Discussion of Vintage and Antique track, road-racing, fixed gear and 6-Day bicycles. Schwinn Stingrays, Krates, and other brands of the hot-rod style bicycles built during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Instead it was the USBA that ended up being bought out by the ABA.
Discussion of classic balloon-tire and middleweight bicycles built between 1933 and 1965. There was a rumor of one final act to survive conducted by the USBA. If true, perhaps they were thinking about the precedent of Walt Ehnart, the former President of the ABA and by then the Vice President of the USBA that they could have turned Mennenga. However unlikely it would have been, nothing came of it. The first ABA Pro Spectacular, a critical success, was launched in Reno, Nevada, on January 4, 1985. The efficient event was generally liked by pros and more than enough pros participated to make it interesting, $10,000 purses for each race were offered.
This was in the teeth of a general two year sag in ridership on the racing side of the industry and in the face of the popularity of BMX Freestyle, Skateboarding and the rise of Mountain Biking. To help reduce costs, the ABA ran a few selected Amateur open classes to offset, at least partially, the losses. The most successful of the Spectaculars (non-racer attendance) was the fifth round held in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 8, which drew 2,600 paying spectators. However, the cost of renting the arena and lack of entrance fees were financial expenses the ABA could not absorb. Despite the relatively low admission fee of $5.00, the venues were either empty, or seating was well below capacity. At the first event held at the Lawlor Events Centre of the University of Nevada in Reno, Nevada, only about 2,000 spectators were on hand in a facility that could seat 10,000.
The result was the ABA re-reacquiring most of its old tracks and some brand new ones—160 in total—and the USBA’s membership. Later Mr. Vargas would sell his interest leaving Mr. Anderson the largest share holder. By late 1985, Sims and Cook, both commercial pilots, had left the USBA for flying jobs.
A place to post your want-ads for items not related to bicycles. Whizzer, Roadmaster Motor Master, Smith Motor Wheel, Shaw or any other bikes with a motor on it, this is the place to discuss it. Discussion of vintage and antique bicycles made outside Huffy Nel Lusso of the USA. This site is still free for everything including ability to post and discuss your bike. The National Age Group Five Challenge is a competition formed from the top five National Age group year end finishers of National races.
] It seems the USBA was making most of the aggressive moves. The motivation for rivalries like this was the $2 million to $4 million in revenue yearly that BMX generated at the time. Track operators had quite thin profit margins to work with, which perhaps made the back biting even worse since there was so little to go around.