Rewind with Guy Cooper
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 | 1:30 PM
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By Bill Disney
[Laughs] Well it’s pretty good. I got a daughter, Katelyn, who will be seven next week. It would have been good for me to have had kids early. It's amazing how much better it makes me as a person. She has taught me to be able to express myself and communicate better. I know it's still broken English, I'm still an “Okie” but I am better. As a young kid I had my blinders on, riding motorcycles was my life and I really did not get out and experience a lot.
There will never be another racer quite like Guy “Airtime” Cooper. The 1990 AMA 125 National Motocross Champion was known for his wide-open riding style and massive jumps, as well as his laid back, friendly Oklahoma demeanor. This year, Guy turned 50, and we caught up to him for this edition of Rewind.
Racer X: You earned the nickname Airtime. How did you become so comfortable jumping in the first place?
Guy Cooper: That really all started on bicycles. At 13, I weighed about a 100lbs, so I was small for my age and had gotten into BMX. I loved to jump my bike. I remember using a door for a ramp, held up with concrete blocks and I jumped over this chain link fence around the yard. Next we started adding bicycles and I would jump those, then Mark Hall put his motorcycle beside the bikes and I jumped that. Well, about that time my dad came out, saw what I was doing and wanted to get a picture, so he went in and got his camera. The only thing that came out on that picture was the bottom of my bike's tires! Dad didn’t realize how far over the fence I was getting. Afterwards, he kind of growled, as he was telling me I really needed to be wearing a helmet when I did that kind of stuff. Over the next couple days, my friends and I made the ramp better by putting a piece of ply wood over the door to make the transition smoother. The mechanics the who lived next door were having a few beers, hooting and hollering, they said they would turn the ramp around where we were pedaling with the wind. I also went from an 18 to a 16 tooth sprocket for even more speed. Dad saw me and told me I needed to be wearing my helmet! I just blew that off and went on. I saw the ramp set up, so I went to a gas station about a block away, turned around and tore down the side walk I went.
With the wind behind me, I began to gain speed as made my way to the ramp, I felt like I was flying, I was thinking, this was going to be such an awesome jump! What I didn’t know was, when they moved the ramp around they made it stupid steep, so here I was, hauling towards the ramp and dad happens to come out and see me, helmet less, approaching the ramp. Well, I hit the ramp and the next thing I see when I look down is the tops of these 15 foot trees that the city of Stillwater had planted next to the side walks! I was thinking, 'I am over 20 feet up in the air!' When I landed, my BMX forks just snapped off. It slammed me face first into the hard packed grass, which bloodied my face. I was sore but unhurt, and with every one around I just kind of laughed it off, I could not let on I was hurt with dad there, after he told me I needed a helmet.
Racer X Archives photo
Even after that, jumping never scared me, the only limitation was the bike breaking, and that carried over to when I started racing motocross. The experience I had with landing the back side of jumps in BMX really helped me racing, as the generation of riders before me would over jump a double and land out on flat ground, where I knew how to drop the front end and down side the landing. Jumping just came very natural to me, so usually I was one of the first guys to jump something at a track because it did not scare me. I was given the name “Airtime” while still here racing the expert class in Oklahoma. I always tried to live up to it!
You almost won the 1987 LA Coliseum Supercross race, and that really brought you into the spotlight. Tell us a little about that race.
That was an awesome night, as I have said many times before, that second felt like a first. I was so happy that night, I led a lot of laps, I made the podium and I made a nice sized pay check that would help to keep me racing, but looking back I really do wish I would have won that one, it just was not meant to be. I found out later that a lot of little things happened that evening. During intermission the team managers got together with the AMA and told them the whoops had only one line through them, so while we were back in the pits, they took shovels and made a line through the left side of the whoops. Most of us didn't know this, so we kept using the right side of he whoops. When you watch the race, Rick Johnson was gaining a second or so and passing people by using that line. Also, they had this little jump-on-turn-jump-off thing that was marked by a hay bale. During practice the hay bale got blown out and every one was jumping straight off. The AMA officials told us that anyone got caught straightening that out would be penalized. Well again, during the race the hay bale was blown out. With me leading, I remembered what the official had said, so each lap I would slow down and jump-on-turn-jump-off. But RJ would not slow down, he would jump to the inside and straighten out the corner and gain or second or two. It was a great race that helped make RJ’s legend larger, but it was one, I definitely could have won. At the time I thought I would eventually win one, but I just never did. Such is racing.
