5 Minutes With...David Bailey
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 | 4:00 PM
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Our Top 30 Supercross Racers of All Time Countdown definitely sparked some heated online debate. Maybe we don’t know what we’re doing, but one man who does is certainly 1983 AMA Supercross Champion (and number fourteen on our list) David Bailey. After all, the Little Professor inspired this list—he originally ranked the Top 25 Supercrossers of all time in the pages of Racer X Illustrated back in 1999. We used that piece for guidance in this year’s list, so we figured we’d check in for his thoughts.
Racer X: David, this countdown sparked a lot of emotion among fans and riders. One of the hard things for us, the people who helped choose the rankings, was the eye test versus the record books. For example, I thought David Vuillemin should have been closer to the front because at his peak, he beat Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael a few times. That’s two of the very best, but I lost that one. What, in your opinion, are the criteria one should use when making up a list like this?
David Bailey: My feelings on the ranking are that it's impossible to do, so I'm not too emotional over who ranks where. As far as what to put more emphasis on, to me it's more the impact the rider had rather than how long he was out there. Some riders have had the ability to last a long time and still have an impact, like the Wards or Kevin Windham, but I'd probably lean a little more to the guys who really made you stand up and cheer because of their sheer talent and ability to win. Pecking order aside, I appreciate that Racer X decided to give us something to remember and reflect on and to stoke us for the Anaheim opener. It's a great group of riders to celebrate and a cool history refresher course.
David Bailey came in at number fourteen on our list.
Racer X Archives photo
I was talking to Jeff Ward and he thought we may have blown it with Jean-Michel Bayle. Jeff thought JMB should be closer to number one. But JMB himself said that he shouldn’t have been lower than you, his hero. Bayle was a hard one for us to debate. What are your thoughts on him?
JMB is the perfect example of a shorter career but a rider who had a big impact. He looked like he was reading the paper as he carved his way past great riders. He came and went and won everything. I can see Wardy's point. Jeff could raise his game and match anybody, but on certain days Bayle was untouchable and looked effortless. He didn't have the Ken Roczen or James Stewart-type flash, but he did have that Magic Johnson no-look-pass Larry Bird buzzer-beater-shot-off-the-glass-type flair! He definitely left his impression. To think he looked up to me is hard to even put into words.
We put you at number fourteen on the list. As objective as you can be, how’d we do?
I'm happy with it. I like #14 and that RFK picture you ran brought back some memories. There are great riders higher on the list and some really great ones behind me. I'm happy to be on the list. I used to wait for UPS to deliver Cycle News on Thursdays to see what happened at Anaheim and study all the black-and-white pictures. I dreamed of what it would be like to be in the mix. I wouldn't get to see it all in color until the series came through Atlanta and Daytona, and I didn't miss a thing knowing someday I'd be on the line. My dad, Gary, helped me prepare, and I hit the ground running when I holeshot my first ever heat race in a SX and made the main.
I went through a drought after that, kind of a welcome to the big leagues, but I worked really hard on my riding all day, every day, until I could sit on the starting line knowing I could win unless something weird happened or I just didn't ride well. That was a great feeling. I was a fan of the sport from the first time I saw it, and it never wore off. I used to just drive my rental car to the stadium and sit in the stands while John Savitski built the tracks. I can still smell the dirt and hear the dozer tracks and visualize that bitchin' light down on the floor. I loved it.
There was some heated debate and controversy about Bob Hannah at number three. Your thoughts on that?
I doubt he cares. He did it his way and knows where he stands. To me, Hannah was so badass and so cocky in his day he that he was supercross! He would say hilarious stuff that was dead on, and no matter how gnarly it was you couldn't argue it because he'd go out there and back it up. His perfect nickname, clutch fanning, lightning bolts, SCOTT boots, duckbill visor, ski-jumping style, butt patches, and personality were all revealing of his character and what got me fired up about racing. He made winning look like a good drug, and I wanted some. I was a huge Marty Smith fan, but Hannah won me over after a while with his sheer speed and determination. I saw him nearly crash but somehow not crash so many times. You'd just scream and laugh at the same time and turn to the person next to you, like, 'Did you see that too?'
