|
In the fall of 1970 after the dirttrack nationals were over and the new Grand National champion was crowned, I found out that the new champion Dick Mann was coming to
Michigan's Red Bud Motocross racetrack to race the fall Motocross with all the European and American MX riders. We owned a Kawasaki dealership in Lansing Michigan and I had the pleasure of meeting Dick several times over the past years when I raced some.
I told Ted that he would be there and asked if he wanted to go and maybe meet his hero Dick Mann, well as you can guess he could not wait. As the days passed Ted pestered me constantly until Sunday morning and we headed for the Red Bud track. When we got
to the track we found out that the pits were open to the public, (I was hoping that would be the case) so the first thing we did was hunt up Dick Mann and congratulate him on winning his second Grand National Number One. We talked about the races and
friends that we both knew and Ted kicked me on the leg and looked at me then at Dick wanting to be introduced to the rider he admired and most wanted to be like. Ted Shook hands with Dick and as we were walking away I noticed that Ted had his right hand
tucked up under his left arm pit I said Bub what is wrong with your hand, he got a silly look on his face and his buddy Eddy Morris said he is not going to let anyone touch the hand that shook hands with Dick Mann. We all laughed and went to watch the
races. Later I saw Dick again I told him that he was Ted's hero he had a chuckle and said when Ted gets older Ted would be his hero.
|
