Page 33 - PULSE-3-RIDERS-BIKER-SUPPLY

KEITH MASHBURN
NRUBHSAM HTIEK
There’s a common misconception that Gary Bailey was the first Ameri- can motocrosser to beat the Euros in the transatlantic invasion of
the late 60’s and early 70’s. In fact, it was actually California’s Keith Mashburn that first bested the likes of Roger DeCoster, Joel Roberts, and Dave Bickers. Mashburn cites his youthful exuberance and the other’s lack of track knowledge as probable reasons for his victory,
but it was a big deal at the time to show the European riders up in their own sport. It all started on a 50cc Honda C10 in the orchards surrounding his childhood home, but Mashburn quickly outgrew that scene -- he would ride everything from short track to enduros, from scrambles to desert races -- as long as he was on two wheels, he was happy. His success in the late 60’s as the most highly touted up and coming sportsman rider earned him some serious attention from Yamaha and they picked him up as their first “unofficial” factory rider. The Californian won multiple races nation wide for the brand and the two worked together for multiple years as he eventually evolved into the role of test rider and developer. Mashburn retired from racing after injury complications in the 1972 season and eventually commenced
a new career as a firefighter in 1975. After spending forty years serv- ing his lifelong community, Mashburn retired as a Battalion Chief and currently serves as a city councilman in Simi Valley, campaigning his run for Mayor. We caught up with Keith to chat about how his time with Yamaha still helps him today, riding through the fence at San Jose in On Any Sunday, and many races throughout his storied career.
>>
WWW.RIDERSBIKERSUPPLY.COM
33