David Bailey (motocross)
Encyclopedia
David Bailey is a broadcaster, motocross school instructor and former professional motocross
racer, born December 31, 1961 in San Diego, California. He is the adopted son of Gary "Professor" Bailey, also a former professional motocrosser.
Bailey began riding bicycles at the age of 3, and received his first bike, a 60cc Yamaha
at age 10. He started racing that same year. David started working hard to progress his career, and he won the 1978 250cc Amateur National Championship on an antiquated Bultaco
motorcycle. He turned professional the next year, but had a tough rookie season. For 1980 joined Kawasaki's Team Green, and was one of the first members of that program. He began showing major potential and earned national #45. 1981 was his last year on Kawasaki
, and Bailey moved further and further up the rankings. A major breakthrough came when he was asked to ride for Team Honda
in 1982, managed by multi-time World Champion Roger DeCoster
.
That season, Bailey was a member of the Motocross des Nations
team, and helped the team to its second consecutive victory. David joined the team as an alternate for 1982 National Supercross
and Motocross champion Donnie Hansen.
1983 was one of Bailey's greatest years, as he won the 250cc Supercross and National Championships, and was awarded the Wrangler Grand National title. He also won the United States motorcycle Grand Prix
(USGP) at Unadilla
and repeated as Motocross Des Nations champion. The next season was more of the same, as David added the 500cc National crown to his resume, won the King of Bercy title and led the USA to victory in the Motocross Des Nations for the 3rd straight year. Bailey would win many more major races in the next few seasons, most notably two more MXdN titles, and coming out on top of a titanic duel with teammate and fellow champion Rick Johnson at the 1986 Anaheim Supercross. Bailey was going faster than he ever had in his life, and many say faster than anyone before, when he rode his Honda CR500 to the win at the Motocross Des Nations that fall. The performance by the US team is regarded as one of the most dominant in history.
Prior to the start of the 1987 Supercross season, Bailey was injured in a practice crash in Lake Huron, California. There was significant spinal cord damage, and Bailey became paralyzed from the waist down, a paraplegic. Bailey withdrew from the industry and sport he loved for seven years.
Bailey would re-emerge in 1994 as a supercross commentator for ESPN
. His knowledgeable background and insightful commentary was a highlight of the coverage.
In 1997 Bailey made the decision to start training for the Hawaii Ironman
triathlon. In his first two attempts, he finished 3rd, then 2nd, and finally in 2000 he became Ironman World Champion, 13 years after his accident.
Bailey was inducted into the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in 1999.
Bailey continues his role as a TV broadcaster to this day. He is also active in many non-profit organizations dedicated to helping others with spinal cord injuries and contributing to finding a cure.
On February 14, 2006, Bailey rode again. Riding a new Honda CRF450R, outfitted with nerf bar
s, hand brakes, and a seat to hold him in place, Bailey completed several laps of the track in Lake Elsinore, CA. On his very first attempt to ride in 19 years, as a paraplegic, Bailey circulated the track with his son Sean, at very impressive speeds. Bailey himself said, "If I could stick my leg out, I think I could go as fast as I used to!" He has expressed a desire to do more of this in the future.
On February 9, 2007, Bailey made a passionate plea to the top riders in the sport of Motocross to start wearing a revolutionary new device called the Leatt Brace.
The Leatt Brace is worn around the neck and shoulder to reduce the range of motion in the neck that a rider may endure during a severe crash, the goal being to reduce the amount of paralyzing injuries that have seemed to have surged in recent years.
David became a world-class competitor in chair marathons, and has completed the Hawaii Iron Man Marathon several times.
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
racer, born December 31, 1961 in San Diego, California. He is the adopted son of Gary "Professor" Bailey, also a former professional motocrosser.
Bailey began riding bicycles at the age of 3, and received his first bike, a 60cc Yamaha
Yamaha Motor Company
, is a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company. Yamaha Motor is part of Yamaha Corporation and its headquarter is located in Iwata, Shizuoka. Along with expanding Yamaha Corporation into the world's biggest piano maker, then Yamaha CEO Genichi Kawakami took Yamaha into the field of motorized...
at age 10. He started racing that same year. David started working hard to progress his career, and he won the 1978 250cc Amateur National Championship on an antiquated Bultaco
Bultaco
Bultaco was a Spanish manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles from 1958 to 1983.-Origins:The origin of the Bultaco motorcycle company dates back to May 1958. Francisco "Paco" Bultó was a director of the Montesa motorcycle company founded in 1944. After several years of steady growth and road racing...
motorcycle. He turned professional the next year, but had a tough rookie season. For 1980 joined Kawasaki's Team Green, and was one of the first members of that program. He began showing major potential and earned national #45. 1981 was his last year on Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
, and Bailey moved further and further up the rankings. A major breakthrough came when he was asked to ride for Team Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
in 1982, managed by multi-time World Champion Roger DeCoster
Roger DeCoster
Roger De Coster is a Belgian former world champion motocross racer and current motocross team manager.-Motorcycling career:...
