Supercross Rider Kicks In With Yamaha

Jim Holley began the new year with a lot of new things.

But it took more than a few years of hard knocks and tumbles to get them.

First, there is the recently purchased house in Woodland Hills and $30,000 in refurbishing. Inside, there’s new furniture and video equipment.

The truck in the driveway? That’s new, too.

The motorcycles in the garage? One is fairly new. It’s the one Holley rode in three races to capture the newest trophy in his living room--the 1985 Nicolas Rodil Del Valle Cup, awarded to the best Supercross rider in the world.

Last, a one-year Yamaha factory contract that’s good for about $100,000.

Holley was talking into the telephone, while two of his buddies, Willie and Thad, sat on a couch watching a tape of a Canadian Supercross.

“Just call me from there,” Holley said to the person on the other end.

Holley hung up the phone just long enough to get a dial tone. Then he was talking again.

A few minutes later he was looking through his video-tape collection. Willie had already beaten him to it, and a Supercross race from Japan was flashing on the screen.

“No, don’t watch that one,” Holley said. “It’s in Japanese. You won’t understand a thing.”

Holley pulled the tape out of the player, and pushed in one of a race in Canada. Canadian champion Ross Pederson was telling an interviewer how he was going to beat Holley.

Holley, 24, gave out a sinister laugh. Soon the race was on.

“Watch me pass Ross right here,” Holley said. “ Rrrrrnnnntttt --right by him!”

The phone rang and Willie answered it.

“Tell them I’ll call back in 30 minutes,” Holley said.

Moments later the taped race was over. Holley won. It’s something that happens a lot lately.

For 12 years, Holley traveled throughout the U.S. and around the world, riding motocross, teaching riders and looking for the big payoff of a factory contract. He signed a contract four years ago, but it didn’t last long.

“I just went out and proved myself until I got a factory ride with a Canadian company,” Holley said. “It was called Can-Am, but the company broke down after a year.”

So it was back to being a privateer, a rider who gets limited sponsorship he could get from shops and accessory companies.

Riding as an independent didn’t keep Holley from winning. By 1984 he was a support rider with Yamaha. He consistently rated near the top of the American Motorcyclist Assn. points standings.

He finished sixth in 250cc outdoor Nationals competition and tied Bob “Hurricane” Hannah for 11th in the indoor Supercross circuit. Holley was 12th overall.

Then there was the Rodil championship series--a three race circuit featuring the best dirt riders from around the globe. Holley finished second in the opening race in Sweden.

Before the next race in Spain, however, Holley took time out to sign the contract with Yamaha.

“We were under negotiation right before that race,” Holley said. “I signed the same day I left. I wanted to get it all taken care of.”

He was worried about injury. Although Holley acts like a big kid, he knew enough to sign before a nasty spill took him out permanently. He knew of riders who refused to sign--holding out for more money, or a better offer from another factory. Some of those riders now wish they hadn’t.

Holley finished first in the Barcelona race, and fifth in the final race at the L. A. Coliseum.

Holley’s contract is a relatively short one, and for that reason, he wants to make a good showing on this season’s circuit. He gets his first chance Saturday night in the Supercross opener at Anaheim Stadium.

“Last year,” Holley said, “I was riding real conservative. They pay me to win now, so I’m looking for a good year.”

It’s a year that will mean almost 365 days of travel, training and hard riding.

“I’m racing 50 weeks out of the year,” Holley said. “So when I’m home, I like to sleep in my own bed and be with my friends. Riding will probably work out for me for another four years competitively.”

And after that?

“I’d like to manage a couple of riders,” Holley said. “I know what kind of pay they should be getting and all the business stuff.”

Minutes later, two Japanese businessmen who Holley had been talked to earlier were at the door.

No doubt Holley’s phone rang again that night. Willie probably answered it.

You know the rest.

Supercross Notes

Defending Supercross champion Jeff Ward of Mission Viejo will attempt to win at Anaheim Stadium for the first time tonight in the season opener of stadium motocross. The first heat will begin at 8. Ward, a factory rider for Kawasaki, won the series championship last year with 229 points, followed by Broc Glover with 227, Ron Lechien with 223 and Rick Johnson with 211. For the first time, all riders will be competing on production bikes similar to those sold at dealerships. The racing format will return to a 20-lap main event after promoters experimented with two 12-lap main events last year. There will be two courses at Anaheim Stadium, and the program will also include quad and off-road racing. . . . Jim Holley won’t be the only local rider chasing current Supercross champion Jeff Ward. The 1984 champion, Johnny O’Mara of Simi Valley, will race as will Erik Kehoe of Granada Hills and A.J. Whiting of Encino.