LACR And California Racing Club Final Days! - Dirt Rider Magazine

September 29, 2010 is a very sad day for some in Southern California and most likely other parts of the state. Motocrossers and Dirt Rider Magazine have lost some a very dear friend today--a friend that has been with most since 1985 and to some going back as long as 1972 in a way. Yes, time must pass on but some believe they are losing a part of their racing memories, mostly good but probably a few we would rather forget. But nevertheless, it is a day of mourning and a time to reflect back on the good times.Today marks the last day LACR Raceway in Palmdale, California will have motorcycles riding around its sacred ground. The track is not just closing its doors; it's literally disappearing in front of our eyes. In a matter of months the place where thousands of racers tested their skills and a track where Dirt Rider Magazine spent many days testing and shooting countless photos, will vanish into thin air. The track will be nothing but air as they plan to excavate the area and use the material for building anything that needs sand or gravel. CRC tried to make a deal to return after the work was done and run the track down in the pit but they could not spark an agreement with the new management at Granite Construction facility. Moving the track is next to impossible due to permitting, codes and environmental impact studies. It would take years to move, even just next door.And with the closing of LACR, we are also losing an icon when it comes to Southern California motocross racing. CRC has been in the racing game going back to 1972, running their first race at Deadman's Point in Apple Valley. While working in the aerospace industry, two motorcycle enthusiasts, Jack Barbacovi and Jerry McNeal figured they could do a better job holding races than the current organizations. The rest is kind of history. Following some time juggling work and holding races on the weekends, they were forced to make it a career. There is a funny tale Jack told us about how they got in trouble at their regular job because all they were thinking about was CRC and not work. In fact, they were caught screen-printing T-shirts on a very expensive circuit board printing machine and it was kind of the last straw in the aerospace industry.Over the years CRC held races all over California, yet Indian Dunes ended up as one of their home tracks early on. The Dunes were closed to motorcycles in 1985 and that is when CRC took over the fledgling LACR motocross track. CRC completely rebuilt the facility and over the years trucked tons and tons of soil to place over the rock-filled terra firma that some early racers may remember.Back in the day, CRC did more than just motocross. In fact, Jerry (Jack's partner) ran off-road races and enduros all the way up until the mid '80s, while Jack with his wife Carol took care of the moto races.The famous names that raced CRC over 38 years is too long to print. Most So Cal factory racers took part in a CRC event at one time or another. Racers like Eric Kehoe, Johnny O'Mara, Micky Dymond, Rex Staten, Jeremy McGrath, Mike Kiedrowski and Donnie Hansen just to sprinkle a few names.It has been a long and great run and there were a lot of tears at the last farewell CRC motocross race that took place Saturday September 25. For some, LACR was a place they grew up racing for the last 25 years. For others, the CRC memories date back to the Indian Dunes days. There were a few racers that still remember the first event back in 1972. CRC took off when moto was just a little baby and has seen it grow up, taper off and grow again. Through thick and thin, the CRC crew has endured countless hours prepping tracks, taking entries, handing out trophies, prizes and cash to pros; not to mention the nights living in trailers parked at the track. The stories alone could fill a bestselling book.For this journalist, I spent many years racing CRC long before I ever put a pen to paper or shot my first motocross photo. Jack, Carol, Jerry and my best friend Jeff, God rest his soul, will always be a part of my life and I'll hold onto the great memories I have of racing CRC and especially my time spent at LACR.