You almost won several, is there another that sticks out?
The San Jose Supercross in '91. Usually my starts were not that great and I had to work to get to the front, and when I did, I was spent, as I was not in the greatest of shape. But San Jose was different. I actually got a good start, right behind Jeff Matiasevich and instead of going all crazy, I just stayed calm and watched his lines. I picked out the spot for a pass. I remember coming around, seeing the white flag, thinking I will pass him. But I got a better drive than him going into the whoops, so that’s where I ended up passing him, not where I planned it. After the whoops there was a left hand corner, as I entered it I took it a little easier than normal not wanting to wash out the front end because I knew I had him covered speed wise on the rest of the track. Then, boom, Matiasevich came in way too hard, slammed into me and took us both out. I could not believe it, he was going so fast, he had no chance of making he corner. I guess he thought he was going to hit me and use me as a berm! Well, he finished sixth and I got eighth. Doug Dubach won his first and only supercross instead of me. I never really understood Jeff. We got along, he was a good kid, then we would be out having dinner and he would drop his drink, cuss, and act like a fool. I would ask him why he did that, and he would laugh and say, “That’s what they pay me for!”
Racer X Archives photo
Do you keep up with the sport today and what do you think of it?
I really thought I would stay in the industry and follow it closer than I do. I watch it whenever I can, but it has changed so much over the years. In my day the outdoors tracks were less maintained. We rode in a lot of dust, on one hard packed line, and if you got off of it you were in 6-10 inches of silt. Today they keep it watered and manicured more. I think the watering makes the track much safer than the old days and better for the fans, but letting it get rougher would be a good thing, especially with the bikes we have today. The suspension they have today is great, and really the power of the bikes is too much. If it were up to me I would say they need a 300cc or 350cc limit on the four strokes. It would slow it down and make the racing closer and better for the fans. At the speeds they go now I can see why they don’t bang bars much any more. In supercross, they need to make the tracks less technical, which would allow for closer racing, which is what the fans want to see. It would also give the underdog a chance to shine once and awhile. The fans like that kind of stuff, I know some riders like the technical things to separate the riders, but in the end, the best guys will still win. I also think they need to bring back a 2-stroke class, because it’s cheaper. All they have to do is to change just a couple rules and it would entice the manufactures into making them again, helping to expand the sport even more.
Vet Nationals or Vintage Races, which do you prefer?
I really enjoy the Vintage Races more. The new bikes are so easy to ride, I feel like I can go too fast. They turn so well, I actually find myself cutting my lines too short. I do have a '09 KTM300 and it is a great bike, I love it, but there is something about hopping on a '74 Penton and getting the most you can out of it. This past year I raced the Unadilla Rewind, which was blast, seeing Stanton and everyone again brought back a lot of memories. I also raced Diamond Don’s Vintage Race, where I won all ten motos I entered. It is such a laid back atmosphere, the camaraderie and bench racing make it so much fun.
What was the best part of being a pro racer? And the worst part?
I loved every minute of it. I got the chance to go overseas, that was the best part for me. Doing those supercross races over there, I got to see a lot of countries and make some pretty good money. The worst part is easy: the airplanes were full of smoke! Back then even in the non-smoking seats you were still in a cloud of smoke. That part was miserable for me.
You rode Honda so long. Was it tough when they let you go in '89?
I had a good idea it was going to happen. They had told me that if they signed Bayle, they probably would not room for me in the budget. When they did sign him, I knew I needed to find another ride. Yamaha was upset with me because we almost had a deal the year before and I backed out to stay on Honda. I called Kawasaki and they told me they would like to have me, but the team was full. So I called Pat Alexander with Suzuki. They offered a one-year deal, it was less than I made at Honda, but it was better, as they paid for all my travel expenses, where at Honda I had to pay those out of my pocket. It worked out well because we won the 125 National Championship that year. Bob Hannah told me I had some negotiating power with that #1 plate and to get a healthy raise for the next contract. Negotiations were not going well, I did not like their first offer, but Bob said to hang in there, he would talk to them. Well, I ended up settling for what would be my biggest contract, $70,000. I thought I should get at least $100,000 since some of the kids right out of the amateurs ranks were getting paid that much, yet they had not done anything to deserve that and I had won them a championship. I found out later the head of Suzuki did not want to pay me because he said I was too old and would not win any more.
