by Davey Coombs
30 Day Countdown to A1: #30 Marty Tripes
Thursday, December 6, 2012 | 4:30 PM
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PrintWelcome to a new daily feature here at Racer X Online, the Monster Energy 30-Day Countdown to the Anaheim season opener, which takes place on January 5, 2013. To mark each day as we count them down, we will present our 30 Best Supercross Racers of All-Time, as voted on by the Racer X editorial staff and our contributors. Using the Racer X Vault of Monster Energy Supercross results, as well as our own experience in watching races over the years, we will present one SX hero each day as we look forward to Anaheim. We will begin with #30....
In order to rank the 30 best all-time SX racers of all time, we had to go back to the very first night of supercross as we know it, the 1972 Superbowl of Motocross, and the very first winner, Marty Tripes. Just 16 years, 10 days old on the night of the race, the Yamaha-mounted Tripes beat some of the world's best motocross riders, including former world champion Torsten Hallman and future World Champion Hakan Andersson. Over the course of that first night under the lights, the superbly-talented Tripes, who hailed from Santee, California, became the first star of stadium motocross. (The term “Supercross” would not be used for another couple of years, nor would it be a stand-alone series until 1974.) In taking the evening's overall win, he set a record that still stands to this day: He is the youngest winner in the AMA history.
Tripes en route to his second career win at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Racer X Archives photo
One year later the Superbowl of Motocross would return again to the Los Angeles Coliseum and Tripes would prevail again, only this time aboard a factory Honda.
In the years that followed Tripes did not have the same success he had early on, as he seemed to be constantly switching bikes and teams, including unfortunate stints with Husqvarna, Can-Am, Bultaco and even Harley-Davidson. He also had a difficult time keeping trim and healthy, struggling with his weight and fitness.
But in 1978, he got back together with Team Honda and made his first real run at the Supercross title, winning major rounds at Atlanta's old Fulton County Stadium and Daytona International Speedway. In the end he would finish second to the most dominant Supercross racer of the seventies, Bob “Hurricane” Hannah.
Tripes' professional career came to an end in 1980, just as Supercross was really beginning to flourish. But even now he's still involved in the sport, organized the Marty Tripes 100cc Works Revenge Series, as well as CMC Marty Tripes Vintage races on the West Coast. You can find more info here. And to see all of Tripes' race results, check him out here in The Racer X Vault.
Check back here tomorrow for the Monster Energy 30-Day Countdown to Anaheim, when we unveil the 29th Best Supercross Racer of All Time.
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One of the most naturally talented riders ever, but don't trust him to drive your ski boat.
endoman very true statement, but need to add buggy, Porsche , or ATV, or...... One of the greatest riders that never realized his own talent. But still a great guy can't but help love the Burrito
Tripes should of won SX in 78.To many DNFs.
He cooks some mean BBQ
Marty had style for days! While I never got to see him on a supercross track, I was fortunate enough to watch him a few times outdoors. At Lake Whitney, on the top side of the track, there was a long right handed sand corner, whooped out from the bottom to the top, with a loose dirt berm on top. I remember how even riders Howerton and Hannah, struggled to get through the corner, the look on their faces, as they bounced and fought to maintain control of those 36" handlebars. Then here came Marty, both feet on the pegs, standing up, wide open, roosting the top of the berm, with a smile on his face!. To top it off, he was riding a bright orange Harley Davidson. He did not win that day, as his H-D had a mechanical problem, but he was the one who impressed me the most that day!
In that documentary about Hannah, Marty was still tearing up a little, 30 years later, talking about that boat accident.
I got to see him at a national near Herman, Nebraska in 78. He would still be standing while he was tipping the bike in, hit the apex perfectly, and be gone. He made it look effortless. He was a pretty big guy (not like that picture at the top), which I thought was cool. Hard to think of anyone else with his ahh... build who was capable of winning at the top level.
I noticed in the list yesterday that his only "official" AMA SX wins came a week apart.
I noticed that
i had a sl 125 in the mid 70's.......... and i was a fan of tripes (and smith & croft too) used to read mxa and then go out and jump the terraces in the pasture.......of course after all my chores were done! marty seems like a real cool, down to earth dued. hope to meet him one day
Last "I noticed that " is not supposed to be there. Must have stuttered into my voice activated keyboard.
Marty now his belly would be over the crossbar opt for a different set of bars !
Marty wailed around the 'dilla on the factory Honda during GP days!
I bet he can still run a mean Hula Hoop !! LOL -:
Couldn't agree more with comments lauding Marty's natural talents which made him my favorite rider of that era. I was always amazed by his lines and some of the moves he pulled off as I followed him around the track. Unfortunately he had more bad luck than anyone I've ever seen. One of the worst cases of bad luck was at Zoar Valley Inter Am in 74. It was in the 90's and super dusty. Marty was in last after the first lap. He methodically rode his Husky through the pack all the way to second place only to run out of gas on the last lap on the back section of the track - the furthest point from the pits. As it were, I happened to be right there so I went over to him and offered to give him a hand getting back to the pits. He was most appreciative as I pushed his bike back for him.
Hey Chief, if you see this I hope to have another beer with you before we see the checked flag for the last time.
I have seen some pure street bikes with more supercross credibility than the "Factory Honda" in the picture (even Ping's Tornado from the auto parts store would be preferrable). I remember the old Elsinores - they seemed pretty sweet at the time busting around my friends cow pasture. Now, all I see a lighter version of a dyna-glide. Ouch.
Marty was the hub that the early moto scene revolved around. While there were winners and heros, he was joe sixpack living the dream, except he had mad skills under the bulk. I bet he got better traction than the q-tip riders he rode against.
None smoother and faster.
When Marty was on it and felt like racing, nobody beat him. Not Hannah, nobody.
His style was incredible. Talk about float like butterfly, sting like a bee. :-)
Hannah said the same thing about Tripes that Carmichael said about Windham. When he was on you could not touch him. And they both had / have that super fluid riding style.
Tripes also picked up that stand up style while in Czeckoslovakia when riding CZ . I remember reading on of his interviews in which he stated it lowered the center of gravity so much and allowed him to go faster.
Years later at the nations Stewart and Everts going thru the same corner at the same time. Everts standing up hauling the mail. Stewart sitting down, leg out , hauling the mail. I thing Decoster was pulling the reigns back on Stewart for the team Strategy. Wish he would have screwed the strategy and pulled the trigger.
Hannah has a lot of stories about Marty.
Marty also had a younger brother named Mike who was also a very good rider.
Thanks for the memories.
Marty is one of nicest people you will ever meet in the pits...Always had a minute to say hello with a smile...Always was a threat to win whenever he lined up to race...Best ride i saw of Marty...Sears Point Raceway...Marty was on fire that day but miss cues cost him the overall...Sears Point was "Unadilla West"... and i was glad i saw Marty tame the Sears Point track with his fluid style...It was awsome to witness...If you ever see Marty in person take the time to say hello to one of the greatest USA riders of all time...Best Wishes to you Marty in 2013...
Mike
He HAULED on anything he was on....canned am'z ,H-D ,chey-zeds ,Hondas, Yamahas etc etc.....great rider....saw him smoke all the 'big dogs' a time or too.....
I've heard that a lot that he's a real nice guy, and throws good parties. I hope to make it to one the events he's a part of soon. Hey Marty, if you need a blues band sometime, I'll see if I can talk the rest of the guys into a road trip.