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Racer X Archives photo
He was in many ways a combination of Michael Jordan, who always played his hardest and hated losing, and Muhammad Ali, with his ability to phrase things that made you laugh and pay attention and also realize he was very intelligent. I'd like to add that, for whatever reason, Bob spent a little extra time with me when he was in his prime on Yamahas and again when he signed with Honda in 1983. He went out of his way and didn't have to. It helped me, and I'll always appreciate that. I have a lot of riders to thank for their inspiration, but Hannah and then Johnny O'Mara really made it special and helped me stay focused on the best I had to offer.
Anyone come to mind that we might have missed? Perhaps a rider whose skills at SX stood out for you in your day?
By mentioning anyone, I risk leaving somebody out I'll remember later, but I suppose guys like Micky Dymond or Damon Huffman, maybe [Jeff] Matiasevich could be considered. Those guys were amazing and had their runs. Mike Craig blew some minds a few times, but where does it end? You can always add riders after the fact, but this is a nice start to remembering some of the best and keeping the new kids informed on who paved the way and a sample of how they did it.
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The James Stewart Freestone AMA Spring Classic in Texas has quickly earned a place on the list of must-attend springtime amateur events. Page 182.
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Bailey is just cool
Pure class act
Legend!!
Still play my old supercross and outdoor tapes and listen to the old school Eckman and Bailey combo...puts Ralph and Fro to shame.
David is the smartest, nicest, most intelligent guy you will ever meet in this sport. Im glad I had a chance to meet him back in 02 at the Pontiac SX race. He is a wealth of knowledge, I could of talked to him the entire night and he treated me as if I was a good friend. I wish he would come back to announcing again.
There is only one David Bailey, His personality is larger than life itself. Just a wonderful person.
Seems very cool and down to earth. I would welcome him back in the booth. His announcing style may be not that enthusiastic, but his knowledge and insight outweigh that by miles. Besides, I get more jacked up for the races than Lance Armstrong.
One look at that pic and it shows why it so hard to put these riders in any type of best to better list.
He's wrong about one thing. Cassius Clay was a dummy. He failed the Army induction test because of poor reading and writing skills and he had a word man friend who wrote all those famous lines for him.
Great interview. Was wonderful to watch him ride a motorcycle and a great and solid all-around person.
B787
Someday you and I are gonna meet up and you can teach me all the stuff I supposedly don't know. Don't worry, I'll come armed with every single SX race that has even been on TV, because I have them all and I've watched them. You should see the boxes of tapes I have here at the house. Or maybe I'll give them to you, my wife would sure like to have the extra space around here.
I've also worked personally with David and have spent hours upon hours picking his brain on topics such as this.
Now, onto minute #21. Or is this my 13th season writing for Racer X? Hard to tell the difference.
You can tell from that first picture how ridiculously tight some of the corners used to be. He's going into that corner like a woods rider cutting between trees.
I'll always be glad that he was at the Gary Bailey school I went to in 1981. He could do some amazing bike-handling things. He was a real down to earth guy. Some people come across that way until you actually meet them, but he really was.
His take on Hannah was great. It's hard to compare eras, but he owned his era, I'd dare say he transformed the sport of SX.
Jason Weigandt
These posers are un-real...Just keep up the good work..
Leave the dirty work to me .. I got them covered !!
Hey Weigandt, when youre writing starts getting worse you can always use the excuse that its too cold in your office.
Hey Davey,, you better hire @b787tech.. If he only missed 2 Nationals, sounds to me like he needs a job....
@MX Bob ,,, I dont think that corner is tight,, I just think there are actually "bumps" in it.. Besides, you cant tell from that pic how wide the corner is.
