This Week's Birthdays
March 29, 2009 3:43pm | by: colbie
April 1: Jean-Michel Bayle was one of the most talented riders to ever put a leg over a motorcycle. In 1988, Bayle won the FIM 125cc Motocross World Championship, and then the 250cc World Championship in 1989. After that, he decided to come to America to race against the best riders in the world. In 1991, only his second full season in America, Bayle became the first and only rider ever to win the 250cc Supercross and 250cc and 500cc Outdoor National MX Championships all in the same season. Apparently, he thought MX was too easy, so he went road racing.
April 1: Loretta Lynn’s alumni, Michael Baker.
April 2: In the late ‘90s, Tallon Vohland was a top Grand Prix rider and battled with the likes of Stefan Everts and Marnicq Bervoets week-in and week-out. Vohland never won a title over there, but he did win some races. In 1999, he came back to the states and won his first-ever Outdoor National at Budds Creek. In 2000, while riding for Mitch Payton’s team, he won the Anaheim 125cc Supercross. Injuries would follow, though, and Tallon decided to retire. Now, Vohland is the Pro Racing Manager for Acerbis and Scott USA.
April 3: This year, Triple Effect Suzuki’s Brock Sellards was a top contender for the Arenacross Championship. Sellards came up a little short and had to settle for second in the overall points to Jeff Gibson.
April 3: Former Factory Suzuki rider Phil Lawrence.
April 3: Charlie "Hot Rod" Mullins is considered the future star of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series. The Ohio rider turns 23 and is already a major threat for the GNCC crown, winning the opening round of the 2009 Series aboard his FMF Makita Suzuki RM-Z450.
April 3: Helmet House’s National Marketing Manager Richard Kimes.
April 4: In 2000, Shae Bentley, David Pingree, and Greg Schnell battled in what would be one of the most memorable 125cc West Coast Supercross Championships that we have seen. Bentley would come out on top, winning the championship by two points over Ping. Injuries and illness followed, and Shae was forced into retirement early. Even though his career was cut short, he still has that championship trophy.
April 5: The name Ryan Hughes is synonymous with heart and determination. Hughes wasn’t the most talented guy who ever raced a motorcycle, but he always gave it 100% every time he was out on the track, and the fans loved him for it. Since retiring, Ryno has taken on a new role as a trainer, track owner, and teaching schools. Check out www.ryanhughesmx.com