[Spur]

Let's get away from the bikes for a minute. I have been thinking of all the controversies of the era. I can think of some good ones and thought it might make a great topic.

I'll throw one at you

1995 No.1 ABA title going to Gary Ellis even though Christophe Leveque had the most points. For those who don't know, it was awarded to Ellis because the ABA decided to uphold a rule that said only an American citizen can hold a title. Yet they let Leveque race and entire season and even let him accumulate points, not to mention he had a substansial points lead.

Now it's your turn

[SHADESSEAN]

It That True ?

[SHADESSEAN]

*One can argue that one title is missing here. The 1995 National No.1 Pro, for the fact that Leveque actually had won the title based on the points total alone. The controversy involved with the title is that it went to the points runner up Gary Ellis. The actual points winner, after soundly defeating the competition in the 1995 ABA Grand National was the Frenchman, Christophe Leveque. However, he was not awarded the title nor the automobile prize that went with it due to an obscure rule in the ABA rule book that you must be an American citizen to win the ABA No.1 Pro title. One had to wonder why did they let him race and collect points throughout the season in the first place if this was the set rule. Despite the flagrant violation of common sense, the rule stood since, according to another ABA rule, you cannot change the rules during a race season. Consequently LeVeque was disqualified and Ellis was rewarded the title. This non-foreigner rule was revoked almost as soon as the 1995 season ended. Leveque however did know about the rule in advance of the Grandnationals, as did his sponsor Sunn-Chipie but raced the ABA national circuit anyway. After his non-win, Sunn-Chipie treated him as if he did win the ABA National No.1 Pro title anyway and awarded him a bonus.[6] The ABA in removing that regulation helped open the gate for a flood of non-Americans to win the title of No.1 Pro ever since. The title of ABA National #1 Pro has been held by non US citizens six times beginning with and since the 1996 season, including twice for Leveque, in 1998 and 1999. Ironically given its much greater international connections, the NBL National #1 Pro title has been only been in foreign hands for four times in the same time period.

[Spur]

SHADESSEAN, on Nov 24 2007, 04:44 PM, said:

It That True ?

Looks like you found the data to support it...

Here is an interview with Leveque. He makes Ellis seem like he was stand up about it.
Dale Holmes.com

[vintage chromoly]

king of the skateparks in 1986 or so. eddie fiola takes the win from brian blyther after originally being declared a tie in scoring.

a day or so after the "king of the skateparks" event was held the afa awarded fiola the sole winner and thus the "king of the skatepark".

they controversy is that gt sponsored fiola and bob morales worked for gt during the day and ran the afa on the side.

i'm recalling this from an old bmxa mag so don't flame me if my memory is a little off.

[Spur]

Really thought this would spark more responses.

How about this one. Chris Moeller Vs. The ABA.

[RyanPartridge]

Spur, on Nov 27 2007, 05:48 AM, said:

Really thought this would spark more responses.

How about this one. Chris Moeller Vs. The ABA.

If it's too small to read you can just go here.

This post has been edited by RyanPartridge: 27 November 2007 - 05:45 PM

[Spur]

That was the one I was going to scan, classic stuff. Thanks Ryan!

[S-E]

maybe this does not apply, but i think back in the day riders always saw other riders as a learning experience. they seem to be united and stuck together. complimented each other. now it seems that the modern competitions almost force them to compete against each other as if they are trying to say im better than you, rather than the unity from the past. i dont feel the closeness like i used to BITD.

[S.Brothers]

Very interesting stuff. I just found out about the 95 pro thing with Leveque this past weekend when I was at the Grands looking at the "title banners" with lists of no. 1 holders. I was surprised. Weird rule to start with, but that's good that the ABA changed it at the end of the season.



Dale Holmes was dominating motos in vet pro this past weekend. I haven't looked at the final results. Did he win Vet pro? Sorry... that's off topic.

[BOMAT_1]

After reading this article it appears to me as if the 'kid' involved
was 'nothing but a spoiled brat'...and that the direction taken by
many involved is 'exactly why' the sport 'took a nose dive' in the
late 90's!

Unfortunately much of the same seems to continue to this day!
There IS no closeness-as BITD! Everything has become 'me,me,me!'
Too many people seem focused on 'what's in it for me?' and NOT on
'what will this do to our sport?' or what 'will the end result be?'

I'm personally hoping the upcoming Olympics 'do a lot' to change
this trend! I'm hoping the 'old team spirit' thing takes hold...and that
our Country 'comes out looking good'-for a change!

[Spur]

BOMAT_1, on Nov 27 2007, 01:01 PM, said:

After reading this article it appears to me as if the 'kid' involved
was 'nothing but a spoiled brat'...and that the direction taken by
many involved is 'exactly why' the sport 'took a nose dive' in the
late 90's!

That "brat" you are referring to is the legendary Chris Moeller, owner of S&M bicycles. The letter is a one sided view from the ABA to Oz. Moeller's shinanigans are Epic.

[S.Brothers]

Funny... the ABA guy's angle was that CM was killing the sport, while many people think he's a major factor in helping the sport to maintain a pulse and some vitality during those lean years.

Anybody have the cover in question... that was apparently so scandalous.

[Galen Starlin]

I believe it was '85 when Ronnie Anderson won the ABA #1 Pro title and he refused to accept the car they awarded him. A Trans-Am was advertised as the winning prize but they had a Mustang as the prize. I think he finally accepted a few months or so down the road. He made a big stink until then though...........

[RadRoss]

one of my favorites that was never really "confirmed" although everyone kinda "knows" was when pro forx first came on the scene and pistol pete was the first pro to rock them. everyone claimed he won the grands on a set that had been altered to be a rigid fork.

[Spur]

Yeah, then everyone blocked them up after that. They definitely take getting acclimated to. My "everday" rider has a set on them and took me a great deal of time to figure out how to sprint on them w/o compressing the fork down.

[BOMAT_1]

I don't care WHO he 'turned out to be'...his comment "I've gotten away
with a lot" indicates who he WAS...a self centered,spoiled brat-with little or
no respect for others!

When he 'finally' grew up,he MAY have gone on to better things...and may
have become a successful businessman...but 'at the time of THIS incident' he
WASN'T!

[Spur]

Right.....You really need to step into this era before making comments on what you have no idea about. He had owned S&M for like 3 years at this point. Like Steve just mentioned, most believed he is one of the few who kept it alive during that time.

Just because one protests or speaks out about a sanctioning body or events within it does not make one a "brat". More like he is "outspoken". Like It has been said that is just a letter from one point of view that had more to do than just CM's actions on the track. It had alot to do with commentary from CM when he was working for GO magazine. CM used GO as a platform to speak his mind against the ABA and OZ pretty much let him do it. Obviously he had support from the top.

[BOMAT_1]

So...what did his 'selling t-shirts' at an ABA event have to
do with protesting? He was asked NOT to...he persisted!
He was confronted with police authority and responded by
'nearly assaulting' an officer...what ELSE would you call this
type of behavior but 'childish and even illegal?'

I'm glad he later became successful...and influential,even...
but as I see it...he simply 'grew up!'...as everyone does,
eventually!

[Spur]

The T-shirt deal is another subject and there was a lot leading up to that whole event. There was a real tense relationship between Chris Moeller the Racer and the ABA. As far as protesting or speaking out, refer to the comments about GO magazine.