David Bailey: Tough competitor, smooth style, great line choice, determined, intelligent, calm demeanor, all traits that made him a great racer. So many more things you could say about the Little Professor and his athletic prowess.Those of us who are fortunate enough to have seen him ride and to have been able to hear his insight announcing the races, have no doubt how special he really is. Perhaps, Mustard Dog said it best, David Bailey was simply an purely a "Class Act"!
I think an awesome team in the announcing booth would be Bailey and Weege.
Much better than the current line up.
I think an awesome team in the announcing booth would be Bailey and Weege.
Much better than the current line up.
bt787 ...After trying to back JW off the plate with a inside pitch..bt787 checks the bases and delivers a hard fast ball, down the center of the plate...the mighty JW, with a swing of the bat, slams the ball right back at the mound, causing a roar to come up from the crowd..as the ball sails out of the park...score 1 - 0 in favor of the Pen Strikers..
THE MOST TECHNICALLY PERFECT RIDER OF ALL TIME...and imo the best color analyst the sport has ever seen.
@b787...Which side of the fence were you on? It makes a HUGE difference.
Anytime David Bailey is around I enjoy every bit of it. I have been wondering what he is up to lately. Keeping a low profile?
Weege is an asset and works hard to entertain us. Kudos!
Jason Weigandt ~ You're just never gonna please 'em all. Can't happen. I, for one, really appreciate your work. When you're on the mic outdoors it's clear you've done your homework. Good stats, complete wit about you and I kind of enjoy the occasional, maybe subconscious Emig jab. All in good fun. Keep up the good work & don't let them wear you out.
I kinda see similarities to Eli. He broke onto the scene, quite young and with a semi-famous Dad, but then didn't produce. Now, after a few short seasons, he looks unbeatable. Just like David. Great interview Steve!
Weege - how about posting a link to David's article from 1999? It would be interesting to compare DB's comments to what RX just put together.
Easily an all-time great.
DB @ the 500 U.S.G.P. are some of my favorite moto-memories.
Thanks for the ride DB, nothing but the best to you & yours.
Almost forgot to add how pissed my father was when I cut up my SCOTT face mask like DB's. He thought I was a moron and he said "If he wasn't getting them for free, his father would think he's a moron too"......another one of my dad's gems.
bring him back to announcing. Ricky isn't cut out for it yet but I understand why he's there. Emig has come a long way. Do we really need Ralph?
What can I say but awesome job David! You are the best then and now. What ever you do you are and will be a winner. So What else would a dad say about his son. The truth. You inspire me and thousands of others.
I sure miss "AXTON"! Great memories and "THE BAILEY`S" always gave you your moneys worth. Arrive on Friday, walk the track, watch the night race, race amatuer day Saturday, another "GREAT CAMPOUT" and then watch "Lil Professor" FLOW! Remember David on "THE BULTACOS" during regional qualifiers............EPIC!
David will always be 'thee ICON', but as far as their impact on the growth, image and respect of the sport –– hey, Davey Coombs is an icon in my book! RacerX was the magazine I had been waiting for while growing up! The REALLY big three for me have to be, Bailey, DeCoster, and Coombs, for many reasons!
He and his dad helped me for a week at his dad's school in 1980. One day we were working with the class at Sugar Tree on this one jump combo and they took the time to spend part of the lunch break that day to help me get it down. I finally got it, a few weeks later I went and rode my 1st first SX at the old JFK stadium, I didn't make the main but if it weren't for them I wouldn't have made practice. Yes the tracks then were tight, corners and jumps, but the fast guys made it through them fast and effortlessly.
It sure would be good if David could be back in the booth at SX and MX announcing.
Thanks David!
Weigandt does a good job and I've watched him do some announcing arenacross I think. If you want to complain you should pick on mathes
Cuz he hates trey Cannard! And that's just sick. Bailey is the Shiite
A few years ago at the Orlando SX, an afternoon storm kicked the hell out of the Citrus Bowl and practice, during the monsoon a good friend of mine and I, along with David Bailey were basically trapped under the bleachers. We started up a conversation with him, super cool, very friendly and just a normal dude, good times.!! What a mudder that race was, if my memory is correct, Larry Ward won?
