1988 spring creek millville Minnesota 125 500 cc

[@astromann7449]

Brings back memories of being there in '88, still got the shirt (kinda small now!). Donny Schmidt left Suzuki after '88 and rode as Fox privateer rider on CR 125 for 1989. I assembled and test rode his two stock CR 125's (out of the crates before sus mods) that he rode to 4th US in '89. Next year Donny rode for Team Suz / Bieffe helmets in the Grand Prix world championships; was the 1990 125cc world champ. Great guy.....a regular guy who became 125 world champion two years after this video. I remember him perched on my "enduroized" and plated 86 YZ 490 "air hammer" thinking how fun it must have been. Reality is he would have blown that 490 air hammers cylinder off if he rode it like his 125's LOL.

[@danarrington2224]

This was Damon Bradshaw's first professional race. 11:49 you can see him fly by the camera. #638 wearing all red.

[@bunnyman6321]

You still ride?

[@astromann7449]

@@bunnyman6321 Nope. Went down the street and back ten years ago.......then put my KTM back in storage. From 12 to 37 all I did was ride and race. Unless your a farmer with your own track, it takes to much time vs when your younger. You live only once,..I like a little variety and relaxation too. My buddies who start riding again are all hurting themselves. I have many bicycles, slower but easier on the wallet, time, and body.

[@astromann7449]

@@danarrington2224 He was a wild man. Crash, get up, go fast, repeat.

[@bunnyman6321]

@@astromann7449 Interesting! What you gone do with your KTM since you don't ride?

[@oz2strokeman116]

The only exposure we had to US racing was through MXA and Dirt Bike mags ,at least in Australia. So to watch this huge selection on You Tube and see the way the idols of my youth actually rode is priceless. Sometimes they ride exactly as I pictured back then ,sometimes not. Bradshaw's first Pro race ,that's noteworthy as well.

[@glenmickelson5133]

This was the only Millville National I didn't attend since the 1st pro race held there in 82. I was in the hospital after breaking my neck at a Minnesota amateur race a week earlier. While in the hospital I received a phone call from 125 race winner Donny Schmidt . Donny was all class and great guy! He was screwed at the end of this season by not being given a ride in the US for the 89 season! After winning a 125 Supercross title for Suzuki to boot! RIP Donny! He will always be Minnesotas champion!

[@bunnyman6321]

You still ride?

[@hawks2252]

I raced the MN circuit at that time as well. Millville, Cambrige, Mora, Kellog. Sorry for being a lapper and getting in your guys way - haha.

[@bondo1964]

I love the cups of water after the race instead of the sponsor bottles.

[@jerrymccommons6950]

Ricky always had time for his fans. I remember him staying hours after the races to talk with his fans. He always preached as little air times as possible. If you're not connected to the ground, you're not going fast.

[@linzleard317]

From the days when color commentary was just a couple of words. This guy is all black and white. In some ways that’s perfectly fine because I can soak up the racing without a bunch of blabber. 👍🏻

[@stevebigansky9372]

500cc 2 strokes- gotta love it

[@Motoman69]

Very Cool! I was at that race after moving to MN in 1987. Brings back memories.

[@bunnyman6321]

You ride?

[@Motoman69]

@@bunnyman6321 Not any more. I started a business in MN and all my time was taken by it. I followed MX as a fan and spectator after that. Still do even at 67 yrs old. I stream everything from MXGP, MotoGP, Supercross and MX Nats. The internet makes it so easy. Old MX forums help you stay in touch with your old racing buddies too!

[@bunnyman6321]

@@Motoman69 One day out the year you gotta bless the track with some riding. Much success to your business 💰

[@astromann7449]

The 500 class was awesome to see and feel with your feet next to the track!!. Ward, Johnson, Stanton and ...Lechien(?) the "machine". To see those guys in the Millville whoop/sandwash was crazy!! Ripped it up.

[@hawks2252]

@@astromann7449 I always struggled through that section of the track. Looks like these guys just jumped the whole section. Why didn't I think of that. Because I couldn't. Ya, the pro's are something else.

[@jaymoto9820]

Haha, good ol' Dogger, "well I started ridin' when I was 6 years old, and then started ridin' when I was 8." All jokin' aside, thanks Danny for uploading this. It's so cool to watch these old races and kinda compare them to the current races.

[@mightymidget88]

Hey thx man, never did I think that nearly 30 years on would I get to see the hero's I used to read about in MX mags her in the uk.

[@glenmickelson5133]

Would the race in Quebec been at a track called St Gabriel Debrandon? I was at the 83 250 gp . I went with a former factory pro named Tom Benolkin. From the Canadian 250 gp we then went to Unadilla New York for the next gp!! Great memories!!

[@kita17n]

R.I.P. DONNIE

[@easilyscan]

Great stuff. Thanks!

[@minnesotamarine9861]

Donny Schmidt (peanut) in his early days. He was the fastest person in Minnesota back then. I raced him on a local track (Elko MX track, Elko MN now closed) in 1985. He was so fast he would stop, let the entire pack go buy and then lap everyone in 2 to 3 laps. So fun to see from the saddle.

[@funseeker1969]

I went to HS with him and he would be so far ahead of everybody he would stop and chat in the middle of the races

[@bunnyman6321]

@@funseeker1969 😂😂

[@bunnyman6321]

You still ride?

[@minnesotamarine9861]

@@bunnyman6321 I do! I will never stop.

[@bunnyman6321]

@@minnesotamarine9861 💯 When you come into a corner do you downshift then brake or brake then downshift

[@lmtada]

Thank You for Video. Looks like these top 4 guys can 100 laps with no change in lap times.

[@ck9c653]

Jeff stanton beast on aircooled bike

[@bobsilver3983]

I was there that year!

[@dirtbikedave]

Crazy.. I remembered that the Hondas were great looking bikes (and would blend in, even today) compared to the vintage looking Suzukis.

[@HeavyMetalSwede]

Oh man thank you so much for posting! :D!

[@deebee5196]

This was cool, my old boss pointed out Donnys house/ parents house many yrs ago close to my place in the elk river/big lake area just south of birch lake. Can anyone confirm?

[@55tmilam]

Wow! I was able to watch the racing without an announcer screaming the entire time!

[@markroberts1301]

What was the original source of this? I really like it, but it doesn't seem the same as the over the top Motoworld type stuff that was broadcast back then.

[@rmtwofiftyzmann]

millville pre-jeremy and alex martin...

[@2DclanSnipingTeam]

This commentator is just bad!

[@stephendonlon3199]

Post a vid , show us how its done ?

[@bunnyman6321]

@@stephendonlon3199 😀😀

[@epmcdonald4562]

And the other trying talk and interview riders! ...took to many quaaludes!