1983 BMX: NBL-Grand Nationals, Nashville TN. (9/3-5/83)

Sponsored by Schwinn, and Levi’s.

Levi’s had a super, extra larger pair of pants anchored to a large balloon before the first turn. I had started to collect banners at this point and had a decent collection hanging in my room and basement. I was determined to grab these pants when the race was over but no luck. They broke it down quickly.

Our team, Cockeysville Cycle Center, started to get some positive recognition from the announcers, which in turn, helped us with co-sponsorships: Zeronine, DK, Thom McCan, Echo helmets, Uni, and Johar. Some of the products were free (Johar, Thom McCan, Uni) and others were discounted. I know all of this because my father kept all the paperwork from those days; letters to sponsors regarding updates at races, and to our shop sponsor.

The Track:
The first set of doubles before the first turn were pretty far apart. It was a commitment to clear them but even if you did, there was then the question of whether that was the best way to ride them. In the races, you can see some racers jumping them and some not. Those who rolled over them did not really lose any ground.

I got cocky in my first moto with an early shot out of the gate (12 expert) so as a last-minute decision I opted to jump them. I came down hard on the second jump and paid the price. That fall put me out for the rest of the race. I remember watching Cheri Elliot clear them and was blown away. She might have been the only girl who was jumping them.

Hope this video brings back some good memories for people who were there.

The video includes clips of the following races:

11 Expert
12 Expert
14 Expert
16 Expert
13-15 Cruiser
14-15 Cruiser
16-17 Cruiser
16 Expert
17 Expert

Main
10-11 Girls
12-13 Girls
Pro
35 & Over Cruiser
8 Expert
9 Expert