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1
00:00:07,011 --> 00:00:09,514
(engine revs)
2
00:00:18,456 --> 00:00:21,459
(fun, lively music)
3
00:00:23,395 --> 00:00:26,098
[Voiceover] Four million people
ride motorcycles in the U.S.
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00:00:26,098 --> 00:00:29,501
They come in all
shapes, sizes, and ages.
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00:01:32,597 --> 00:01:35,667
To some people, a
motorcycle is work.
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00:01:36,834 --> 00:01:38,836
Or a way to get to work.
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00:01:39,904 --> 00:01:41,206
Or a way to get away from it all
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00:01:41,206 --> 00:01:44,476
to the solitude of
the open country.
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00:01:44,476 --> 00:01:46,878
A motorcycle is whatever
you want to make it.
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00:01:46,878 --> 00:01:49,981
Turn it on and you could
give yourself a real thrill.
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00:01:49,981 --> 00:01:53,251
(bouncy, lively music)
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00:02:01,359 --> 00:02:04,362
A motorcycle is easy to ride,
except the first time you try,
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00:02:04,362 --> 00:02:06,931
your next door neighbor, who
probably doesn't know himself,
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00:02:06,931 --> 00:02:10,402
is giving you the hot
tips: brake, clutch,
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00:02:10,402 --> 00:02:14,239
shift, throttle - just
simple coordination.
16
00:02:35,159 --> 00:02:39,163
(kids making motorcycle noises)
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00:02:50,875 --> 00:02:55,447
* On any Sunday, stretching
up, reaching high
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00:02:55,447 --> 00:02:59,451
* Leaving my Monday world behind
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00:02:59,451 --> 00:03:03,888
* I fire my rockets
and explode in the sky
20
00:03:03,888 --> 00:03:08,059
* Kick up my heels
until I find, I'm flyin'
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00:03:10,495 --> 00:03:14,832
* Over my shoulder through
the dust and fallen
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00:03:14,832 --> 00:03:19,337
* Run will they
catch me if you can
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00:03:19,337 --> 00:03:23,441
* On any Sunday I'm a flyin' man
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00:03:26,077 --> 00:03:30,882
* On any Sunday like
the tail of a kite
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00:03:30,882 --> 00:03:34,919
* Flying and dancing in the wind
26
00:03:34,919 --> 00:03:39,457
* Something inside of me
goes back through the years
27
00:03:39,457 --> 00:03:42,460
* And I'm a kid I used to know
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* I'm flying
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00:03:46,230 --> 00:03:50,101
* Over my shoulder
through the dust and quiet
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00:03:50,101 --> 00:03:54,606
* Run where they'll
catch me if you can
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00:03:54,606 --> 00:03:58,610
* On any Sunday I'm a flyin' man
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00:04:01,212 --> 00:04:05,216
* Flyin' man
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A group of business men
during the rush hour.
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00:04:17,094 --> 00:04:18,463
The young man with a garment bag
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00:04:18,463 --> 00:04:20,565
over his shoulder
is Mert Lawwill.
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00:04:20,565 --> 00:04:23,167
29 years old, 5'6", 143 pounds.
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00:04:27,071 --> 00:04:29,974
(bell dings)
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00:04:29,974 --> 00:04:34,446
He's not a banker or an
accountant or a salesman.
39
00:04:34,446 --> 00:04:37,915
But he is a professional
man like the rest.
40
00:04:37,915 --> 00:04:41,553
His profession -
motorcycle racer.
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00:04:41,553 --> 00:04:44,121
(engine roars)
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00:04:50,294 --> 00:04:53,398
(fast, lively music)
43
00:05:02,707 --> 00:05:03,975
Mert makes his
living in one of the
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00:05:03,975 --> 00:05:07,745
most dangerous sports in
which man participates.
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00:05:07,745 --> 00:05:10,047
His skill in the racetrack has
earned him the right to carry
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00:05:10,047 --> 00:05:14,218
the American Motorcycle
Association #1
professional plate.
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00:05:16,287 --> 00:05:17,889
He won it by competing
in a series of
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00:05:17,889 --> 00:05:20,625
27 national championship
races and scoring
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00:05:20,625 --> 00:05:24,529
the highest number of
points during the season.
50
00:05:31,936 --> 00:05:33,671
The speeds he hits
are incredible.
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00:05:33,671 --> 00:05:36,408
On a half mile track, one
of the races he rides,
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00:05:36,408 --> 00:05:38,843
it's a 100 miles an
hour in the straights
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00:05:38,843 --> 00:05:42,079
and 80 in the corners, within
inches of posts and guardrail.
54
00:05:42,079 --> 00:05:45,249
(fast, anxious music)
55
00:05:58,796 --> 00:06:00,698
He rides within
inches of other riders
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00:06:00,698 --> 00:06:04,001
he literally has to
trust with his life.
57
00:06:04,001 --> 00:06:07,171
Professional motorcycle
racing is a violent world.
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00:06:07,171 --> 00:06:09,674
(tense music)
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00:06:37,101 --> 00:06:39,637
(birds chirping)
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00:06:39,637 --> 00:06:43,641
Mert Lawwill is a gentle
man in a violent world.
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00:06:48,379 --> 00:06:51,048
His job as a professional racer
takes him on the road about
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00:06:51,048 --> 00:06:55,219
eight months of the year,
following the national circuit.
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00:06:56,754 --> 00:06:58,723
He leaves his family and
home in the suburb of
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00:06:58,723 --> 00:07:02,393
San Francisco, called Tibron,
to compete for another season
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00:07:02,393 --> 00:07:06,564
in 27 national championship
races across the United States.
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00:07:23,515 --> 00:07:25,917
He and the rest of the
pros pile up their machines
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00:07:25,917 --> 00:07:28,586
off starting lines in 16 states.
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00:07:29,754 --> 00:07:33,290
80 horsepower engines
and 300 pound machines.
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00:07:33,290 --> 00:07:34,859
That would be like having 2,000
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00:07:34,859 --> 00:07:37,361
horsepower in your family car.
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00:07:40,565 --> 00:07:42,567
To win the #1 plate, you have to
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00:07:42,567 --> 00:07:45,637
ride five different
kinds of races.
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00:07:45,637 --> 00:07:47,639
They each take
different machines
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00:07:47,639 --> 00:07:50,307
and different riding techniques.
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00:07:52,243 --> 00:07:54,512
There are several hundred
professional AMA races
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00:07:54,512 --> 00:07:57,682
in the United States,
but there's only about 15
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00:07:57,682 --> 00:08:01,352
who have the ability
to win Mert's #1 plate.
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00:08:01,352 --> 00:08:03,020
The riders are guys like Mert.
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00:08:03,020 --> 00:08:05,022
Definitely not the
Hollywood image,
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00:08:05,022 --> 00:08:08,092
but highly skilled
professionals.
81
00:08:08,092 --> 00:08:12,263
Like Dick Mann, a former
#1, Gary Nixon, twice #1.
82
00:08:13,430 --> 00:08:14,431
Gene Romero.
83
00:08:15,399 --> 00:08:16,400
Cal Rayburn.
84
00:08:18,169 --> 00:08:20,938
Most are small,
around 5'6" or 5'8",
85
00:08:20,938 --> 00:08:24,542
and most are young
like Mark Belsford, 20.
86
00:08:24,542 --> 00:08:25,810
Dave Smith, 21.
87
00:08:27,178 --> 00:08:28,680
Dave Aldana, 20.
88
00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:29,947
Don Castro, 19.
89
00:08:30,848 --> 00:08:33,084
Keith Nashford, 20.
90
00:08:33,084 --> 00:08:34,952
Frank Gillespie, 22.
91
00:08:34,952 --> 00:08:36,020
Jim Odem, 23.
92
00:08:37,454 --> 00:08:38,522
Jim Rice, 23.
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00:08:41,192 --> 00:08:43,427
Watching them in slow motion,
they look almost casual in
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00:08:43,427 --> 00:08:47,599
their actions, but they're
doing over 100 miles an hour.
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00:08:49,033 --> 00:08:52,737
Number 24, Jim Rice, number 14
in, the late Ken Pressgrove.
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00:08:54,138 --> 00:08:58,242
They don't all make it
through each racing season.
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00:09:01,779 --> 00:09:03,948
There are only a handful
of people in the world
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00:09:03,948 --> 00:09:06,083
who have the courage
and skill to ride
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00:09:06,083 --> 00:09:09,987
a motorcycle like Mert
and these professionals.
100
00:09:13,357 --> 00:09:15,927
Even with their skill,
they get into trouble.
101
00:09:15,927 --> 00:09:17,795
The best thing to do
to avoid a bad crash
102
00:09:17,795 --> 00:09:19,997
is to purposely
lay the bike down,
103
00:09:19,997 --> 00:09:23,768
like John Hastie is doing
at 80 miles an hour.
104
00:09:23,768 --> 00:09:28,472
Keeping his cool and
checking traffic behind him.
105
00:09:28,472 --> 00:09:29,974
In car racing, you can make some
106
00:09:29,974 --> 00:09:32,343
small mistakes,
like spinning out.
107
00:09:32,343 --> 00:09:33,845
In motorcycle racing, there's no
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00:09:33,845 --> 00:09:36,080
such thing as a small mistake.
109
00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:39,751
Even laying it down
hurts, leathers and all.
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00:09:42,820 --> 00:09:43,988
Most riders can expect to lay
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00:09:43,988 --> 00:09:46,490
it down several times a season.
112
00:09:46,490 --> 00:09:51,062
Some of them are involved in
some unbelievable crashes.
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00:09:51,062 --> 00:09:55,232
Keith Nashburn, number 30x,
went right through a 4x4 fence.
114
00:10:01,072 --> 00:10:03,641
Ten minutes later,
he was picking the
straw out of his hair,
115
00:10:03,641 --> 00:10:06,210
and ten minutes after that,
he was back on the track,
116
00:10:06,210 --> 00:10:08,680
letting it hang out
further than ever.
117
00:10:08,680 --> 00:10:10,848
If they didn't have the
ability to shake it off and get
118
00:10:10,848 --> 00:10:15,052
back on the track, they
wouldn't be professional racers.
119
00:10:15,052 --> 00:10:16,788
Frank Gillespie,
a young California
120
00:10:16,788 --> 00:10:18,956
rider, had a bad one, too.
121
00:10:25,596 --> 00:10:29,566
Down on a dusty track and
out with a broken shoulder.
122
00:10:29,566 --> 00:10:31,335
Two weeks later
he's back, ready to
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00:10:31,335 --> 00:10:35,039
race again, broken
shoulder and all.
124
00:10:35,039 --> 00:10:36,674
Gary Fisher is a good example of
125
00:10:36,674 --> 00:10:39,911
the incredible courage
these racers have.
126
00:10:39,911 --> 00:10:43,214
He was involved in a horrible
crash in the Midwest.
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00:10:43,214 --> 00:10:46,483
(impending doom music)
128
00:11:04,969 --> 00:11:07,371
Amazingly, all
the riders got up.
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00:11:07,371 --> 00:11:09,240
Gary said he was all right.
130
00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:10,374
An hour later, he was taken to
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00:11:10,374 --> 00:11:13,310
the hospital with a broken back.
132
00:11:13,310 --> 00:11:15,880
He soaked the cast
off in the bathtub,
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00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:19,116
put on a brace instead,
and within six weeks,
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00:11:19,116 --> 00:11:21,953
would take the
brace off and race.
135
00:11:30,061 --> 00:11:31,695
To win or keep #1, you have to
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00:11:31,695 --> 00:11:33,898
compete in different
types of races.
137
00:11:33,898 --> 00:11:35,532
One is road racing.
138
00:11:35,532 --> 00:11:37,401
Riding very special,
highly-tuned
139
00:11:37,401 --> 00:11:40,805
machines with ferrings
to cut the wind.
140
00:11:40,805 --> 00:11:43,574
Chin on a foam tank pad
with very precise methods
141
00:11:43,574 --> 00:11:45,943
of throttle, clutch, and brake.
142
00:11:45,943 --> 00:11:50,014
(motorcycle accelerates quickly)
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00:12:13,137 --> 00:12:14,872
There are five road
races in the early part
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00:12:14,872 --> 00:12:18,142
of the season, from March
to the first of June.
145
00:12:18,142 --> 00:12:22,546
Road racing is noisy,
precise, and very exacting.
