70TH ANNUAL TRAILBLAZERS BANQUET FACT SHEET

Date: Saturday, April 5th

Location: Carson Center, 801 E Carson St., Carson, CA 90745

Tickets: SOLD OUT / Pickup pre-ordered tickets beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Will Call (Trailblazers EZ-Up at the gate). No walk-up tickets will be sold, and no one without a ticket will be allowed in the Bike Show area.

Attire: Suits not required, but many will wear them. Jeans and t-shirts not encouraged, but we won’t throw you out.

Schedule of Events:

TOM CATES MEMORIAL BIKE SHOW & RECEPTION: 3:00-6:00 p.m. in the courtyard.

Bringing a bike to show? First come-first served. Best to arrive by 1:30-2:00 to get signed in and setup. Any motorcycle relating to one of this year’s inductees will be displayed in a designated area. There are awards given for Best of Show and other categories with trophies and recognition at the banquet. Bike locks recommended.

70TH ANNUAL TRAILBLAZERS BANQUET: 6:00-9:30 p.m.

Dinner at 7:00 p.m. follow by awards program

Awards and recognition:

Class winners of Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show

Toast to Mark and Randy Zimmerman

Posthumous Trailblazers Hall of Fame inductions: Howard Barnes, Charlie Barnett, Don Basile, Dick Dorresteyn, Terry Dorsch, Ernie Pico, Carol Sims

2014 Trailblazers Hall of Fame inductions: Sid Carlson, Bill Cody, Dusty Coppage, Tom Horton, Mary McGee, Jim O’Neal, Ron Wood

2014 Dick Hammer Award recipient: Kenny Roberts

70TH ANNUAL TRAILBLAZERS BANQUET SET FOR APRIL 5, 2014

Looking back to March 16, 1946, the Trailblazers Motorcycle Club held its 7th annual banquet at the Rosslyn Hotel in Los Angeles. Ed Kretz, Jack Milne, Floyd Clymer, A.F. Van Order, Cannon Ball Baker, Max Bubeck, Freddie Ludlow, Hap Jones and many other stars of the motorcycling sport and business were on hand to see old friends, have a nice dinner, do some bench racing and have some laughs.

On Saturday, April 5, 2014, the tradition continues with the 70th annual banquet to be held at the Carson Center in Carson, CA. The Trailblazers Board of Directors is going all out to make sure this year’s event is something special. As we always do, we will be honoring many notable motorcyclists at the banquet. We will soon be announcing the recipient of our Dick Hammer Award, but rest assured this year’s honoree will be very deserving of the club’s highest honor.

What I can tell you is we have a great group of both living and posthumous Hall of Fame awards to present. The Class of 2014 inductees include Sid Carlson, Bill Cody, Dusty Coppage, Tom Horton, Jim O’Neal, Mary McGee and Ron Wood. Additionally our posthumous inductees include Howard Barnes, Charlie Barnett, Don Basile, Dick Dorresteyn, Terry Dorsch, Ernie Pico and Carol Sims.

A few months back, there was a great local motorcycling event produced by Trailblazers members Mark and Randy Zimmerman. The 2nd annual Hopetown Reunion celebrated the 1967 race held on the Corriganville movie lot that really got America interested in motocross. This year, the Zimmermans invited the men who got it all started here in the United States: Torsten Hallman, Joel Robert, Roger DeCoster and Brad Lackey, plus Malcolm Smith, Dan Gurney, J.N. Roberts and many more. At our banquet in April, the Trailblazers will be toasting Mark and Randy for their contributions to motorcycling.

Banquet tickets go on sale here online on January 1st and you will be able to order single tickets, or a table of ten. We are holding our price at $70 per ticket and that includes a one-year membership. If you can’t attend the banquet, but want to remain as a member and receive our e-newsletter updates, a one-year membership costs just $10.00.

Lastly, the annual Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show will be held in the courtyard of the Carson Center the afternoon of the banquet. Interesting and historic motorcycles, photo boards, and memorabilia are always welcome, especially anything relating to this year’s honorees.

I look forward to seeing you at the banquet next April.

Don Emde

President

Trailblazers M.C.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!

If you were there, you know what I am talking about. If you weren’t, let me just say you missed a very special gathering of motorcycle riders, racers, enthusiasts and their families and friends. I am referring of course to the 69th annual Trailblazers banquet held April 6th at the Carson Center. A capacity crowd of 650 was on hand for the annual event that has been held, with just a few exceptions, since 1940.

Prior to the banquet, attendees enjoyed getting together in the courtyard of the Carson Center to enjoy the many great old motorcycles that were displayed at the Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show, as well as seeing and talking with their many friends who were also there. Many come year after year. Others, like old National Number 22 Dan Haaby, it was a first time event and everyone enjoyed seeing him again after so many years.

Once inside, Keith Mashburn and myself took the stage and were co-emcees for the night. It was great to honor some special Trailblazers, including our wine toast to Walt Mahony. The Hall of Fame inductions were very moving, both the video that showed their histories, as well as the many great acceptance comments from the recipients.