Orlando 97'
He said about RC that he turned on a dime and left a nickle change! That still sticks with me today! Love David Bailey
Hey 901once, I was there at Sugartree in 1980 at the Bailey school and came back in 1999. What I'll never forget was in 1980, our last day of our 3 day school,, as the day winded down, Gary turned us all loose to run some full laps together. Every day we only worked on one section at a time, so this was the real first time we got to put everything we learned all together. I remember some really dark clouds moved in, the temperature dropped about 20 degrees and I jumped in right behind David. He was so precise and smooth. After the rain set in we made it back up to the cyclebarn and talked for a long time about our laps. He was such a humble person, you could tell he was bound for greatness, and he loved what he was doing..Gary, in my book, did a great job of forming David into a great champion and a fine person. Always the best to the Baileys! Oh yeah, my 8 year old daughter and I went to Lake Sugartree last Sunday for open practice- probably the best I've ever seen the track, it was amazing! Good job Larry Farley!
David lived and raced close to me, but I really got to know him on a trip to the Florida winter series just after he signed with Honda. The Bell brothers and I ran into him and Gary just outside of Greensboro and convoyed to Orlando. I learned on that trip that David was a humble guy who believed that if he worked at it, he could make it to the top.
It was so much fun to be part of the crowd who welcomed him home at the Greensboro airport from his victorious MXDN in 1992.
A few years later, David seemed happy to hand me a first place trophy at Lake Sugar Tree when he first started running it. "Yeah, I saw you out there", he said.
I always liked to imagine that David and Gary were watching any time I was out practicing. It really inspired me to work hard.
The last time I saw David was in the elevator of Cowboys stadium. I was there to deliver a Cowboys themed helmet to Ezra Lusk. David and I talked a bit about helmet painting, a talent that David developed after his injury.
I've been out of the industry for a while now, but this article gives me a chance to tell David THANKS FOR BEING AN INSPIRATION!
Oops, 1982 MXDN!
Personally, I think Emig does a pretty good job in the booth. Yeah, every once in a while he gets a little "tongue tied" (for lack of a better term) but you've got to cut him some slack there. As for Bailey, he did a great job in the booth. I think he and Emig would be a really good combo. As for Ricky, not so good. Can't someone tell him that you don't say "I seen"!
does it look like carmichael has gained more weight? maybe now Emig could beat him in a longer for fun race
@ ggcr, he said that about McGrath.
David Bailey is the man. He has the credibility to make a top 30 list. He is a fan of sport, in the bigger sense of the word, so he makes relevant references to others athletes and he can compare it to guys in our sport, because he was out there. A true student of MX.
I saw David at Anaheim 2, 2001. That was MC's win # 72. I was so phsyiced to be there I got to the stadium around 9 am and was just hanging outside. I was over looking into the pits and turned around and David coming up to go in the gate. He had a black shirt and dark sungalsses. His arms were jacked up because he had just done the Iron Man. He looked so serious I didn't say anything to him. I didn't want to bother him. Afterwards I kept thinking I just saw David Bailey and didn't say anything! damit! ha-ha
Sorry, I should proof read.
The foxy Miss Miller High Life, the 80's version of a monster girl. I was a fan of Bailey, silky smooth.Even bought a 83 CR250, wish I still had it.
It's really a shame with all that DB has to offer, his knowledge of and passion for this sport the "industry" lets him sit on the sidelines....
First Jason is a rad journalist, and a down-to-earth awesome dude. Second Bailey is missed doing commentary.
I first saw Bob Hannah at the 78 n 79 Herman, Ne. Nationals! Hannah left such an impression about MX and SX on our minds that we had to beg our folks to upgrade our bikes to race bikes. We started racing in 79 and been fans of the sport ever since! My cousin and I where so hooked on racing that we are still apart of the sport years later and MX/SX is apart of our lives.
