Rusty Bradley

[fastwin]

Yeah, yeah... I know this is a derby. I've posted it before but SBK planet likes to re-run it occasionally and with Rusty being a local boy I feel the need to post it for those who don't know his story. The kid was awesome and had a future so bright you had to wear sunglasses! Lost him WAY too soon and we'll never get to know what he could have accomplished. Easily could have been the next KR Sr. He reminds me of a young Cal Rayborn. Gone way before their time.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2003-Aug/e/n030808a.htm

[fastwin]

I haven't talked to him in years but a friend of mine is a mechanic at a long time Kawasaki dealership in Irving, TX and he knew the Bradley family and bought a Kawi H1 500 triple street bike from them that Kawi had given to Rusty as a present. How cool is that little piece of history?

[ducpainter]

Thanks for that one Brian.

I never met Rusty, but went to work for John Jacobsen in 1972, and my boss was Freddie Mitchell. The next year I moved over to the Yammi store and Frank Camillieri was my boss. ( I still see Frank at the vintage races occasionally) I ended up with his leathers when Fat Frank gave up AMA racing. I can't tell you how devastated they all were that year. It was like working at a funeral parlor with all the sad faces. The California contingent would come to the Yammi shop each year before the Loudon Classic and we'd prep their bikes...except for Kenny...he had a full time wrench.

Kevin Cameron was the service manager at the Kwak shop in Arlington, and helped me tweak my S-2. (how many recognize him in the photo on the first page of the article?)

Like a walk down memory lane I tell ya...

[fastwin]

Great times. Sad times. Life throws us some funny stuff sometimes. At least Rayborn got to show us what he had and was capable of. Rusty never really got that chance at the top level of competition. But he was certainly up for the task. I think he would have given everyone hell on two wheels.