146
00:12:22,546 --> 00:12:25,582
It's also a graceful and
beautiful thing to watch.
147
00:12:25,582 --> 00:12:28,652
(slow, mellow music)
148
00:14:16,994 --> 00:14:19,563
Of the five road races
they ride, Daytona Beach,
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00:14:19,563 --> 00:14:22,666
Florida, the is the Big
Daddy, with 30 degree
150
00:14:22,666 --> 00:14:25,169
bank turns and blinding speed.
151
00:14:36,813 --> 00:14:39,116
On the banks, there's so
much centripetal force,
152
00:14:39,116 --> 00:14:42,019
your suspension is
completely bottomed out.
153
00:14:42,019 --> 00:14:43,520
Your helmet's banging around,
154
00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:45,589
your eyes are forced
into their sockets,
155
00:14:45,589 --> 00:14:47,824
and your vision is blurred.
156
00:14:55,599 --> 00:14:57,068
When you're watching
from the stands,
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00:14:57,068 --> 00:14:59,170
it's hard to believe that
coming off the banks,
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00:14:59,170 --> 00:15:01,973
they're hitting
160 miles an hour.
159
00:15:01,973 --> 00:15:04,575
(engine roars)
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00:15:16,253 --> 00:15:18,289
- [Voiceover] Oil on the track!
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00:15:18,289 --> 00:15:21,125
(horrified music)
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00:15:31,935 --> 00:15:33,270
- [Voiceover] Try
jumping out of your car
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00:15:33,270 --> 00:15:36,407
at 120 and you'll
know how he felt.
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00:15:36,407 --> 00:15:39,310
Miraculously, he
didn't break a bone.
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00:15:39,310 --> 00:15:41,378
Watch again in ultra-slow motion
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00:15:41,378 --> 00:15:43,547
and you can see
the abuse he took.
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00:15:43,547 --> 00:15:47,718
His glove goes flying
30 feet down the track,
168
00:15:47,718 --> 00:15:49,886
takes a tremendous jolt...
169
00:15:54,158 --> 00:15:57,028
Watch his right
leg get bent under.
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00:15:59,630 --> 00:16:02,066
It's amazing it didn't break.
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00:16:16,113 --> 00:16:18,749
Like all forms of racing,
road racing is precise.
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00:16:18,749 --> 00:16:20,551
It's got a certain beauty to it
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00:16:20,551 --> 00:16:22,986
and it's also very dangerous.
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00:16:24,721 --> 00:16:26,390
This is the mile.
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00:16:26,390 --> 00:16:29,893
The most incredible of
all dirt track racing.
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00:16:29,893 --> 00:16:33,764
On the straight, Mert
hits 130 miles an hour
177
00:16:33,764 --> 00:16:36,667
and around 100
sliding the corners.
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00:16:39,703 --> 00:16:43,874
Mert's teammate,
kind of protege, Mark
Brelsford, number 87.
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00:16:45,076 --> 00:16:47,744
Mark is spectacular on the mile.
180
00:16:54,551 --> 00:16:56,853
Most riders agree the
biggest thrill of all
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00:16:56,853 --> 00:16:59,223
is to sit up at the
end of the straight,
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00:16:59,223 --> 00:17:01,892
and at 120, pitch it sideways.
183
00:17:01,892 --> 00:17:04,828
(fast, fun, music)
184
00:17:18,775 --> 00:17:22,646
Mark laid out, feet
up, out of the turn,
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00:17:22,646 --> 00:17:26,150
100, 110, 120, and
back down the straight,
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00:17:28,819 --> 00:17:32,156
tucked in to reduce
the wind resistance.
187
00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:39,396
* K-C-A-C-L
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00:17:39,396 --> 00:17:42,333
When Mert's not racing, he's
working on his machines.
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00:17:42,333 --> 00:17:44,000
After each race,
the engine is torn
190
00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:47,304
down and inspected
piece by piece.
191
00:17:47,304 --> 00:17:51,175
It's a lot more complicated
than twisting nuts and bolts.
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00:17:51,175 --> 00:17:53,577
For instance, each gear
in the transmission is
193
00:17:53,577 --> 00:17:57,681
ground down by hand to save
a few ounces of weight.
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00:18:02,253 --> 00:18:05,356
If he can get a fraction of an
ounce off this cam follower,
195
00:18:05,356 --> 00:18:07,691
he can pick up a few extra RPMs,
196
00:18:07,691 --> 00:18:10,827
and that's an edge
over the others.
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00:18:10,827 --> 00:18:13,130
He spends hours
alone in his garage,
198
00:18:13,130 --> 00:18:17,301
trying to figure out a way
to improve an engine part.
199
00:18:26,510 --> 00:18:28,044
Only another professional racer,
200
00:18:28,044 --> 00:18:30,514
who maintains his own
equipment like Mert,
201
00:18:30,514 --> 00:18:33,150
can really appreciate
the work involved.
202
00:18:33,150 --> 00:18:34,551
He spends over a thousand hours
203
00:18:34,551 --> 00:18:37,388
a year working on
his motorcycles.
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00:18:45,729 --> 00:18:48,232
It's off to Columbus, Ohio.
205
00:18:48,232 --> 00:18:50,601
One of ten cross-country
trips Mert makes
206
00:18:50,601 --> 00:18:53,604
during the eight
month racing season.
207
00:18:53,604 --> 00:18:57,474
He drives his van over
70,000 miles a year,
208
00:18:57,474 --> 00:19:00,777
traveling with his friend
and helper, Jack Dunn.
209
00:19:00,777 --> 00:19:04,147
They don't stay in motels,
but drive 24 hours a day,
210
00:19:04,147 --> 00:19:06,817
stopping only to eat and refuel.
211
00:19:09,253 --> 00:19:11,988
Mert is totally dedicated
to his profession.
212
00:19:11,988 --> 00:19:14,591
He works at it
seven days a week.
213
00:19:14,591 --> 00:19:17,528
He doesn't have time for
many outside interests.
214
00:19:17,528 --> 00:19:20,764
Motorcycle racing is his life.
215
00:19:20,764 --> 00:19:24,134
He grossed about
$50,000 the year before,
216
00:19:24,134 --> 00:19:27,771
ended up with about
$20,000 after expenses.
217
00:19:27,771 --> 00:19:30,241
That's good money, but
not what it should be
218
00:19:30,241 --> 00:19:33,544
for the skill, knowledge,
and dedication he has.
219
00:19:33,544 --> 00:19:35,212
Let alone the risks.
220
00:19:37,781 --> 00:19:39,250
For most people,
San Francisco to
221
00:19:39,250 --> 00:19:42,219
Columbus, Ohio,
would be four days.
222
00:19:42,219 --> 00:19:45,222
For Mert and Jack,
27 hours nonstop.
223
00:19:47,023 --> 00:19:49,059
They don't arrive a
day early and relax.
224
00:19:49,059 --> 00:19:52,629
The pit gates at 8:30,
they arrive at 8:30.
225
00:19:59,102 --> 00:20:01,705
An hour later, after
driving all night,
226
00:20:01,705 --> 00:20:04,875
he's on the track going
sideways at 80 miles an hour.
227
00:20:04,875 --> 00:20:08,445
(fast, enthusiastic music)
228
00:20:20,457 --> 00:20:24,027
Before each race, there's
about an hour of practice.
229
00:20:24,027 --> 00:20:25,429
They aren't practicing riding,
230
00:20:25,429 --> 00:20:27,731
they're experimenting
with frame geometry,
231
00:20:27,731 --> 00:20:31,935
gearing, and tires most
suitable for this track.
232
00:20:31,935 --> 00:20:33,236
There's a lot more
to racing than
233
00:20:33,236 --> 00:20:35,872
holding the throttle wide open.
234
00:20:35,872 --> 00:20:39,242
Tires alone are an
exact science to them.
235
00:20:39,242 --> 00:20:43,447
With different rubber compounds
and different tread designs.
236
00:20:43,447 --> 00:20:45,849
Even a pound or two
difference in air pressure
237
00:20:45,849 --> 00:20:47,918
makes a difference in handling.
238
00:20:47,918 --> 00:20:49,553
Before each race,
they cut their tires
239
00:20:49,553 --> 00:20:52,356
with razor blades
for added traction.
240
00:20:52,356 --> 00:20:54,791
Each rider has special
cuts and they change
241
00:20:54,791 --> 00:20:58,895
from hour to hour, depending
on the condition of the dirt.
242
00:21:02,566 --> 00:21:04,535
There are many things to
attend to before a race,
243
00:21:04,535 --> 00:21:09,005
like taping on these clear,
plastic strips called tear-offs.
244
00:21:09,005 --> 00:21:13,043
Some riders stack up five or
six and rip them off one-by-one
245
00:21:13,043 --> 00:21:17,213
as the flying dirt sticks
and obscures their vision.
246
00:21:18,349 --> 00:21:20,917
It's gotta be a real
thrill just to reach up
247
00:21:20,917 --> 00:21:24,154
and find that tab at
100 miles an hour.
248
00:21:29,125 --> 00:21:30,694
The last thing they
strap on before
249
00:21:30,694 --> 00:21:32,929
a race is their steel skid shoe.
250
00:21:32,929 --> 00:21:35,732
Custom-made for each rider,
with the shape of the bottom
251
00:21:35,732 --> 00:21:39,803
sliding surface varied to
suit the rider's style.
252
00:21:45,909 --> 00:21:49,546
The 20 lap, half mile
in Columbus, Ohio.
253
00:21:49,546 --> 00:21:52,015
Mert had won the race
two years in a row.
254
00:21:52,015 --> 00:21:54,217
A win today would
put him in good shape
255
00:21:54,217 --> 00:21:57,421
to keep his #1
plate another year.
256
00:21:57,421 --> 00:21:59,856
A $6,000 purse and 60 points.
257
00:22:00,757 --> 00:22:02,158
Mert wanted both.
258
00:22:03,394 --> 00:22:05,796
On the starting line,
watching for a flicker
259
00:22:05,796 --> 00:22:09,533
of movement from the flagman,
he's like a gunfighter.
260
00:22:09,533 --> 00:22:12,869
No show of emotion,
not even a blink.
261
00:22:12,869 --> 00:22:14,538
Total concentration.
262
00:22:25,616 --> 00:22:28,184
(engines roar)
263
00:22:55,479 --> 00:22:57,481
Mert was riding
beautifully, stretching out
264
00:22:57,481 --> 00:22:59,816
his lead, he'd done
everything right.
265
00:22:59,816 --> 00:23:02,385
He'd chosen the right
tire, he'd picked up
266
00:23:02,385 --> 00:23:07,323
those extra few RPMs by
grinding down his cam follower.
267
00:23:07,323 --> 00:23:09,926
His machine was perfectly
set up and he was
268
00:23:09,926 --> 00:23:13,029
riding like the
national champ he is.
269
00:23:19,369 --> 00:23:23,106
The crowd, sensing
victory and urging him on.
270
00:23:24,808 --> 00:23:29,646
On the last lap, the pack
came around, but no Mert.
271
00:23:29,646 --> 00:23:31,848
Here he came in last
place, out of the race,
272
00:23:31,848 --> 00:23:33,884
with a broken throttle cable.
273
00:23:33,884 --> 00:23:35,385
A two dollar part.
274
00:23:37,087 --> 00:23:40,824
It cost him the 60 points
he needed and his share
275
00:23:40,824 --> 00:23:44,995
of the purse, instead of
several thousand, was $116.
276
00:23:48,364 --> 00:23:51,201
It was a pretty
disappointing day.
277
00:23:55,772 --> 00:23:57,608
It would be tough,
with the races left,
278
00:23:57,608 --> 00:24:00,343
to earn enough
points to keep #1.
279
00:24:03,346 --> 00:24:05,549
By Monday, Mert was back on
the road, heading for more
280
00:24:05,549 --> 00:24:09,720
races and hitting the gourmet
restaurants along the way.
281
00:24:11,154 --> 00:24:15,158
You may survive the race,
but not the restaurant.
282
00:24:19,195 --> 00:24:22,465
Mert went on to win
three national races.
283
00:24:22,465 --> 00:24:26,637
He greatly enjoys the things
that come with winning.
284
00:24:31,441 --> 00:24:32,709
What followed him
through the season
285
00:24:32,709 --> 00:24:36,713
was an unbelievable
string of bad luck.
286
00:24:36,713 --> 00:24:40,250
He broke down in nearly
half the championship races.
