by Eric Johnson
Marty Moates: Once in a Lifetime
Saturday, December 8, 2012 | 1:15 PM
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The things I occasionally day-dreamed about when I was 20 years old were graduating college, packing up my Jetta heading west to Los Angeles to follow my dreams, and having a family and a nice house. That house would have my own private office too, where I could cover the walls with photos and posters of the things that meant the most to me.
Long story short, that all happened.
Yesterday, on December 7, 2012, I was in that office when I was reminded that this was another anniversary of the day my good friend and hero (although I would never tell him that as he would not be cool with it) took his own life. I was sitting down, looking at the biggest framed poster of my collection—a black-and-white print of Marty Moates that was snapped on June 22, 1980, as he was on his way to winning the 500cc USGP of Motocross at Carlsbad, California. The poster still resonates on everything beautiful and brilliant about the sport of motocross.... And that’s when it all came flooding back.
On December 7, 2006, I was maneuvering my Audi onto the San Diego Freeway towards Carlsbad when my cell phone rang. It was Mark Simo, then CEO of No Fear.
“EJ, where are you he asked.
“On my way in,” I answered.
“Listen, Marty is dead,” he said. “Marty Moates is dead.”
Moates died on December 7, 2006.
Racer X Archives photo
I was in complete shock. Mark went on to tell me that Marty had committed suicide, putting a gun against his head and pulling the trigger. Marty was a friend and hero to the Simo brothers too, working alongside them at No Fear for many years once his racing days were over. Now Mark needed me to come up with something to announce the news. I was still stunned. I didn't feel like writing anything, I just felt like crying.
“You have to wing it, dude,” said Simo. “Please think of something.”
At the time I was on a huge Jack London reading kick. I went to my office and dug out one of his books. I soon found a line that I thought punctuated Marty’s life to the saddened and bewildered:
“There is an ecstasy that marks the summit of life, and beyond which life cannot rise. And such is the paradox of living, this ecstasy comes when one is most alive, and it comes as a complete forgetfulness that one is alive.”
On that Sunday in June back in 1980, Carlsbad Raceway and Marty Moates would become synonymous with one another. On that sunny afternoon Moates, the consummate underdog as an empty-pocketed privateer, rode his LOP Yamaha to victory at the 500cc USGP, a race until then dominated by visiting European stars. It was the one race every American rider dreamed of winning, though no one had pulled it off up to that point. But in Cinderella fashion, Moates, born and raised in nearby San Diego, pulled off what remains arguably the single biggest upset in motocross history. It was Marty’s finest moment.
Moates most famous win came at the 500cc USGP of Motocross at Carlsbad, California.
Racer X Archives photo
“This was the first race I ever came to as a kid,” Marty would tell a reporter a few minutes after the final moto that halcyon day. “While I was out there I just thought, ‘I can’t believe this is happening. It was great! I’ve dreamed about this race every year and now it’s happened.’”
The night before Marty’s funeral, Mark Simo and I sketched out what he wanted to say both to the funeral procession, as well as the press, the next day.
“I’ve known him since I first started racing motocross,” said Simo. “When Marty used to ride the Nationals [in the late 1970s], I was his mechanic, his driver, and I followed him around the country. To the fans, Marty was the underdog, the working-class guy, the hero loved by the regular, everyday people because they could relate to him. Marty was the guy who rode all the junk and made the best of it. He fought his way through to make the name he did.
“All of us here at No Fear, and all of us who raced motocross, like Greg Theiss and Boris Said and Jeff Surwall, are deeply saddened by Marty’s death. We’ve lost a friend. We’ve lost a brother.”
We will always remember #23.
Racer X Archives photo
His funeral was just plain bitchin’. The royalty of the San Diego motocross scene showed up—the same guys who helped make the U.S. the world’s #1 superpower in motocross: Broc Glover, Rick Johnson, Ron Lechien, Marty Smith, Marty Tripes. Near the end of the ceremony the lights went down and a number of large video screens were lit up. The ABC Wide World of Sports broadcast of the 1980 USGP flashed upon the screens and the start of the final moto. One could already hear the chatter in the hall begin to rise to another octave. The starting gate dropped and #23 holeshot the world’s best, and simply rode away from them all. People clapped and cheered. Others cried. It was epic. It was perfect. It was just the way it should have been. It's also a damn shame that no one could pause the tape right there, Marty Moates alive and leading the world on his favorite track. It was his best day, and that's the way I still remember him.
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If only the young racers of todays could reflect back on the time when Marty Moates was doing his thing as a privateer. Every rider knew the others, for the most part, and they all hung out together before and after national events. Jim West, Gaylon Mosier, Marty, Tony D and others would hang out outside the hotel near the event, bench race, and bust each other's chops about this or that. There was no shiny Semi rig and strung out banners seperating the stars from the fans...you could just walk up, sit down, and listen to the friendship. Every rider had a van, a bike, and a story. The focus was mostly on winning...and living, the moto life. No matter how long he ( and others ) are gone, they have left us all a legacy worth remembering.
