Associated learning page: https://sites.google.com/view/lititzbmxinventorylist/learning-resources/quizzes/1983-bmx-history-quiz
Source: BMX Action, December 1986 retrospective sequence
Printed pages: 44–45
Transcription basis: Supplied complete two-page magazine spread
Archive package version: 1.0
Prepared: July 19, 2026
Original headings, quotations, names, colloquial wording, capitalization, and visible punctuation are preserved as closely as the supplied image permits.
BMX ACTION’S May 1983 issue premiered for the first time ever the Terrible Ten—our pick of the top ten amateur racers in the world. These guys were awesome, all outstanding in their classes. But best of all, they each went on to become some pretty hot pros.
Eddy King turned pro almost immediately after the article ran. The ESPN pro series was too tempting! Eddy fit right in with the big guys.
Gary Ellis waited ’til the last race of ’83 (the World Champs) to turn pro. At the Worlds (or should we say un-World Championships?), Ellis won B pro and the Pro Open. What a way to start out, eh?
Richie Anderson proceeded to DESTROY the amateur classes, while Darrell Young, Nelson Chanady, D.D. Leone, Mike Poulson, Rich Farside, Paul Gossrau, and Charlie Williams all tore up the track in their own time.
Red Line’s secret weapon, “Chicken George” Seevers. Could he remain fast? You know the answer to that one.
Every major manufacturer had a HUGE race team. This was the year of BIG BUDGETS! There were about ten different teams who we could argue about all day concerning who was REALLY the best.
The three hottest, most competitive, and most popular teams and bikes at the time were GT, Hutch, and Diamond Back. It was a toss-up.
Around this time, the people back East were calling it a “Judge.” The guys on the West Coast called it a “Leary,” except for some Nor. Cal.’ers who called it a “Medrano.” In-depth studies of the situation proved that it might be an “Utterback.” To top it all off, BMXA ran a two page spread on how-to-do the radical click-out, calling it a “Judge.” The controversy thickened. Letters were pouring in. Harry was steamed. Timmy was stoked.
After a bit of research, Harry Leary finally found the proof—a photo of himself doing the jump which outdated any other photo. Harry was awarded the signature jump and Timmy automatically started work on a new and improved jump for his namesake.
In ’83, BMX was riding high! Every manufacturer had a pretty hefty team, including Huffy. Pictured here in the midst of clearing some rad dub’s somewhere in St. Louis, during Round Three of the radical ESPN Pro Series, ahead of such hotdogs as Stu, Toby, Harry, and Eddy, is the hometown hero, John Piant. Photo by Oz.
’Round this time was when BMX’ers were freestylers too. The local pro at the track could do all of the gnarly tricks. ’Course the tricks weren’t THAT gnarly, back then, but . . . Greg Grubbs shows ya the old meaning of radness.
Skateparks came a long way since we first saw Stu doing his “Puddin’ Bowl Air.” Rich Sigur, demonstrates that you CAN wear a visor . . .
This was the deal: a seven race series, each one being televised on the ESPN sports/cable channel, a cool five grand up at the first six races, and $15,000 up for grabs at the seventh and final sucker. Every single pro and their brother (in Brent Patterson’s case) showed up.
“For the pros, if you win the ESPN series, you’re going to be the number one pro whether you get an NBL or ABA No. 1. This is the series for ’83.”
Harry Leary
BMX ACTION, September 1983.
Greg Hill won his very first NORA Cup at the beginning of the year. He was still dominating. Untouchable and riding for GT . . . those two things usually went together. In the middle of the year, at a national in Memphis, Greg hyper-extended his knee, but that didn’t stop him for too long.
Towards the end of ’83, things got real radical for Mista Hill. Around October, with the help of his dad, he started up GHP (Greg Hill Products). Soon after that, he won the ESPN Pro Series (above), which meant a new car. And even sooner after that (like within five hours time), Greg Hill became a father. Gregory Jonathan Hill was born on December 28, 1983.
That was some year, wasn’t it, Greg?!
Greg, who else?
Another up-and-comer who was feared by at least seven other dudes at each race, Billy Griggs.