74th Annual Trailblazers Banquet

Where: Carson Center, Carson, CA. Off I-405 at Carson Street Exit, go west (under the freeway). The Carson Center shares the same parking lot with the Doubletree Hotel (which is visible from the freeway). Online: http://carsoncenter.com

When: Saturday. April 7, 2018 – Bike Show opens at 3:00 p.m. / Banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. Contact info. Email: CLICK TO EMAIL. Phone (day of event): 909-226- 6038. Internet: Facebook (Trailblazers Motorcycle Club) and website: www.trailblazersmc.com

Bike Show
Bike Show Move-in: Banquet attendees with motorcycles to display should be there from Noon to 2:00. No pre-registration. First come, first served until the area is full. You must have a ticket for the banquet to display or view the bike show. We do have limited security on-site, but everyone is encouraged to bring your own locks and display info, also drip pans required. The Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show presented by Hagerty opens at 3:00 and runs until 6:00. There will be judging and three winning machines will be brought into the hall for the trophy presentation during the banquet program.

Check-in / Ticket Will Call
Your banquet tickets will be available in your name at Will Call. If you had an un-named person on your table list, those will be given GUEST passes and will be in your envelope. You are probably familiar with our Pit Passes that everyone needs to wear.

Banquet
Since we will have a record crowd of 800 this year, we are going to open the banquet hall doors at 5:00 p.m., with the program still beginning at 6:30. For your friends and family who are not attending, the banquet will again be on Facebook Live on the Trailblazers Motorcycle Club page beginning at 6:30. Look for link to Live Video. It will cut off at 7:00 and resume at 8:00.

Program schedule / details (subject to change)
6:25 - Welcome by emcee Larry Huffman
6:30 - National Anthem sung by Sandi Weidler / Welcome from Trailblazers President Don Emde, Bike Show awards, Toast to Skip Van Leeuwen & invocation by Craig Vetter
7:00 - Dinner Break
8:00 – In-Memoriam video / Awards Program begins
9:00 - Dick Hammer Award presentation
9:30 - Group photo / Banquet concludes

2018 Trailblazers Hall of Fame Inductee: Debbie Evans

Did you know there is royalty in motorcycling? We have a King (Kenny Roberts), a Sultan of Supercross (Jeremy McGrath) and a Prince of Peoria (Chris Carr). In 2018 we induct another member of motorcycling royalty into the Trailblazers Hall of Fame, Debbie Evans, the Queen of Trials.

Debbie is considered a pioneer in Observed Trials competition. She was the first woman to compete in FIM World Championship Trials and was dubbed the “Queen of Trials” by the motorcycling press. She was also the first woman to successfully ride in the U.S. Trials during the late 1970’s and is considered one of the best female Trials riders in the history of the sport.

Debbie was born in Lakewood, California, on February 5, 1958. The daughter of an avid motorcyclist, she learned to ride when she was just six years old. Her father was a Trials rider and young Debbie grew up around the sport. She entered her first Trials when she was nine and took third in her class.

At a time when there were no classes for girls, Debbie competed successfully against the guys and rose-up in the Trials ranks quickly. She earned a sponsorship from Yamaha. In addition to Trials competition; Debbie began giving exhibition shows, first at fairs and local races, and eventually in front of thousands of fans at Grand National and Supercross events. Her trademark move became a trick in which she would stop her motorcycle, balance stopped on two-wheels, and perform a headstand on the seat.

Debbie became the first woman to obtain expert classification in Trials, and in 1979, she recorded another first when she scored a victory in the sportsman class at the U.S. Trials Nationals. At just 19, Debbie accepted an invitation to race in the grueling Scottish Six Days. She proved her skill by not only finishing the event, but placing an impressive fourth in the 175cc division against some of the best riders in the world.

While she was attending college and competing on weekends, a friend called to ask if she would be interested in doing stunt work for a movie, and a new career began. The movie was Death Sport with David Carradine and Debbie proved to be an exceptional stunt rider. This first movie was just the beginning. Her expert Trials skills gave her the perfect background to plan and pull off the trick riding required for Hollywood stunts. Debbie rapidly became one of the leading stunt actors in Hollywood. She performed stunts on many of the top TV shows and movies from the 1980’s to the present day. Along the way she was thrilled to get to work with some great riders who made the move into stunts including Bud Ekins, Dave Ekins, John Hateley and others.