The descriptions of fun loving, always willing to help, smiling, happy-go-lucky seem to be common of so many that take their own lives. Why is this? What secrets and pains do we harbor? Perhaps I am ignorant on this issue, but what were Marty's reasons for ending his own life? Did he have no friends whom he trusted enough to confide in? Was this the result of an illness, or a darker side few of his friends knew existed? Just questions that occurred to me...
I wiped the tears from my eyes as I read this. Thanks for remembering Eric.
@Thor7 - Those are tough questions, and ones that people seem to avoid. I had a friend who committed a suicide a few months before Marty did, and he wasn't famous racer or anything, but he was a very friendly, seemingly fun loving guy. He had family and other friends that he was really close to, and could have confided in. All I can really think is that he was really good at hiding his pain, like guys tend to be in general, and he got to a place where he felt utterly hopeless.
On a more positive note, I can remember where I was and who told me that Marty won the USGP. I thought he was BS'ing me at first. That and the first US MXdN wins will ever live in my mid as legendary events. Magoo winning all 4 motos of the MXdN and Trophy(?) des Nations is right up there, too. Man, we've lost a lot of heroes.
Well done Eric.
marty was a helluva man and a helluva racer, thanks for that mr. johnson. oh and mcgrath was at martys funeral too. ;)
Mr Johnson, thank you for writing an article about Marty Moates, and with your personal perspective (like most of us would if we had opportunity).
(Does somebody always have to get angry and kick about something? Have some class.)
I have always wondered how someone can achieve so much in their career, find love, and cultivate a long list of friends, but farm out of this seemingly idealic life enough pain to cause them to lose their will to live.
I hope if anyone of you reading this ever finds yourself in a spot where the easy way out becomes too much to resist, that you find someone to share your pain with.
Empathy is one of the most redeeming aspects of the human race, and one that we all need to avail ourselves frequently. Big pain leads to a desire to isolate which leads to concentrated pain. Share the pain, and be there to shoulder others pain, and find the comfort you need. Nobody should go willingly into the darkness.
Thanks for writing this article Eric. Moates played a key role in U.S. motocross history and will forever be remembered by those of us who love the history of our sport.
Marty Moates was a true hero- great article!
But as I am from Detroit- I have to admit this was pretty fucxing funny too:
'(Nor that you drive an Audi and that you packed up your Jetta and all YOUR dreams came true)'
Ouch.
Not 100% sure, but i recall reading when this happened in 2006 that Marty had been suffering terrible back pain for years from old MX injuries. Either the pain or the pain pills drove him to suicide.
I don't understnd what you guys mean by this: (Nor that you drive an Audi and that you packed up your Jetta and all YOUR dreams came true)
It was just my way to START the story about Marty. In no way, shape or form did I intend this piece to be about ME. Moreover, I don't give a shit about what kind of car I drive (so if that came off wrong, sorry)... And Marty was a VERY close friend who I saw on a daily basis.
And WFO UFO... I'm from Cleveland... More of a hell hole than even Detroit... So I REALLY have NO clue as to what you mean. Hey, at least I left, man.
I'll never forget that race. Great article, LOP jerserys are still cool too.
I saw Marty at the 4-stroke National at Carlsbad in the fall of 77, he was riding the Knobby Shop bike at incredible speeds around that Carlsbad track. So a few years later when he won the USGP there I was not surprised.
"'And WFO UFO... I'm from Cleveland... More of a hell hole than even Detroit... So I REALLY have NO clue as to what you mean. Hey, at least I left, man.'"
Not bashing you personally Eric- I'm sure your a real nice guy. More than half the people posting on this site drive foriegn cars- the comment was meant for them too. Not sure what being from Cleveland has to do with anything- If you wanna talk Hell Hole, try Newark NJ.
But in reference to automobile sales and employment....
"Detroit was once known as the "Motor City", but in recent decades automobile production has been leaving Detroit at a staggering pace. One analysis of census figures found that 48.5% of all men living in Detroit from age 20 to age 64 did not have a job during 2008.
Since Alan Mulally became CEO of Ford, the company has reduced its North American workforce by nearly half.
In 1970, General Motors had about a 60% share of the U.S. automobile market. Today, that figure is down to about 20%.
Today, only Chrysler still operates an automobile assembly line within Detroit city limits.
In the year 2000, the U.S. auto industry employed more than 1.3 million Americans. Today, the U.S. auto industry employs about 698,000 people."
WFO here- I'm just making an ironic joke about the state of things today- I'm not mad at anybody here. Peace.
