BANQUET TICKETS SOLD OUT

SEND EMAIL TODAY TO GET ON WAITING LIST!   

     This year it only took one week for all the banquet tickets available online to be sold. But that doesn’t mean that there is no way to still buy some. Every year we find that after a few weeks people start realizing that they don’t need as many tickets as they ordered, or their plans change, and we work it out with them so that those seats can become available. So don’t give up. If you still want to attend, please send an email today to get on the waiting list. Email: mctrailblazers01@gmail.com. We hope to see you at the banquet on April 23^rd.

DAN HAABY: 2016 TRAILBLAZERS H.O.F. INDUCTEE


The Trailblazers will induct Dan Haaby to its Hall of Fame at the 72^nd annual banquet on Saturday, April 23, 2016.

     Dan Haaby was born in North Dakota in 1945, but grew up in Northern California. When he was eight his father bought him a 1948 Harley 125, then his first race bike was a 1954 Tiger Cub upon which he started scrambles racing. He turned pro in 1963 and with his 200cc Bultaco headed for the Ascot season opener and managed to win the Novice Main event. Later Dud Perkins asked Dan if he wanted to team up with a first year expert named Mert Lawwill, and ride his Harley Sprint. Dan accepted and finished the year second in points at Ascot, winning 8 out of 12 Main events including the California State Championship.

     He turned Amateur in 1964 and Perkins put him on a Harley-Davidson KR to race, upon which Dan again won the Ascot season opener. He finished the season with 62 victories (Heat races, Trophy Dashes and Main events). The next year he turned Expert and the AMA assigned him National number 22. He rode a Gary Bray-tuned BSA Gold Star and won the opening night at Ascot for the third year in a row and went on to finish the year second in points at Ascot and eighth in AMA Grand National points. He was also named AMA Rookie of the Year.

     In 1966, he was second in points at Ascot again and managed to win a couple of Ascot TT races and the 20 lap California State Championship. He finally got the high point award at Ascot in 1967 winning 10 Main events, and topping off the season by winning the Ascot 8-Mile National.

     He was contracted by Harley Davidson’s Dick O’Brien to ride for them in 1968 and finished fifth in the nation that year. Harley picked him up again for the following year in 1969, and he won the Ascot season opener again!

     Dan bounced around a bit in 1969, riding the Harley early in the season and later a BSA Trackmaster. He won a few races, mainly at Ascot, and then was contacted by Yamaha to ride and develop their new 650 twin for dirt track.

     Dan retired in 1972, and got into the automobile business. Though successful in the business world, Dan says racing motorcycles holds the greatest memories and times of his life. He presently lives in Auburn California with his wife Gail. He still rides with friends like Neil Fergus and his son Aaron, on a KTM in the dirt and a V-Strom on the street.

     The Trail Blazers proudly welcomes Dan Haaby into the 2016 Hall of Fame!