It was Debbie who doubled for Lynda Carter for motorcycle stunts in the hit series Wonder Woman and that was her wheeling the big full-dressed Kawasaki CHP bikes in CHiPs, doubling for Pam Anderson in Barb Wire, and later riding as “Trinity” doing the motorcycle stunts in the Matrix movies. Debbie has been seen in multiple TV shows, commercials, and movies and has been recognized for her accomplishments by winning numerous awards for her stunts, including a prestigious Taurus World Stunt Award in 2002.

With stunt work taking up most of her time, Debbie stopped competing in Trials for nearly two decades. Then, in 1998, Italy hosted the first Women’s Trials World Championship. After 18 years away from the sport, and at 40 years old, Debbie still had enough talent and skill to finish eighth in the world. The next season she led a U.S. squad that finished third overall in a Women’s Trials Team competition.

Debbie Evans-Leavitt is married to three-time U.S. Trials Champion Lane Leavitt. The two have often collaborated in business ventures, including teaching Trials schools and forming a top stunt-work agency. They still ride together, work doing stunts, and have raised three children and one grandchild.

          The Trailblazers proudly welcome Debbie Evans-Leavitt—the Queen of Trials—to our Hall of Fame. 

Trailblazers Hall of Fame Inductee: Scott Autrey

The next 2018 Trailblazers Hall of Fame Inductee to be featured is Scott Autrey. He will be honored at the 74th annual Trailblazers banquet on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Carson Center in Carson, CA. Tickets go on sale here on Tuesday, January 2nd.

Scott Autrey: 2018 Trailblazers Hall of Fame Inductee
By Joe Colombero / Photos by Scott Lee Daloisio

Scott Autrey was born July 9, 1953 in Maywood, California. Scott loved motorcycles and racing from an early age. His first race was at Perris in 1964, riding a Yamaha 80 with a GYT Kit. Autrey soon became a District 37 regular, racing often at Elsinore, Perris, and Bay Mare. He had a major victory when he won the 100cc class in the Rosarita Grand Prix in Mexico in 1968. In 1969 Scott became the ACA 125cc Champion at El Toro Raceway riding a Yamaha 125 twin. He repeated that title in 1970, plus added the 250cc Championship.

1971 was a busy year for Scott as he raced at Ascot, Daytona and the Southern California Speedway circuit. Riding a K&N Yamaha, Scott earned enough points to be tied for the Ascot Novice Championship with Scott Brelsford at the ½-way point of the season. He’d finished second at Daytona in the Novice Road Race and had the makings of a potential Grand National racer. All the while he was splitting his time between dirt track and speedway and was successful at both. Half-way through the season, Scott chose to focus on Speedway going forward.

In 1972, Scott turned his concentration to Speedway racing. He quickly became a top Speedway racer in the hotly contested Southern California circuits. He took a short break from Speedway in March to run the roadrace at Daytona, taking second place in the Junior class road race. Then it was back to Speedway where he also gained his first international experience racing Speedway in South Africa and Australia that year.

In 1973 Scott was recommended by the great Ivan Mauger to join the Exeter Falcons Speedway Team in England. Scott’s “high-line” style of racing was ideal for the fast Exeter ¼-mile home track and he was an almost instant success on the international Speedway scene in Europe. He raced full-time for the Exeter team from 1973 until 1979. He then joined the Swindom Robins Team in 1980, and the Poole Pirates Speedway Team in 1981-82 and was voted Team Captain.

All the while Scott was racing in Europe, he was in contention for the Speedway World Championship. He just missed the individual title in 1975, finishing second in the chase. In 1977 he won the Speedway Long Track Championship at Ascot. He won the coveted Speedway Golden Gauntlet Award three years in a row in 1978-79-80. In 1978 he took third in the Speedway World Championships. Then in 1982, Scott achieved the dream of winning a world title. That was the year Scott led the America Speedway Team along with Bruce Penhall, Bobby Schwartz, Kelly Moran, Shawn Moran to the 1982 Team World Championship. It was a great accomplishment and a crowning achievement to an amazing career.

During his career Scott was a successful dirt tracker, road racer and a World Champion Speedway racer. He retired from full-time racing at the end of 1982 after an amazing career that spanned nearly two decades.

The Trailblazers proudly welcome Scott Autrey to the Hall of Fame.

Let the countdown begin! Tickets will go on sale here on Tuesday, January 2nd for the 74th annual Trailblazers banquet, to be held on Saturday, April 7th, 2018 at the Carson Center in Carson, California.

As always, we will be inducting some of our legendary members into the Trailblazers Hall of Fame, as well as remembering friends we lost this past year. And of course it all starts mid-afternoon that day with the Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show presented by Hagerty Insurance.

