Bellpuig, Spain April 20, 2008 FIM World Veterans ...
I was not allowed to race in the FIM World Veterans race in 2008 due to a rule change and age limit of 55. Like is cruel at times. I had prepared a new bike with works Solva Suspension. I helped Trampas Chad Parker, ex-two time world FIM MX Champion built a new track and school for future champions. I was practicing 2-3 times a week and practicing law. This was going to be my moment in 2008 at Bellpuig! Then I learned of the rule change. Instead of racing I decided to do something to help others. I met with Chuck Sun at Glen Helen in Nov. 2007. We discussed his racing in the FIM World Veterans Series in 2008 and I would help make sure he would not be disqualified like last year. I was the first American to race the FIM Veterans series and he would be the second to race it and the first to get on the podium. CAS Honda of the UK supplied a bike we would modify with works Ohlins suspension and a R&D Float bowl so it did not cough on the 150 ft. downhill jump. There was a drough. It rained and rained for the race. We got to work with Billie McKenzie and Mike Brown of Team CAS Honda. We had problems but, got two holeshots on a stock motor. Chucks goggle system failed in the muddiest race in FIM history. The MX1's refused to race the second moto after the Veterans raced. Chuck Sun got 12th out of 50 in the second moto. There was a 50 rider waiting list. Chuck qualified and got FIM points. Thanks to CAS Honda!!! Some pics are posted. On to Mallory Park! Next year I have the honor to help 3 MX greats race the FIM World Veterans series. The USA will win that cup in 2008 or 2009!! I feel like Edison Dye in reverse. Dye brough Joel Roberts and Rodger DeCoster over to America. I am bringing Chuck Sun, Trampas Parker and hopefully Dr. D, Doug Dubach over next year to win the FIM World Veterans Cup for the USA. I know the FIM rules and have raced the unique series so I have some knowledge of the rules and racing on these tough tracks. It is different than AMA racing for sure---and wonderful. Disc jockeys beat out music at the track to Euro techno music. They played "Don' Worry Be Happy" as the pits filled with water and rain fell on the riders getting ready to take off in a lake in the straight of way at the track. It was surreal. Beautiful women were everywhere as usual. The fans were marvelous in Spain. We navigated and survived with our limited Spanish. We did not crash our RV-(okay that getting stuck under a underpass does not count!!!) And Chuck got FIM points and a 12th out of 30 and qualified. Life is strange. I grew up in the New Orleans 9th ward riding on the levees. Getting chased periodically by Levee Board police for riding on the levees and hurting the grass. It made me learn how to jump off 16 ft. levees with 7/4 inches of suspension in 1972. The 9th ward is destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. I am living in adjacent Metairie. And I end up in the FIM MX races as the first American to race the series and helping Chuck Sun, my hero, race there. I am one lucky little boy.
Thanks to my beautiful Hungarian wife Erika for supporting my obsession and dream. Thanks to Trampas Parker, Solva Suspension, Champion Cycle of Covington, Twin Air Airfilters, UFO, Scott Goggles, David Redman my friend who drove me to customs in Atlanta too many times.
Look at the FIM video clips of the carnage/race at www.chucksun.com. Look at the www.trampasparkermxs.com site on an exciting facility and my mentor who was just admitted to the AMA Hall of Fame. Look at www.glenn-mcgovern.com and click on the motocross facility section to see exciting news on my work to help Hungary get a FIM World MX Championship race at www.Dirtpark.hu facility.
GLENN C. McGOVERN
ex-FIM World Veterans Championship MX Racer