND-PRIX), IN THE STOCK & MODIFIED CLASSES THAT DAY. I GOT 5TH IN THE 105 CLASS. I GOT 2ND OVERALL IN THE 60CC RACE OF CHAMPIONS, LOWELL THOMPSON WON. HE WAS DUBBED THE "HOLE SHOT KING". WELL, I PULLED THE HOLESHOT ON HIS ASS, BROKE A FRAME THE SECOND MOTO, THE THIRD MOTO I PASSED DAMON BRADSHAW & SOMEONE ELSE THE LAST LAP ON (WEBCO HILL) TO GET SECOND OVERALL. I DID`T EVEN GO TO THE TROPHY CEREMONY TO GET MY TROPHY BECAUSE IT WAS SECOND PLACE. I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT TROPHY TODAY BECAUSE ALL THE TROPHIES I HAD GOT BURNED IN A FIRE.I`LL ALLWAYS REMEMBER THAT DAY AND THAT TRACK, IT WAS THE BEST! NOT A BAD SHOWING FOR THE DAY FOR A (TEXAN)!!!!! WE HAD FUN!!!!!! R. I. P. SADDLEBACK

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  109. Saddleback was classic needless to say! Great memories of racing my Yamaha 80cc on the TT track back in the 70's. This was when Jeff ward was racing minicycles as well. It's amazing to see the air riders can get today. Can you imagine describing the tricks they do in the air now back then. You would have been committed.

    JDR

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  110. Hi Saddleback fans!!..Not sure if anybody mentioned it but another Saddleback Park appearance on film is "The Thing With Two Heads" from 1972. It starred ex-football player Rosey Grier & Ray Milland. Has a clip of Rosey with foam rubber head attatched to his shoulder riding around Saddleback. The movie is pretty bad but the Saddleback footage is historic.

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  111. I remeber riding/racing at saddelback in the late 70's and early 80's. It was seconfd to none. saddleback Saturdays was 20 laps. Iwas great. memories I will never ever foget.

    Rick Levy

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  112. Does anyone rember Racerspit stop......R. Levy

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  113. Good morning to every one that has memories as I do about Saddleback park Its been 35 years sense Ive enjoyed the park I had a XR 75 in those days and I miss them so I had the best times of my life riding with my old dirt buddies from Carson California . Im 50 years old now and A minister at ministry of Christ Church thank you for the listening and also sharing your memories .

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  114. Most forget the undisputed "king Of Saddleback Park" Goat Breker Factory Kawasaki 500cc rider. Goat grew up next to Disneyland and spent his childhood watching his older brothers race Saddleback and in the Desert.There was no one faster in the early 80'S than Goat.In 1984 his whole shot in the 500cc national race is still talked about and seen on YouTube.

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  115. Gday my name is Rosco Holden and Im from Australia and in 1979 20 parents and kids came over to Race the World Mini GP at Saddleback.
    Most brought their bikes on a 6 week deal from dealers in Orange County where after they had finished racing at Corona,De Anza, Indian Dunes and ofcourse the Saddle they would sell them back to the same dealer at an agreed price. Myself and Pete Luczkowski who ended up being Jeff Leisk and Micheal Doohan and Kenny Roberts Jnr Mechanic for over a decade, ended up buying Factory DG Suzuki RN 125 and Yamaha YZ 125 E.
    We arrived to our bikes at DG USA organised from our Australian Distributor and much to our disbelief and disappointment they had both been ridden and were told they had seized and been fixed up, which left us with a sour and untrustful taste in our mouths. Pete and I went out for a day of testing with Head Honcho Harry Klemm, to get sorted for the Worlds and all the other racing we were trying to do in prep and mine seized again. Boy I wished I could have done a deal with a shop and ridden the next day like the others after getting of the plane instead of no bike ready for 2 half weeks out of a 6 weeks journey. Anyway enough about that then we had the priveledge to go to and compete and witness Saddleback's 3 days in the sun with Cyclerama. It was a 2 wheel feast across the whole park, MX,Xcountry,Trikes,BMX,8 mile MX,Hillclimb eveything you could imagine, it was all unreal.
    I have a panoramic set of polariod Photos I can forward to you , just email me rholden66@bigpond.com

    Think of it like yesterday Stay Safe Rosco Holden Melbourne,Australia

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  116. YEP! Epic shop........always stocked to the hilt with the latest goods. Always looked forward to stopping in there with my Dad on the way to the track.

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  117. Have a great pic of me with my Racer's Pit Stop hat on. That place was always stocked corner to corner with all the latest & greatest goodies.

