Leftclankers
Keith Mashburn
(Originally posted on Flttrack.com)
1. How did you become interested in becoming a flat track racer?
My dad started taking me to flat track at Gardena Speedway and then to Ascot in the mid 50’s. It was rare that we would miss a Friday night from April to October each year. I had always said I would not ride flat track due to the danger. I had seen so many riders hurt and killed over the years. Just prior to turning 18, Yamaha offered me a ride on the new DT-1 for the 68 season at Ascot TT races. Where this came from I don’t know, but I told Yamaha I would not ride the DT-1 unless they also provided me with a flat tracker made from the TD1-C twin. They agreed and I became a flat tracker. I had been running short tracks as a sportsman but they were all 1/4 mile or shorter. My dad was not mad, but he no longer would sponsor me. He did go to almost every race I ran in full support.
2. What was it like, being a first-year expert with guys like Markel, Mann, Lawwill and the like? Who was your biggest competitor and what made him such a challenge.
Wow, I had so many hero’s and Markel and Mann were two of them. Before the start of a race I was in total awe and felt I should be getting autographs. When the race started they were my competition and I needed to beat them. I don’t want to sound big headed, but I didn’t fear anyone if I were riding equal equipment. I mean if I was on good equipment I felt should be able to beat anyone. In my opinion Kenny Roberts, who made expert when I was a 2nd year expert, was the most talented in my short career.
3. What was your most satisfying race, or the one you cherish the most?
Tough question because I loved racing and I didn’t have to win to know I did well. I have to say I “cherish” my novice year, 1968. Yes I won just about every race I entered but, what made that year so special, was the relationship that my tuner Dennis Mahan and I developed. Dennis was my teammate, manager, coach and friend. I am very happy to say we remain good friends today. A few times during my novice year, we ran against the experts on the short tracks. Winning those races against such stars is something I will never forget.
4. Did you follow the whole circuit, as an expert? If so for how many seasons?
I was contracted by Yamaha to ride most of the circuit as an amateur in 1969 and to ride the entire circuit in ’70 ,’71, and ‘72. This is the period in which you had to ride all types of tracks including TT, short track, mile, 1/2 mile, and road racing to compete for the overall national championship. In 1969 Yamaha allowed me to ride a Triumph on the TT’s because they didn’t have a 750 four stroke at that time. I was able to win Castle Rock, Houston, and Peoria as an amateur on the Triumph in 1969.
5. What was your brand of choice in your hay days as an expert?
I began my professional career and ended it as a Factory Yamaha rider. Yamaha was very good to me but looking back I had an opportunity to move to a Harley for the 1973 season and should have taken it. This offer came in 1972 and my loyalty to Yamaha prevented me from making the move. Late (December) 1972, Yamaha announced in Cycle News that they had dropped me from the team (nice way to learn you have been fired). The Harley deal was no longer available and I was without a ride for the ’73 season. Triumph and BSA had dropped their racing programs and most private rides were secured. Duh, I’m out of work!
6. Do you have one of those funny, good ol’ flat track stories you would share with us?
I could write a book about everything we did on the track and even better off the track. You must remember, I traveled with the likes of Gene Romero, Chuck Palmgren, Dave Aldana, Skip VanLeeuwen and so many more. One story that has stuck with me is the time I was in practice at Santa Fe short track and I was following Bart Markel. My chain fell off and it was mid turn which made me leap forward and run into the back of Bart. Neither of us went down and I didn’t know Bart. I had heard every story about about him and knew he was a boxer and that he wasn’t called “Black Bart” for nothing. I was so scared that when I went into the pits I left my full face helmet on cause I knew “Black Bart” would be coming to kick my ass! After about 10 minutes I got up the nerve to go over to Bart’s pits and explain what had happened. After my explanation, Bart looked at me and said “If I had been going fast enough, there is no way you could have run into me”. I became friends with Bart and must say he was the nicest, and most fun loving friend a guy could have. How do you compare champions? Bart was a champion in the truest sense of the word.
7. What advice would you give to a youngster who asks how he could someday be a great flat tracker?
I am the president of the Trailblazers Motorcycle Club. Each year we present someone with our highest honor, the “Hammer Award” named in honor of it’s first recipient, Dick Hammer. To achieve this award you must have Drive, Determination, and Desire. Obviously if you add integrity and character, you would have a well rounded rider. Todays young riders are so talented on the track that I would not pretend to be able to instruct them based on the number of years I have been away. I would however work on the inner person to develop character that will be very useful in finding sponsorships by companies that want to spend their advertising dollars on a rider that is that complete person.
8. I understand you left flat track to become a firefighter....what similarities, if any, do you see in the two professions? What were the biggest differences you had to adjust to?
As compared to riding flat track, being a firefighter is boring! There is a little excitement once in a while when fighting a fire, but nothing compares to the excitement and adrenaline rush of a flat track race. I guess you can say that the fraternity part of it is similar. The biggest difference is, firefighting is a career and you won’t get dropped from the team late in the season. lol I loved my career in the fire service but my 5 years of flat tracking and being in the motorcycle industry is what defines me...I love this sport and I am very proud to have been a part of it.
9. What is Keith Mashburn doing today?
I am retired after 31 years with the Ventura County Fire Department. I spent the last 10 years as a arson investigator and do a little consulting in the field of fire cause determination.
I am the president of the Trailblazers M/C which is a committee of the Motorcycle Industry Council. We have about 1,000 members and do a annual banquet where we have about 600 attend each year.
I am a conservative and have participated in local politics and ran for city council in 2010. Darn, I lost by 900 votes but at least I lost to a good candidate. I plan to run agin in 2012.
I married Shelby Brymer, daughter of race promoter Don Brymer (Madison Square Gardens). We have 2 daughters and now a grandson Mason. Shelby has already bought 2 1/2 year old Mason a PW 50.
I ride a 1000 V-Strom and a DRZ400. Not partial to Suzuki’s, it just works for me. In my opinion, if it has two wheels and makes you smile, its a good bike.
I rode with Wayne and want everyone to know he was a talented and very fierce competitor. He was a Trailblazer and was inducted into our Hall Of Fame. Everyone of us needs to never forget the contribution he made to this sport.
