07/06/2024
James Marshal West 10/9/52 - 11/30/75
James Marshall West (AKA Jim West ) left an indelible mark on the racing world in his career. Sadly, on what was a picture perfect Southern California day at Saddleback Park in Irvine, California on November 30th, 1975. Jim took a spill that many didn’t think was that bad. He was taken to a small hospital not far from the track. This ultimately was a fatal mistake that many believe was the cause of his demise. This was due to its limited care for what we found out after his passing was he had sustained major internal injuries.
He had such a deep passion for riding and racing, as he piloted a few different manufacturers machine’s throughout his career. Jim was rivaled only by his love for Susan Ard, his high school sweetheart.
From an early age, Jim showed an unwavering passion for life in the fast lane, particularly on two wheels. Growing up in South Pasadena, California a small town in the middle of LA county, and with his family home that was perched on the Monterey Hills part of town overlooking the LA skyline, he found joy in the sprawling dirt area just down the street from his family home called Elephant Hill. He and fellow enthusiast’s had built jumps, burms and rode their bikes on the home made track area. As a kid growing up in the same town as Jim, and my uncle a close friend and his mechanic. Jim was a hero to many in and around Southern California. One of my fondest memory’s is hearing Jim’s bike up on the street above. Then he would fly off what to us kids was a cliff. Ride, and adjust his bike for a short time. Then as fast as he came down the cliff, he twisted that throttle wide open and he went right back up the hill and disappeared.
Jim quickly rose to a celebrity status at numerous tracks across southern California like Ascot, Irwindale, Escape country, OCIR, Indian Dunes and with Stu Peters CMC AMA sanctioned events to name a few. As he gained sponsorships, his talents took him to prestigious tracks nationwide, including televised events such as the iconic LA Coliseum race on July 8th,1972. This started what we know today as Supercross. That event drew crowds in the tens of thousands. His success not only elevated his sponsors' visibility but also gained him a devoted following and respect of some of the biggest names in the sport, such as Marty Smith, Bob Hannah, Roger Decoster, and Rex Staten to name a few.
Jim Marshall West was more than a racer; he was a gentle giant who touched the lives of many, including notable figures of the 60s and 70s. His remarkable skills thrust him into the spotlight, earning him respect and admiration from not only the competition but also sponsors and fans alike.
So, today the many that still know his name, and some of the younger riders and fans alike heard the rumbling of him getting a full Maico factory ride. Many will tell you his of his great skills that made his bikes dance on the dirt. For one of the tallest guy’s on the circuit, he made his machines do what by today’s standards would be crazy to attempt. We look at the limited travel on the machines of his day and would scratch our heads in awe. Jim did the same thing, but Jim and his policeman father did more than scratch their heads. They built a custom reservoir that he put ice into help cool the rear shocks. Something that we didn’t see for years to come, was what we now know as external mounted reservoirs to help the modern shocks cool.
