Rik Smits.  The name reminds me of basketball.  So what does he have to do with motocross?  For the last two days I’ve been privy to finding out.

Most riders are fortunate enough to start out at an early age with the help from Mom and Dad.  Endless weekends, hotels, camping, time away from the other so called sports, money spent on gear and equipment, and oh yes, the traveling…lots of it. 

In a sport where many young riders want to pursue their passion and dream of someday “hitting” it big-time and eventually making it to the professional ranks, some are fortunate and talented enough to achieve this.  Many of us, myself included, maintained those dreams well into our adulthood while we moved onto careers, family and other obligations.  We rode our dirt bikes anywhere we could, not always legally, though (beware of farmers with shotguns.)  Some of us chose trail-riding, dual-sport, local motocross or hare-scramble races.  After all, we are getting older and some things just shouldn’t be attempted by us “experienced” riders of subsequent age and obligation.  Some folks simply stood by the sidelines and watched their favorite sport…and continued to dream.  Others have found an outlet that allows for a tremendous amount of competition, camaraderie and overall enjoyment of participating in a sport we have loved since we were kids.  And it’s called “vintage racing.”  

Vintage racing, you ask?  Does that refer to the bikes or the riders?  Well, definitely the bikes, and maybe some of the riders.  The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) was officially organized in 1986 with the focus on promoting racing events that basically allowed the use of bikes that span from the 1920s to the mid-1980s.  AHRMA offers national and regional events that include roadracing, motocross, dirt track, observed trials and cross country competition.  Other classes have been added in recent years that allow for more modern bikes to be used in specialized classes of competition.  It is an organization that has over 5000 members and continues to grow each year.  All of them in love with motorcycles and the satisfaction that only competition can bring.  AHRMA information can be accessed at www.ahrma.org. 

This past weekend, I attended the AMA Vintage Days events at the Mid-Ohio racing facility, where I was fortunate to be able to take in not only the racing action, but also vendor displays, seminars and much more.  If you like bikes, and you’ve never been to the event, make plans for next year, you won’t regret it. 

With so much going on there, I have to admit, the highlight of the event for me was the opportunity to hang out with retired NBA pro Rik Smits.  That really tall guy you ask?  He races motocross?  YES, and he’s good at it!  

After 12 years of playing professional basketball in the NBA for the Indiana Pacers, Rik retired and has pursued his childhood love of off-road motorcycling.  He started out trail riding on a Berini 50cc bike when he was seven years old in Eindhoven, Holland.  As he grew up, and up, and up he became involved with basketball in his high-school years, eventually moved to the United States, joined the ranks of the NBA and, shall I say, “the rest is history.” 

Rik got hooked on vintage motocross racing by attending an AHRMA event with his friend Brian Borshoff, who was entered in a cross country race, and just happened to have a spare bike in the trailer.  “I’ve seen this trick before,” I thought to myself!  Brian offered the bike for Rik to race, and again, “the rest is history.”  He’s been racing vintage motocross with AHRMA for five years now.  Rik admits that with over 100 bikes in his “stable,” his all-time favorite has to be the 1981 Maico 490 race #45E.  I can understand why.  It’s a beautiful piece of machinery with PLENTY of power.  He also races his 1984 Husky regularly as well. 

Sponsorship for Rik is provided by Metro Racing and the Indianapolis National Speedway.  When asked about his favorite track to race, Mid-Ohio was the obvious choice, where he finished first place in 2005.  At present there are no other retired NBA riders competing in motocross that Rik knows of, which makes him a rare commodity in the world of motocross.  He and his family remain in Indiana, and he rides as often as he can, usually on his own property or that of friends.   

In a world of obligations, commitments and so on, we must always remember to kindle that spark of excitement we got on that first dirt bike ride.  Rik Smits, retired NBA star, has kept that spark alive, and is enjoying it to the fullest.  Ride on!