Jim Connolly, Lori Conway, Larry Huffman, and Tom White were there in person to receive their awards. Larry Bergquist, Walt Mahony and Stu Morley have passed on, and were represented by their sons Eric, Dan and Tom.

Finally, it was time for the presentation of our top award, the Dick Hammer Award. Ed Kretz Jr traveled from his home in Colorado to receive this year’s award. He was very appreciative of being selected, and also offered some of his light-hearted comedy that he is known for.

So this year’s banquet is now history and the Trailblazers board of directors is already looking forward to next year’s event, which will be the 70th annual. Obviously we will make it even more special than usual. So stay tuned and we hope to see you there next year!

Don Emde
President
Trailblazers M.C.

A Note from the President:

WE'RE SOLD OUT!

If you came to the Trailblazers website to order tickets for the banquet, I am sorry to say that we are sold out for this year. This spring we will be announcing the dates and other details of our 70th annual banquet that we will have in 2014. We hope to have you join us next year.

If you have attended in the past you know that calling the event a “banquet” is not really a complete description. It’s practically a day-long event that starts in the afternoon with the annual Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show. The show, named after our dear departed friend Tom Cates, is somewhat different every year. The format is the same, but we never know what bikes are going to roll through the gate every year. People bring motorcycles without any kind of pre-appointment. The only requirement to show a bike is that you have bought a ticket for the banquet. There is no additional charge to display, and there are some nice trophies awarded. If you do bring a bike, make up a little information board explaining its history or details.

We have a nice evening program planned for you. We will be giving a toast to one of the sports most famous and prolific race photographers, the late-Walt Mahony. Not only is he being inducted into our Trailblazers Hall of Fame, but we have our traditional custom wine bottles this year featuring Walt for a special tribute to him.

There are some other great motorcyclists being honored this year, including the late Larry Bergquist, the “Desert Fox” – who had an incredible racing career in Baja and the California desert; Lori Conway – 4 times AMA Women’s District 37 #1; Jim Connolly pioneer California motocrosser who also lent his product expertise to the early motocross magazines; “Supermouth” Larry Huffman, the well-known race announcer who excited race crowds at the Costa Mesa Speedway, LA Coliseum and more; Stu Morley, once one of the famed BSA Wrecking Crew at Ascot, Buddy Stubbs, a former pro racer and movie stunt man who became a successful motorcycle dealer and collector in Arizona; and Tom White, who was also a top ranked AMA GNC pro racer at Ascot and the National circuit, then partnered with his twin brother to create and operate a motorcycle aftermarket manufacturing and distributing company. Today he spends his time keeping his private motocross museum in order, and is active in related motocross and historic programs.

Last, but not least, is Ed Kretz Jr., this year’s recipient of the Dick Hammer Award, the  Trailblazers most prestigious award. Ed lives in Colorado these days, but grew up in Southern California and is making a rare return visit here to accept his award.
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Don Emde
President
Trailblazers M.C.

A Note from the President:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope that all of you had a great holiday season and are ready to get the new year started. As we move ahead, we are now only about three months away from the 69th annual banquet on April 6th. It will again be held at the Carson Center in the city of Carson.

The banquet promises to be another great event, beginning in the afternoon with our ever-popular Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show. As always, the format is simple: just bring that great old historic or classic bike in your garage and let everyone enjoy it at the show. Any photos or other materials to tell about it is welcome too.

We have a nice evening program planned for the banquet. We’ll have a toast to Walt Mahony. His photography continues to help us re-live the great history of racing at Ascot and other tracks, and he had some other notable ventures in his life, including being one of the founders of Ascot Park, and he kept the Trackmaster frame business going for a time.

Our annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony will again honor some individuals with great motorcycling histories. This year we honor Larry Bergquist, Jim Connolly, Lori Conway, Larry Huffman, Walt Mahony, Stu Morley, Buddy Stubbs and Tom White.

And our most prestigious honor, the Dick Hammer Award, will be given to Ed Kretz, Jr. this year. Ed was not only a National TT winner in his racing career, but he and his famous father Ed Senior were successful motorcycle dealers in Southern California. And he and his wife Elaine were also very instrumental in the operations of the Trailblazers, with Ed serving for many years as the club Treasurer.

Tickets are now available on the Trailblazers website. The club’s Board of Directors works hard to make improvements every year without having to increase the ticket prices and I am happy report that this year’s banquet will again stay at $70.00 and includes your one-year membership. Just log onto the website and hit the link to order your tickets online. And new this year is the ability to reserve a whole table of ten.

That’s all for now. As we get closer to the banquet, we will be providing more information about the histories of this year’s inductees, plus other updates, so please check back here often.

Looking forward to seeing you at the banquet!

Don Emde
President
Trailblazers M.C.

ED KRETZ JR TO RECEIVE DICK HAMMER AWARD

For many years the Kretz name dominated the news headlines of the motorcycle world and it now returns with top billing for the 69th annual Trailblazers banquet to be held next April. Ed Kretz Jr. has been named as the 2013 recipient of the prestigious Dick Hammer Award and will be recognized at the banquet along with eight new Trailblazers Hall of Fame inductees.

