I pestered her so much that Dad went down to Sears and bought me a little 1 1/2-horse cycle with training wheels. “When I was 3, he bought my sister Laurie a minibike, and I went nuts over it. “My Dad had an old Harley when he was in the Navy back in Corpus Christi before I was born. Riding motorcycles has been a way of life for Ricky Johnson since he was 3. I’ve admired the way he is good to kids, isn’t into drugs or stuff like that and is a wholesome person. If Broc has had any influence, it’s his life style. “When Broc first left El Cajon to race in the nationals, I was only 12, riding in races around home, so we weren’t together then. We don’t ride together, except at races, more than a couple of times a year. “People are always asking me if Broc was a big influence on my riding,” he said.

Johnson believes it is only a coincidence. El Cajon is a suburb of San Diego, a bedroom community of about 80,000, but it has produced four world-class motocross riders in Glover, Johnson, Ron Lechien and Scott Burnworth. Toward that end, he is coming out with his own line of clothing. He would like to do with motorcycling what Danny Sullivan has done with auto racing-become a recognizable commodity.

“I also get all my clothes, my transportation and my living expenses, and I’ve seen the world at the same time.” “The money’s great, but it’s not everything,” he said. If Johnson has a regret, it’s that he missed an $80,000 bonus that same year by only three points.

So, there are no regrets about not taking that final year in school. With defending champion Broc Glover, also from El Cajon, hurting from a twice-broken wrist, Johnson will be a strong favorite in the big-bike series. Johnson also will have a shot at a third $100,000 bonus when the national 500cc season starts next month.

Ricky professional motocross racer