OK, everyone thought Valentino Rossi originated the leg dangle in the braking zone, but here’s photographic evidence that it was in fact Bill Himmelsbach doing the dangle way back in 1990! Robbie Petersen is leading the pack during the Mid-Ohio AMA 250 Grand Prix final. Following Petersen is Martin Miller (No. 98), Brad Sawyer (No. 43), Rick Tripodi (No. 44) and Andrew Trevitt (No. 31). But look on the far inside of the track, just entering the turn and notice No. 94 Himmelsbach dangling his leg as he brakes. Now granted you can see Himmelsbach hadn’t yet perfected the technique, but he’s giving it the old college try. I’m guessing an 11-year-old Rossi must have been sitting at home in Tavullia, Italy, watching TV, taking in Bill’s move. So here’s a big thumbs up to the original dangler, Bill Himmelsbach, the Pennsylvania racer who paved the way for Rossi. 🙂
Robbie Petersen is leading the pack during the Mid-Ohio AMA 250 Grand Prix final. Following Petersen is Martin Miller (No. 98), Brad Sawyer (No. 43), Rick Tripodi (No. 44) and Andrew Trevitt (No. 31). But wait a second! Look on the far inside of the track, just entering the turn and notice No. 94 Himmelsbach dangling his leg as he brakes. It’s indisputable photographic evidence that Bill invented the leg dangling technique years before Val Rossi. Here’s a big Rider Files salute to you Bill! (Larry Lawrence photo)
Rider Files 
I had lots of great battles with Bill, the best as at Loudan with Bruce Lind too. Raced Bill’s kid, Mike too, Bill was the tuner. Next time I see Bill he’s getting some shit for starting that foot BS!
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Umm,
Everyone did that.
He is trying to get off left to the pits!
Thus left leg out!
By the way they are swooping past him, in a fast pack, I bet he missed the pits! I’m sure he did, he needed to be on the outside of this group to hit the pit lane from the carousel turn!
The dangle is like a flattracker, foot out to the left or right, when turning left or right.
The turn he is stuck in is right, with his left leg out!
Pretty sure Vale is not worried about this at all!
Always love your stuff! Had to check to make sure it wasn’t an April day joke!
Cheers! Brett
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Ed, Good to hear from you. You guys did have some good battles for sure.
Brett, For sure Bill is having problems with his bike and is limping around the track. Tongue was planted firmly in cheek when I wrote this, but it’s sometime hard to convey my sense of humor. Thanks
Larry
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There. I put the smiley face on the post.
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I sure miss the 250’s,saw my first 250 race at a club event at OCIR in Calif back in 1968
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Larry…you have a sense of humor? Well…I guess that’s what happens when you buy your sense of humor at Walmart.
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I agree Gary, there is something lacking at the pro level without purpose built race machinery.
Gary I will never forget our ’85 trip to Daytona (my first). Flying driver changes in the little motor home, arguing with the toll takers about how many axles it had, getting a typical northern moron insane sunburn, meeting the 250 pro gang, watching Freddie blow doors etc etc.
Thanks for asking for my help.
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Kevin,
Now wait just a cotton-picking minute! I bought my sense of humor at JCPenney. Granted it was on closeout, but still.
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Heck I got mine at Tarjaye.
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Oh, fancy you Stu!
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Oh, humor!
Now I get it, my bad!
I’m usually pretty good at that!
Guess I’ll have to adjust my humor guage to Sheldon from Big Bang when on this site! LOL!
Again, love and consume all your stuff!
Cheers!
Brett
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Brett
Thanks for being so understanding with me, the humor-challenged writer.
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Ed…….the first 250 rider I remember was the late Pat Evans,racing a when I believe he was only 14
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I think I’ve got the wrong Gary. I thought I was commenting to Gary Gibson.
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Gary, yes Pat was racing when he was fourteen. He won all the time.
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