Following in the footsteps of his famous father, Ed “Iron Man” Kretz Sr., Eddie had a very successful racing career, including winning the 1955 Peoria TT National, plus top off-road finishes at Catalina and Big Bear, as well as being the Pacific Coast TT Champion three times.

He went on to work with his father for many years at their Ed Kretz and Son dealership in Monterey Park, as well as serving on the Trailblazers Board of Directors alongside his wife Elaine until they relocated to Colorado.

The Dick Hammer Award recognizes individuals who achieved greatness as a result of their drive, desire and determination. It was created in 2000 with its first honoree being the late-Dick Hammer, who was at the time was enduring a long battle with cancer. In the years to follow many legendary motorcyclists have been added, including 2012 award winner Sammy Tanner.

The Trailblazers Board of Directors is proud to bestow its top award on someone who has contributed so much to the motorcycle sport and to the Trailblazers. The 69 th annual banquet will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the Carson Center in Carson, CA. Tickets will go on sale January 1st online at www.trailblazersmc.com

TRAILBLAZERS ANNOUNCE HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2013

After months of meetings and deliberations, the Trailblazers Board of Directors has made its final decision on 8 new inductees to its Hall of Fame who will be honored at the 2013 banquet on April 6 th. The new inductees are (alphabetically):

• Larry Bergquist (Posthumous award): “The Desert Fox,” who won overall 32 of the 106 District 37 desert races he competed in during the 1960s and ‘70s.

• Jim Connolly: Pioneer off-road and motocross racer who also shared his expertise testing products and reporting for motorcycle publications.

• Lori Conway: Leading female off-road racer with numerous victories, as well as having a long and successful career in the motorcycle industry.

• Larry Huffman: Aggressive and exciting race announcer who helped build fan attendance in Speedway, Supercross and other racing events. Also successful in television and radio productions.

• Walt Mahony (Posthumous award): Original owner of Ascot Park, best known for his photography of racing at Ascot and other west coast races.

• Stu Morley (Posthumous award): Part of the original Ascot BSA Wrecking Crew. Also competed in Speedway racing during its revival in the 1960s.

• Buddy Stubbs: Has had a lifetime in motorcycling, including a successful racing career, work as a movie stuntman and owner of motorcycle dealerships in Arizona.

• Tom White: Former Class C Pro racer. Went on to build a successful motorcycle exhaust and accessory manufacturing business and today operates a motocross museum.

Stay tuned here between now and the banquet as we will be providing more details about the life and times of each of our new inductees.

The 69th annual Trailblazers banquet will be held at our same location, the Carson Center in Carson, CA on Saturday, April 6, 2013. Tickets will go on sale January 1st.

SAMMY TANNER RECEIVES DICK HAMMER AWARD

The “Flying Flea” receives the Trailblazers’ top award at 68th annual banquet. Photo by Mahony Photos.

In 2000, Skip Van Leeuwen, Tom Cates and Jim Feuling came up with the idea of honoring motorcycle racing legend Dick Hammer at the Del Mar Show. Hammer, who at the time was still winning a ten-year battle with cancer, had throughout his life demonstrated a rare level of “Desire, Determination and Dedication” in everything he pursued, from racing motorcycles to his fight with cancer.

A special perpetual trophy was created and Dick was the first recipient. He was surprised with the presentation of the trophy and well pleased to have an ongoing award carrying his name as a part of the popular Del Mar motorcycle event. The following year the honors went to 1970 AMA Grand National Champion Gene Romero, followed by racing great Joe Leonard.

Motorcycle racing ended at Del Mar in 2002 however, so the idea was presented to the Trailblazers to make it a part of our annual banquet. It has not only been a part of the Trailblazers annual banquet ever since, it is the club’s highest award.

For 2012, the Trailblazers Board of Directors considered many candidates, but unanimously agreed that Sammy Tanner best lived up to the Hammer’s “Desire, Determination and Dedication” criteria and we are proud to present him the award this year.

Tanner was born in Houston, Texas in 1939. He started riding motorcycles at age 14 and soon was riding and racing Triumphs on the midwest county fair circuit. 1958 was his rookie year in AMA Pro Racing and he scored the top ½-mile points in the country, and was 6th overall in National points. He moved to California and in 1959 scored his first AMA National win at Ascot Park riding a Triumph 500 twin.

Sammy later switched to a BSA Gold Star and went on to repeat victories at the 8-Mile National three more times, as well as wins at Elkhorn, Wisc., Heidelberg, Pa. and the famed Springfield 50-Mile National in 1964. He continued racing into the 1970s, including a stint in Speedway racing, before hanging it up and devoting full time to his Sammy Tanner Distributing Company that he continues to operate today.

On Saturday, April 14th, Tanner received his award at the club’s 68th annual banquet, which drew over 600 attendees. The program also included a toast to legendary race builder and tuner Shell Thuet, who passed away in July of 2011, as well as the Trailblazers Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Jim McMurren, Dan Rouit, Eddie Lawson, Sam & Gene Dempsey, Steve Scott, Ray Tanner, Bob Sirkegian Sr. and John Rice.

The date for the 2013 Trailblazers banquet will be announced here in the near future.