1986 Magoo
Invitational Benefit Event - Roger De Coster & Marty Smith (RIP) - Tom Stover Photo 1986
Thank you for visiting and keep checking back for more true stories like this one!
On This Day - There seem to be an intense competitiveness
at every level - The past MX Champions / MX Legends and also the current MX
Champions and Pros at that time (now Motocross legends of their era) were
battling each other as if it was the last race of a Championship season and
every position and point mattered.
 |
Brad Lackey Leading Roger De Coster - 1986 Magoo Invitational benefit event - Tom Stover Photo |
I saw the disappointment and frustration on a few MX legends faces that day
 |
| Bob Hannah - 1986 Magoo Invitational benefit event - Tom Stover Photo |
I understood
their competitive spirit - no matter what kind of challenge, game or competition
it is, - there's a driving force to win; that us mortals could only dream about
that made them Champions, but this wasn't an AMA Motocross National or World MX
Championship
This was The Danny "Magoo" Chandler Invitational Benefit Event
and Family,
Friends, ex Competitors, and Thousands of People were there in Support of
"Magoo" – Icons of the Motocross World came from all parts of the
country and globe – Motocross World Champions – Multi time Motocross World
Champions – MX National Champions Fellow Motocross Competitors – Motocross
legends from the past / friends
 |
| 1986 Magoo Invitational benefit event - Tom Stover Photo |
And it meant a great deal to them to be there for
Danny; it meant a lot for everyone and especially to Danny Chandler
Danny’s
Family and Close friends were in abundance and many Local Motocrosser’s - Juniors
to Pros – Veterans to Old Timers - Even the Iconic legend himself Dick “Bugsy”
Mann” (RIP) and so many other Icons of Motocross were there in attendance that
day to show their support
 |
| Dick "Bugsy" Mann with my twin Brother Todd - 1986 Magoo Invitational benefit event - Tom Stover Photo |
 |
| Dick "Bugsy" Mann - 1986 Magoo Invitational benefit event - Cycle News / Kit Palmer photo |
 |
| Dick "Bugsy" Mann - 1986 Magoo Invitational benefit event - Tom Stover Photo |
The Race action was nothing short of spectacular
The Motocross Legends having dusted off the cobwebs and the young
guns always ready to Rock & Roll; made for an exciting day of racing.
Seeing Jim
Holley lead the pack coming out of the first turn ahead of Jeff Ward, Ron
Lechein and other very fast top Motocross riders of that time was a “DID YOU
SEE THAT!” moment as they roared on by.
 |
| Jim Holley #12 - 1986 Magoo Invitational benefit event - Tom Stover Photo |
I
witnessed some very intense seemingly revived rivalry on the track from the "Past
Champions" competitors.
 |
| Billy Grossi ahead of Marty Smith (RIP) - Tom Stover Photo |
#PB Unknown - #MS Marty Smith - Cycle News / Kit Palmer Photo |
 | Start of the "Past Champions" race at the Magoo Invitational Benefit event - Tom Stover Photo
Billy Grossi ahead of Brad Lackey - Cycle News / Kit Palmer Photo
Darrell Shultz ahead of #55 Rider - Cycle News / Kit Palmer Photo
 | | Roger De Coster Ahead of #55 and #MS - Marty Smith - Cycle News / Kit Palmer Photo |
I watched as
Brad Lackey rocketed into the lead at the start and getting the Hole shot in one of the Motos! Followed by Billy
Grossi who was handlebar to handlebar with another rider battling for 2nd
place! Brad Lackey Hole-Shot - Tom Stover Photo
|
|
A
frustrated Bob Hannah with a malfunctioning clutch, blasted by as another rider
behind him gets completely sideways coming out of a corner.
 |
| Bob Hannah - Tom Stover Photo |
I
got a front row view of Marty Smith (RIP) laying it down practically at my feet
where I was standing!
 |
| Marty Smith (RIP) - Tom Stover Photo |
The
intensity during every Moto was full of hard charging, Dirt Roosting, Dust Flying Action!
 |
| Darrell Shultz on the Gas! - Tom Stover Photo |
 |
| Tim Hart (RIP) - Tom Stover Photo |
And of course, seeing “The Man” Roger De Coster
roosting out of a corner and then meeting him in the pits later was an added
highlight for sure!
 |
| Roger De Coster Roosting away as Marvin Woods (RIP) looks away - Tom Stover Photo |
 |
| Roger De Coster - Tom Stover Photo |
Another Motocross
World Champion George Jobe` (RIP) was there and raced, as well as the MX
legend himself Jim Pomeroy (RIP) with his brother Ron Pomeroy – To Include another icon of the golden era of Motocross - Rich Thorwaldson even
One of the best
battles of the day was between Billy Grossi and Marty Smith! Both moto’s were
intense and exciting to watch and it had all the fans on their feet, cheering
and waving them both on!
