DeRuyter’s 120 MPH Stiff Arm

• Larry Lawrence

You think NFL running backs are talented at stiff arming? Check out Mack Daddy Racing Suzuki rider Jeremy DeRuyter reaching back and giving a serious stiff arm to Jon Goodwin and his Moto Italia Aprilia, to keep Goodwin from passing on the front straight on the Springfield Mile last September. You hear of flat trackers doing this every once in awhile, but I would guess it’s fairly rare to catch it on camera. I’m sure DeRuyter was doing this as a joke. Whatever the case it takes some major control to be able to see (or hear) another rider coming , take you hand off you handlebar and put it on another rider’s bike all while doing 120 mph. That’s why these guys are pros.

Mack Daddy Racing Suzuki rider Jeremy DeRuyter reaching back and giving a serious stiff arm to Jon Goodwin and his Moto Italia Aprilia to keep him from passing on the front straight on the Springfield Mile last September. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Mack Daddy Racing Suzuki rider Jeremy DeRuyter reaching back and giving a serious stiff arm to Jon Goodwin and his Moto Italia Aprilia to keep him from passing on the front straight on the Springfield Mile last September. (Larry Lawrence photo)

8 thoughts on “DeRuyter’s 120 MPH Stiff Arm”

  1. I saw this done by Morehead at the end of the back straight at Syeacuse one year I don’t know who the other rider was, but they had been going at it for a few laps. When Morehead put his hand on the other riders forks(between the triple clamps) the other rider was startled, sat up, and the air brakes kicked in allowing Morehead clean entry into turn three ahead of the other rider! Unbelievable to see!

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  3. In 1994 at Springfield, ESPN Cameras caught Steve Morehead giving the late Rodney Farris a little stiff arm to hold him off for the win of a qualifying heat race.
    Both Morehead and Farris were pretty friendly after the race.
    (I still have it on tape too…)

    BTP

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  5. You can also tell by the angle of Johns handlebars he was heading into Jeremy and I think it was a defensive move on Jeremy’s part to keep John abay. Great racing and nice photo.

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  6. Great comments all. Flat track racing is the only form of racing where you see this kind of gamesmanship and or strategy.

    LL

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  7. Larry, not true. I remember when Dave Sadowski, in a 600 Supersport race, reaching over and turning off Scott Zampach’s kill switch on the front straight at Road America one year.

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