Danny LaPorte
Danny LaPorte is a motocross racer that had a big hand in further popularizing the sport in America. LaPorte was born in Southern California in 1957, to a father that was an off-road motorcycle racer himself. LaPorte began racing local motocross races at age 11, and soon realized his talent. He began riding at a professional level in Southern California when he was 16. He was so much better than the competition, however, that he became bored by the time he was 17.
Around this same time, LaPorte made a trip to Snake River Canyon, Idaho to watch Evel Knievel’s tragic rocket cycle jump. “There was a motocross race held in conjunction with the jump and it had a $100,000 purse. I watched Marty Smith win the 125 race and I couldn’t believe it,” LaPorte said. He had previously raced against Smith multiple times, and usually beat him. Watching Smith win with such ease, and win $100,000 was the inspiration that he needed to get back in the sport. He did so well the next season that Suzuki called him, asking him to be a part of their factory team for 1976. LaPorte accepted, and made his debut in the AMA National Motocross Series on a 125.
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