Thank you, Mr.Bob Hannah,
(FOR BEING MY INSPIRATION!)
"n2motox" appears to have a good suggestion regarding the idea of JE and DB as an announcing team .... And I suggest JW as the third person.
Or, race fans can continue to be subjected to the present announcing lineup of JE and two of the worst broadcasters in the history of MX and SX.
always been someone to look up to since a young boy, and i still do....David Bailey , your brilliant! words couldn't describe what it would do for the sport to have David as an announcer.....
can't help but notice the striking resemblance between David Bailey and Davey Millsaps....
David Bailey is Supercross. No.1 for me. I did a riding school with him a few years ago and his knowledge and ability to spot things is incredible. Hats off to him.
Re: Ali's illiteracy. Whether a person can read or write in no way is indicative of his or her intelligence. Now, on to important things. Can't we get Bailey back on the TV broadcasts and get rid of Emig? And I wonder what he feels about the stupidity of the "road to supercross" crap that will force racers to run arenacross.
@Star playa--Wait a second, Bob Hannah cant inspire you, he is white.. Remember what you wrote, us white guys for one dont know what makes you "people of color" tick, and we dont have heart like you also.. Those were YOUR words, so go and post about "People of color" and leave the post about us white guys to us.. RACIST!!!!
That was cool and it's always a treat hearing from the "Little Professor". I wish David Bailey was still commentating on Supercross and Motocross.
@Preston, whats wrong, dont like being called out?? Almost every post you make you call someone a hillbilly white redneck, so its sounds to me YOU are the one with the race problem.. I am just trying to keep racist people like yourself away.. You have shown your true colors, you are a racist just like Star Playa and Dgizzy,
Here goes! The perfect SX MX announcing team DAVID BAILY, JASON WEIGANT and JASON THOMAS - man that'll be the day.
I hate how articles are ruined by myopic asses on here. Here we are delivered this great interview and inevitably the social rejects get on here and ruin the vibes...
There is something special about this guy that I feel this bond kinda thing with, that I really can't pinpoint. Aside from the fact that he was raised by the same individual who sparked a flame under my ass to race motocross before god wore sandals. And two, because about the same time I became obsessed about the sport is when my brother suffered a spinal cord injury similar to David's on a 250 Honda the very same day we bought our fist bike together. Then more than 25 years later, David had his life altering practice issue that when I see, read or hear of him, that little man in my head starts me asking why them and not me.
This sport is a roll of dice every time you throw your leg over that seat, and put boot to kick starter, and twist that throttle back...
Anywho... David is a man who (I believe) needs to get more opportunities to be behind the mic, and offer his well spoken, from within the trenches fortay, to the masses. Maybe he is (in there) as much as he wants to be, but personally I would love to see and hear more of him. Just my thoughts...
All the best to you and your family, David.
b787tech: I just don't get people like you. You take an article that Jason Weigandt has neither penned, or is even mentioned within, and through the poor dude under the bus.
This may be a free country, but there is no excuse for you, or your slander towards those as dedicated as Jason Weigandt (and the Bailey's) is/are to this sport.
Crawl back under that F***ing rock you slimed out from, and die a slow death, while doing the rest of us a great favor.
My Bad..(Throw not Through) ;~}}}
Re: Ali's illiteracy. Whether a person can read or write in no way is indicative of his or her intelligence.
That is just a small part of it. Clay is one of the biggest lies in sports... epitome of revisionary history. Like I said he always had people around him that told him what to do and say. He was a dummy and had no class.
Hey b787tech-Maybe you should learn the difference between "then" and "than" before you ask the staff at RacerX to hire you as one of their writers. Take a few writing/grammar classes before you catapult yourself into the journalism arena. Embarrassing!
David Bailey talking about JMB.... what's better than that? Interesting what he said about Marty Smith and Hannah. Took a lot of his style cues from Smith, though. What they say about Smith; "Nobody ever took a bad picture of Marty Smith on a bike" is true of David as well. Tidy and smooth, always.
