Kathy R Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 I've been having a blast looking back through the links chrisd provided HERE in Other Topics Here's a great look at ... Gary Nixon Link to comment
Paul Mihalka Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Kathy, you sure triggered some memories. In 1972-74 I was in the USA and saw him road racing the big Japanese twostrokes that seemed to have frames made out of spaghetti. Then back in Venezuela in the team of world champion Johnny Cecotto I met him many times. The race that messed up his 1976 World Championship was in Venezuela - a total control/time keeping mess . Later in Maryland, 1988 on, I visited his hightech toy store (mostly railroads) north of Baltimore, and had some conversations about old races. Quite a guy! Link to comment
Kathy R Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share Posted January 29, 2012 Cool, Paul I lived in South Eastern Pennsylvania for 12 years back in the 70's. I remember my male friends talking about "Gary Nixon" and "going to his place" and I can now only assume he was somewhere nearby. At the time I was clueless. I went to motocross races back then, but only to oogle the boys. Link to comment
Huzband Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Truly one of the legends of when men raced motorcycles, & motorcycles were suspect. They really had to be a jack of all trades in those days. Short track, half mile, TT, road racing. All on different bikes, & all points counted toward the number 1 plate. They actually had to KNOW how to ride. It was an amazing era, one that unfortunately will never be duplicated. Good on ya Kathy for bringing him up here. Cycle World had a good piece, albeit too short, on him a couple issues back after his passing. Link to comment
DaveTheAffable Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I must confess... my first thought was... "She's a mod. How will she have anything motorcycle related to Nixon and have it NOT be political?" It's probably because I pass the "Nixon Library" every few days near where I live. I feel Soooo stupid. Link to comment
RockBottom Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I must confess... my first thought was... "She's a mod. How will she have anything motorcycle related to Nixon and have it NOT be political?" It's probably because I pass the "Nixon Library" every few days near where I live. I feel Soooo stupid. I had the same thought. In my defense, though, I *am* a political scientist. Link to comment
EffBee Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 In my career in the motorcycle industry, especially back when I was with Cycle World, I had the opportunity to meet many racing personalities. Unfortunately, I never met Gary Nixon. However, in my home town of West Covina, I heard a rumor that one house a couple of neighborhoods away had been rented for a couple of months to AMA Grand National racer Fred Nix, and that Nixon had visited him there a few times. Didn't know about it until everyone had moved on. Always enjoyed watching him race, though. Wish I'd at least made eye contact once, somewhere. Link to comment
RPG Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I was very saddened to hear of his passing. A few years ago he was the Marshall at a Grattan Raceway Trackday (SW Michigan). I read about him alot growing up in the 70's and you just knew he was a man among men. In one of the class sessions, he took over the instruction. Told more stories than he gave advice and it was WELL worth it. My favorite was the one he told about racing with rookies. He would like to come up to them on the right side, and uhmmm, apply the front brake. He's right up there with Reg Pridmore, Jay Springsteen (Michigan's finest) and Kenny Roberts IMHO. RPG Link to comment
Kathy R Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 I must confess... my first thought was... "She's a mod. How will she have anything motorcycle related to Nixon and have it NOT be political?" It's probably because I pass the "Nixon Library" every few days near where I live. I feel Soooo stupid. I had the same thought. In my defense, though, I *am* a political scientist. I can understand the conclusion you guys came to. Afterall, this was posted in Motorcycle Talk, this is a motorcycle board and (to me) the name Nixon brings two (not one) guys to mind. I love Gary Nixon's brutally honest humor. He was one heck of a rider and on top of that he appears to be eminently quotable, so long as you employ #@** Link to comment
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