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  118. I won my first race at Saddleback Saturday in 1979 on a YZ400. Yea, I remember Saddleback. Anyone know where you can find results from back then online? Mike/Oxnard

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  119. Always looked forward to stopping at the Racer's Pit Stop on the way to the track!

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  120. My old man won his #1 plate at Saddleback park, taking Jeff Ward out....you all probably have forgot this name but he is one of the original champions....Kelly Sapp (RIP) He spoke very highly of this race spot, and we still have his #1 plate from Saddleback!!

    Tawny Sapp

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  121. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Marv Hendricks? Is he still around? Haven't seen him in over 30 years.

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  122. Saddleback! The BEST period. Rode/raced there in the mid seventies, so cool. The minibike track behind Angels stadium was called "banzai park" not bonanza, rode there quite often. Those days were memorable to say the least,thanks for rekindling them.

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  123. If you watch the movie from 1972, The Thing with Two Heads, the whole last 15 minutes is shot there.

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  124. I stumbled on this site and have now read the blogs twice or more. I rode at Saddleback Park starting sometime in the late 60’s to 1972. I have so many great memories of that place. In 1972 we moved to San Clemente and that stopped my racing career/hobby.

    I lived in Orange and went to Yorba Jr High and then Orange High. In 72’ I was probably the only guy on the MX track and in the park riding a 250 TM Suzuki. I spent every weekend at the park. I would also go on Wednesdays to practice on the MX track. One Wednesday, Bruce McDougal and I were running the track and I passed him and stayed ahead of him for a full lap until I made a mistake and passed me. Later in the pits he said I had some skill.

    I had a subscription to Dirt Bike Magazine. Thinking back if it wasn’t for Dirt Bike Magazine I probably wouldn’t have done any reading in JR high. We didn’t call it “middle school” back then.

    I have a long list of do you remember this about Saddleback. Before racing consumed every riding moment I spent time just riding around the park. I made my TM 250 do everything from trials to hill climb. I attempted the Matterhorn many times but never made it up. Do you guys/gals remember the hook? It was this hook on a chain or rope attached just above the vertical part of the hill and if you did not make it they would hook your front tire before you flipped backwards. I would watch the hill climb events back then. The hill climbing bikes were so cool. The extended frames with big engines burning nitro.

    I also would attempt the trials areas (on my TM 250). That’s the main reason in needed chromoly handle bars and those plastic clutch and brake leavers. If I had the money I probably would have gotten a Bulltaco trials bike.

    On the weekends we would get there at dawn and drive the Van to the back of the park and set up camp under some big Oak tree (usually the same one) just before the TT Track. Spent a lot of hours pretending it was a TT racer on my little Moto Beta 100 at that track. Does anybody remember seeing the deer in the mornings?

    Of course Joel Robert and Roger DeCoster were my heroes. Both were riding for Susuki and as you know Joel was 5 time 250 world mx champion, and Roger was 7 time open class (500cc) world champion. Watching them ride at Saddleback was amazing. Joel would ride the 250cc race and then ride in the 500cc on his 250 against Roger and the rest. I met the both of them at Saddleback and got to see Joel’s bike up close in the pits. We talked about the big differences between his bike and my production bike. Joel Robert gave mx lessons one day at Saddleback. We went around the Park and he would make up little sections then explain and show us how to ride through it. At the end of the lesson he climbed the Matterhorn and then turn around and blasted straight down it. I realized at that point that his bike had a lot more horse power than my bike. From that day on I would freak people out buy going down the Matterhorn.

    I have so many other memories of Saddleback. One of my favorite parts of the park at the end of the day was the back part that over looked Irvine Lake. Do you guys remember those 3 wheeled trikes with the big tires they would rent there? I always wanted to rent one but never could.

    Mike

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    1. Mike, nice post. I went to Yorba Linda JH and guess that Yorba JH is different. I have many Saddleback and desert memories of those years also. There was an incredible AMA sanctioned race where Danny Chandler was first to race against Bob Hannah. Most people remember seeing or reading about Chandler freaking out Hanna and totally out riding him. That double jump was insane. I worked at a gas station at that time. The president of Yamaha USA had a messed up wife with big boobs and a green drop-top Cadillac. She'd cruise my gas station and liked young guys. She got me in tight with her husband who took me to that race and gave me the coolest Yamaha Factory pit pass. I met Hanna, Glover, and other crew guys. It was insane for a young kid to experience. I didn't know it at the time, but he was setting up his wife for a wild divorce.
      I also remember the Baja De Saddleback where A.C. Bakken ripped it up. He was my desert racing hero at the time. I made it over to where they sold the little photo slide viewer key chain things and bought the A.C. Bakken photo. I'm looking at it now and that's how I stumbled upon this site.
      Remember the Olympiads (or something like that) where they pitted all the various sorts of riders together? Then the Olympic committee made them change the name.
      Incredible days and times.