@Preston--Nice try racist--You always throw out the "dumb fat white redneck" remarks at ANYONE who makes a comment or post that doesnt kiss your boy Stewarts tail....everyone on here sees it. Look at your post, throwing out more racial stereotypes.what an idiot...Not me pal, isnt going to happen..I could care less what color anyone is, but YOU DO... its why you defend Stewart every time, and its why you call someone a redneck if they arent a fan.. YOU SIR ARE A RACIST...PERIOD!!!!!
@Preston--remember YOU started on me about a post that didnt include anything about you...guilty conscience huh???
Race is the biggest waste of time in our era. No one cares. It's over. Move on.
David Bailey was always a classy, technical racer and great with the fans. During his heydey of annoucing, MX coverage left a lot to be desired...but David did his best. I'd love to see him replace Ralph Shaheen so we might have all ex-pros in the booth.
For my money, Weege does an excellent job. His articles are usually well thought out and written. Now if he could only convince Davey Coombs to quit booking nationals at flat tracks. This is motocross dude!
@Jason Weigandt - excellent response to B787tech ... must be the guy who works on the batteries for the Dreamliner. Keep up the great (and hard) work ... saw you in the pizza line at the Houston SX with the masses; I would have figured you had a private suite at each race packed with fresh pizza boxes and energy drink girls ... better luck next time with contract negotiations!
weege, you should know better than to feel the need to defend yourself in this forum. Who has the job in industry, who doesn't? Your response to them would be the same as if they climbed the tower at redbud and took over the microphone on 4th of July weekend.
If their responses bother you that much, then I would suggest not going below the spot where the news article ends.
Signed,
50yrs young woods rider
Hey Scrub-This,,,,,,i see some logic in your theory and i was wondering if that would make eskimoes and inuit super smart? And are americans getting dumber down south? It's FN freeeezing up here most the time so me and my kids are from the smarter line and developing a higher IQ? cool.....
I wonder if David Bailey wants to commentate, just cause tens or hundreds of thousands of mx fans want David Bailey to do that does not mean it's his dream! BUT if it is id love for it to happen.. David has the gift of the gab..HE would bring some much needed class to the sport...and get rid of Ralph! most sports have ex pros commentating, not the sports biggest fan, sorry weege....
yz450f_595, lol your right about the guys in here they are animals. i had to tame mine down out of respect for David Bailey...just in case he reads these...
Arbitrary rankings are meaningless, but I see what's going on here: you could say the sky is blue, another gun loving douche would argue it's light blue. Who the fvck cares.
EVERY TIME David Bailey speaks, it is pure mx pleasure!
So articulate, interesting and knowledgeable - MX GREATNESS!
It is a disservice to this sport that we don't hear his comments each and every week through some form of media.
Fro is doing a better job in the booth every year! I am actually impressed now with the quality of his commentary. His English seems to erode after a few motos in the booth with RC though, I "seen" them both sound like hillbillys when they get together.
Now I must give props to the previous poster who reminded us that David on the other hand was the best color commentator. I have nothing against anybody else in the booth but David and Fro would be the dream team for me. They encompass different eras, have a broad historical perspective, and are truly fantastic ambassadors for our great sport.
Oh, before I forget.......JMB was sublime, he would have lit up the blogs in his day like JS7 does today. All because regardless of what he said, when he was on that bike he was the beauty on that bike, the beauty we all dream about being!
And......THANK YOU David Bailey!
You've been the beauty too, and so I dreamed I was the beauty, I dreamed I was you.
I hope that someday, you and Jeff will grab the mikes again and rev us up.
cheers
To hell with Weege, and the other announcers. The question that should have been ask was, why did RacerX totally screw Stanton over on the list. He belonged at a much higher ranking in the top 5. Can't believe RX didn't have the balls to ask what Bailey thought about that...
The List = Infamy