Indelible Mark

Despite Saddleback Park’s closing in 1984, you can still see signs in the landscape today of what was once America’s Best Motor Playground. From the original entrance at Peter’s Canyon Road (Red Star), to the small track (Aqua Star) where a lot of riders learned to ride their first bike to the famous National MX Track (Orange Star) near the Main Entrance Gate (Yellow Star) off of Santiago Canyon Road.

These recent Google terrain photos show the last bit of remains of the very popular 400 acre motor playground and the 241 toll road that divides the park. As you can see below, the land is still undeveloped prime real estate adjacent to Irvine Lake. The hillside between the park and lake is an active county landfill.

Saddleback Park maybe closed but the world famous motor playground left an indelible mark behind on the landscape and more importantly, in hearts of many off-road riders and race fans whom had the opportunity to enjoy the unique motor playground.

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1981 National Geographic aerial photograph of the backside of Saddleback Park. Irvine Lake is at the top left.

Story Sponsored by Wheelspin Racewear.com

HoleShot Hats

NEW Holeshot Hats are here!

Check out all the color color combos at WHEELSPIN RACEWEAR.com

There are a variety of Classic Saddleback Park logo styles to choose from. These are high quality hats with colorful embroidered stitching of the famous Saddleback Park logos.

Two Hat Styles – Snap-back with Flat Bills or Curved Bill Hats.

All Holeshot Hats are available exclusively at the WHEELSPIN RACEWEAR Store.
Hit the secure link directly to the Holeshot Hats.

Wheelspin Racewear – bring you the best in vintage motocross themed apparel.

New Moto Shirt . . .

Tribute to the Trans-AMA Champions 1970 – 1978

Truly, a worthy group of racers whom shaped the World of Motocross.

TRANS-AMA CHAMPIONS – SADDLEBACK PARK Vintage MX Motocross Short-Sleeve T-Shirt > BUY DIRECT

The historic 1970’s Trans-AMA series was the greatest motocross series with the best racers from all over the world racing at Saddleback Park, Carlsbad Raceway and other famous American mx tracks. This tribute t-shirt has the famous Saddleback Park Finish Line Banner graphic with all the series champions’ years on the back. The classic Saddleback Park logo is printed on front to make this unique moto shirt your new favorite.

TRANS-AMA CHAMPIONS
1970 Dave Nicoll United Kingdom BSA
1971 Sylvain Geboers Belgium Suzuki
1972 Åke Jonsson Sweden Maico
1973 Adolf Weil West Germany Maico
1974 Roger DeCoster Belgium Suzuki
1975 Roger DeCoster Belgium Suzuki
1976 Roger DeCoster Belgium Suzuki
1977 Roger DeCoster Belgium Suzuki
1978 Bob Hannah United States Yamaha

These historic motocross shirts are designed exclusively for SADDLEBACK PARK by Wheelspin Racewear.com

 

Motorcycle Paradise

Oh, the amazing history of America’s 1st Motor Playground. This is a flyer from the 70’s telling everyone Ride Saddleback Park for all day fun for the whole family. World class motocross track, trials, off-road trails, TT scrambles, hill-climbing to dune buggy hills. A Motorcycle Paradise. Only $2.50 per bike!

Photo of the day

1982 CMC Golden State National scene . . . You should recognize this very famous American MX Legend!

Bob “Hurricane” Hannah – 1982

New Moto T-shirts . . .

Saddleback Park.com Store has some new additions to the already impressive apparel line.

Saddleback Park Rolling Hills Logo in Full Color Ink (back)

Saddleback Park Rolling Hills Logo in Full Color Ink (front)

Saddleback Park Rolling Hills Logo in White Ink (back)

Saddleback Park Rolling Hills Logo in White Ink (front)

Classic Saddleback Park Rolling Hills Logo is available on a wide variety of garments. This logo design has been the most widely used design during the park’s operational years.

The t-shirts are offered in a variety of colors as well as sizes to fit any race fan.

The infamous scoring booth at the finish line turn is one example of the logo usage – see photo below.

1982 Saturday Saddleback Racing

 

Take a look at the SADDLEBACK PARK.com Store for more great mx themed apparel & unique gifts for any racing fan.