The 2018 Hall of Fame inductees are Scott Autrey, Kel Carruthers, Debbie Evans-Leavitt, Bruce Flanders, Dennis Kanagae and Chuck Miller. Additionally, the family of the late-Tom White will be in attendance to receive his 2018 Dick Hammer Award, the Trailblazers highest honor.

In the coming weeks, we will be featuring a profile of our 2018 honorees, starting with Kel Carruthers. Be sure to check here often for a look at all seven honorees. And don’t forget: Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, January 2nd. The last two years we have sold out the first week. Don’t miss out.

Kel Carruthers – 2018 Trailblazers Hall of Fame Inductee

     For many years Kel Carruthers was one of the top riders and team managers in the world of roadracing. He was the 1969 250cc World Roadracing Champion, as well as a 2-time winner of the 250cc class at the Isle of Man in 1969 and 1970. In 1971, Kel achieved a milestone in America, giving Yamaha its first AMA National roadracing victory when he took the checkered flag at Atlanta.

     When he retired from racing, Kel went on to become one of the most successful team managers in the history of the sport, heading both national and world championship teams during the 1970s and 1980s. Carruthers managed the teams on which Kenny Roberts won his three consecutive 500cc World Championships.

     Kel was born in Sydney, Australia in 1938. His father owned a motorcycle shop and had been an Australian sidecar racing champion. The young Carruthers started riding at age 10 and entered his first race at 12. He turned pro when he was 15 and started clubman road racing a year later. By the early 1960s, he was the top racer in Australia. From 1962 to 1965, he won 125cc, 250cc, 350cc and 500cc Australian national championships.

     Kel went to Europe in 1966, and began to compete on the international Grand Prix racing circuit as a privateer. He progressed rapidly and by 1968 finished third in the 350cc World Championships riding Aermacchis. In 1969, Kel became an Aermacchi factory rider in the 125cc, 350cc and 500cc classes. At the Isle of Man, Benelli asked Carruthers to ride the company’s 250cc machine. Carruthers got permission from Aermacchi and won the 250cc class at the TT that year on the Benelli.

     Benelli was thrilled, and in an almost unheard of arrangement, Aermacchi allowed Carruthers to sign to race the Benelli 250cc the rest of the season. So Carruthers found himself a factory rider for two different companies at the same time. Riding the Benelli, Kel went on to win the 250cc Grands Prix in Ireland and Yugoslavia and clinch the 250cc World Championship in 1969.

     Kel was at the top of the sport in 1970 as he won the AMA 250cc Lightweight race at Daytona and went on that year to finish runner-up in the 250cc and 350cc World Championships riding Yamahas. Then, in 1971, he and his family moved to the United States and he raced that season out of Don Vesco’s shop in the San Diego area. Doing roadraces exclusively, Carruthers still managed to finish eighth in the AMA Grand National Championships, including his (and Yamaha’s) first AMA National victory at Road Atlanta riding a 350cc Yamaha.

     In 1972, Carruthers continued to race, but his emphasis was beginning to shift. That season he began working with rookie expert Kenny Roberts, taking care of his motorcycles and helping him learn the ropes at the roadraces. In 1973, Yamaha contracted Carruthers to run its U.S. roadracing team. And while Kel actually had a very good season on the track (runner-up at Daytona and Road Atlanta and winner at Talladega), but he becoming was more interested in running the team. Under the direction of Carruthers, Yamaha’s racing team was the most successful in the United States during the mid-1970s. Roberts won the AMA Grand National championship in 1973 and ’74 and the AMA Formula 750 (Formula One) roadracing title in 1977.

     In 1978, Carruthers and Roberts left for Europe to contest the 500cc Grand Prix Series for Yamaha America. Roberts won the world championship in his first full year giving Carruthers much of the credit for his success. Kel continued working as team manager and engineer for various teams on the Grand Prix circuit through 1995 when he retired from GP racing management. In 1998, Carruthers returned to motorcycling to run the Chaparral Yamaha National Supercross and motocross team and later the Southern California company’s AMA SuperSport road racing team.

     With a career that includes multiple National and World Championships as a rider and team manager, Kel Carruthers is more than a great motorcyclist, he is a living legend. The Trailblazers proudly welcome Kel Carruthers to the Hall of Fame.

ANOTHER ONE IS IN THE BOOKS!