Marty Smith (RIP) ahead of Billy Grossi - Tom Stover Photo
Billy Grossi ahead of Marty Smith (RIP) - Tom Stover Photo
Marty Smith & Billy Grossi - Cycle News / Kit Palmer photo
By the end
of the day, after the dust settled – after the failed clutches, bent frames,
injuries mended, broken & dislocated bones set in a sling,
 |
| Unknown Rider - 1986 Magoo benefit event - Cycle News / Kit Palmer Photo |
 |
| 1986 Magoo Benefit Event - Cycle News / Kit Palmer Photo |
 |
| Ron Pomeroy with Dislocated shoulder and I believe Broken wrist?-Unknown Photo Credit |
There were
smiles and high fives all around and one winner for each class taking home 1st
place trophies and bragging rights for sure
 |
| Magoo Invitational benefit Event 1986 - Tom Stover Photo |
Twin brother Todd - Brad Lackey - Brads Friend Dennis Miller? - Tom Stover photo
I will never
forget Ricky Johnson proudly trotting by me with his 1st place
trophy in hand and was very happy to stop and allow me to take his picture when
I asked him for a Photo Op
Rick Johnson - Tom Stover Photo
What still
amazes me the most was how the thousands of Fans, Motocross family / friends
/community / Fellow Competitors, all gathering around “Magoo” to show their support
and provide donations for a Wheel Chair Accessible Van – Looking back, it was
much more than that –
Magoo Invitational benefit Event 1986 Tom Stover Photo
Magoo Invitational benefit Event 1986 Tom Stover PhotoI can still remember
seeing every one with this sense of compassion –Top Motocross Pros in the
nation and the world; - Champions, Legends, and Icons in the Sport of Motocross
- Roger “The Man” De Coster – Brad Lackey – George Jobe - Jim Pomeroy – Darrell
Shultz – Billy Grossi – Jimmy Weinert – Jeff Ward - Broc Glover and so many others,
surrounding Danny, and giving him their undivided attention, and at the same
time, rubbing shoulders with all of us Danny “Magoo” Fans that day - Something
I will never forget
Magoo Invitational Benefit Event 1986 - Cycle News Photo
 |
| Magoo Invitational Benefit Event 1986 - Cycle News Photo |
How do you
even fathom the words to describe it all?
I think
Billy Grossi said it best when he told me about his “Past Champions” class Win
Billy Grossi: "I wanted to be there and win it
for Danny"
Billy Grossi Taking the Checkered Flag For the hard fought Win and the Overall at the Magoo Invitational benefit Event 1986 - Cycle News Photo
(Billy
rented a Race bike so he could race, and in the last moto, the rear wheel was
practically disintegrating, Billy kept charging for the win because it was what
he had to do to cross the finish line in first place and get the overall. Billy
rode his heart out that day…)
 |
| Billy Grossi - 1986 - Cycle News Photo |
 |
| Billy Grossi - 1986 - Cycle News Photo |
Reminiscent
of how “Magoo” raced back in the golden years of Motocross –
Danny’s
accomplishments were not only spectacular at times, but also amazing and
history making; as long as the wheels stayed upright and he didn’t take out
other competitors in the process. (If you raced with and or watched Danny - you
know) Danny’s race mode was to go 110%.
 |
| Magoo 1977 Hangtown Photo |
A crowd
favorite at every track, in every state, in every country - Danny
"Magoo" Chandler - Had the Heart of a Champion and proved it to us
all - every time he raced.
Darrell Shultz & Danny "Magoo" Chandler Sweep the 1978 Trans AMA at Sears Point
George McNamara photo credit
After the
racing was over that day at the 1986 Danny “Magoo” Chandler Invitational
benefit event - There were happy faces all around – under the big tent. Even Bob
Hannah was seen High Fiving and smiling as we all celebrated a day that all of
us who were there to Support Danny Magoo Chandler, will remember and Cherish
forever.
 |
| Brad Lackey above the trophy with Danny "Magoo" Chandler - Tom Stover Photo |
Thank You All for being There!
A “Sincere
Heart felt Thank You” to all the Motocross Legends and Icons, Motocross Community,
Sponsors, friends, competitors, and teammates.
Thank you to
all of his closest friends - sharing personal experiences and adding to his
legacy that will live on forever!
Sincere Thank You to
all the Danny “Magoo” Fans around the World
Special
Thanks to Doriano Zacchilli and Jeff Frank & all the thousands of members at
the Danny “Magoo” Chandler Facebook page - Keeping his Memory alive
BRAD LACKEY
"THANK YOU! - FOR ALL YOU DID FOR DANNY"
Googled AI
Brad Lackey was
highly instrumental and deeply responsible
for the 1986 Magoo Invitational benefit event, serving as a key figure
in supporting Danny "Magoo" Chandler following his paralyzing accident
in Paris. As a close friend and fellow Northern California racer, Lackey
was recognized for his unwavering support and for spearheading
fundraising efforts for Chandler in the years following his 1985
accident. - Role in the 1986 Event:
The 1986 Magoo Invitational was a two-day, star-studded event held at
Prairie City SVRS to raise funds for Danny Chandler's medical expenses.
Brad Lackey was not only a lead organizer but also participated in the
racing, specifically in the "Past Champions" or "Legends" class.
- Supporting the Cause:
Beyond the initial 1986 event, Lackey took a long-term, active role in
supporting Chandler, including leading projects to raise money for a
specialized van to assist in Chandler's mobility.
- Significance:
Lackey's efforts were crucial in bringing together motocross legends
like Marty Smith, Broc Glover, and Roger DeCoster to support their peer.
The
1986 event was considered one of the largest, most significant, and
heartfelt fundraising efforts in American motocross history at that time
 |
| Cycle News / Kit Palmer Photo Photo |
 |
Brad Lackey & Magoo 1986 - Cycle News / Kit Palmer Photo |
 |
Magoo 1986 - Cycle News Photo |
 |
| Magoo Invitational Benefit Event 1986 - Cycle News Photo |
And
especially - Thank you! - Danny “Magoo”
Chandler for the memories, The Inspiration, The Spectacular abilities - no
one had ever done or seen before
Miraculously
winning The 250cc Support Class 1978 Trans AMA
at Sears Point –
All the 250 & 500 Class MX National wins
-
1981 Trans USA Season Support Class Championship!
 |
Magoo at the 1981 Trans USA / Prairie City OHV - Tom Stover Photo |
The "Where did He come from!" Pass for the 1982 SuperBikers Win!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
