Athletes - Tommy Brackens

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	Athletes - Tommy Brackens

Tommy Lee Brackens (b. November 20 1960 in Los Angeles, California) is an American Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racer.

Tommy Brackens was an "Old School" professional BMX racer. His prime competitive years were from 1980-1988.

His nickname was "The Human Dragster", so named for his adeptness at getting the "Hole shot", or getting out in front literally at the drop of the starting gate and leading the other competitors down the first straight. The moniker was coined by Bob Hunt, an NBL announcer at the 1982 NBL Grand Nationals Tommy raced in.

Tommy Brackens was a former motorcycle motocross (MX) racer that made the switch to BMX in 1977. Quiet, shy and highly likable he was believe to have all the talents to be truly a top level racer, but lacked the "killer instinct" to fulfill that potential. He very often had streaks when he was impossible to beat but lacked consistence. Conditions like the state of the track, when they were sub par could lessen his enthusiasm and spoil the positive mental attitude that is needed to be a Top Pro racer. He also had some technical difficulties with jumps which would partly negate his strong starts and speed down the first straight. If Mr. Brackens was likable he had a strong desire to be liked. One of his goals was to be voted as the fan favorite among kids as their favorite racer. That goal was fulfilled in 1987 When he won BMX Action Magazine's Number One Racer Award (NORA) Cup for that year.

Unfortunately his inconsistency prevented him from winning a national number one plate for any association amateur or professional. The closest was a National No. 2 with the NBL in 1986. He failed to transfer out of his semi (crashed) while only a few points behind the eventual No.1 for that year, Pete Loncarevich (who was himself not doing well at the time and barely qualified for the main himself). However, he did win the 1986 IBMXF World Championship. 1986 was a good year by any measure.

Racing career

Started Racing: August 1978

Sanctioning Body: National Bicycle Association (NBA)

First race result: Second in 16 novice (local)

First local win:

First national win:

Turned Pro: 1980

First Pro win: 1981 at the National Bicycle Association (NBA) National in Las Vegas, Nevada.

First Sponsor: The Pedal Shop

Other non factory Sponsors: City of Bicycles

Retired: 1990

Factory sponsors

Amateur

Jag (1980) Left under bad circumstances. Jag wanted Tommy to stay an amateur for one more year, but Tommy wanted to be a pro immediately.

Professional

Powerlite (Mid 1980-1983)

Torker (1983-December 1984) Torker literally went out of business while the racing team was racing on the East Coast. He didn't have a clue until people came up to him with the news.

GT (January 1985-December 1986) On the return flight west after Torker folded Richard Long, the owner of GT, offered Mr. Brackens a spot on his team, which he accepted.

Turned down offer from GT to stay on a paired down team because his salary would had been reduced by %50. Team mate Gary Ellis remained under those terms.

KHS (June 1987-1988)

World Class (1988-1990)

Career bicycle motocross titles

Amateur

National Bicycle Association (NBA)

0

National Bicycle League (NBL)

0

American Bicycle Association (ABA)

0

Professional

National Bicycle Association (NBA)

0

National Bicycle League (NBL)

0

American Bicycle Association (ABA)

0

United States Bicycle Motocross Association (USBA)

0

International Bicycle Motocross Federation (IBMXF)

1986 World Champion, European Champion

Pro Series Championships

0

Notable accolades

Winner of the National Bicyle Association's "Most Improved Rider" Award in 1981.

Winner of the 1987 Number One Racer Award (NORA) Cup with 17.91% of the vote (totall cast unknown)

1986 winner of the "King of the Mountain" Gravity Powered Vehice (GPV) Championship.

Significant injuries

Peccadilloes

Variables like track condition or delays could do psycological havoc at a race.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Tommy Brackens ]

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