Bryan Smith remembers going to flat track motorcycle races when he was a child.
And he remembers seeing Scott Parker ride.
While many kids Smith’s age wanted to “be like Mike (Michael Jordan),” or “know” like Bo (Jackson), the now-27-year-old wanted to glide around tracks like Parker.
Now the eighth-ranked American Motorcycle Association flat track rider, Smith said Parker supplied more than adequate inspiration.
“Basically, he’s the reason why I’m where I’m at to sum it all up,” Smith said of his idol. “You know how it is when you’re a kid, you got your heroes. He was the best in the country, in the world really. I wanted to be a flat track motorcycle racer because of him.”
Parker will be inducted to his fifth Hall of Fame, the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame Dec. 4 at the Genesys Banquet Center in Grand Blanc. The flat track legend is a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame and the AMA’s, which are two of the sport’s most prestigious.
But being honored in his hometown puts the finishing touch on an illustrious ride.
“It’s really neat to finally get inducted locally,” Parker said. “I think it’s really cool.”
Parker has always remained humble, and that’s an admirable quality. Smith was one of nearly a dozen who gathered to share memories about Parker’s career. A fan drove from Toledo just to see Parker’s PD’s Pub – Parker’s life after racing – just because he “heard Parker owned it.”
“I went to a lot of races and met a lot of racers,” Smith said. “From the time I was young, he always took the time to help me. He was friendly to my family and I. He’s a people-person, that’s what attracted me to him as a kid. He would stay there and sign autographs until the last kid got one.”
Having his idol stick around to sign memorabilia and offer advice stuck with Smith. And even today, Parker, who is considered one of the AMA’s greatest, maintains a common touch – and a 20-year bond with the kid that wanted to “Be like Scott.”
Upon entry to PD’s, you will notice a large glass case, topped with a glass table, that houses Parker’s XR 750 Harley-Davidson. Parker claimed a record nine AMA titles, and his unprecedented fifth consecutive came on the machine in 1998.
While some view the bike as simply something interesting to look at, or a conversation piece, Smith sees it differently – it’s part of his sport’s legacy. And it’s no replica, if it were properly oiled and fueled, Smith said it’s “Ready to ride.”
“I just think of the races he won when I look at it,” Smith said. “It’s no display. It’s the real deal. That’s what’s cool to me. Most of the people walk through these doors and see it as a display. It’s a piece of history, not just for him, but for the whole sport.”
The Flint area spawned several flat track racing icons. In the late 1960s, Bart Markel was key in the formation of the “Michigan Mafia.” The group wasn’t an official team, the name was given by other riders to Flint racers. The moniker sticks with Flint riders today. During a four-decade stretch — the 60s-90s — there was a good chance a “Michigan Mafia” member was in the winner’s circle at AMA events.
“Everywhere we went, we kind of ruled,” said Jay Springsteen, who was inducted to the GFASHOF in 2006. “It was one of us from Michigan that won the race. California to Florida, there was always a Michigan guy in there. Everyone wanted to know why, I said ‘It was the hard water we had.’
“That’s not a knock on Flint city water, it’s a reference to ice racing. The “hard water” bred champions like Randy Goss, Garth Brow, Ted Booty and Corky Keener — all riders Smith, Springsteen and Parker said were intrical to the sport’s history. Springsteen couldn’t help but laugh when he thought of a young Parker. Parker looked up to Springsteen, the same way Smith emulated Parker. Springsteen’s teachings were so good, they put Parker in posiition for a storied career which included a record 94 Grand National victories.
“He came and took my job away,” Springsteen said with a grin.
After a 22-year career, Parker’s memories aren’t forgotten by friends or family. His mother, Barbara, and his father, David, remember their son at age 6 riding in their backyard. Barbara didn’t want Scott to race, but she labored to construct her son’s first set of protective “leathers.” Both proud parents, their son’s wildly successful career came as a pleasant surprise.
“I couldn’t be more proud of him,” Barbara said. “I’m his biggest fan. We’re very proud of him, and he’s very good to us. He never forgets his mom and dad.”
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