287
00:24:40,250 --> 00:24:42,653
Often little things,
like a throttle cable,
288
00:24:42,653 --> 00:24:47,190
or an electrical short, or
a tire tread coming off.
289
00:24:47,190 --> 00:24:50,694
Here at Terra Haute, Indiana,
with a half a lap lead,
290
00:24:50,694 --> 00:24:54,430
Jack Dunn just knew
something would happen.
291
00:24:54,430 --> 00:24:55,699
And it did.
292
00:24:55,699 --> 00:24:59,002
Mert pulling off with
a broken crank shaft.
293
00:25:03,840 --> 00:25:06,910
He'd break, bounce
back, break again,
294
00:25:08,044 --> 00:25:10,714
race again, but now
it was too late.
295
00:25:10,714 --> 00:25:13,249
With the races left to
run, there was no way Mert
296
00:25:13,249 --> 00:25:17,253
could earn enough points
to regain his #1 plate.
297
00:25:24,194 --> 00:25:26,597
The plate he'd ridden
12 years to win,
298
00:25:26,597 --> 00:25:30,967
and had one season, he'd now
have to give to someone else.
299
00:25:30,967 --> 00:25:32,636
There were four riders
who had enough points
300
00:25:32,636 --> 00:25:35,505
to have a shot at ending up #1.
301
00:25:35,505 --> 00:25:37,941
One was Mert's best
friend, Dick 'Bugsy' Mann,
302
00:25:37,941 --> 00:25:40,076
number 2, the veteran
of the circuit.
303
00:25:40,076 --> 00:25:42,779
Not only excels at each
of the five AMA events,
304
00:25:42,779 --> 00:25:45,481
but is highly skilled
in motocross, as well.
305
00:25:45,481 --> 00:25:47,017
There's no one who's
more respected by
306
00:25:47,017 --> 00:25:51,421
his fellow riders, and
the fans, than Dick Mann.
307
00:25:51,421 --> 00:25:53,890
- [Voiceover] On the BSA
number 2, Dick 'Bugsy' Mann.
308
00:25:53,890 --> 00:25:56,126
(cheering)
309
00:25:57,661 --> 00:26:00,530
- [Voiceover] The second rider
who could win the #1 plate,
310
00:26:00,530 --> 00:26:02,933
one of the youngest, 20
year old Dave Aldana,
311
00:26:02,933 --> 00:26:06,236
his first year as
professional expert.
312
00:26:06,236 --> 00:26:10,406
David Aldana, the crazy kid
from Santa Ana, California.
313
00:26:13,744 --> 00:26:15,245
Off the track, he's conservative
314
00:26:15,245 --> 00:26:18,248
compared to his
action on the track.
315
00:26:22,518 --> 00:26:24,587
He crashed 15 times
during the year
316
00:26:24,587 --> 00:26:28,759
at speeds up to 120 miles
an hour and was never hurt.
317
00:26:29,626 --> 00:26:30,794
David said, "You never know how
318
00:26:30,794 --> 00:26:34,197
"fast you can go
until you fall down."
319
00:26:34,197 --> 00:26:37,300
If he didn't crash,
he often won.
320
00:26:37,300 --> 00:26:40,270
The third rider in
contention was Gene Romero.
321
00:26:40,270 --> 00:26:41,805
Gene's nickname is Burrito.
322
00:26:41,805 --> 00:26:44,708
He's the most flamboyant of
all the professional racers,
323
00:26:44,708 --> 00:26:47,043
but is very serious
about his racing,
324
00:26:47,043 --> 00:26:48,979
particularly late
in the season when
325
00:26:48,979 --> 00:26:51,314
he wanted the points for #1.
326
00:26:58,588 --> 00:26:59,555
- [Voiceover] I don't
want to hurt anybody,
327
00:26:59,555 --> 00:27:00,724
but I just want to get out there
328
00:27:00,724 --> 00:27:03,727
and I gotta get
third, no matter what.
329
00:27:05,696 --> 00:27:07,197
It's gonna be either one.
330
00:27:07,197 --> 00:27:08,865
I've gotta get third or come
and visit me at the hospital.
331
00:27:08,865 --> 00:27:10,701
I dig carnations, man.
332
00:27:12,568 --> 00:27:13,804
- [Voiceover] The
fourth and final
333
00:27:13,804 --> 00:27:16,339
rider who could be
#1 was Jim Rice.
334
00:27:16,339 --> 00:27:18,241
Jim, the winningest
rider on the circuit,
335
00:27:18,241 --> 00:27:20,811
had taken the checkered
flag six times,
336
00:27:20,811 --> 00:27:25,115
as many times as anyone
ever had in a season.
337
00:27:25,115 --> 00:27:27,450
The #1 plate would be decided at
338
00:27:27,450 --> 00:27:30,553
Sacramento, California,
in September.
339
00:27:32,288 --> 00:27:34,791
(engines rev)
340
00:27:35,926 --> 00:27:37,627
Quite different from
the national circuit is
341
00:27:37,627 --> 00:27:40,731
the On Any Sunday
World of Motocross.
342
00:27:48,371 --> 00:27:50,606
A motocross track
is uphill, downhill,
343
00:27:50,606 --> 00:27:53,243
jumps, bumps, mud,
rocks, and dust.
344
00:27:53,243 --> 00:27:55,245
The rougher, the better.
345
00:28:07,657 --> 00:28:09,760
Competition is still
the name of the game.
346
00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:11,294
It doesn't matter
whether you're battling
347
00:28:11,294 --> 00:28:14,564
for first or 31st,
it's just as fierce.
348
00:28:15,799 --> 00:28:19,235
Here's a classic
confrontation for tenth place.
349
00:28:19,235 --> 00:28:21,437
The guy in the yellow
figures he'll zap his buddy
350
00:28:21,437 --> 00:28:23,539
through the puddle and
cover his glasses with
351
00:28:23,539 --> 00:28:27,677
mud and water, so he can't see,
and that'll put him behind.
352
00:28:27,677 --> 00:28:31,614
But his pal just threw away
his $40 prescription lenses
353
00:28:31,614 --> 00:28:35,451
and passed him right
back again on the corner.
354
00:28:39,923 --> 00:28:43,326
(fast, bouncy music)
355
00:28:43,326 --> 00:28:44,928
When some riders
start getting behind,
356
00:28:44,928 --> 00:28:49,565
they panic and try a shortcut
through the giggle weeds.
357
00:28:49,565 --> 00:28:53,736
When they can no longer race,
it's simple frustration.
358
00:28:59,309 --> 00:29:02,612
Getting your bike stuck
in the mud is bad enough.
359
00:29:02,612 --> 00:29:06,616
Getting your body stuck
in the mud is the worst.
360
00:29:09,886 --> 00:29:14,057
Especially when it's
your girlfriend who
has to dig you out.
361
00:29:24,700 --> 00:29:26,569
Everyone makes mistakes
riding motocross,
362
00:29:26,569 --> 00:29:28,438
even world champion Bengt Aberg,
363
00:29:28,438 --> 00:29:31,174
here going over the handlebars.
364
00:29:31,174 --> 00:29:32,708
Somehow, when Aberg
gets off, he does
365
00:29:32,708 --> 00:29:35,378
it with a certain
style and grace.
366
00:29:35,378 --> 00:29:36,847
Everyone crashes now and then,
367
00:29:36,847 --> 00:29:39,515
but not often with
style and grace.
368
00:29:39,515 --> 00:29:42,986
More often, the
classic flying W.
369
00:29:42,986 --> 00:29:46,222
(goofy, comical music)
370
00:31:11,641 --> 00:31:15,545
Missing a turn and going off
the course is a common error.
371
00:31:15,545 --> 00:31:18,448
The classic was this
guy, running 8th,
372
00:31:18,448 --> 00:31:22,618
who cut the course and
nailed his buddy running 3rd.
373
00:31:28,458 --> 00:31:29,392
- [Biker] Son of a bitch!
374
00:31:29,392 --> 00:31:31,962
What the hell were you thinking?
375
00:31:39,002 --> 00:31:39,970
- [Voiceover] You
wonder how they
376
00:31:39,970 --> 00:31:42,438
get into the positions they do.
377
00:31:43,940 --> 00:31:47,677
The one kid was laughing so
hard, he got stomach cramps.
378
00:32:00,856 --> 00:32:02,092
Thousands off riders compete
379
00:32:02,092 --> 00:32:04,294
in motocross in
the United States.
380
00:32:04,294 --> 00:32:06,729
One of them is Steve McQueen.
381
00:32:08,198 --> 00:32:09,765
On the starting line,
he's not an actor
382
00:32:09,765 --> 00:32:13,769
out for a ride, he's
100% motorcycle racer.
383
00:32:19,909 --> 00:32:22,478
(engines roar)
384
00:32:24,614 --> 00:32:27,017
There's no one with a
more competitive instinct.
385
00:32:27,017 --> 00:32:28,918
When he gets on his race face,
386
00:32:28,918 --> 00:32:31,121
the world could be
falling down around him,
387
00:32:31,121 --> 00:32:33,556
but all he sees is the track.
388
00:32:38,995 --> 00:32:41,464
A one million dollar
body out there,
389
00:32:41,464 --> 00:32:43,099
with a possibility of being used
390
00:32:43,099 --> 00:32:46,736
by someone for
traction in a corner.
391
00:32:46,736 --> 00:32:49,339
If the movie studio moguls
realized what he was
392
00:32:49,339 --> 00:32:53,509
doing on a Sunday afternoon,
they'd have a coronary.
393
00:33:05,888 --> 00:33:07,990
The two best motocross
riders in the world
394
00:33:07,990 --> 00:33:12,095
are Bengt Aberg, 500cc
World Champion from Sweden,
395
00:33:12,095 --> 00:33:16,266
and Joel Robert, 250cc
World Champion from Belgium.
396
00:33:17,667 --> 00:33:19,469
Joel Robert, number 17, is a
397
00:33:19,469 --> 00:33:22,138
national sports hero in Belgium.
398
00:33:27,877 --> 00:33:30,012
Motocross races in
Europe sometimes draw
399
00:33:30,012 --> 00:33:33,816
crowds of over a
hundred thousand people.
400
00:33:33,816 --> 00:33:35,551
In Joel's home
country of Belgium,
401
00:33:35,551 --> 00:33:37,287
fans have been known
to lay in the track
402
00:33:37,287 --> 00:33:41,357
in front of other
riders to help Joel win.
403
00:33:41,357 --> 00:33:44,026
Except he doesn't need any help.
404
00:33:51,601 --> 00:33:55,771
With a #1 plate, Swede Bengt
Aberg, 500cc World Champion,
405
00:33:56,939 --> 00:33:59,008
his riding skill
is unbelievable.
406
00:33:59,008 --> 00:34:02,945
Here, using power to
straighten himself out.
407
00:34:02,945 --> 00:34:05,047
Scientific tests have
been made and motocross
408
00:34:05,047 --> 00:34:07,049
was found to be the
second most physically
409
00:34:07,049 --> 00:34:11,221
demanding sport in the
world, following only soccer.
410
00:34:12,622 --> 00:34:14,624
After 30 minutes of racing,
even a rider in perfect
411
00:34:14,624 --> 00:34:18,361
condition, like Bengt Aberg,
is almost totally exhausted.
412
00:34:18,361 --> 00:34:20,596
He's got maybe an hour
to rest between races,
413
00:34:20,596 --> 00:34:23,599
then do it again,
three times a day.
414
00:34:30,240 --> 00:34:33,809
Motocross races run in
all kinds of weather.
415
00:34:33,809 --> 00:34:35,778
It's a race against
the other man,
416
00:34:35,778 --> 00:34:39,949
but even more, it's man's battle
against the course itself.
417
00:34:41,083 --> 00:34:44,220
There's a certain brutal
beauty to motocross
418
00:34:44,220 --> 00:34:47,390
that you can only
see in slow motion.
419
00:34:47,390 --> 00:34:51,060
(rhythmic, confident music)
420
00:36:27,690 --> 00:36:30,159
The classic example of the
Sunday competitor who rides
421
00:36:30,159 --> 00:36:34,330
for fun, with his
usual ear-to-ear grin,
is Malcolm Smith.
422
00:36:35,665 --> 00:36:37,567
The only thing different
between Malcolm and the rest of
423
00:36:37,567 --> 00:36:40,970
the Sunday competitors is
Malcolm rides a greater variety
424
00:36:40,970 --> 00:36:44,440
of events, something
different almost every Sunday.
