Jim McDannald            
 National VMX #1         
 Regional VMX#1          
 Not 20 years ago.         
 Currently 2007            
  at 82 years young
Most of us here in the Northwest Region know Jim McDannald as  a quiet guy that always makes his way to the podiem
at the end of the race day. He is usually pickig up 1st overall for plus 70 novice. On the track he is very smooth and
pretty quick for a man of his vintage. Since I started racing Vintage Motocross in 2006, I have aquired several Heros,
not so much because they are Champions but because they are ordinary people that do extrordinary things. Jim is one
of my heros. 30 years my senior and he is still does all the stuff I do on race day. Shows up with a prepped
motorcycle,sign up, tech inspection, suit up, ride practice, his motos,Load up, stays for awards then drives home to an
hour and a half north of San Francisco Calif. This guy is my hero. How many times have you been at the track and
thought man this is hard? About any of the things I just mentioned,and here is Jim at 82 doing these things with a
consistancy that earns him a National title. He didn't just squeek by the 2nd place guy he more than doubled the next
guys points standings, through hard work and consistancy.  Jim does all this humbley and kids around about being
"The worlds oldest novice" . I feel very fortunate to have been able to cross paths with such a fantastic sportsman.  Jim
and I live in the same area and I frequent a Honda shop that Jim has been going to since the early sixties. This months
Bench racing Artical is a story about Jim and the 1964 CowBell Enduro.
90cc Hondas served as the team mounts on that rainy miserable Enduro. In fact these 3 were the only racers with
enough moxie to even attempt such a perilous course on steeds of this size. Our heroes were none other than, 2007   
Ahrma Novice +70 Champion, Jim McDannald , his wingman Jack Smith and story teller extraordinaire    Guy    Parriott.  
The epic ride forged on through water crossings, driving rain,  MUD, rocks, slippery  inclines with roots and loose shale,
but on they rode for hours. Finally they were within 100 yards of the afternoon checkpoint, at a fork in the trail.  Guy
says they stopped looked at the check one way and the trail back to camp the other, Guy asks “fellas what do you want
to do”   They picked the comfort of camp which consisted of their friend Ted Laurent squirting them off with a hose full of
cold water, no doubt making them each 20 pounds lighter. That was when men were MEN. Jim has given up on Honda
90s in competition. These days you’ll probably catch him riding a beautiful Greeves . Guy says he hasn't ridden in the
dirt for over 10 yrs. He still rides his street bikes though.

Bench racing
THE 1964 COWBELL          
as told by Guy Parriott Owner
of Parriott  mtrs.  St.Helena
Calif.  Honda motorcycle
dealer    707-963-3190  
By Robin
Hannah