MAD racing = "Michelle and David” - Racing

The "MAD" acronym was coined by our brother-in-law, Jimmie O'Dell, in1986 when Jimmie borrowed Michelle's Fantic 200 to ride a few Southern California (SCTA) Trials events, the first "MAD" sponsored rider! 

Michelle and I met in 1981 at a National Trials in Pennsylvania. In 1982 we began dating while I was riding for SWM based in Arizona and she began working for the Fantic Importer, TMI, in Tennessee. That long distance romance helped guide me in moving to Tennessee and we have been together ever since. 

MP has been around Motorcycles and racing her whole life. Her family owned Letko Cycles in Kansas City, Kansas. She has been all over the US and World attending or working World Trials Championship rounds, SSDT, NATC Nationals, ISDE, National Enduros, USGP Motocross, World Superbike, Baja 500 etc... She also worked in Public Relations at Kawasaki Motors Corp USA for 17 years. 

I have been riding Trials since 1972, starting in Oregon's PNTA (COTA). I have been blessed with the opportunity to ride the US Nationals for several years in the Champ Class (now called "Pro" class) 1980-1987. In 1983 I rode the SSDT earning a First class award. That trip allowed me to stay an additional 3 months in Europe and ride some World Rounds and train with Bernie Schreiber, Thierry & Fred Michaud and Bernard Cordonnier.  When I returned to the US the Ute Cup was the first event that I rode and was able to win that. To this day it's one of my favorite events.

1985 saw a change for MP and myself as we moved to CA. She quickly found a position at KMC in the PR group and I followed with a position in the Parts group then in Team Green. I started the Amateur MX group and worked with a few youngsters that did ok as Pros. (Windham, Carmichael, McGrath, Emig, Natvig, Lusk, Mercedes Gonzalez etc...) After that I worked in the Off Road group during Team Green's Baja years including 9 straight Baja 1000 victories, multiple National Enduro and Hare & Hound event victories and Championships, ISDE Gold medals etc. I had the pleasure of building winning bikes for some of the greatest Off Road riders in the world. Danny Hamel, Larry Roeseler, Ty Davis, Ted Hunnicutt, Paul Krause, Danny Laporte, Marty Smith, Craig Smith, Dave Ondas. In addition to building the primary bikes for Team Green (SCORE events, National Hare & Hounds, Enduro, etc..) I was also building motors for several of the Team Green riders at home in my spare time. After Danny Hamel's tragic passing at the 1995 Baja 500 the time seemed right for a career change. 

In 1996 I started work at Toyota Racing Development. I spent several years as the Senior Manager of the Engine Build Group then as Manager, Engine Engineering, we had a great run. Starting in CART and IRL our shop built engines for over 100 wins, followed up by building engines for NASCAR Cup cars. While I was there we won three NASCAR Cup championships, and 153 races including three Daytona 500 wins. A remarkable feat in the ultra competitive NASCAR Cup series and something that I am very proud of. I had the pleasure of working with some of the most brilliant minds in Motorsports and the most dedicated Engine assemblers in the world.

In 2022 I retired from TRD and now have more time to spend with family (and ride Trials a bit more!) The goal of MAD racing is to make a few items available to Trials Riders, especially Montesa branded Hats, Shirts, Decals etc...We will start off with a few items and add or remove as we see demand for them. If there is something that you would like to see available please don't be afraid to ask!  

Best Regards & Blessings,

DP