The 73rd annual Trailblazers is now in our rear view mirror. What a great event it was. On April 22rd, approximately 730 of the faithful gathered at the Carson Center, beginning in the afternoon for the Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show, presented by Hagerty Insurance. At 6:00 pm, it was time to head inside the banquet hall for dinner and the awards program.

The program to recognize this year’s honorees began with a wine toast to the late-great race promoter J. C. Agajanian. Sons Chris and Jay Agajanian were in attendance to share the toast on stage. Following dinner, it was time for the Hall of Fame inductions and other special awards.

Trailblazers Hall of Fame Inductees:

Jim Buchanan

Billy Hamill

Tony Murphy

Norm McDonald

Gary Preston (posthumous)

Bill VanTichelt

Special Awards:

Judy Whitson: Lucile Flanders Award

Dave Ekins: Dick Hammer Award

BE SURE TO CHECKOUT THE YOU TUBE VIDEOS HERE OF THE 2017 AWARDS PRESENTATIONS!

At the conclusion of the awards program, all attending Trailblazers Hall of Famers were invited to the stage for our annual group photo. Seen in the Dennis Suter photo above are:

Front row / Left to right: Paul Hunt, Al Rogers, Bob Bailey, Digger Helm, Elmer Rasmussen (front), Preston Petty (back), Del Kuhn (front), Sammy Tanner, Lori Conway, CH Wheat, Jim Buchanan, Larry Huffman, Buddy Stubbs, Dan Haaby, Ralph White.

Middle / Center of photo left to right: Jim Odom, Dennis Mahan, Tom Horton (front), Peter Starr (back), Tony Murphy, Steve Storz, Bryon Farnsworth.

Back row / Left to right: Tom White, Billy Hamill (thumbs up), Jim O’Neal, Malcolm Smith, Jody Nicholas, Darryl Bassani, Mary McGee, ? (back), Susie Ellsworth (front), Mike Konle (back); Ernie Aragon (front), Sonny Nutter, Rob Morrison (front), ? (back), Gary Jones, Don Emde, Dave Ekins, Stu Peters, Bill VanTichelt, ?,Jerry Hatfield (front), ? (back),Norm McDonald, Allan D’alo, Chris Carter, Dallas Baker, Thad Wolff.

72nd ANNUAL TRAILBLAZERS BANQUET

CARSON CENTER, CARSON, CA

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

SEATS AVAILABLE !!! (as of April 13, 2016)

As always, we have had a few cancellations, changes, etc., so if you know of anyone who was hoping to attend the banquet this year, and were unable to purchase a ticket, have them contact Judy at: mctrailblazers01@gmail.com.

ADDRESS AND DIRECTIONS

The banquet will be held at the Carson Civic Center, 3 Civic Plaza Dr., Carson, CA. 90745. The Carson Center is off the I 405 freeway at the Carson exit. You can see the tall Doubletree Hotel from the freeway and it shares a parking lot with the Carson Center.

BANQUET AGENDA

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. SETUP FOR BIKE SHOW. If you are bringing motorcycles to display, check in before you start pushing your bike in. No one gets in without a ticket so get there early enough to get your ticket and park your bike before 3:00 pm. There will be security, but be safe and bring a lock, chain, drip pan (if needed) and some information on the bike. Each bike show entrant will receive a 70th Anniversary mug and pin. No need to call in advance. Bring your pristine treasure or relic that still has mud from the last race.

3:00 - 6:00 p.m. RECEPTION AND THE TOM CATES MEMORIAL BIKE SHOW PRESENTED BY HAGERTY INSURANCE. Pick up your tickets at WILL CALL. This is your opportunity to meet, greet, swap lies and kick tires. Once we go into the banquet hall it is difficult to do much visiting. No one gets in without at ticket.

6:00 p.m. BANQUET DOORS OPEN. Tables 1-37 enter through the left door. Tables 38 -75 on your right.

7:00 p.m. BUFFET begins

7:45 p.m. 72nd ANNUAL TRAILBLAZERS Program starts.

HALL OF FAME GROUP PHOTO

This year at the conclusion of the awards ceremonies we will be taking a group photo on stage of all Hall of Fame Inductees, past and present who attend this year. We would like all the Hall of Famers to be in the picture, so please be ready to join us on the main stage.

2016 TRAILBLAZERS HONOREES

2016 WINE TOAST

Tom Heininger

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Mike Bast

Dan Haaby

Wayne Rainey

Steve Storz

POSTHUMOUS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Bruce Ogilvie

Gilles Vaillancourt

LUCILE FLANDERS AWARD

Susie Ellsworth

DICK HAMMER AWARD

Keith Mashburn

YOU WILL FIND BIOS OF OUR INDUCTEES 

ON THE WEBSITE: www.trailblazersmc.com

DUES ARE DUE

Our year runs from banquet to banquet. If you attend the banquet you are automatically a member. If you don't attend the banquet, dues are $10.00.  You can pay online at www.trailblazersmc.com or mail to:

Trailblazers c/o MIC Inc.