425
00:36:44,440 --> 00:36:45,508
He seems to enjoy it more than
426
00:36:45,508 --> 00:36:48,010
anyone and he's also the best.
427
00:36:54,350 --> 00:36:57,787
Back in 1968, when
being interviewed by
Wide World of Sports
428
00:36:57,787 --> 00:37:00,055
about his amazing
performance the year before
429
00:37:00,055 --> 00:37:04,226
in the Mexican 1,000, he didn't
talk about how tough it was.
430
00:37:05,160 --> 00:37:07,797
Instead, typical Malcolm...
431
00:37:07,797 --> 00:37:09,899
- Did you have any adventures
during that 9 hours
432
00:37:09,899 --> 00:37:12,201
and something last in this
wild country down there?
433
00:37:12,201 --> 00:37:15,705
- No, it was easy going down,
but it was hard coming back.
434
00:37:15,705 --> 00:37:18,808
We had an old Volkswagen
that a friend of mine
435
00:37:18,808 --> 00:37:21,477
drove down there, my
co-driver this year.
436
00:37:21,477 --> 00:37:24,079
And we started back
and it gave up on us
437
00:37:24,079 --> 00:37:27,350
and we rode on a turtle
truck with live sea turtles.
438
00:37:27,350 --> 00:37:30,953
On the top of the turtles,
all the way, for five days.
439
00:37:30,953 --> 00:37:32,455
- [Reporter] On the top
of the live turtles?
440
00:37:32,455 --> 00:37:34,023
- Top of the live turtles.
441
00:37:34,023 --> 00:37:36,992
And it smelled very
bad all the way back.
442
00:37:36,992 --> 00:37:39,161
- [Voiceover] On the starting
line, most riders are nervous.
443
00:37:39,161 --> 00:37:41,664
Malcolm's usually got a smile.
444
00:37:44,967 --> 00:37:47,437
Of the many events Malcolm
rides, he's particularly
445
00:37:47,437 --> 00:37:49,839
outstanding in the rugged,
off-road races like the
446
00:37:49,839 --> 00:37:54,009
Mint 400, a 400 mile
race through the
desert near Las Vegas.
447
00:37:55,378 --> 00:37:57,847
Like riding from San
Francisco to Los Angeles,
448
00:37:57,847 --> 00:38:00,015
through the roughest
imaginable terrain
449
00:38:00,015 --> 00:38:02,618
and averaging 50 miles an hour.
450
00:38:04,587 --> 00:38:07,323
The race goes on night and
day and when it's all over,
451
00:38:07,323 --> 00:38:10,360
and the other riders are almost
in shock from exhaustion,
452
00:38:10,360 --> 00:38:11,727
there stands Malcolm
in the middle
453
00:38:11,727 --> 00:38:14,129
of the night with a big grin.
454
00:38:17,266 --> 00:38:19,602
Malcolm is king of
the Mexican 1,000.
455
00:38:19,602 --> 00:38:21,571
A 1,000 mile off-road race down
456
00:38:21,571 --> 00:38:24,607
the peninsula of Baja
California, Mexico.
457
00:38:24,607 --> 00:38:28,043
He goes so fast, he should
be in a class by himself.
458
00:38:28,043 --> 00:38:30,613
One year, he drove a dune buggy,
to see what that was like,
459
00:38:30,613 --> 00:38:32,782
and was running 2nd
before he broke down.
460
00:38:32,782 --> 00:38:35,017
Here again, at a pit
stop, he didn't say,
461
00:38:35,017 --> 00:38:37,453
"Dust, tough, tired."
462
00:38:37,453 --> 00:38:40,055
Instead, typical Malcolm.
463
00:38:40,055 --> 00:38:41,256
- [Voiceover] Looked like you
464
00:38:41,256 --> 00:38:42,191
were having a good
time, Malcolm.
465
00:38:42,191 --> 00:38:43,393
- Oh, great, lots of fun.
466
00:38:43,393 --> 00:38:44,994
- See any incidents out
there, any problems?
467
00:38:44,994 --> 00:38:46,195
- Nope, nope.
468
00:38:46,195 --> 00:38:47,530
- Turn around this
way for just a second.
469
00:38:47,530 --> 00:38:50,900
- The only one I ever
see is Larry Berquist.
470
00:38:50,900 --> 00:38:51,934
- [Reporter] Yeah, they're
up ahead of you still.
471
00:38:51,934 --> 00:38:53,168
- [Malcolm] Yeah, yeah, we know.
472
00:38:53,168 --> 00:38:56,071
We can't keep up
with a motorcycle.
473
00:38:57,540 --> 00:38:59,074
- [Voiceover] He couldn't
keep up with a motorcycle
474
00:38:59,074 --> 00:39:02,144
that year, but every other
year, the lone dust crown
475
00:39:02,144 --> 00:39:06,315
across Lake Chapala was Malcolm
Smith and his motorcycle.
476
00:39:09,952 --> 00:39:11,387
He never failed to lead.
477
00:39:11,387 --> 00:39:12,955
One year, he was two
hours ahead of the
478
00:39:12,955 --> 00:39:15,591
next machine at the
halfway point and rode
479
00:39:15,591 --> 00:39:19,028
the final 200 miles
on a flat front tire.
480
00:39:20,763 --> 00:39:23,599
The rougher and tougher
the event, the more skill
481
00:39:23,599 --> 00:39:27,770
and human endurance it takes,
the better Malcolm likes it.
482
00:39:27,770 --> 00:39:31,774
As he would say himself,
"That was really neat."
483
00:39:36,479 --> 00:39:38,681
El Escorial, Spain, near Madrid,
484
00:39:38,681 --> 00:39:41,551
the sight of the
international Six Day Trials.
485
00:39:41,551 --> 00:39:43,953
The ultimate test
of man and machine.
486
00:39:43,953 --> 00:39:46,321
The Six Day Trials is
the Olympic games of
487
00:39:46,321 --> 00:39:50,225
motorcycle sport, held
for the 45th year.
488
00:39:50,225 --> 00:39:54,329
348 riders from 16 countries
have gathered to compete.
489
00:39:54,329 --> 00:39:56,766
Among them, Malcolm Smith.
490
00:39:56,766 --> 00:39:58,200
Here getting his bike inspected
491
00:39:58,200 --> 00:40:01,036
and marked prior
to the first day.
492
00:40:02,472 --> 00:40:05,040
Each part of the motorcycle is
marked with a special paint.
493
00:40:05,040 --> 00:40:06,742
In six days of
riding, no part can
494
00:40:06,742 --> 00:40:09,912
be changed without
being disqualified.
495
00:40:11,080 --> 00:40:12,515
Even internal engine parts are
496
00:40:12,515 --> 00:40:15,184
marked and the engine is sealed.
497
00:40:16,752 --> 00:40:18,320
The only parts
that can be changed
498
00:40:18,320 --> 00:40:22,091
are control cables,
chains, tires, and tubes.
499
00:40:23,325 --> 00:40:25,227
At 6:45 in the
morning, the first
500
00:40:25,227 --> 00:40:27,262
of the riders get underway.
501
00:40:27,262 --> 00:40:29,098
They leave four per minute.
502
00:40:29,098 --> 00:40:31,734
The colors on their helmets
denote the rider's country:
503
00:40:31,734 --> 00:40:35,905
Germans in white, Spanish
in yellow, Italians red,
504
00:40:37,339 --> 00:40:40,676
English green,
Czechoslovakians in blue,
505
00:40:41,677 --> 00:40:44,346
the Swedes with yellow and blue.
506
00:40:45,848 --> 00:40:49,552
Malcolm, number 242 would be
starting on the 60th minute.
507
00:40:51,120 --> 00:40:52,988
Of all the events Malcolm rides,
508
00:40:52,988 --> 00:40:55,591
this is the only one he
takes very seriously.
509
00:40:55,591 --> 00:40:58,193
(clock ticking)
510
00:41:05,701 --> 00:41:08,370
(engines start)
511
00:41:12,207 --> 00:41:13,643
There's no prize money involved.
512
00:41:13,643 --> 00:41:17,346
The top prize for an individual
rider is a gold medal.
513
00:41:17,346 --> 00:41:20,650
Off goes Malcolm and 348
others through the countryside
514
00:41:20,650 --> 00:41:24,654
of Spain, the beginning
of a grueling adventure.
515
00:41:26,355 --> 00:41:28,323
The concept of the
event is quite simple.
516
00:41:28,323 --> 00:41:31,193
To ride about 200
miles per day for six
517
00:41:31,193 --> 00:41:35,364
straight days and keep on
a prescribed time schedule.
518
00:41:35,364 --> 00:41:37,700
The trouble is, none but
the best can keep up the
519
00:41:37,700 --> 00:41:41,436
time schedule and these riders
are the best in the world.
520
00:41:41,436 --> 00:41:44,840
It's an honor just to be
selected to ride the six days.
521
00:41:44,840 --> 00:41:47,610
(horse whinnies)
522
00:41:49,779 --> 00:41:52,782
You go through a series
of checkpoints each day.
523
00:41:52,782 --> 00:41:54,183
You can get there
early, but you can't
524
00:41:54,183 --> 00:41:57,152
clock through until
your prescribed minute.
525
00:41:57,152 --> 00:41:58,420
You lose one mark for each
526
00:41:58,420 --> 00:42:00,556
minute you're late
to any checkpoint.
527
00:42:00,556 --> 00:42:03,826
In all, there are
65 time checks.
528
00:42:03,826 --> 00:42:05,127
If you're only
one minute late to
529
00:42:05,127 --> 00:42:07,630
any one of these,
you lose a mark.
530
00:42:07,630 --> 00:42:09,064
To win a gold medal,
you can't lose
531
00:42:09,064 --> 00:42:12,067
a single mark in
six days of riding.
532
00:42:13,669 --> 00:42:15,504
It's hard to appreciate
the difficulty
533
00:42:15,504 --> 00:42:17,306
of the six days
without being there.
534
00:42:17,306 --> 00:42:19,474
It's hard to realize
just how long
535
00:42:19,474 --> 00:42:22,411
six days on a
motorcycle really is.
536
00:42:26,782 --> 00:42:28,784
The best riders are
usually the Europeans.
537
00:42:28,784 --> 00:42:31,587
Most are paid a salary
year-round to ride.
538
00:42:31,587 --> 00:42:33,589
A gold medal at
the Six Day Trials
539
00:42:33,589 --> 00:42:36,992
sells a lot of
motorcycles in Europe.
540
00:42:36,992 --> 00:42:38,193
Malcolm isn't paid.
541
00:42:38,193 --> 00:42:40,095
In fact, he pays
all his own expenses
542
00:42:40,095 --> 00:42:42,698
just to go over
there and compete.
543
00:42:42,698 --> 00:42:44,233
During the competition,
the temperatures
544
00:42:44,233 --> 00:42:47,236
range from 80 degrees
to 20 degrees.
545
00:42:50,906 --> 00:42:54,476
They went from 2,000
feet to over 8,000 feet,
546
00:42:54,476 --> 00:42:58,313
riding in the clouds in
the mountains of Spain.
547
00:43:00,115 --> 00:43:02,451
Of the 1,200 miles
the event covers,
548
00:43:02,451 --> 00:43:05,855
about 800 of it is
trails like this.
549
00:43:05,855 --> 00:43:09,291
They may last for 40
miles, on the foot peg,
550
00:43:09,291 --> 00:43:12,895
maneuvering like six
days on a bongo board.
551
00:43:14,096 --> 00:43:17,132
The speed average:
24 miles an hour.
552
00:43:17,132 --> 00:43:19,468
But very few can keep it up.
553
00:43:22,738 --> 00:43:24,439
All work on the
machine must be done by
554
00:43:24,439 --> 00:43:28,477
the contestant himself
with no outside help.
555
00:43:28,477 --> 00:43:30,079
The bikes are locked
up except during the
556
00:43:30,079 --> 00:43:33,182
time you're riding
against the clock.
557
00:43:33,182 --> 00:43:35,651
The only time to make
repairs or adjustments
558
00:43:35,651 --> 00:43:39,689
is if you can get ahead of
schedule and stop to do it.
559
00:43:39,689 --> 00:43:41,991
If you can't change a
tire in four minutes,
560
00:43:41,991 --> 00:43:45,194
you're not competitive
in the Six Day Trials.
