1980 Unadilla 250cc MX GP

1980 Unadilla 250cc MXGP #1 Kent Howerton #2 Georges Jobe. You can see other entrants at 1:45
This is Super 8 film shot by me, converted to video, and being shown for the first time in 36 years!

[@exceldrivr]

I was there. Went to the Trans USA race also in 1980. I have a lot of pictures from that one. Back then anyone could go into the pits. Seeing the guys making sandwiches in their box vans, working on their own bikes. Brad Lackey gave my mother his jersey. Was also the year Gaylon Mozier was killed training in his bike. They had his bike and gear on display.

[@stevesinewave2562]

Great era! would've loved to have been there at that first corner when the pack came around. Such rapid development from factory to production MX era at that time. Thanks a million for posting your film for the world to see !

[@nomdeguerre13]

what a real treat to watch this...my first race ever at 10 years old, Jim Holley on the program cover. Still remember this today.

[@user-br3fx6oc9q]

That year Jobe was only 19 years old when he won world championship in 250 class, I remember like this.

[@charlesharper6421]

Yeh,and Kent put the wood to him.

[@jeffjones5063]

I was there. Jobe won at Unadilla at least once. Euros loved it at its prime. Howerton didn't put the wood to him.

[@charlesharper6421]

Great rider. Sad how he went out. He deserved better

[@charlesharper6421]

@@jeffjones5063fact check..jobe never won unadilllla. Howerton won there overall in ‘79 & 80…rolling jobe and every other euro in the process. the only euro to ever win there was Kees van der van in ‘82..unless you wanna count Englishman Neil Hudson in ‘81.. the Americans owned unadilla…

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

Suzuki twin shocks AND full floaters. What a great time in the development of works bikes (and later production bikes). The 250s were still air cooled but the 125 works bikes were starting to be water cooled back then.

[@richardkey4289]

Kurt Vonfricken evolution taking place in front of our eyes! Single shock suspension,liquid cooling, but notice the drum brakes & gas tanks waaaay high on the chassis ( that's a lot of weight far, far away from the center of gravity)

[@laserdad]

That was back when the track had character and was only used for one, or two, races per year. Now it's just another modern type track with multiple tabletops and doubles.

[@rochellestanley9532]

Thanks

[@jamesspella8548]

The good ole' days!!!

[@stp479]

I see Doug Mulligan's Cycle Design van at 6:05

[@philhashey9651]

stp479 the mighty Cycle Design Team, I live in Bangor Maine, the home of longtime team member David "Rud" Rudnicki

[@OurWild-Life]

My brothers, some friends and I went to several Unadilla races around that time. I'm 67 now. The first one we went to Kent Howerton won the 250 race. If that's this race I was in that crowd somewhere. Those were great times. Gravity Cavity. Screw You Hill. The "show us your tits" signs on one side of gravity cavity and the girls flashing their titties on the other side of the hill. We'd stay at the KOA campground nearby. The good old days.

[@ravanderveur]

Great stuff Thank You!!!!!

[@jmzochsnrtr]

Howerton 👍🏁🏆

[@garylauster4032]

Pat Moroney won the support class that day the white knight

[@brucefile7430]

Howerton was the man back in 1980 & 1981...

[@kellienicolebrooksschettin6598]

Hey I just got one for this video,Hannah, Hannah, Hannah,oh shtt sorry wrong year,I gotta go,thanks

[@chrisjacks2599]

To the youngsters this soundless video must look like a long long time ago, but it wasn't.

[@SymonSaysTV]

Funny they were racing on grass. You wouldn’t see that today.

[@lfoxracer]

Unadilla was mostly pasture land back then. The owners, the Robinson family just mowed the grass and put up some course markers for the race weekends. I never recall seeing a bulldozer on the track... ever. The layout was 100% natural. First practice session the grass would be axle deep grass in many parts of the track.

[@vintagemxer9165]

@@lfoxracer Wasn't it beautiful -the mix of grass and dark dirt mixing on an all-natural track and the sound of 2 strokes and the smell of pre-mix? Magic. Electric atmosphere with the Euros there.

[@maverick2242]

No sound, pity looked great..

[@moe92870]

Never new Bailey rode a Kawi

[@richardkey4289]

Moe howard yup, he was there during their single shock early days; Honda wisely smelled his talent & poached him from team green

[@coolmusic1579]

Didn't he also ride a Bultaco?

[@vintagemxer9165]

@@coolmusic1579 Remember Gary Bailey's book on techniques of motocross with father and son on cover on Bultacos? I used to have it but forget the title - Ake Jonnson's book too.