Mark Brelsford is, in my opinion, simply the best all-around rider I ever saw. He was always a threat on a Half-Mile, either cushion or groove, and, even though he never won a Mile National, was spectacular on the big tracks. He was easily the equal to Kenny Roberts on a short track (dirt or concrete), and amazing on the fearsome Jim Bellund 1000cc Harley Sportster TT bike.

His roadrace skills were equally impressive, as I saw his exciting win at Loudon, New Hampshire, in the 250cc race in 1971, when he came from the pack on an unfamiliar, un-faired YZ250 Yamaha to slide under world-wide roadrace whiz Kel Carruthers in the final turn to take the win.

His well-documented fireball crash with Larry Darr at Daytona in 1973 put him out of the running to defend his National number one title, but he looked just as good as ever when 1974 rolled around. Another crash at Columbus, Ohio, though, broke his leg and he almost died when a bone fragment got into his bloodstream and floated towards his heart. About that time, his career-long association with Harley dried up with changes in Harley management, and thus one of the world's greatest racing careers was cut short after only a handful of years. He moved to Alaska and spent several years working that famous oil pipeline that we're not allowed to use anymore.

As an example of his talent, here's a story that only a few people know: after about ten years away from the racing scene, Mark returned to California to spectate at the San Jose Mile. Track builder Harold Murrell always had a few riders out on the track on Saturday before the Sunday National to check out the track surface. The Harley team was there, and Mark pondered about how the XR750s handled (they were still struggling with the new motor when Mark retired) with the then - new wide Goodyear tires. Somebody said, "You wanna take a spin?" and Mark jumped at the chance. So with no practice, no leathers, and not even a steel shoe, Mark borrowed a helmet and promptly cut some laps within sight of the track record.

If ever there was a wasted talent, it was Mark Brelsford. There is no telling what the record books would read like if he had been able to continue his astounding career. We might all have been saying, "Kenny who?"

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Win Summary: Mark Brelsford, Los Altos, CA