561
00:43:45,194 --> 00:43:46,495
The only tools you can use for
562
00:43:46,495 --> 00:43:49,564
anything are what
you carry with you.
563
00:43:51,734 --> 00:43:53,268
If anyone hands
you a tool or helps
564
00:43:53,268 --> 00:43:56,972
you in any way,
you're disqualified.
565
00:43:56,972 --> 00:43:58,941
If you keep your bike
together, change tires
566
00:43:58,941 --> 00:44:02,211
fast enough, keep on
time, and lose no marks,
567
00:44:02,211 --> 00:44:04,714
you still haven't
won a gold medal.
568
00:44:04,714 --> 00:44:07,016
You have to compete in a
series of special tests
569
00:44:07,016 --> 00:44:10,252
at the end of each days' riding.
570
00:44:10,252 --> 00:44:13,022
One is this 200 meter
acceleration test.
571
00:44:13,022 --> 00:44:16,926
Clocked top speed at the end
earns needed bonus points,
572
00:44:16,926 --> 00:44:19,294
except there's a sound
meter in that tent
573
00:44:19,294 --> 00:44:21,563
and if you make too
much noise going by,
574
00:44:21,563 --> 00:44:25,334
bonus points are subtracted
instead of added.
575
00:44:30,539 --> 00:44:32,908
Another special test
at the end of each day
576
00:44:32,908 --> 00:44:36,145
is a five mile timed
cross-country route.
577
00:44:36,145 --> 00:44:38,814
Sort of a motocross
against the clock.
578
00:44:38,814 --> 00:44:42,084
The fastest times earn
the most bonus points.
579
00:44:42,084 --> 00:44:44,153
And to earn enough bonus
points for a gold medal,
580
00:44:44,153 --> 00:44:47,757
you have to be in the top 30%.
581
00:44:47,757 --> 00:44:49,925
The motorcycles have
mufflers and lights,
582
00:44:49,925 --> 00:44:51,794
which are under
the number plate.
583
00:44:51,794 --> 00:44:54,563
You can be stopped at any time
and have your light checked.
584
00:44:54,563 --> 00:44:55,831
If it doesn't work, you have to
585
00:44:55,831 --> 00:44:58,600
stay there until
you make it work.
586
00:45:01,036 --> 00:45:02,437
In this special
test, Malcolm has
587
00:45:02,437 --> 00:45:05,040
to go fast, but not too fast.
588
00:45:05,040 --> 00:45:08,643
He's got to save the machine,
he's got to save his body.
589
00:45:08,643 --> 00:45:10,980
There are more days to come.
590
00:45:16,518 --> 00:45:17,987
Day after day, Malcolm left in
591
00:45:17,987 --> 00:45:20,622
the morning chill
from El Escorial.
592
00:45:20,622 --> 00:45:23,025
Stiff and sore, but on time.
593
00:45:23,025 --> 00:45:25,694
(clock ticking)
594
00:45:27,897 --> 00:45:29,264
Each day, he left
to do battle with
595
00:45:29,264 --> 00:45:32,167
the clock and the
elements of Spain.
596
00:45:32,167 --> 00:45:36,171
Mostly fatigue in his
face, but on time.
597
00:45:36,171 --> 00:45:39,108
The six days, more than
any event, tests a man's
598
00:45:39,108 --> 00:45:42,945
all-around ability, his
riding, his endurance,
599
00:45:42,945 --> 00:45:45,580
mechanical skill, and
his ability to think
600
00:45:45,580 --> 00:45:48,884
clearly when
tremendously fatigued.
601
00:45:48,884 --> 00:45:51,020
If you do everything
right, don't make one
602
00:45:51,020 --> 00:45:55,257
mistake in six days,
you win this gold medal.
603
00:45:55,257 --> 00:45:58,828
Malcolm won one in Poland,
he won one in Germany,
604
00:45:58,828 --> 00:46:02,331
and he won this one
in El Escorial, Spain.
605
00:46:09,238 --> 00:46:11,907
Back in the United
States, what's Malcolm do?
606
00:46:11,907 --> 00:46:13,408
Heads for another
motorcycle race
607
00:46:13,408 --> 00:46:16,778
with his friend, Steve McQueen.
608
00:46:16,778 --> 00:46:19,849
The event is the
Elsinore Grand Prix.
609
00:46:21,483 --> 00:46:24,186
1,500 motorcyclists
line up in the
610
00:46:24,186 --> 00:46:26,555
main street waiting
for the start.
611
00:46:26,555 --> 00:46:30,059
(energetic, bouncy music)
612
00:46:41,603 --> 00:46:45,774
1,500 riders and 50,000
spectators fill the little town.
613
00:46:47,476 --> 00:46:50,479
It's a 100 mile race through
the streets of the city
614
00:46:50,479 --> 00:46:54,016
and into the foothills
outside of town.
615
00:46:54,016 --> 00:46:56,886
The average age of the
2,000 Elsinore residents
616
00:46:56,886 --> 00:46:59,254
is 60 years old and
it's the only town
617
00:46:59,254 --> 00:47:01,723
in America that
welcomes such an event.
618
00:47:01,723 --> 00:47:05,294
The residents love it
and so do the riders.
619
00:47:12,101 --> 00:47:14,937
Malcolm will be starting
in the second row,
620
00:47:14,937 --> 00:47:17,706
Steve starting in
the fourth row.
621
00:47:19,008 --> 00:47:21,076
Held back by a rope,
riders leave at
622
00:47:21,076 --> 00:47:24,046
ten second intervals,
ten abreast.
623
00:47:24,046 --> 00:47:25,915
It was supposed to be
ten second intervals,
624
00:47:25,915 --> 00:47:29,518
but it got a lot
shorter than that.
625
00:47:29,518 --> 00:47:31,086
You could tell the
most eager riders
626
00:47:31,086 --> 00:47:33,755
by the rope burns on their neck.
627
00:47:39,794 --> 00:47:42,297
(engines rev)
628
00:47:46,101 --> 00:47:49,138
By the time the race
was two miles old,
629
00:47:49,138 --> 00:47:53,308
Malcolm passing the last
rider and taking the lead.
630
00:47:55,210 --> 00:47:59,148
It had rained a few days before
and there was a big puddle.
631
00:47:59,148 --> 00:48:00,983
As the pack came
thundering through,
632
00:48:00,983 --> 00:48:04,453
the water puddle turned
into a mud puddle.
633
00:48:04,453 --> 00:48:06,989
Then it turned into a mud hole.
634
00:48:06,989 --> 00:48:08,924
The first 200 riders
made it through,
635
00:48:08,924 --> 00:48:13,128
but for the 1,300 yet to
come, it was all stopped.
636
00:48:13,128 --> 00:48:15,797
(trumpet plays)
637
00:48:34,316 --> 00:48:36,518
There's no money
involved in the race.
638
00:48:36,518 --> 00:48:38,920
A trophy for the winner.
639
00:48:38,920 --> 00:48:43,092
In fact, they pay a $15 entry
fee for the honor of riding.
640
00:48:46,996 --> 00:48:48,263
While they were getting
out of the mud hole,
641
00:48:48,263 --> 00:48:51,600
Malcolm had opened
up a commanding lead.
642
00:48:57,439 --> 00:48:59,674
Malcolm rides so smoothly
and effortlessly,
643
00:48:59,674 --> 00:49:02,044
he doesn't appear to
be going very fast.
644
00:49:02,044 --> 00:49:02,978
He is.
645
00:49:02,978 --> 00:49:05,647
There's 1,499 riders behind him.
646
00:49:07,282 --> 00:49:09,784
When he came back through town
at the end of the first lap,
647
00:49:09,784 --> 00:49:13,955
he was so far ahead, there
were no other riders in sight.
648
00:49:27,736 --> 00:49:29,604
For the rest of the riders
thundering through town,
649
00:49:29,604 --> 00:49:31,440
it was sport for the
spectators to see if
650
00:49:31,440 --> 00:49:32,707
they could get across the street
651
00:49:32,707 --> 00:49:36,145
before they got run
over by a motorcycle.
652
00:49:43,385 --> 00:49:44,719
Everyone rides Elsinore.
653
00:49:44,719 --> 00:49:46,021
If there's one event
you ride a year,
654
00:49:46,021 --> 00:49:48,057
it's usually the
Elsinore Grand Prix.
655
00:49:48,057 --> 00:49:52,227
People of all ages, girls,
the pig farmer from Marietta.
656
00:49:55,564 --> 00:49:58,400
There's only about 200 riders
who are seriously competitive.
657
00:49:58,400 --> 00:50:01,470
For the rest, it's a
great Sunday adventure.
658
00:50:01,470 --> 00:50:03,838
Doing wheelies through town
to dazzle their friends,
659
00:50:03,838 --> 00:50:06,575
bouncing off any
object in sight,
660
00:50:07,776 --> 00:50:10,312
missing half the corners
and ripping out ten
661
00:50:10,312 --> 00:50:14,483
miles of banners and dragging
them back through town.
662
00:50:16,485 --> 00:50:17,986
The people of
Elsinore can't believe
663
00:50:17,986 --> 00:50:20,489
what's going on in their town.
664
00:50:26,995 --> 00:50:27,962
They pull a chair
up in their front
665
00:50:27,962 --> 00:50:30,632
yard and have a grandstand seat.
666
00:50:36,871 --> 00:50:39,474
(engines roar)
667
00:50:54,856 --> 00:50:57,126
Number 48, Steve
McQueen, entered
668
00:50:57,126 --> 00:50:59,794
under the name of
Harvey Mushman.
669
00:50:59,794 --> 00:51:01,496
But it didn't take
long for the spectators
670
00:51:01,496 --> 00:51:04,766
to figure out who
number 48 really was.
671
00:51:06,968 --> 00:51:11,173
She was dazzled, but her
husband wasn't too impressed.
672
00:51:11,173 --> 00:51:13,007
Yeah, I could do that.
673
00:51:17,312 --> 00:51:19,548
Steve really earned the
respect of his fellow riders.
674
00:51:19,548 --> 00:51:22,784
Some of them didn't realize
what a good rider he really is.
675
00:51:22,784 --> 00:51:25,120
His car racing experience
gives him the ability
676
00:51:25,120 --> 00:51:28,890
to pick the perfect line
through the corners.
677
00:51:41,903 --> 00:51:44,639
In a subsequent Elsinore
race, Steve crashed, broke his
678
00:51:44,639 --> 00:51:48,810
foot, got up and finished
8th, broken foot and all.
679
00:51:57,719 --> 00:51:59,854
It was Malcolm Smith's day.
680
00:51:59,854 --> 00:52:01,055
When Malcolm passes you, it's a
681
00:52:01,055 --> 00:52:03,692
mistake to try
and stay with him.
682
00:52:09,063 --> 00:52:10,465
In the lead, but
still time for a
683
00:52:10,465 --> 00:52:13,368
wave to a friend
beside the course.
684
00:52:19,040 --> 00:52:22,177
Malcolm's got an uncanny sense
for doing the right thing.
685
00:52:22,177 --> 00:52:24,179
Here, swerving off the
course, through a hole
686
00:52:24,179 --> 00:52:26,348
in the barbed wire
fence, and around
687
00:52:26,348 --> 00:52:28,783
the now cleaned out mud hole.
688
00:52:35,524 --> 00:52:37,992
Back through the fence
again without missing a beat
689
00:52:37,992 --> 00:52:40,995
and passing six
guys in the process.
690
00:52:47,302 --> 00:52:48,637
What's a guy who
rides motorcycles
691
00:52:48,637 --> 00:52:50,772
every Sunday do for a living?
692
00:52:50,772 --> 00:52:53,342
Malcolm owns a motorcycle shop.
693
00:53:01,916 --> 00:53:05,320
In ten laps, Malcolm
passed 7,000 riders,
694
00:53:06,255 --> 00:53:08,823
some of them three times.
695
00:53:08,823 --> 00:53:13,127
Malcolm almost never makes
a bobble or a mistake.
696
00:53:13,127 --> 00:53:17,299
It's about 200 feet down
off the side of the road.
697
00:53:34,649 --> 00:53:37,352
When it was all over,
it was Malcolm Smith.
698
00:53:37,352 --> 00:53:40,154
There he stood in the pits
with his ear-to-ear grin.
699
00:53:40,154 --> 00:53:42,324
He didn't even look tired.