Eric...thought it was a moving article about a great guy and a great rider.....some people on here are incapable of a compliment or compassion....but some of us get it....nice job.
All good, WFO! Peace, as well.
And I must say Eric- you play a KILLER guitar!
'Cliffs of Dover' forever!
@WFO WTF are you on tard pills.What the hell does US auto sales and Detroit have to do with a story about Marty Moates.@B787tech I don't understand what you are talking about either.Maybe you need to rewrite your comment.Are you drunk cause it made no sence.
Fred -I have been on your tard pills for over a year now- and everything is finally starting to make sense. Reality sucks.
WFO, it's a bit ironic that you made your statement on a site where most on here ride Jap bikes, with a growing number of Euro machines thrown ins. US car companies lost their market share in part because Japan out-built them. On a brighter note, I do believe American cars and trucks are becoming more competitive again. (I hope so.)
Some day I'll learn how to type on an iPad.
@WFO haha I'm going to have to cut you off for a couple of weeks.
Great article. I too, could not believe an American had won that great race. I was even more shocked when I found out it was that Marty on a LOP Yamaha!
Many blamed the meds and maybe they contributed, but chronic acute pain is not something you can easily ignore. Contrary to some peoples opinions, even the most powerful meds cannot rid you of all pain. I cant even imagine how bad it must be to not be able to move muscle without feeling pain. It wears you down.
I will remember not that he won such a huge race, but that he was loved and admired but so so many. RIP Marty Moates
Excellent piece, EJ, I really enjoyed that. I know how close you were to Marty and I think he left a great big legacy in this sport, not just that one moment, but all of the struggles he went through as a privateer, and then all of the success he had in business afterwards.... He was such a good guy. Damn.
DC
Thanks for the great article,so said a permanent fix to a temporary problem. I've been there seams like there's no light at the end of the tunnel.Would have liked to be there when that replay came on, what a tribute!
I met Marty at a track in Indiana called Winchester. Just came o]home from Europe
racing Ossa's.
Also met him seveal times when racing for Lorenz Offner (LOP). Great guy and great article by EJ. Thanks,
Hey, Simonitis Bro's.
Great story Eric! My understanding is that Marty was suffering from great physical pain beyond what he could handle. This is a great rememberance of a guy and his passion for our sport.
I was at Carlsbad that day; a little punk 125 beginner MX'er staring over the fence in awe!.....Dreaming I was Marty!
He was my Hero, after he won the USGP, me and my friends would race around the local Mx track and pretend to be him, awesome article Eric. MXer 4life! Braaaap!
LarryWitmer wrote: about 4 hours ago
"I met Marty at a track in Indiana called Winchester"
Loved that place Larry. The trains keeping you awake all night while trying to sleep, You were the man there Larry in A class...
In my travels, several friends have taken their own lives. I find comfort that Jesus said the only unforgiveable sin is blasphemy of the holy spirit. Mind you, suicide leaves all those behind scratching their heads trying to go through the coulda woulda shoulda's, but the door is still open for them to have everlasting life in Heaven. Just sayin...
Thanks for sharing EJ your memories of Marty with all of us...Marty was a true "Hero"
=FG=
@Dash I wish you hadn't made a statement like that.Do you really think you are qualified to determine the definition of what blasphemy of the holy spirit is and who has or hasn't gone to heaven.To me Marty was a true David that slayed Goliath.
@MX Fans....thanks for the words. Winchester was a great place and another friend that I battled with is in heaven riding with Marty is Phil Alderton....godspeed both of these MX Heros
Excellent rememberance EJ.
Will always recall watching that wide world of sports telecast as a young teenager in awe.
I also remember the day I read about it in Cycle News! I also still have the poster of him racing they made in the pics above!
I still have some LOP unused Decals in my drawer and LOP stickers on my cruthes that I have been using for 40 years! 40 year old aluminum cruthes with LOP, BelRay FMF and several others on them still! Using them today with my arthritis problems, but hey the racing makes it worth it!
LETS RACE!!!!!1 hERE COMES A1
In the military we have manditory suicide awareness traing to try to prevent them, but it is tough. 3 people from my current station have done it. One the weekend after I went to a SX race with him.
fred...The first line was a direct quote from Jesus .If you need clarification, I am not anyones judge. Never said I was. Through God's grace and the sacrifice of his son is the only way we will go to Heaven. In the future, try not to put words into others mouths. If you do, I'll be forced to acuse you of being my wife and have to take her laptop computer from her. Just sayin...
So are tattoos a desecration of the body which is a temple and a sin against god? Because I don't have any so I want to know if I have that going for me.
It's nice to remember the people who helped bring motox to where it is today.
I would have like to have met him, like him i raced because I loved it and dreamed of being on the starting line with guys like Marty Moates.
Thanks for remembering!
Great Article Eric.
thanks,
SUE~