Marty Tripes

Marty Tripes is one of my racing heroes. Why? Besides being a great guy Marty most certainly holds the record for being the heaviest rider ever to win an AMA Motocross National. Marty was well over the 200-lbs. mark towards the end of his racing career. I think he told me once his heaviest racing weight was around 230 lbs.

Marty Tripes on the factory Honda in 1978 from a Honda press kit.

Two things stand out to me about Marty racing at this weight – 1) He probably weighed more than the motorcycle he raced. 2) The guy was a stand-up style rider! Meaning his legs took all the abuse. He must have been able to bench press a semi-truck with his massive legs, the size of tree-trunks!

Marty is one of the friendliest guys you’ll ever meet. One afternoon we spent two or three hours at a Mexican restaurant in Santee and he had me cracking up the whole time.

It was 30 years ago this weekend that Marty won his final AMA National. That came in the 250cc National at Red Bud. Give a thought to all us guys in the Clydesdale class when you go to Red Bud or watch it live on NBC tomorrow (July 4) beginning at 3:30 pm eastern.