700
00:53:43,692 --> 00:53:46,495
Steve turned in a great
ride, finishing 10th overall,
701
00:53:46,495 --> 00:53:47,929
riding against
the best riders in
702
00:53:47,929 --> 00:53:50,899
the country for
this kind of event.
703
00:53:50,899 --> 00:53:53,468
- Every time I start thinking
the world is all bad,
704
00:53:53,468 --> 00:53:55,470
then I start seeing some people
out there having a good time
705
00:53:55,470 --> 00:53:58,206
on a motorcycle and it
makes me take another look.
706
00:53:58,206 --> 00:53:59,541
It was good fun.
707
00:54:04,279 --> 00:54:05,714
- [Voiceover] There are
a lot of things that are
708
00:54:05,714 --> 00:54:08,550
good fun on a motorcycle,
like sidecar racing.
709
00:54:08,550 --> 00:54:10,652
So specialized,
that only about 200
710
00:54:10,652 --> 00:54:13,488
people do it in
the United States.
711
00:54:17,692 --> 00:54:19,494
The passenger is
called the monkey,
712
00:54:19,494 --> 00:54:21,996
he's usually flat on one side.
713
00:54:24,999 --> 00:54:27,602
(engine roars)
714
00:54:34,643 --> 00:54:36,277
Motorcycle drag
racing is another
715
00:54:36,277 --> 00:54:39,514
highly specialized
form of competition.
716
00:54:47,255 --> 00:54:51,426
They hit speeds of 160 miles
an hour in the quarter mile.
717
00:54:56,365 --> 00:54:58,367
Before they leave the
line, they burn their tires
718
00:54:58,367 --> 00:55:02,003
to get them hot and sticky
for better traction.
719
00:55:02,003 --> 00:55:06,508
This guy was going to donate
his lungs to the Mayo clinic.
720
00:55:06,508 --> 00:55:08,543
Special machines and
riders who usually
721
00:55:08,543 --> 00:55:11,179
specialize in nothing
but drag racing.
722
00:55:11,179 --> 00:55:13,181
It's won or lost in a
hundredth of a second
723
00:55:13,181 --> 00:55:16,184
at the finish, or
even at the start.
724
00:55:22,757 --> 00:55:24,258
Probably the least
number of people
725
00:55:24,258 --> 00:55:28,930
in all of motorcycle sport
race their motorcycles on ice.
726
00:55:28,930 --> 00:55:32,467
Quebec City, Canada,
is the site of one.
727
00:55:32,467 --> 00:55:34,302
The fans try to
stay alive in the
728
00:55:34,302 --> 00:55:36,805
ten degree below zero weather.
729
00:55:43,011 --> 00:55:44,879
The riders wear
leather masks to keep
730
00:55:44,879 --> 00:55:46,715
their faces from
freezing and protect them
731
00:55:46,715 --> 00:55:50,051
from cuts from flying
ice off the track.
732
00:55:51,686 --> 00:55:56,525
Two inch spikes in the tires
for traction on the ice.
733
00:55:56,525 --> 00:55:59,761
Before a race, they
have to be wondering,
734
00:55:59,761 --> 00:56:03,765
it would be like getting
run over by a buzz saw.
735
00:56:07,836 --> 00:56:10,271
If you go down, the main
thought is to get off the track,
736
00:56:10,271 --> 00:56:13,908
because there's more
buzz saws coming.
737
00:56:13,908 --> 00:56:15,309
This guy set a
world record for a
738
00:56:15,309 --> 00:56:18,379
20 foot crawl on
his hands and knees.
739
00:56:21,483 --> 00:56:23,952
They hit tremendous speeds
on this half mile ice track.
740
00:56:23,952 --> 00:56:27,355
20 second lap times,
averaging almost 80.
741
00:56:31,125 --> 00:56:35,797
Absolutely no wheels spin
with those spiked tires.
742
00:56:35,797 --> 00:56:38,667
They ride with different
styles - some foot down,
743
00:56:38,667 --> 00:56:42,837
dirt track style, others slide
on a knee on a hockey pad.
744
00:56:44,639 --> 00:56:47,241
There's only about 50 or
60 people who ice race in
745
00:56:47,241 --> 00:56:51,813
North America and only a
couple of big ice races a year.
746
00:56:51,813 --> 00:56:55,984
It's popular in certain parts
of Europe, especially Russia.
747
00:56:57,452 --> 00:56:59,888
Ice racing in
Canada, ten degrees
748
00:56:59,888 --> 00:57:03,157
below zero, in the
middle of a snowstorm.
749
00:57:03,157 --> 00:57:05,560
(wind blows)
750
00:57:10,665 --> 00:57:14,168
From ten degrees below
to 115 degrees above
751
00:57:14,168 --> 00:57:16,270
at the Bonneville
Salt Flats in Utah,
752
00:57:16,270 --> 00:57:19,440
where once again, men
on motorcycles compete,
753
00:57:19,440 --> 00:57:21,510
trying to set speed records.
754
00:57:21,510 --> 00:57:24,312
Once a year, they have
speed week for motorcycles.
755
00:57:24,312 --> 00:57:26,648
There's about 200 different
classes and anyone
756
00:57:26,648 --> 00:57:29,283
with a two-wheeled
machine gets into the act.
757
00:57:29,283 --> 00:57:31,786
Some of the bikes
are a little strange.
758
00:57:31,786 --> 00:57:35,957
This guy had a 60 horsepower
skateboard and steel kneecaps.
759
00:57:39,260 --> 00:57:42,363
Some guy got an old bomb
and put a motor in it.
760
00:57:42,363 --> 00:57:44,365
Didn't handle very well.
761
00:57:47,001 --> 00:57:49,871
From the backyard specials
to the exotically engineered
762
00:57:49,871 --> 00:57:53,374
and computer-designed,
stream-lined bikes.
763
00:57:56,277 --> 00:57:58,379
There was a fellow
named Cal Rayburn,
764
00:57:58,379 --> 00:58:00,615
a professional racer, who
was going to make an assault
765
00:58:00,615 --> 00:58:04,986
on the motorcycle land speed
record of 250 miles an hour.
766
00:58:04,986 --> 00:58:06,287
He was going to
drive one of those
767
00:58:06,287 --> 00:58:09,958
slide rule,
super-engineered specials.
768
00:58:09,958 --> 00:58:12,426
He lost a little faith in
the computers and engineers
769
00:58:12,426 --> 00:58:16,064
when he got in and found
out an interesting thing.
770
00:58:16,064 --> 00:58:17,231
He didn't fit.
771
00:58:20,201 --> 00:58:23,104
By then, Cal was beginning
to have some second thoughts.
772
00:58:23,104 --> 00:58:26,107
He kept saying,
"You guys are nuts."
773
00:58:28,442 --> 00:58:30,745
They said his helmet visor
must be too big, so they
774
00:58:30,745 --> 00:58:35,516
sawed it off, that way it
wouldn't dig into his chest.
775
00:58:35,516 --> 00:58:39,387
It didn't dig into his chest,
but his chin still did.
776
00:58:39,387 --> 00:58:41,690
In this position, he
was supposed to try
and go faster than
777
00:58:41,690 --> 00:58:45,860
anyone ever had with
a motorcycle over
250 miles an hour.
778
00:58:48,396 --> 00:58:49,731
Once the lid was in
the place, he found
779
00:58:49,731 --> 00:58:52,066
out interesting
point number two.
780
00:58:52,066 --> 00:58:54,302
He couldn't see out.
781
00:58:54,302 --> 00:58:56,137
His feet were too big and
blocked his view out the
782
00:58:56,137 --> 00:58:59,841
front window and his knee
blocked his view out the side.
783
00:58:59,841 --> 00:59:02,376
So all he had to do was
peer out the side window,
784
00:59:02,376 --> 00:59:05,513
over his knee, and follow
this black line painted
785
00:59:05,513 --> 00:59:08,249
on the salt at
anything over 250.
786
00:59:10,952 --> 00:59:12,553
Late in the afternoon,
they launched him,
787
00:59:12,553 --> 00:59:16,190
and he found out interesting
point number three.
788
00:59:16,190 --> 00:59:20,194
It didn't handle very
well at six miles an hour.
789
00:59:32,774 --> 00:59:35,143
He kept saying,
"You guys are nuts."
790
00:59:35,143 --> 00:59:36,711
But he was driving.
791
00:59:38,146 --> 00:59:41,482
After a week of trying and
crashes from six to 206,
792
00:59:41,482 --> 00:59:43,952
Calvin finally set a new
motorcycle land speed
793
00:59:43,952 --> 00:59:46,688
record of over
265 miles an hour.
794
00:59:48,623 --> 00:59:50,591
The steering changed
with the speed.
795
00:59:50,591 --> 00:59:53,327
Under 100, turn
right to go right.
796
00:59:53,327 --> 00:59:56,164
100 to 200, turn
left to go right,
797
00:59:57,331 --> 01:00:00,101
and over 200, back
to normal again.
798
01:00:04,572 --> 01:00:07,508
(piercing ringing)
799
01:00:31,299 --> 01:00:34,736
The mile track at
Sacramento, California.
800
01:00:35,937 --> 01:00:39,373
This is where the #1
plate will be decided.
801
01:00:39,373 --> 01:00:40,709
A $12,000 purse.
802
01:00:41,910 --> 01:00:45,446
But more important to
Dick Mann, Dave Aldana,
803
01:00:45,446 --> 01:00:48,616
Gene Romero, and Jim
Rice, 101 points.
804
01:00:50,184 --> 01:00:52,687
Enough to make any of them #1.
805
01:00:54,723 --> 01:00:58,827
All the riders were there, but
the pressure was on the four.
806
01:00:59,961 --> 01:01:01,730
If Dave Aldana won,
it would be the
807
01:01:01,730 --> 01:01:04,766
first time a first
year expert ever had.
808
01:01:04,766 --> 01:01:08,837
Romero was not his
usual laughing self.
809
01:01:08,837 --> 01:01:12,340
Jim Rice was off alone,
walking the track.
810
01:01:15,643 --> 01:01:17,145
Dick Mann arrived.
811
01:01:17,145 --> 01:01:19,480
He'd broken his leg in
a race only three weeks
812
01:01:19,480 --> 01:01:23,317
before and no one
expected him to compete.
813
01:01:23,317 --> 01:01:27,388
But he'd sawed off his
cast and was going to try.
814
01:01:30,491 --> 01:01:34,428
He jammed his swollen leg
into his boot and steel shoe,
815
01:01:34,428 --> 01:01:38,166
went out on the track,
and won his heat race.
816
01:01:45,073 --> 01:01:48,609
Mert won the second heat,
Gene Romero the third,
817
01:01:48,609 --> 01:01:50,044
with Dave Aldana
transferring to the
818
01:01:50,044 --> 01:01:54,215
point-paying main by
finishing third in his heat.
819
01:01:54,215 --> 01:01:55,249
The first four riders in each
820
01:01:55,249 --> 01:01:57,852
heat transfer to the main event.
821
01:02:00,354 --> 01:02:02,556
Jim Rice, number
24, playing it cool
822
01:02:02,556 --> 01:02:06,227
in the final heat
and transferring.
823
01:02:06,227 --> 01:02:09,530
After the finish, at
120 miles an hour...
824
01:02:09,530 --> 01:02:12,433
(horrifying music)
825
01:02:31,552 --> 01:02:34,322
(sirens wailing)
826
01:03:14,863 --> 01:03:18,867
An hour later, they lined
up for the main event.
827
01:03:35,749 --> 01:03:37,451
Jim Rice was getting
out of the ambulance
828
01:03:37,451 --> 01:03:39,520
and was going to try
and ride the race.
829
01:03:39,520 --> 01:03:40,989
(cheering)
830
01:03:40,989 --> 01:03:42,690
- [Voiceover] Jim
Rice walking out
831
01:03:42,690 --> 01:03:45,026
and he'll be back in action.
832
01:03:46,194 --> 01:03:47,862
- [Voiceover] In a lot
of pain with a bandanna
833
01:03:47,862 --> 01:03:50,531
covering his broken
nose, Jim quietly
834
01:03:50,531 --> 01:03:52,867
took his place on the
line with the rest.
835
01:03:52,867 --> 01:03:56,104
(indistinct announcer)
836
01:04:02,676 --> 01:04:05,279
(engines roar)
837
01:04:18,492 --> 01:04:22,330
And down the backshoot
at 125 miles an hour.
