Miles Baldwin was a talented perennial privateer, who during one glorious season very nearly snatched the title away from factory Honda. In 1983 “Milo” raced a well-used Yamaha TZ750 to challenge factory Honda’s Mike Baldwin (no relation) for the AMA Formula One Road Racing Championship. The high point of the ’83 season was Milo’s victory at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Journalist/tuner Kevin Cameron built the motors for Milo and even though his machine was several years old and showed wear and tear, it was a great runner. While Baldwin is best remembered for his win at Elkhart Lake and his challenge to factory Honda (the fans were firmly behind the underdog Miles of course), he also scored a pair of wins in the AMA 250 Grand Prix class separated by seven years. Miles won the September, 1978 Loudon 250GP (there were two nationals at Loudon that year) and didn’t win a 250 race again until Laguna Seca in 1985. This photo shows Miles racing the AMA 250GP race at Road Atlanta in 1987.
Canadian Miles Baldwin racing in the AMA 250 Grand Prix race at Road Atlanta in May of 1987. “Milo” nearly pulled off what would have been the greatest upset in AMA road racing history in 1983, when he narrowly lost the AMA National Road Racing title to factory Honda’s Mike Baldwin. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Rider Files 
If memory serves correct, Honda tried to recruit Nick Richichi with the lure of a factory Honda to ride at Laguna Seca hoping Nick would place it between Mike and Milo. Nick refused and did his best on his private TZ750 to help Milo.
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That sounds like a factory move. Good for Nick, although it may have ultimately hurt his career.
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Miles did get hold of a “leased” Honda at a Loudon National, can’t remember exactly which year. He crashed it and that was the end of that, I believe.
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That move cost him 15k ,owed to Honda
and the animals tried to burn the evil jap honda where it ended up near the fence
in turn 2.
Ah the old Loudoun, what a scene!
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Milo is my peoples choice.
He was the the perfect road race warrior. able to bounce back and ride the wheels
off Kevin Cameron monster of a TZ
I remember when he won the Vagas race. with Formula 1
20 miniuts before the start, I was helping him put the cylinders back in his Tz
He was in his skivies,and scrambling to make the start.
I had to get ready to race as well.
I was back from the warmup lop when he rolled through the grid ,trying to get the yamaha up to temp.
He won the race after much drama, and was in victory lane,with his girlfriend LeighShe was dressed in small bikini, .
The promoter Jim Moore and Rudy Guliando had their hands full trying to keep up with him at the
victory party.
Great stuff Larry
Thanks Richard Chambers
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Privateer glory days! Nice to hear from the guys that were there.
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Milo was always a crowd favorite when he rode at home in Canada too. I remember the story of him rolling up to AMA tech with his well worn TZ750 and the inspector refusing to look at it. Miles said something along the lines of “you’ll look at it or I’ll bring it back covered in steaming t*rds !” The inspector relented. 🙂
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Saw Milo in all his glory up in Canada at Shannonville and Mosport. Always exciting. You always wondered if his bike would hold up. Man was he fast.
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He was one of a kind, do it his way guy. He used to visit me in Buffalo, NY and fish. I sold him a TZ750 with spare cases I bought from Dave Slosser. He took heat from AMA tech inspection for the “not quite perfect” paint scheme, however once the flag dropped he was gone. A great rider and great guy. His sister was also great at bicycle BMX. I got to watch her with his Dad compete at Niagara Falls. Last saw miles the year I did Daytona F2 race on an older TZ250. Miles entered with the new Honda RS250 however they never got it tuned quite right. Racing was sure fun back in the day.
Bob Baker
Lockport, NY
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