Fred Nix was one of the best mile racers ever. In 1968, he won every mile. Photo by Walt Mahony
Former racer Dave Ijams phoned me the other day and told me a story of what he says is the best motorcycle racing quote ever.
“Novices quaked at the thought that one day, if they became good enough, they’d have to race the mile,” he began. “The mile was big stuff, almost of religious significance. Everybody knew it took four years before you got good enough—if you were ever going to—to win on the mile.
“But here came Freddy Nix, out of nowhere, and he was winning mile races right and left in his second year! And that meant before long, Harley-Davidson’s Dick O’Brien was giving Nix things to make his KR even faster.
“Everybody knew that O’Brien had his eye on you. If you found something and didn’t immediately share it with him, you’d regret it. O’B would excommunicate you, and when you desperately needed parts, they’d be awful slow coming. Mert Lawwill tried to keep something to himself, and O’B made him regret it. And in those days, Mert and Ax [tuner C.R. Axtell] were coming up with about half the good stuff there was.
“Everyone was saying Freddy got all these secrets. Neil Keen got tired of hearing it and wryly observed, ‘Okay, everybody’s saying Freddy gets this and Freddy gets that. But what Freddy gets is on the gas.’”
Dave Ijams hosts the web forum, “Gearhead Garage,” at www.littleredhenenterprises.com.
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Fred Nix died before then XR750 was ever introduced to the race track. Fred was a master of the mile on the side valve KR750. I believe he died in 1969.
Comment by Haynes Hunter — July 27, 2011 @ 5:52 pm
Another all-time favorite Quote for the Ages: the headline in a (sorry, different!) Cycle magazine, after hometown hero Kenny Roberts took a stick to the Europeans; “Now, Everybody calls him ‘King.’”
Comment by Cowboy — July 27, 2011 @ 7:43 pm
You’re absolutely correct, Haynes. I made the correction to the copy. Thank you.
Comment by Matthew Miles — July 28, 2011 @ 7:05 pm
I saw Nix win a road race national in the rain at the old Bryar track in Loudon, New Hampshire in 1969. Hell of a ride. I never saw him on the mile; in fact despite riding a number of years as a mid pack road racer I had never seen a mile National until some time in the early seventies when I went to Syracuse for the AMA National. I dont remember who won but I do remember my mouth dropping open as I watched the riders pitch their bikes sideways into the turns!
Comment by Don Mei — August 30, 2011 @ 10:25 pm