Published source transcription — Michael “Mike” Poulson
Preserved from the supplied Lititz BMX profile text. This transcription records publication wording and does not convert every statement into an independently verified fact.
Rider Profile: Michael “Mike” Poulson
Nickname: MP
Born: 4 January, 1965 - Ogden, UT
Started Racing: 1978
Retired (Pro): 1987
Heigh: 5” 11’
2025 National BMX Hall Of Fame Inductee - Early Racer Category
Named one of BMX Action’s “Terrible Ten” for 1983 - Fastest Amateurs in the World
Mike was also named one of “1984’s Hottest Rookie Pros” by BMX Action.
He won the Celebrity race for IBMX in 1984
He shares the same birthday at Brian Patterson
Five Time Utah State Champion
First Win: 12 years old at a local track in Layton, UT
National Debut: 1979 - Corona Mini-National - Competed in Expert even though he was a Novice.
It is reported that in High School (age 17), he made $60,000 in a single year from racing and endorsements.
Major Wins (Sampling):
- 1979: Utah District No. 1
- 1980: 1st ABA National Win - ABA Winternationals - Chandler, AZ
- 1980: JAG 15 Expert World Champion (NBL Sanctioned)
- 1980: Utah District No. 1
Print & Media:
- He was featured in the book BMX Racing Fever (Galen Anderson, Learning Systems Associates 1981), a book geared to those just beginning in BMX racing.
- He appeared in an episode of the children’s program Big Blue Marble (Program #061) which depicted his competing in the 1981 ABA Winternational and then at his home in Layton, Utah. It aired in the Fall of 1981.
- “New Wave Superstars” Bicycle Motocross Action August 1980 Vol.5 No.8 pg.37 Mini biography with six other BMX newcomers.
- “Mike Poulson: Utah’s Mr. Clean!” BMX Plus! August 1981 Vol.4 No.8 pg.18
- “ABA Number Ones from Coast-to-Coast: Utah” Super BMX October 1981 Vol.8 No.10 pg.64 Mini article in listing of District number ones across the country.
- “Mike Poulson: Rags To Riches” BMX Action June 1982 Vol.7 No.6 pg.36 Full page sidebar.
- “The Mike Poulson Story; Or How Mike Gets The Point” Bicycle and Dirt February 1983 Vol.1 No.6 pg.33
- “Five Minutes with Mike Poulson” BMX Action March 1984 Vol.9 No.3 pg.52 side bar.
- Mini interview during North Park NBL National BMX Action November 1984 Vol.9 No.11 pg.22
- “Burnin’ Up The Audio Tape With Schwinn’s Finest–Mike Poulson” BMX Action March 1985 Vol.10 No.3 pg.15 full page sidebar.
- “How I Won That Race” Super BMX & Freestyle April 1985 Vol.12 No.4 pg.62 Mike Poulson describes how he won his first Senior Pro (NBL-”A”/ABA-”AA”) in Brookville, Ohio.
Note From USA BMX:
“While best known for losing the No.1 Amateur title all by himself, Poulson was predicted to become the next big thing in AA-pro. He did turn pro and was a consistent main maker until his retirement, but lack of sponsorship after Schwinn pulled out from the racing market, caused Mike’s early retirement from the sport and we never got to witness him at his full Pro potential.”
In BMX retirement, he traded podiums for plumbing tools and became known as “Mr. Sprinkler & Landscaping” in the Ogden, Utah area.