838
01:04:22,330 --> 01:04:25,566
(indistinct announcer)
839
01:04:30,738 --> 01:04:33,141
It was Dave Aldana.
840
01:04:33,141 --> 01:04:35,376
The race was black-flagged.
841
01:04:36,710 --> 01:04:39,013
Aldana's bike was completely
totaled, but David,
842
01:04:39,013 --> 01:04:42,383
as he had all year,
walked away unhurt.
843
01:04:42,383 --> 01:04:45,453
But he also walked away
from any chance of being #1.
844
01:04:45,453 --> 01:04:49,623
No way he could make the
three minute restart rule.
845
01:04:55,829 --> 01:04:59,167
The restart was a carbon
copy of the first.
846
01:04:59,167 --> 01:05:01,569
Mert in fourth, working
his way back to third.
847
01:05:01,569 --> 01:05:03,972
Romero second and Mann first.
848
01:05:06,975 --> 01:05:10,244
(indistinct announcer)
849
01:05:12,380 --> 01:05:13,982
And Romero, again, getting by
850
01:05:13,982 --> 01:05:16,985
Dick Mann at exactly
the same place.
851
01:05:19,920 --> 01:05:22,590
Jim Rice, running in last place.
852
01:05:24,125 --> 01:05:26,360
Ten laps later, the
field spreading out,
853
01:05:26,360 --> 01:05:29,163
Romero further ahead and
Rice dropping further back,
854
01:05:29,163 --> 01:05:30,965
his bike running
poorly and Jim just
855
01:05:30,965 --> 01:05:34,002
too physically shaken
to be competitive.
856
01:05:34,002 --> 01:05:37,105
It's amazing he
tried to ride at all.
857
01:05:38,472 --> 01:05:40,941
On the 20th lap,
Dick Mann pulled in.
858
01:05:40,941 --> 01:05:42,376
He'd caught his
shoe in a hole and
859
01:05:42,376 --> 01:05:44,445
was in too much
paint to continue.
860
01:05:44,445 --> 01:05:46,614
For him, that's got to be a lot.
861
01:05:46,614 --> 01:05:49,183
(engines roar)
862
01:05:50,618 --> 01:05:54,322
Mert hung on to Romero's
tail for the first 20 laps
863
01:05:54,322 --> 01:05:56,924
and then, as it happened so
often during this season,
864
01:05:56,924 --> 01:06:00,995
smoke began pouring out
as his engine went south.
865
01:06:02,930 --> 01:06:04,432
It was Romero's day.
866
01:06:04,432 --> 01:06:08,636
50 laps, wire to wire, his
father cheering him on,
867
01:06:08,636 --> 01:06:10,938
a beautiful ride,
the checkered flag,
868
01:06:10,938 --> 01:06:13,707
and Gene Romero, the new #1.
869
01:06:13,707 --> 01:06:17,111
(fun, celebratory music)
870
01:06:31,092 --> 01:06:33,227
It was a day of
happiness for Gene.
871
01:06:33,227 --> 01:06:36,764
For Rice, Aldana, and Mann, it
was a very disappointing day.
872
01:06:36,764 --> 01:06:39,033
Rice was lucky to be alive.
873
01:06:43,971 --> 01:06:47,275
What kind of men are these
that take tremendous chances?
874
01:06:47,275 --> 01:06:51,079
That saw off a cast and
ride with a broken leg
875
01:06:51,079 --> 01:06:54,748
and say, "It'll be okay,
I'm a fast healer."
876
01:06:58,186 --> 01:07:00,254
Why do they do it?
877
01:07:00,254 --> 01:07:02,490
There's no answer to that.
878
01:07:02,490 --> 01:07:05,226
If you ask them,
they say simply,
879
01:07:05,226 --> 01:07:07,995
"Because it's what
I like to do."
880
01:07:09,330 --> 01:07:10,431
For Mert, the day at Sacramento
881
01:07:10,431 --> 01:07:12,533
had been a mirror of the season.
882
01:07:12,533 --> 01:07:15,002
With as much bad luck as
Mert had had during the year,
883
01:07:15,002 --> 01:07:17,805
he still finished with
enough points to be the
884
01:07:17,805 --> 01:07:21,975
number sixth ranked rider in
the national point standings.
885
01:07:27,248 --> 01:07:28,482
Let's see what's happening in
886
01:07:28,482 --> 01:07:30,451
the rest of the
motorcycle world.
887
01:07:30,451 --> 01:07:31,952
It's Sunday and we're about 20
888
01:07:31,952 --> 01:07:34,622
miles from Salt Lake City, Utah.
889
01:07:35,789 --> 01:07:37,225
There's a hill there
called Widowmaker.
890
01:07:37,225 --> 01:07:39,327
It's 600 feet high and the angle
891
01:07:39,327 --> 01:07:42,996
up the face is 89%,
roughly 45 degrees.
892
01:07:48,836 --> 01:07:53,006
It's the sight of the annual
Widowmaker hill climb.
893
01:08:03,517 --> 01:08:04,985
No one's ever made
it over the top
894
01:08:04,985 --> 01:08:09,089
and they've been
trying for seven years.
895
01:08:09,089 --> 01:08:11,759
Riders come from all over
the country to compete in yet
896
01:08:11,759 --> 01:08:15,829
another highly specialized
form of motorcycle competition.
897
01:08:15,829 --> 01:08:17,965
As I said, no one's
ever made the top,
898
01:08:17,965 --> 01:08:20,067
but they give it
a hell of a try.
899
01:08:20,067 --> 01:08:23,171
(fast, lively music)
900
01:08:50,864 --> 01:08:53,334
Wherever the bike stops is
where the measurement is taken,
901
01:08:53,334 --> 01:08:57,037
so they get some bizarre
push off techniques.
902
01:09:01,575 --> 01:09:03,377
This guy nearly nailed
a couple of spectators
903
01:09:03,377 --> 01:09:06,046
and lost 12 feet in the process.
904
01:09:11,051 --> 01:09:14,955
That's a whole lot better
than losing 387 feet.
905
01:09:21,995 --> 01:09:24,498
Some of the bikes have
a lot of character.
906
01:09:24,498 --> 01:09:28,669
The hill climbers, themselves,
are safe to say, characters.
907
01:09:32,973 --> 01:09:35,075
There was the mortician
from Waukegan who
908
01:09:35,075 --> 01:09:38,412
thought hyperventilation
was the answer.
909
01:09:39,513 --> 01:09:42,082
It got him up the hill 15 feet.
910
01:09:44,385 --> 01:09:48,021
The classic guy that day
was old Hawkeye Hillbilly.
911
01:09:48,021 --> 01:09:49,857
He spent considerable
time mentally
912
01:09:49,857 --> 01:09:52,626
psyching himself
up for the hill.
913
01:09:55,028 --> 01:09:56,297
Didn't know whether that was his
914
01:09:56,297 --> 01:09:58,899
number plate or a
traffic citation.
915
01:10:14,482 --> 01:10:18,652
On the hill, Hawkeye the
bouncer turned in a great run.
916
01:10:31,999 --> 01:10:35,002
Only about 50 feet
short of the top.
917
01:10:40,741 --> 01:10:42,175
Ol' Malcolm was there.
918
01:10:42,175 --> 01:10:43,344
He'd never ridden
the hill climb,
919
01:10:43,344 --> 01:10:45,212
but he thought it would be fun.
920
01:10:45,212 --> 01:10:48,282
On his first try, in
typical Malcolm Smith style,
921
01:10:48,282 --> 01:10:50,684
he forgot to turn on the gas.
922
01:11:05,733 --> 01:11:07,468
Later in the day, he
got his second run
923
01:11:07,468 --> 01:11:10,971
and more than made up
for his first error.
924
01:11:16,009 --> 01:11:19,046
Riding his stock motorcycle
in the 500cc class,
925
01:11:19,046 --> 01:11:21,682
against the specially
built hill climbers,
926
01:11:21,682 --> 01:11:24,251
he got up to around 500 feet,
927
01:11:24,251 --> 01:11:27,688
right in there with
the best of 'em.
928
01:11:27,688 --> 01:11:29,056
Going back down the hill is a
929
01:11:29,056 --> 01:11:31,825
major operation for most riders.
930
01:11:31,825 --> 01:11:33,427
Malcolm dazzled
folks when he turned
931
01:11:33,427 --> 01:11:36,430
around and rode his
motorcycle down.
932
01:11:39,400 --> 01:11:40,300
- Holy cow.
933
01:11:46,974 --> 01:11:48,509
- [Voiceover] One of the
final riders of the day
934
01:11:48,509 --> 01:11:50,644
was Mike Gibbon, who'd
driven all the way from
935
01:11:50,644 --> 01:11:53,981
Grants Pass, Oregon,
to ride this event.
936
01:12:01,321 --> 01:12:05,626
Chains on the tires and
nitromethane fuel in the tank,
937
01:12:05,626 --> 01:12:07,661
Mike Gibbon made the first tire
938
01:12:07,661 --> 01:12:10,030
mark on the top of Widowmaker.
939
01:12:10,030 --> 01:12:13,000
After seven years,
it had been done.
940
01:12:13,000 --> 01:12:15,669
(horns honking)
941
01:12:23,143 --> 01:12:25,345
He got a big trophy and
the local Lions Club
942
01:12:25,345 --> 01:12:29,517
gave him $100 to help him pay
his expenses back to Oregon.
943
01:12:31,051 --> 01:12:32,653
It had been quite a day.
944
01:12:32,653 --> 01:12:35,823
Widowmaker had at
last been conquered.
945
01:12:37,024 --> 01:12:39,292
Malcolm got 100 feet
further up the hill
946
01:12:39,292 --> 01:12:41,929
than any other stock
bike, finishing third
947
01:12:41,929 --> 01:12:45,265
against the special
hill climb machines.
948
01:12:46,199 --> 01:12:48,769
(horn beeping)
949
01:12:57,578 --> 01:13:00,247
This fellow's a trials rider.
950
01:13:00,247 --> 01:13:03,350
The magicians of the
motorcycle world.
951
01:13:03,350 --> 01:13:06,454
Good trials riders can do
wheelies like this for miles.
952
01:13:06,454 --> 01:13:08,188
Around corners, everywhere,
953
01:13:08,188 --> 01:13:12,225
just bopping along,
watching the scenery.
954
01:13:12,225 --> 01:13:13,761
Trials riders are the violin
955
01:13:13,761 --> 01:13:15,496
players of the motorcycle world.
956
01:13:15,496 --> 01:13:18,566
Tremendously skilled
at what they do.
957
01:13:20,133 --> 01:13:24,304
The kid couldn't believe it,
but there was nobody to tell.
958
01:13:25,405 --> 01:13:27,307
In riding trials events,
all you have to do
959
01:13:27,307 --> 01:13:29,342
is get through a difficult
section of terrain
960
01:13:29,342 --> 01:13:31,311
without putting your foot down.
961
01:13:31,311 --> 01:13:35,483
A good trials rider's ability
to do this is amazing.
962
01:13:36,617 --> 01:13:38,619
It would seem impossible
to get a motorcycle
963
01:13:38,619 --> 01:13:42,055
with ten inches of
clearance over a 30 inch log
964
01:13:42,055 --> 01:13:43,691
and then make a sharp right turn
965
01:13:43,691 --> 01:13:47,461
to stay in bounds and
not put your foot down.
966
01:13:51,699 --> 01:13:52,966
It can be done.
967
01:14:04,177 --> 01:14:06,213
Here's a beautiful example.
968
01:14:06,213 --> 01:14:08,882
Lift the wheel at
the precise instant,
969
01:14:08,882 --> 01:14:10,551
turn it in midair
so when you land
970
01:14:10,551 --> 01:14:12,753
your turn has already begun.
971
01:14:12,753 --> 01:14:15,422
It looks easy, don't believe it.
972
01:14:17,157 --> 01:14:18,659
Malcolm rides one or two trials
973
01:14:18,659 --> 01:14:20,293
a year on his Sunday outings.
974
01:14:20,293 --> 01:14:23,931
In fact, he rides one or two
of almost everything a year.
975
01:14:23,931 --> 01:14:26,600
In trials, too, he is very good.
976
01:14:32,706 --> 01:14:33,941
Try this someday if you want
977
01:14:33,941 --> 01:14:36,510
to do something
really difficult.
978
01:14:42,382 --> 01:14:43,551
Neat, Malcolm.
