Michael Petersen Recreates Hannah's Gravity Cavity Leap

February 17, 2008, 11:43am

PORT ANGELES, WA (February 17, 2008) – Once again, artist Michael Petersen, has joined forces with 7-Time AMA National Champion, Bob “Hurricane” Hannah, in recreating one of the most notorious motocross shots of all time – Hurricane’s wild and out of control jump out of Gravity Cavity at the 1979 250 USGP at Unadilla, NY. Petersen’s artwork took 70 plus hours to complete and was drawn free-hand in charcoal, using a plaque from Hannah’s personal collection as inspiration. And for the first time, Hannah talks about that moment in MX history - his crazy flight out of the “Cavity” – and how he ever got there in the first place. Once you’ve read this piece, you’ll understand why Bob personally asked Michael to name the design, “Changing My Mind”.

You can meet Michael Petersen, this coming Sunday, February 17, 2008, at the BlueRibbon Coalition’s 10th Annual Breakfast of Champions – which Bob Hannah will be hosting – at the Indianapolis Powersports Dealer Expo. To assist in this years fundraising effort, Michaels Action Art will be donating the #2 Artist Proof of, “Changing My Mind”. Hand-signed Limited Edition prints will also be available for purchase at the event. If you don’t find yourself at Indy this weekend, they will also be available for purchase at www.MichaelsActionArt.com , or you may contact Michael at #360-477-9003.

And now…the Hurricane doing what he does best – telling it like it is:

Bob Hannah - Changing My Mind
1979 250 USGP at Unadilla, NY

Changing my line…changing my mind…that’s what was going on in the picture. Here’s what I remember about that moment back in 1979, at the 250 USGP at Unadilla, NY. We were on into the race, and I couldn’t catch Marty Tripes. He was probably 3-4 seconds ahead of me – and I couldn’t catch him. I was getting frustrated because in some sections I was faster, in others, he was faster. I could see that he was faster than me going through Gravity Cavity, so I slowed up enough to watch him. I saw that he was using the far left side – when I’d been taking the far right side. So on the next lap, I moved over to the far left side. The only problem was, there was a hole at the top of Gravity Cavity on the left side that Tripes was pre-jumping – and I didn’t see it! I whacked that hole with my rear wheel and started to endo over the front. Actually, I was going to jump off the bike because it was going to throw my ass off anyway. I had at least 6 seconds in the air for it to come back – and it did – it started coming back. I turned the throttle wide open to bring the nose back up and it started coming back, and I thought, “Hey…I can save this if I just hang the heck on!” Then, my foot caught on the seat and I just pulled myself back on.

THAT’S when the photo was taken…as I was pulling myself back onto the bike. I had changed my mind. As the saying goes, I’d rather be lucky than good.

Michael Petersen has a lifetime love of riding, racing, mountain climbing and photography. And although action and outdoor-related subjects have always been Petersen’s passion, he has recently focused on the motorcycle scene because of his interest in the sport, its incredible athletes and the positive influence the sport has on youth and families. To see more of his artwork, go to www.MichaelsActionArt.com . To learn more about Bob Hannah, go to www.BobHannah.com , or www.HannahRacingProducts.com .