Photo of the day . . .

1980 250 National scene . . .

Saddleback Park Entry Sign

Over the years, Saddleback Park has had many versions of it’s entry sign but the core design elements of the blue-green rolling hills and knobby sun symbols next to the bold Saddleback Park title have always been there. These large entry signs were made of solid wood, hand carved and hand painted to last many years out in the arid climate.

Main Gate Sign at Saddleback Park

Sign saved at different location

Remastered Version of Entry Sign (Primm collecton)

Just think of all those great racers whom have passes through these gates to the greatest motorsport playground in America. And the countless amount of amateur riders & racers that would pass through 7 days a week . . . All greeted by this familiar sight.

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As a tribute to the last version of the Saddleback Park entry sign, Wheelspin Racewear.com has created a fresh graphic of the iconic entry sign for everyone to relive the glory days of riding & racing at Saddleback Park with each sip of your morning coffee with this unique moto mug. The same iconic Saddleback Park entry sign that greeted you each time you past through the gate to the greatest motorsport playground in America. Ride on!

 

More Saddleback Park and other unique MX themed apparel & gifts are available at

 

 

Shop in our new store

Check it out . . .
Saddleback Park.com Store is online!

Unique Saddleback Park Apparel & Moto themed gifts any racing fan will love.

Show off your MX heritage by wearing a Saddleback Park T-shirt letting everyone know YOU raced at the famous Saddleback Park. Beware, your friends that didn’t have the honor of racing at Saddleback Park might be a little jealous . . .

For the full catalog of Saddleback Park Apparel & Gifts follow the line below:
SADDLEBACK PARK STORE

Die Cut Stickers available at SADDLEBACK PARK STORE

New designs are coming so be sure the subscribe to the store to get updates on the latest cool moto apparel.

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For the full catalog of Saddleback Park Apparel & Gifts follow the line below:
SADDLEBACK PARK STORE

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Legend of Suicide Mountain

A big debate over who was the first racer to jump Saddleback’s infamous Suicide Mountain was been circulating since the event in 1983. I was there in the middle of the uphill jump with my trusty Canon AE-1 w 50mm lens and captured, who I believe is the first racer to make the blind leap. Tom Carson #57 on a factory support Honda CR 250 hit the uphill double pinned in probably 3 or 4th gear to make the seemingly impossible double.

This photo was on his second leap, because after seeing him do the first I knew I had to get the shot of him making the uphill double.

Tom Carson #57 Honda – First to jump up suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

 

On the next lap I was more prepared to get Tom all the way across to jump. Too bad the weather was overcast in the morning.

Tom Carson #57 Honda jumps up suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Tom Carson #57 Honda jumping suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Tom Carson #57 Honda landing suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Shortly after seeing Tom hit the uphill double, all the factory guys knew they had to make the leap.

Goat Breaker #14 Honda Flying up suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Rick Johnson #8 Yamaha jumping up suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Billy Liles #33 Kawasaki jumping suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Bob Hannah#12 Honda jumping up suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Danny Magoo Chandler #22 Honda leaping up suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Phil Larson #25 Honda flying up suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Broc Glover#6 Yamaha flying up suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Goat Breaker #14 Honda flying up suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Warren Reid #10 Yamaha jumping suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Warren Reid #10 Yamaha loses his helmet visor up suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Judging the amount of speed to make the uphill distance was difficult because the landing on top of the second jump was completely blind to the riders. As the motos wore out the peak of the take off, the more dangerous the leap became. Some guys were casing the top edge of jump hard.

David Bailey #11 Honda perfect landing atop suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Goat Breaker #14 Honda hitting the top (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Warren Reid #10 Yamaha hitting the landing on suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Broc Glover#6 Yamaha landing on suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Bob Hannah#12 Honda lands suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Dave Hollis #45 KTM climbing up suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Mike Bell #18 Yamaha climbing suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Rick Johnson #8 Yamaha hitting hard on top of suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Bob Hannah#12 Honda flat lands the face of suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Billy Liles #33 Kawasaki hitting the deck (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Broc Glover #6 Yamaha landing on top of suicide mountain (C) TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

 

ALL IMAGES, PHOTOS ARE THE PROPERTY OF TIM MARKS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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