Racer X Archives photo
[Laughs] Well it’s pretty good. I got a daughter, Katelyn, who will be seven next week. It would have been good for me to have had kids early. It's amazing how much better it makes me as a person. She has taught me to be able to express myself and communicate better. I know it's still broken English, I'm still an “Okie” but I am better. As a young kid I had my blinders on, riding motorcycles was my life and I really did not get out and experience a lot.
Okay, what is your fondest racing memory?
Wow, that's a tough one, as there have been so many. I had a great career that I am very proud of, I never left anything on the table. If I went down hard and was able to get back up, I was still going to finishing that moto, regardless of which way my thumb may have been pointing. But out of all I have accomplished professionally, my fondest race memory is from a race at Interstate Raceway back before I ever went pro. Trey Jorski, Clay Hoenshell, Dennis Daft and I were going at it in the expert class. Dennis and I had gotten out front and we were going wide open down the straight, side by side, I was waiting for him to shut off and he was waiting for me to shut off. Finally, I knew I had to let off and brake, and Dennis let off at exactly the same time! We were bar-to-bar and neither could turn without taking the other out, so we were looking at each other, almost laughing under our helmets, because we were having so much fun racing motorcycles. Yeah, that was the best!
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I'm not sure of the race or year, probably 1990 or 1991 but him, Matasevich, Bradshaw, and I think Johny 'O went at it for all 20 laps. Bradshaw put an elobow in Coopers neck coming out of a turn into the whoops. That was it. I was so bummed. I loved Airtime and the O'Show ride. Fun memories. Thanks Guy Cooper!
Just second thought. I think some of his problem was the Suzuki 250's really weren't that great in the early 90's. The 125's were amazing with a buttery clutch, but the 250's just missed the mark for some reason. Just my opinion.
Awesome article, i like that last story. gave me a good chuckle and a smile.
Brings back memories with me and my brother racing together.
I love Airtime, I never got to see him ride in his prime. The only chance I got to see him ride was Washougal 2002 when he went 16-26 for 19th overall, while he whipped it over the Chuck Sun every single lap of both motos
Amazing how Honda lets everyone Go Figure !
Agreed 350 limit on big bikes !
WOW! Does anyone recognize who Bill Disney is? Unless I am mistaken, and I am sure I'm not, that would be non other than our own BD25! I met him face to face at Spring Creek and realized he had some fine writting skills, and he lives in Oklahoma, so I'm thinking he told me he knew Guy Cooper. Anyway, if any of you recall, I posted a couple times that DC should have him writing for them and then today, I FIND THIS! BD, drop a line and let me know this isn't some huge coincidence and I didn't imagine it! I need to get back to work, so I'll need to read this arcticle later. Cool.
The thing is the 250 class is going just as fast as the 450s. Why blame the 450s?250 class is more about your bike than 450. If you don't have the money and/ or connections in the 250 class you are not going to get a good start and be out front. Look who has been dominationgthat class and what kind of bikes they have. Lots of locals race the 450 class because they have a better chance there with basically a stocker. Look what Mike alessi did this year. If you drop the 450s to 350 why not drop the 250s to 150.
Guy Cooper is the epitome of a racer and is/was an absolute asset to the sport. It's incredibly disappointing that people like him weren't able to make a better living doing it, but I suppose that's partially due to the era (and obviously the pessimistic and stingy bean counters at Suzuki). It's equally disappointing that he's not working directly in the industry right now. That die hard commitment would be an excellent attribute to share with any team and Roger DeCoster, at 68, proves that 50 is nowhere near 'too old' to have incredible value in the industry. At the minimum, someone needs to write a book about Cooper's career, there are so many great stories and this article is only a fraction of a sliver!