      Matt

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  125. I rode at Saddleback at least 3 times a week and raced there every weekend from 1976 until it closed in 1984. I still live in Tustin, just 10 minutes away. The 241 does NOT cross any portion of the park, as the toll road is located south and west of Santiago Cyn Rd which butts right up against where the old pits used to be. The TT track is located due north of the location of the main track and the toll road is at least 1/8 of a mile from any portion of the original park. I really miss Saddleback. Some of the best times of my life were spent there.

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  126. Oh yea i remember those days we and my buds did the mini circuit of saddleback,escape country and indian dunes escape country was my fav the green hills etc

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  127. hell yea, i'm now 54 but i remember those days, me and my friends did saddleback,escape country and indian dunes, kind of a mini circuit, although escape country was my fav the green hills etc

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  128. rode TM 250 in those days, grew up with lance moorewood,jeff jennings remember those guys?

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  129. Trend setters each and every one of us. If you were lucky enough to ride or race saddleback park you were part of the begining.A generation of wfo,respectful, work all week to race on the weekend,achivers,fierce competitors on the track,loyal freinds off.A movement that snowballed across the country, we started it. any other state or county pump out as many top of the industry riders as we did? I think not. tO name a few does no justice to all of them. You know who you are, and what you meant to so many of us who dreamed of being you for just one moto. your stardom may have been shortlived but your memories will carry on forever...The So Cal mx scene and all involved is and will always be great memories that will never change, many tragic memories of fallen comrades,all stick in our minds and even bring tears to my eyes today. All these thoughts, memories,visions,and dreams we keep with no regrets as it was truely the begining of trends, that we started, so cal racers, fans, and familys keep the memories alive tell stories toyour children, your grandchildren. We are one of a kind....

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  130. When riding Saddleback was out of the question for us kids living in Long Beach/Seal Beach, we would head over to the "Triangle" - a large tract of land that lay between where the San Gabriel River and Coyote Creek converged along Spring Street. A water treatment plant covers the site today.

    Another popular riding spot for locals in Long Beach was behind Marine Stadium where Spinnaker Drive is today.

    I bought my first motorized two-wheeler, a Taco 44 and later a Maico from Downen's in Hawaiian Gardens, which was primarily a lawn mower shop in the 1960s.

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  131. I can see that the Saddleback Park is a bit of a controversy. So I am here to give you the correct info.
    I worked for engineering Co back when the toll rd drawings were submitted. The track does cross the Northern Edge of the park towards Peters Cyn. I don't remember what part of the park that was. However, to this day you can still see signs of the park on Google and other maps.
    Someone years ago on line, had an overlay of the Park to what it looks like now. See if you can find it.

    I enjoyed that park until I went into the service in 1982. I raced my TT500 and I kept on trying to climb Widow Maker on my SL70 for a very long time. One Day Roger Decoster got hold of me after I dumped it again at the top and gave me some advice. IT WORKED! I went back to find him and he was gone. So, I held a record for Widow Maker to climb it on an almost stock 1971 HONDA SL70. (rear shocks upgraded, tail light bracket changed to rubber and I pulled the muffler off) - Oh, I added cox car fuel to the gas. (nitromethane)

    All the parks around were great places to go. Thanks for the memories!

    Roger D, Bob H, Jeff W and a few others were the guys I grew up around on the tracks and they were Fantastic guys. To this day I still see Jeff W now and again.

    For the record, from all the MX racers I met over the years growing up, Broc Glover is and was and absolute JERK. A Nasty human!

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  132. Lets see if my old friend don bren will reopen saddleback park

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    1. correct me if im wrong,but!the hill climb at saddleback was called the matterhorn,same as disneyland?

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    2. Glad to see this discussion still going. As long as we all remember it Saddleback lives on!

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  133. I think your right the Matterhorn me and my dad and friends rode there all the time I would scream my ace 90 around the TT track or 1/4 mile thinking I was one going to be a star someday I rode a lot of motocross there starting in 1979 I liked saddleback Saturday best I didn't know about it till Jody did a story in mxa about it those were some of the funniest times in my life one day during the week decoster and team Honda show up I was practicing no other than rj Rick Johnson is there riding the works Hondas we asked decoster if Rick was going to ride Hondas he just said today he is the rest is history and rj even blew past me on the track. I will never forget he looked back at me while he was in the air flying by I started thinking then I might have to get a real job. Lol

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  134. Remember it well indeed. I banged bars at Saddleback & Carlsbad as a CMC junior & intermediate from '71 to 1976. It was a whole lotta fun ! Clyde Williams, El "the Cajon zone" Ca.