979
01:14:45,919 --> 01:14:47,187
Quite a different breed from the
980
01:14:47,187 --> 01:14:48,989
trials riders are
the desert racers.
981
01:14:48,989 --> 01:14:53,160
Unique to the
southwest, particularly
southern California.
982
01:14:54,294 --> 01:14:55,629
There's even a group
of girls called
983
01:14:55,629 --> 01:14:59,099
The Desert Daisies,
who race in the desert.
984
01:14:59,099 --> 01:15:01,669
A great variety of people,
from all walks of life,
985
01:15:01,669 --> 01:15:03,904
gather each Sunday to race.
986
01:15:06,073 --> 01:15:09,509
Number one plate holder in
the desert, Whitey Martino.
987
01:15:09,509 --> 01:15:12,613
When they line up for the
start, it's quite a sight.
988
01:15:12,613 --> 01:15:15,448
(fast, fun music)
989
01:15:26,393 --> 01:15:29,029
Down there on the line
are doctors, lawyers,
990
01:15:29,029 --> 01:15:31,899
carpenters, plumbers,
engineers, salesmen,
991
01:15:31,899 --> 01:15:34,568
students, anyone, and everybody.
992
01:15:35,969 --> 01:15:38,839
A thousand riders ready
to race a hare and hound
993
01:15:38,839 --> 01:15:41,374
over 100 miles of
desert terrain.
994
01:15:41,374 --> 01:15:43,744
50 miles from the nearest town.
995
01:15:43,744 --> 01:15:46,113
This scene takes place
every Sunday of the year,
996
01:15:46,113 --> 01:15:49,282
which starts from
500 to 2,000 riders.
997
01:15:50,550 --> 01:15:52,920
The prize - a trophy
for the winner
998
01:15:52,920 --> 01:15:57,024
and the satisfaction of knowing
you did it, for the rest.
999
01:16:01,194 --> 01:16:02,730
They head first to a smoke bomb
1000
01:16:02,730 --> 01:16:05,365
about five miles from the start.
1001
01:16:05,365 --> 01:16:08,535
At 10:00am, the banner drops.
1002
01:16:08,535 --> 01:16:11,371
(energetic music)
1003
01:16:57,017 --> 01:17:01,188
About 10% never make the first
five miles to the smoke bomb.
1004
01:17:02,856 --> 01:17:06,026
It's a cross between
a race and a war.
1005
01:17:16,770 --> 01:17:18,271
They raise a cloud of dust that
1006
01:17:18,271 --> 01:17:21,274
settles three weeks
later on London.
1007
01:17:22,676 --> 01:17:24,577
Once through the smoke bomb,
they start to thin out,
1008
01:17:24,577 --> 01:17:27,214
following a trail marked
with a ribbon and line.
1009
01:17:27,214 --> 01:17:29,082
No one's allowed to
ride the course first,
1010
01:17:29,082 --> 01:17:31,719
so it's all new terrain to them.
1011
01:17:31,719 --> 01:17:33,220
Three stripes of
line across the trail
1012
01:17:33,220 --> 01:17:35,588
mean a dangerous spot ahead.
1013
01:17:35,588 --> 01:17:37,124
To the experienced desert rider,
1014
01:17:37,124 --> 01:17:39,592
mounds of dirt mean danger, too.
1015
01:17:39,592 --> 01:17:41,228
Because the mounds had
to come out of something
1016
01:17:41,228 --> 01:17:44,131
like a mine shaft or
a ditch or a hole.
1017
01:17:44,131 --> 01:17:45,532
You can tell when
someone found one
1018
01:17:45,532 --> 01:17:48,601
by the way they
disappear so quickly.
1019
01:18:08,421 --> 01:18:11,191
It's 100 miles of
uphills, washes,
1020
01:18:11,191 --> 01:18:14,694
brush, sand, cactus,
downhills, and rocks.
1021
01:18:21,234 --> 01:18:23,837
A struggle just to get through.
1022
01:18:28,842 --> 01:18:30,310
But the biggest
hazard to a desert
1023
01:18:30,310 --> 01:18:32,813
racer is another desert racer.
1024
01:18:40,253 --> 01:18:43,356
In the spring, the
B-29 bugs come out
1025
01:18:44,724 --> 01:18:48,461
and hitting one is like
running into a medicine ball.
1026
01:19:09,416 --> 01:19:11,919
Desert racers are good people.
1027
01:19:13,686 --> 01:19:17,224
There's even a guy who rides
the desert with his dog.
1028
01:19:17,224 --> 01:19:20,127
There's a rug in the
tank the dog hangs on to.
1029
01:19:20,127 --> 01:19:22,529
He's got claws like an eagle.
1030
01:19:23,663 --> 01:19:26,499
Their pit stops are
kind of unusual.
1031
01:19:42,916 --> 01:19:46,519
Some of the hairiest
racing is in the pits.
1032
01:19:47,821 --> 01:19:50,357
The best riders can
invariably be found way
1033
01:19:50,357 --> 01:19:53,693
in front of the dust
and really hauling.
1034
01:19:55,262 --> 01:19:59,432
Here, J. N. Roberts, one of
the really great desert racers.
1035
01:20:05,638 --> 01:20:07,240
Steve McQueen riding here.
1036
01:20:07,240 --> 01:20:08,775
Still rides an
occasional desert race,
1037
01:20:08,775 --> 01:20:11,078
although he prefers
motocross now.
1038
01:20:11,078 --> 01:20:13,013
A few years back,
he rode every Sunday
1039
01:20:13,013 --> 01:20:16,183
and was ranked the
11th amateur rider.
1040
01:20:20,553 --> 01:20:21,821
And here, Malcolm Smith.
1041
01:20:21,821 --> 01:20:23,256
He rarely rides the desert.
1042
01:20:23,256 --> 01:20:26,059
Says he doesn't like
the heat and dust.
1043
01:20:26,059 --> 01:20:27,694
He's ridden about
12 desert races
1044
01:20:27,694 --> 01:20:30,898
in his life and he
won six of them.
1045
01:20:30,898 --> 01:20:33,333
The other six, he broke down.
1046
01:20:37,204 --> 01:20:41,374
King of the desert and #1
plate holder, Whitey Martino.
1047
01:20:44,811 --> 01:20:46,346
There's a great deal
of skill involved,
1048
01:20:46,346 --> 01:20:48,949
not just riding, but
reading the terrain.
1049
01:20:48,949 --> 01:20:50,617
This is the way it looks
to Whitey, weaving through
1050
01:20:50,617 --> 01:20:54,287
the pucker bushes at
60 to 70 miles an hour.
1051
01:20:58,225 --> 01:20:59,626
You don't go straight, but it's
1052
01:20:59,626 --> 01:21:02,295
almost like a slalom
through the bushes.
1053
01:21:02,295 --> 01:21:05,732
If you hit a bush,
it's an instant end-o.
1054
01:21:08,735 --> 01:21:12,372
After battling your way through
sand, rocks, turtles, bugs,
1055
01:21:12,372 --> 01:21:16,776
and mine shafts, you'd expect
the finish to be exciting.
1056
01:21:16,776 --> 01:21:18,711
The finish of a desert race is
1057
01:21:18,711 --> 01:21:21,014
like the finish
of no other race.
1058
01:21:21,014 --> 01:21:22,249
It's just over.
1059
01:21:23,416 --> 01:21:25,818
There's usually about
100 people watching
1060
01:21:25,818 --> 01:21:29,756
and they're waiting for
somebody else, anyway.
1061
01:21:29,756 --> 01:21:32,359
Desert races are a very
personal experience.
1062
01:21:32,359 --> 01:21:34,461
No spectators to
cheer you, but a great
1063
01:21:34,461 --> 01:21:38,131
personal satisfaction
in knowing you did it.
1064
01:21:52,312 --> 01:21:53,913
If 1,000 start, there's usually
1065
01:21:53,913 --> 01:21:56,716
about 300 or 400 that finish.
1066
01:21:56,716 --> 01:21:59,519
The rest are strewn out
over 100 miles of desert
1067
01:21:59,519 --> 01:22:03,756
and are picked up by a crew
that sweeps the course.
1068
01:22:03,756 --> 01:22:06,326
But there's always someone
who gets off the course,
1069
01:22:06,326 --> 01:22:09,729
gets lost, and breaks
a chain or something.
1070
01:22:09,729 --> 01:22:13,900
He has no idea where he is
and neither does anyone else.
1071
01:22:24,944 --> 01:22:28,381
The desert racer's
handbook says build a fire.
1072
01:22:28,381 --> 01:22:29,582
The rescue squad will see the
1073
01:22:29,582 --> 01:22:32,185
smoke and come and pick you up.
1074
01:22:37,224 --> 01:22:38,591
Desert racers don't lean toward
1075
01:22:38,591 --> 01:22:41,461
tinder and the one-match fire.
1076
01:22:41,461 --> 01:22:44,964
It's high-test and a
pucker bush for them.
1077
01:23:07,187 --> 01:23:10,823
The nearest water is in
the radiator of his truck,
1078
01:23:10,823 --> 01:23:14,827
but he doesn't have any
idea where his truck is.
1079
01:23:19,599 --> 01:23:21,768
That's $1,000 signal fire.
1080
01:23:26,906 --> 01:23:29,342
Probably the most fun
in all of motorcycling
1081
01:23:29,342 --> 01:23:31,044
is to load your bike in a pickup
1082
01:23:31,044 --> 01:23:34,047
truck and head out
into the country.
1083
01:23:39,319 --> 01:23:40,587
The pressure of racing over,
1084
01:23:40,587 --> 01:23:43,856
it's time to relax
and have some fun.
1085
01:23:43,856 --> 01:23:46,859
Malcolm, Steve, and
Mert all like to race,
1086
01:23:46,859 --> 01:23:50,097
but they think this kind
of riding is the most fun.
1087
01:23:50,097 --> 01:23:52,165
It's called cow trailing.
1088
01:23:55,368 --> 01:23:59,472
If your friends aren't paying
attention, how can you resist?
1089
01:24:09,249 --> 01:24:11,484
Steve could have picked
better people to fool
1090
01:24:11,484 --> 01:24:14,921
with than Mert Lawwill
and Malcolm Smith.
1091
01:24:37,544 --> 01:24:40,347
There's something about going
riding with your friends.
1092
01:24:40,347 --> 01:24:43,916
A feeling of freedom,
a feeling of joy
1093
01:24:43,916 --> 01:24:46,986
that really can't
be put into words.
1094
01:24:46,986 --> 01:24:51,158
It can only be fully shared
by someone who's done it.
1095
01:24:53,092 --> 01:24:56,028
(light, fun music)
1096
01:26:55,615 --> 01:26:59,719
* On Any Sunday looking
back on the crowd
1097
01:27:00,920 --> 01:27:05,292
* From the far out
place I've found
1098
01:27:05,292 --> 01:27:10,263
* Screaming inside of
me and laughin' out loud
1099
01:27:10,263 --> 01:27:13,733
* I'm losing contact
with the ground
1100
01:27:13,733 --> 01:27:16,168
* I'm flyin'
1101
01:27:17,604 --> 01:27:21,774
* Over my shoulder
through the dust and quiet
1102
01:27:22,975 --> 01:27:27,614
* Run where they'll
catch me, if you can
1103
01:27:27,614 --> 01:27:31,684
* On Any Sunday I'm a flyin' man
1104
01:27:34,887 --> 01:27:39,559
* Free as the wind,
faster than time
1105
01:27:39,559 --> 01:27:44,431
* Reason and rhyme
are running behind
1106
01:27:44,431 --> 01:27:49,235
* Tastin' the sun,
feelin' the Earth,
1107
01:27:49,235 --> 01:27:53,406
* Knowing my worth
and freeing my mind
1108
01:27:56,943 --> 01:28:01,848
* On Any Sunday like
the tail of a kite
1109
01:28:01,848 --> 01:28:06,753
* Flying and dancing in the wind
1110
01:28:06,753 --> 01:28:10,923
* I'd like to break the
string and drift out of site
1111
01:28:11,924 --> 01:28:15,161
* I may not pass this way again
1112
01:28:15,161 --> 01:28:17,564
* I'm flyin'
1113
01:28:19,165 --> 01:28:24,070
* Over my shoulder
through the dust and quiet
1114
01:28:24,070 --> 01:28:28,908
* Run where they'll
catch me if you can
1115
01:28:28,908 --> 01:28:33,079
* On Any Sunday
I'm a flyin' man *
89840
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