Real nice guy. Last photo McGrath #17 Antunez #22?
Ya, that's Buddy on Peak Honda.
Guy is right I just said something about this . 2 strokes need to be allowed, 250cc class for the lites both bikes, and the big bikes figure out if you keep it 450 or lower it , bigger 2 stroke or smaller 4 stroke in the 450 class.
Please don't hate us, Guy also mentioned changing the 250 to 150, just did not get that in...
That didn't even talk about his quite successful off-road riding career, or when he came back at age 40 and got a bunch of great starts on the KTM "850", as RC would refer to it as. He was just a guy that loves to ride and to compete. The fact that the only bad thing he could think of about racing pro was smoky airplane rides says a lot. Not too many guys with his attitude anymore, that's for sure.
????? ALL the crazy photos of Cooper and the main photo is an RM / X off road event ???? Guy Cooper , always one of my favorites , one the all time hard chargers for sure ....and areial wizards of his era .....thank you for all the memories Guy !!!!!!
@Please don't hate us, If that is Antunez on the #22 bike then who is #17. Is that McGraths rookie Team Peak #? He was on a privateer Kawasaki KX125 #125 the year before if I am correct. Jeremy was the last of his close friends to get a ride.
brian Swink? #17?
@Bucky394 - agreed, BD25 makes another excellent contribution, this time with an article rather than in the comments section
@BD25 - Great interview. Keep 'em coming.
I had the opportunity to watch Guy ride at his peak on a number of occasions at Unadilla, Broome, and Lake Sugartree. One year at Sugartree ('89 or '90) I remember being amazed as I watched him hit an uphill step-up with the back-side of the jump being a downhill.
I was really impressed by how precise Guy was while in the air to get his bike set up to match the backside of this jump. Lap after lap he'd hit the jump, take a quick look over the bars at the landing, give a quick tap to the rear brake pedal, drop the front end just enough to match the slope of the downhill, and hit the bottom of the hill right before it flattened out. I don't remember anyone else executing that jump quite the same way.
For his reputation of being a fearless jumper, he was very methodical in executing those huge leaps.
Great memories - thx for the reminder BD.
Very well written, BD25! I painted several helmets for coop and got to go out to Stillwater to hang out with him and Wanda. Great people. And Stillwater was epic!!
Always loved rooting for the "working man" back in the 80's and Coop was one of my favorites. Not many people ran that "clean" "plain" Malcom Smith Racing gear back in the day,and his go for broke hi-flyin style. Epic!
I was so happy when he won that championship but what really won me over is when he made the switch to off-road,even riding the ISDE. Wished more riders of the new era showed thier love of racing motorcycles by extending careers and enjoying riding the bike in any condition. Guess I'm old fashioned at 46,the thing I remember the most after seeing On any sunday the first time is how much of a badAzz Malcom Smith was at any motorcycle discipline.
Thats skill at your craft there son.
@ Please don't hate us.The difference is that most of the top 250 riders stayed healthy and race all year.That should tell you something about what the problem is with the 450's.Now you have one of the craziest riders since McGoo tell you the 450's have to much power yet you still want to argue the point.
I'll post it one more time.
The whole four-stroke thing is killing the sport of dirt biking. Problem is if "they" did reduce to smaller displacement,rpm's rise and so do cost. They are already time bombs,worth as much as a boat anchor after you take out a loan and they grenade on you a year later.
Guess I'm still pissed over the demise of the 500's for making too much power and not enough of a show,so they replace em with high maintanence time bombs with F1 technology thats killing the sport that make bout the same (if not more) power.
At least kill the 250F's and make em 150 2 smokers.
I'll keep my 300 2stroke thank you.
@BD25. This was very cool to have you write this story and that bucky394 was able to figure out that it was you that did it.
BD25 AWESOME article!!!! I was fortunate enough to see Guy ride in his sunset year as a pro. The 1993 Citrus Bowl Supercross. My big bro even went up to him and said, hey Guy, I hope you get your first win tonight..he said thanks...and we came from South Africa to watch that race...and to meet mickey mouse ;-).
