This Week in Yamaha History: Bradshaw at High Point
Thursday, June 7, 2012 | 2:30 PM
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Damon Bradshaw was the Beast of the East—and he dominated no eastern track like High Point Raceway.
Bradshaw competed at High Point as a pro six times and won four of them. On a 250 bike, he was darned-near unbeatable, winning in 1990, 1992, 1993 and 1997. He only lost at the track one time on a 250, but that race actually stands out quite high in High Point lore thanks to an incredible two-moto battle between Bradshaw and Jeff Stanton in 1991.
Bradshaw and Stanton split the motos that day, with Stanton’s 2-1 edging Bradshaw’s 1-2. But they were never more than a few feet apart in either moto, and both now recount that race as one of the most fun days of their careers. While Stanton and Bradshaw come from far different backgrounds and possessed totally different styles—Stanton the hard-working, low profile farm boy from Michigan, and Bradshaw the wild child from the South, they never seemed to rub each other the wrong way on the track. Their battles were clean, which reflected the respect Stanton commanded—because Bradshaw was as dirty as it got with everyone else!
Bradshaw leads the field early at High Point in 1993 en route to his last win ever on a Yamaha.
Fran Kuhn photo
Check out the clip here to see the 1991 High Point National.
In the first 250 moto, Bradshaw sticks with Stanton the whole way before mounting a late-race charge to get by him and take the win (Stanton’s Honda teammate Jean-Michel Bayle is right there as well. This is an all-time classic). In moto two, Stanton leads, but Bradshaw makes a move around the halfway point to get the lead. Stanton then pays Bradshaw back, learning his lines and using his trademark toughness to not only pressure and pass Damon, but jet away with the win.
Bradshaw would avenge the loss in 1992, taking his YZ250 to another win at High Point. And even in 1993, with his season—heck, his whole career—slipping away, Bradshaw still took his YZ to victory at his favorite track. It would be the last win Bradshaw would ever record for Yamaha, the brand that raised him.
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Man I miss those days......
My man could still top 10 either class!!!!!! Braaaaaap the Beeeeaaasssstttt!
He lost in 95 too Weege.
Shredder is right, although, that was a fun story for Bradshaw at the track as well. Isn't that the year he made a comeback on the Yamaha?
Hannah, Bradshaw, and Barcia. All from the same mold.
Look at the lead Bradshaw has and it was only the first lap!
Damon always put on a good show. I remember watching he, Ward and Stanton go at it in the 250's in '90 at Lake Sugartree. Those 3 were all over each other. Bradshaw had that place dialed so he waved Stanton bye in moto 1 so Stanton couldn't learn his lines, then Ward got them both. Bradshaw won moto 2 but Ward won the overall with a 2-1 to Bradshaw's 3-1 and Stanton's 2-3. Those 3 were never far apart in either moto,
I was excited to hear he was making a comeback. It was a shame he never got back to his old self. Losing the '92 SX championship to Stanton really seemed to do him in.
Good story,both the article and Mr-Mx's.Went to High point national in 87 (still have that dirt shirt also) then raced there around 03 and took the family to watch RC crush everbody in 07.Good times
I did see that on the Mid Ohio thing, small world.I'm sure we will cross paths someday (we have been at the same places at the same time before) but it's hard for me to get to the saturday nationals.
I was on a swim team as a kid but wasn't that good.I did do some jet ski racing from 90 to 95 and was pretty good at that and raced expert at some nationals on the bud tour and sportbike trackdays are lot of fun,but this is my 30th season racing MX,the best sport ever.
That 1991 High Point Video was awesome to watch...more or less all the names are still active within the sport...great to see them race...
And my all time favourite Bayle JMB....1991 was for sure his year SX, 250cc and 500cc titles. That is dominance !
Remember that Roger De Coster had to put an air-scoop on JMB's rear brake caliper as he was one of the few that used the advanced technique of applying brakes while cornering to increase traction in the rough stuff
@ MR MX- Caught your response yesterday, but was in a hurry to get back to work. Thanx. I will be reading your posts more closely in the future, as you've proven to me to be for real and loaded with info. I kinda wanna say that you have forgotten more stuff than I know, but it appears to me that you don't forget anything! Maybe you could tell us about all the babes over the years, too! Chicks love racers and atheletes! Just kidding, but if your resume is as long in that department, as it is in MX/SX-maybe you better start hitting that forum too. Lets see, your handle MR _eX lol