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  135. does anyone know the whereabouts of Marv Hendricks-the last owner of Saddleback park?

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  136. Cool that it was featured in his week finals at Lake Elsinore.

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  137. Rode the 1982 125 AMA National at Saddleback, finished 19th OA after being landed on going off an uphill double by Jeff Stanford. We were made of rubber in those days. Speaking of Escape Country down in Trabuco Canyon, finished 2nd 125 expert, 1st 250 expert and 1st 500 expert at the 1978 Dirt Diggers Pioneer Town Gran Prix. But the coolest thing was watching Steve Bauer lead the Sunday afternoon Trans-AM for 3 laps over Distefano, Laporte, Wienert, Lackey, Magoo. Down in the valley sand wash woops, Magoo on his Maico was using the whole width of the track to get through in classic "Magoo" style. Rode at 'The Ranch' at Anza, CA couple weekends ago. They replicated the famous Carlsbad track almost to the 'T'. Talk about fun, you gotta try it. Just go to Temecula and take 79 S Temecula Pkwy to Hwy 341, just past the Cahuilla Casino on right. Rod Brand

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  138. add Shawn Maconnel to the list of OC moto ledgends. Cover of sports Illustraited in jr. high, full sponsership from Bell helmets, proflatracker at Ascot etc.Still races speedway at OC fairgrounds. I remember somebody got a ticket for riding a wheelie down Brea blvd on a stingray early 70s

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  139. Used to ride down the Matterhorn on my Bultaco Sherpa T in the 70's.
    Loved riding the dirt tracks on my TT 500 also.

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  140. I first started riding at Saddleback Park in 1977. I bought a 1977 Suzuki DS 185 from Saddleback Suzuki on Lake Forrest BLVD. I road that thing to death over every trail Saddleback park had. I then got the itch to race motocross, so I traded in my DS 185 for a brand new RM 125. That thing screamed like a banshee, and could go fast enough to literally kill you.

    I remember always seeing people like Jody Wiesel from Motocross Action Magazine there. He always had a nice “Hello” for anybody greeted him. I went to Mission Viejo High with Jeff Ward, and had a couple classes with him. Marty Tripes was a regular there too, a good guy to go to if you had a tuning issue, or a suggestion on how to get through sections of the track faster. Mt favorite memory was of Danny Chandler ride like a “bat out of hell” at the 79 golden state nationals, and out running Bob Hannah for the first half of the final moto.

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  141. I raced at Saddleback in the early 70's mostly with CMC. Got tired of waiting all day for 2 20 or so minute motos and started exploring the park between races. Discovered Observed Trials and rode with Jean Ferdette ITA Trials Club. Have been hooked on Trials ever since and
    still ride several events here in SoCal each year.
    Saddleback was the place to go regardless of what dirtbike sport you were passionate about. Like everything else in life, you don't really
    appreciate it til its gone....Great Times for Sure!!!

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  142. Saddleback was great! Went there 1969-71, Also Indian Dunes,Bay Mare,Ascot Park,Carlsbad,Deadmans Point,Trojan Speedway, Many trips to the Desert,Baldwin Hills near La Cienega, The Hughes fields in Westchester [aka bean fields] and the mud flats near Marina Del Rey.My Bikes in order where,
    H.D. Arramachi 65 cc, AT1 125 M.X., 250 Maico Adolf Wiel replica, Suzuki T.M 250. Those were great times and I was Lucky To have Parents that could take the time to support me in this sport. It was a big deal to have them sign a waver so you could race! Great People Great Times.

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  152. I rode there twice I think it was in 1982 or 83

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  153. I've still got a couple scars from saddleback. Pretty nice place to let it all hang out on a full bore climb.
    I did get to work security at the park for both big meets and week ends in the early days. Had the luck to bring my VW dune buggy as a 'patrol car' several times. There was an incident at the top of WidowMaker while I was on duty in the buggy, so I went straight on up the face. I suspect I'm still the only one to do WidowMaker in a 36 hp buggy. :-)

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  154. Who wants to go to Saddleback and ride? We will bring go pros and post whatever happens on youtube....fearful need not apply. I have almost 100 old dirt bikes so if you know how to ride , I might lend you one. Electric dirt bikes like zeros would be cool cuz they make no noise and the limps at the park, po-po and lake cant hear ya. email me old school fools...Jonny Z jonny3dean@yahoo.com

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