It's All About You: Martin Nation

Tell us about your introduction to speedway

When I was a young kid and I first discovered motorcycles I was all in, obsessed. I had a subscription to Cycle News a weekly motorcycle racing newspaper that covered mostly California racing scene. They would show pictures and reported on the So Cal speedway races. I was very intrigued but I was a motocross rider back then but when I was about twenty one my wife at the time and I would go to the speedway races at Irwindale Raceway in So Cal on Thursday nights and she knew I guy who raced speedway and she took me to meet him and I bought a Jawa 2 valve from him. I started racing in the AMA and outlaw speedway in southern and central California. I was an active 2nd division rider from 1979 till 1985.

Tell us about your favourite meeting of all time

It would have to be when I saw Bruce Penhal defend his world title at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1982.

Tell us about your favourite rider of all time

It would have to be a choice between Shawn and Kelly Moran two of the most exciting riders ever.

Tell us about your favourite track/stadium

Ascot Park Raceway in Los Angeles. I used to race there in the early eighties on the 1/4 mile track. Whether you were racing, spectating or helping your buddy in the pits you were excited to be at this historic track!!!

What are the best things about speedway?

As a spectator sport it is the most exciting because you see everything on the track. Every move a racer makes, every nuance of his body English, every pass. The races come fast and furious. I love taking someone to their first speedway race they are always blown away by the action!!! As a racer I loved being in an exclusive club, lots of people can ride a street bike, a dirt bike, a trail bike but you put them on a speedway bike and they are lost!!

What are the worst things about speedway?

The delays, the dwindling riders participation. There are not as many riders or track to compete on here in California as there once was.

This article was first published on 11th November 2018