Associated learning page: https://sites.google.com/view/lititzbmxinventorylist/learning-resources/quizzes/1986-bmx-history-quiz
Source: BMX Action, December 1986 retrospective sequence
Printed pages: 62–63
Transcription basis: Supplied 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.
Here we go! We’re up to the present. Most of you should be familiar with what happened this year but I’ll give ya a summary just in case you were asleep.
The main sub-title of 1986 had to be “The year of no sponsorships.” In January, there was a HUGE shopping list of dudes looking for rides. Skyway dropped their race team to go all out in freestyle, Diamond Back cut WAY back to make room for picking up Mike Dominguez, and some riders just had disputes with their current sponsor, leaving them with nowhere to go except to a bike shop.
The infamous “A-Team” had a rough year with sponsors. Richie Anderson was fresh off of Skyway and brother Ronnie had a verbal dispute with Zeronine, so both of them were shopping for the majority of the year. They had the winning attitude, but no ride.
Rick Palmer and Matt Hadan were the two guys to get the “D.B. Dump.”
Cheri Elliott, the fastest girl in the world, after being casually released from Skyway, decided it was easier to just quit the sport while on the top than to shop for a ride.
And Jon Anderson, the kid who has totally grown up with the sport and raced for Red Line a total of seven years, got the boot. Of course, he had nowhere to go, and decided to turn pro—no use paying your own way to win a trophy. And did he go fast? HECK YEAH! Anderson TORE the track up, and after demolishing the B pro class a few times, CW made room.
Hey . . . the story goes on! So, there Jon was—his first CW race, a chance at turning AA—and what happens? He broke his ankle. After two months out, Jon returned with a plastic splint, and still destroyed his class.
I’ll take this opportunity to name Jon as the Rookie of the Year for ’86.
In March, Gary Ellis and Mike King were dropped by Huffy. Although Mikey automatically went to Haro, Gary spent about two months solo, which still doesn’t make any sense to this day. Gary is a cool guy, pretty quiet, and QUICK! In May, when GT finally picked Ellis up, everyone knew that with Brackens AND him, GT would have the most awesome team of the year.
After a few court dates between him and CW concerning whether or not he breached his contract by signing with Haro, all was fine for “Pistol Pete.” He made Haro look good for their first year in BMX racing, and didn’t do himself too bad, either.
“They know that Crazy Ronnie acts like that, and that something stupid is going to happen. He’s going to act stupid.”
Pete Loncarevich
BMX ACTION, July 1986.
In his last days with Zeronine, Ronnie Anderson proved the old Confucius saying of, “He who hath good lead need not knock people down and be more able to show style.”
BMX went underground! Locals on the rise in Zellwood, Florida. Photo by Windy.
He’s still there, in the lead. “He,” being “Stompin’ Stu.” But the main thing to scope on in this photo is second place Darrell Young. Look at the back tire. Now imagine that D.Y. is pedaling in midair. POWER and SPEED and STYLE!
Billy Griggs at the famous and legendary local thrashin’ grounds in So. Cal., Parks. One month after BMX ACTION featured the floggin’ zone, it got flattened. Word has it that Parks II will be back sometime this winter.
During ’85, it seemed as if Tommy was out front a bunch of times, only to bail somewhere along the way. Well, that’s not the story this year! “The Human Dragster” had his best year ever—the highlight being the World Championships in England where he prevailed, dethroning teammate Gary Ellis.
Pete Loncarevich and Ronnie Anderson continued their battles. The major one being at the Scottsdale ABA Winternationals in February, where Pete ghost rode his bike into Ronnie, successfully taking Ronnie out in front of a very appalled and riotous crowd. Pete 1, Ronnie 1 (remember the Grands?).
[The supplied spread ends while the 1986 retrospective continues.]