2 Jenner, Ste 150

Irvine, CA  92618

THE "R" WORD

We hate to mention rain, but it is a possibility. The event is rain or shine. There isn't a lot of covered space in the reception and bike show area, but we are working on it. We want everyone to be dry and cozy. Wear comfortable shoes, bring an umbrella, or rain coat. Sometimes it gets chilly. Sorry, we are unable to open the banquet room early because of set up.

NEWSLETTER

If your guests would like to receive the newsletter, please ask them to send their email address to: mctrailblazers01@gmail.com. 2016 members that were also 2015 members will be receiving two newsletters until the 2016 is set up. Probably late in May.

SAVE THE DATE

Next years Trailblazers Banquet will be on Saturday, April 22, 2017.

TRAILBLAZERS BANQUET TICKET UPDATE: LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS BECAME AVAILABLE!

Anyone without a ticket that is still hoping to attend the Trailblazers banquet, a limited number of seats have become available. No guarantees, but if you are not yet on the waiting list send your name today and we may yet be able to get you seated. The 72nd annual banquet will be held Saturday, April 23rd at the Carson Center in Carson, CA. We will have a record number of 750 attendees this year! Email: mctrailblazers01@gmail.com.

KEITH MASHBURN: 2016 DICK HAMMER AWARD RECIPIENT

The 2016 Dick Hammer Award goes annually to the Trailblazers member who best exemplifies the attributes of “Drive, Determination and Desire” that made Dick Hammer famous. Keith Mashburn has all these qualities both as a racer and a human being. He had a successful career first as a racer, then as a fire fighter and presently as a City Councilman in Simi Valley.

In 1964 Keith’s father bought him a 50cc Honda C110 and the youngster learned to ride in the orchards near their home. Eventually, he said he’d like to try racing, and Mashburn Sr. supported his son’s efforts. He rode District 37 scrambles as well as short tracks at El Toro and South Gate on a regular basis. He moved up quickly, and in 1965 began riding a Greeves for Nick Nicholson. In 1966, with coaching from Dave Ekins, Keith rode the Greeves in the Jackass Enduro and won his class.

Keith liked all forms of racing. He even entered into a then, new sport to America called motocross. In 1967, he raced a Bultaco Lobito at a motocross event in Castaic against the likes of Roger DeCoster, Dave Bickers, and Joel Robert. Keith won the event, unofficially becoming the first American to beat the Europeans at motocross in the US. Next, he entered the Hopetown race and won the 100cc and 250cc expert class.

Keith also kept busy in the sportsman class in District 37. Then Yamaha asked Keith to ride a new model, the 250 cc DT-1. In 1968 he would turn 18 and be allowed to get his Pro Novice license. He would race the new DT-1 at Ascot and other AMA Pro Novice events with Dennis Mahan building and tuning the bikes.

Keith, Dennis Mahan and the DT-1 would make history that year. In 1968, Keith won more Novice main events in a single season than had ever been done before. When he moved up to the Amateur class in 1969, Yamaha hadn’t developed the 650cc four-stroke XS-1 yet, so he had to race a 350cc two-stroke twin in Flat Track against the 750cc machines. Still Keith was competitive on the 350 and won a few events on it.

Yamaha soon hired Keith as a regular employee as well as a contracted rider. The successful development of the DT-1 program helped make Yamaha a major player in motorcycling in the US. Keith became a test rider at Yamaha and rode many prototype bikes and prepared detailed reports on them. As the lead test rider, Keith is particularly proud of his work on the XS-1, Yamaha’s first four-stroke bike that he also raced starting in 1970. He won the Yamaha Gold Cup at Ascot in 1971 riding the XS-1.

After he hung up his steel shoe, Keith put all his attention into his next career, as a fire fighter. In 1975 he became a Ventura County Fireman where he worked until his retirement in 2005 after 30 years of service -- rising to the rank of Battalion Chief. He continued to do related work after that in the field of arson investigation.

Racer, hero, fire fighter, public servant, and cameo movie star, Keith has done it all and continues to be an inspiration. The Trailblazers congratulate Keith Mashburn, the 2016 Dick Hammer Award Recipient.