America's first MXGP champ Brad Lackey is challenging his former rivals, sponsors, industry executives, friends and fans to join him in support of the Carlsbad Raceway Monument Project. He and his wife Lori have committed “the last $10,000 bucks” toward construction of the Carlsbad Raceway Monument and are asking 19 other individuals or companies to match that amount and increase the monument construction budget by $200,000.
Although Lackey never won the overall at the USGP at Carlsbad, he remained a fan favorite, frequently singled out by ABC’s Wide World of Sports as “the American on a quest for a World Championship… America’s first”. Brad would fulfill his dream and become the 1982 500cc World Champion and the only American to do so still 40 years later. He acknowledges the USGP media coverage and fan support he enjoyed, and ABC’s massive reach played a part in his legacy in the sport.
Monument funding will continue throughout 2022 and early 2023. Construction is projected to commence in the weeks following. A ribbon cutting ceremony is targeted for June 24, 2023, the 50th anniversary of the inaugural, points paying, FIM United States Grand Prix event hosted at Carlsbad Raceway.
“Carlsbad Raceway holds a lot of special memories for me and millions of others who raced there, attended the races there, watched ABC Wide World of Sports or read about the USGP in magazines,” said Lackey. “It’s beyond fitting that Carlsbad Raceway should have a significant historical monument to remind everyone about the history of MX in the US and what an important part Carlsbad Raceway played. For us and so many existing donors and volunteers, this is beyond important and the time to act is right now. Unlike all the DNFs I had at Carlsbad over the years, help us not have one on this great project.”
Watch for the Brad Lackey $200,000 Challenge campaign ads to appear in RacerX, Cycle News, Dirt Bike, Motocross Action and American Motorcyclist Magazine.
Even if you don't have an extra $10K handy, you can be another brick in the wall. Carlsbad Raceway Monument Commemorative brick sales start at $275 for a 4”x8” and $525 for an 8”x8”. Additional monument donor and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Online brick orders at: https://road2recovery.com/…/the-carlsbad-raceway…/
