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