.
That season, Bailey was a member of the Motocross des Nations
Motocross des Nations
The Motocross des Nations is an annual team motocross race, where riders representing their country meet at what is billed as the "Olympics of Motocross"...
team, and helped the team to its second consecutive victory. David joined the team as an alternate for 1982 National Supercross
Supercross
Supercross is a motorcycle racing sport involving off-road motorcycles on an artificially-made dirt tracks consisting of steep jumps and obstacles. Professional supercross contest races are held almost exclusively within professional baseball and football stadiums.-History:Supercross was derived...
and Motocross champion Donnie Hansen.
1983 was one of Bailey's greatest years, as he won the 250cc Supercross and National Championships, and was awarded the Wrangler Grand National title. He also won the United States motorcycle Grand Prix
United States motorcycle Grand Prix
The United States motorcycle Grand Prix is a motorcycling event that is part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. The first event was held at the Daytona International Speedway in 1963. It was added to the Grand Prix calendar in 1964 and 1965. The race returned to the calendar 23 years...
(USGP) at Unadilla
Unadilla (town), New York
Unadilla is a town located in Otsego County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 4,548. The name is derived from an Iroquois word for "meeting place."...
and repeated as Motocross Des Nations champion. The next season was more of the same, as David added the 500cc National crown to his resume, won the King of Bercy title and led the USA to victory in the Motocross Des Nations for the 3rd straight year. Bailey would win many more major races in the next few seasons, most notably two more MXdN titles, and coming out on top of a titanic duel with teammate and fellow champion Rick Johnson at the 1986 Anaheim Supercross. Bailey was going faster than he ever had in his life, and many say faster than anyone before, when he rode his Honda CR500 to the win at the Motocross Des Nations that fall. The performance by the US team is regarded as one of the most dominant in history.
Prior to the start of the 1987 Supercross season, Bailey was injured in a practice crash in Lake Huron, California. There was significant spinal cord damage, and Bailey became paralyzed from the waist down, a paraplegic. Bailey withdrew from the industry and sport he loved for seven years.
Bailey would re-emerge in 1994 as a supercross commentator for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
. His knowledgeable background and insightful commentary was a highlight of the coverage.
In 1997 Bailey made the decision to start training for the Hawaii Ironman
Ironman Triathlon
An Ironman Triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation consisting of a swim, a bike and a marathon run, raced in that order and without a break...
triathlon. In his first two attempts, he finished 3rd, then 2nd, and finally in 2000 he became Ironman World Champion, 13 years after his accident.
Bailey was inducted into the AMA
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
in 1999.
Bailey continues his role as a TV broadcaster to this day. He is also active in many non-profit organizations dedicated to helping others with spinal cord injuries and contributing to finding a cure.
On February 14, 2006, Bailey rode again. Riding a new Honda CRF450R, outfitted with nerf bar
Nerf bar
A nerf bar is a tubular device fitted to the side of a racecar, typically single-seat race cars that compete on asphalt or dirt oval tracks. A "nerf" is a small, sometimes intentional, collision between two cars in which one driver bumps the other to facilitate a successful pass. The nerf bar...
s, hand brakes, and a seat to hold him in place, Bailey completed several laps of the track in Lake Elsinore, CA. On his very first attempt to ride in 19 years, as a paraplegic, Bailey circulated the track with his son Sean, at very impressive speeds. Bailey himself said, "If I could stick my leg out, I think I could go as fast as I used to!" He has expressed a desire to do more of this in the future.
On February 9, 2007, Bailey made a passionate plea to the top riders in the sport of Motocross to start wearing a revolutionary new device called the Leatt Brace.
The Leatt Brace is worn around the neck and shoulder to reduce the range of motion in the neck that a rider may endure during a severe crash, the goal being to reduce the amount of paralyzing injuries that have seemed to have surged in recent years.
David became a world-class competitor in chair marathons, and has completed the Hawaii Iron Man Marathon several times.