Chicken had pulled another one of those stupid moves on Airtime just the week before San Jose at Airtime's home race at Stillwater.
One of my favourite races was the Dallas 1993 supercross. If it had not been for Bradshaw, Cooper would've won that thing. He simply blew past Stanton and McGrath on his way to second.
He is SPOT on the money with regard to his opinion of the displacement. Four strokes are killing our sport. A proud 2 stroke owner :-).
I took a friend to the 125/500 National at Six Flags Over Georgia In the 1980's. He only knew a little about mx and while I was focused on the race for the lead the entire time, I remember him shouting to me over and over again "WATCH THIS COOPER DUDE". Guy was just blazing through the field from probably a 20 something start and he was putting on a show. I believe at the time tha Guy was doing the outdoor series from a Honda civic station wagon carrying his bike on bumper racks!!!
Finally had the time to read this arcticle. And it was a good one. Way to write, BD25! Soooo, now, as we are never satisfied, how about an interview with Trey Canard? As you knew his father, and posess the required writing skills, I think you are a shoe-in. And, by the looks of this thread, others agree. How cool is that? I pretty much get the moto fix here and here only, and don't recall much stuff about him recently. But, then again, if he's out, do to injury, there prolly isn't much to tell. On the other hand, he should be getting ready for the upcoming season, and may have a few comments. Just a thought!
Guy Cooper was always fun to watch on the track. He always flew higher and further than anybody else on the track!!! He mentions a child but does not mention his Wife. Is he still married? I remember a segment on TV about him and he was one of the first guys to be married as a racer. His Wife was mentioned as being his mechanic as well!!! Good to see he is still racing ad having fun. I wish I was in to photography back then and had pictures of him flying!!!
BD25....great article, and congrats!!!!!!! As bucky 394 asks....I would also like to hear from Trey Jorski. He was so fast on that Kawi KX. Back in the day I would be on the same start line, but was not at the same pace during the race. That said....Mosier Valley, Lake Whitney, Paris Raceway from the early 70's were filled with the best from Texas and OK.
This article, and "Airtime" recollections are priceless.
Thanks again Bill for submitting this interview! And RacerX......great decision and ya'll need to hire this freelance!!!!!!!!!
On this day of giving Thanks, I start with Guy, for taking the time and allowing me the opportunity to sit down with him for this interview.. Next, Thanks to Jason and DC for taking time to read it and putting it on line..and Big Thanks to all of you who have been reading my posts and leaving such positive feedback, your the ones who gave me the idea to get back to writing. I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving as your kind words have given me one!!!
A150 cc is like an 80 cc two stroke idiot
That's Mcgrath #17. If you need proof check out this link:
http://www.allisports.com/motocross/feature/40-day-countdown-to-ama-motocross-opener-1992
I can prove 22 is Buddy too, but believe me, it is.
"That's Mcgrath #17. If you need proof check out this link:
http://www.allisports.com/motocross/feature/40-day-countdown-to-ama-motocross-opener-1992
I can prove 22 is Buddy too, but believe me, it is."
#17 is Swink. #125 was Mcgrath. 22 was indeed buddy Antunez. That article was wrong.
Check out this Buckley photo of MC in 1992 at the 'wick:
http://www.buckleyphotos.com/classicprints/source/mcgrath-southwick92-002.htm
Sure looks like the same #17 guy to me. Same gear and all. Look at the color on the knees.
Pleasedonthateus, your logic is flawed. So should we make 550cc bikes?
The point cooper is making, if 250s are running the same pace as 450s why are 450s necessary? The only difference is injury. Little bikes lend to better cornering and tighter racing.
It's called the Law of diminishing returns, at what point is too much, too much. My good friend is a former factory star and even HE admits there is a point when the bike gets so fast it simply makes it harder to ride (not go faster).
Only my humble opinion, but I think Cooper is SPOT ON.
#17 is McGrath. He was #125 the previous season, and also #125 his rookie season on a KAWi. In 92 while being #17 outdoors, he was #1 in supercross.
I have a memory like an elephant.
rickamatuzio... I knew you would appreciate his views on that subject...so you are not alone in your quest!!! Several people agree with you as posted above...have a good day..keep up the good fight!!