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LaPorte versus spectator; ultimately LaPorte lost out
By Kent Taylor
There is an old saying that “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” It could be more simply stated that we “make our own luck,” which might be more applicable to the two types of luck: one being “good,” which folks can capitalize on when they are ready for the moment at hand, and the other, “bad luck,” which requires little in the way of preparation. Of course, bad luck just is, which seems to better match the meaning of the word anyway. You can prepare until your fingers bleed, but bad luck just befalls us. “I was in the right place,” said the great New Orleans jazz musician Dr. John, “but it musta been the wrong time.”
The story of the 1977 AMA 125cc National Championship series has been told so many times that the dust kicked up from that final race has never been able to settle. It is best known for the infamous pit board sign “Let Brock Bye,” and even though ace mechanic Keith McCarty left his spellcheck tool in the box, his words have become motocross’ version of “the shot heard ‘round the world.” But while motocross fans might point to that controversial incident at the Cycle-Rama MX track in San Antonio, Texas, hindsight reveals that the players on that day included not only Broc Glover, Bob Hannah and Danny LaPorte but also Jimmy Weinert, Billy Grossi and a certain unknown spectator in Midland, Michigan.
A spectator? Yep! Likely, this was an average fan who forked out eight bucks for a ticket, downed a hot dog or two, and maybe even a cold beverage of some sort. This fan was likely no major dude, but unbeknownst to him, he was about to play a major role in the motocross drama. Fate or just bad luck?
Cycle News covered the Midland, Michigan, round of the series in its July 6, 1977, issue. It was the fourth race of the series. The next event would be at Agency, Missouri, and the riders would then have a full month to rest before heading to San Antonio for the final round. Even though the event was held two days after Independence Day, there were plenty of fireworks for the MX faithful that day. Privateer racer Gary Ogden would lead much of the first moto before being overtaken by Hannah. But the reigning champion (Hannah) found his lead being threatened by a rapidly closing duo of Danny LaPorte and 26-year-old veteran Jimmy Weinert, both of whom had struggled at the start. In today’s MX, a rider is often entering his peak years at the quarter-century mark. In 1977, however, they were considered wizened greybeards, and Weinert’s challenging Hannah that day was akin to a Specialized Stump Jumper being chased down by a three-speed Schwinn with chrome fenders. Hannah held on for the win, but Weinert, in one of his rare appearances on a 125cc bike, was a solid second.
Weinert’s second-place finish would net him 22 points for the moto. LaPorte would get 18 for fourth, behind privateer Steve Wise. In the second moto, though, the Suzuki rider started well and quickly moved past privateer Danny Chandler for the lead. Just one lap later, LaPorte would find himself battling a competitor whom he had never seen before.
Getting up close and personal with the best in the sport was once a near-spiritual experience. Veteran MX watchers remember standing just a few feet away from the legends of the sport, close enough to be able to smell the different blends of two-stroke pre-mix. Responsible and respectable fans knew where they belonged. Unfortunately, motocross’ factory stars from the ’70s have too many stories about race fans crossing the track during an event. Flat track racers have even lost their lives after striking spectators who, puzzlingly, believed that they were somehow faster than 100 mph race bikes. Today, insurance regulations keep race watchers at a safe distance away from the on-track action, which makes sense. Something’s lost, but something’s gained. But something’s still lost.
Still, those restrictions were years away, so there was nothing stopping a fan at Midland in 1977 who decided to make a foolhardy run to the other side of the track. He leaped over a snow fence and made a daring dash, right in front of LaPorte. The near collision of man, machine and man was averted, but somehow the sprinting fan snagged the front brake cable on the factory Suzuki. The best riders in the 125cc class that season were closely matched, so an impaired front brake was more than a slight nuisance. Indeed, first Glover, then Hannah caught and passed LaPorte. Near the end, any chance Danny had of catching his rivals ended when the malfunctioning front stopper locked up and pitched him over the bars. He remounted for a third-place finish, dropping 11 points to Hannah and five points to Glover in the title chase.
The points swap changed the championship race that day, giving Yamaha more than just a puncher’s chance at the national championship. Hence, at that final race, the factory brought in their full team, even those who were not regular 125cc riders. Meanwhile, Suzuki parked the bike belonging to LaPorte’s teammate Billy Grossi, telling him to stay home to avoid any possible controversy. Grossi was a threat on any-sized motorcycle and possibly could’ve helped his teammate and good friend that day.
Forty-eight years later, Grossi remains puzzled by the decision. “I still don’t understand their reasoning,” he says. “Look what happened. Yamaha stacked the deck that day for Broc.” Glover and LaPorte would finish the season tied for the championship, with Glover getting the crown by virtue of having scored more overall wins that season.
Jim Weinert’s great ride. Billy Grossi’s Suzuki no-show. And a spectator, playing Frogger with the world’s fastest 125cc riders. “Such a night,” sings Dr. John, “such a night.” CN
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