Jim Pomeroy
1952-2006
The Northwest lost a true motorcycle legend in early August when
Jim Pomeroy lost his life while driving his jeep along Ahtanum Road
near Yakima. He was 53 years old.
Pomeroy built his motorcycle career throughout the 70’s competing
in a number of motocross events in both Europe and the USA snagging
top honors along the way. He was the first American to win a FIM
World Championship MX event which he did in Spain in 1973. Often
riding a Bultaco, Jim later switched to Honda in the late 70’s and
continued to score well along a number of circuits.
Pomeroy
retired from racing in the early 1980’s and went on to breed a
number of riders through his own motocross school. He remained
active in the sport doing various vintage days events both national
and local like Dino Days, an event put on locally by the Tacoma
Ducks motorcycle club annually. In 1999 Jim was inducted into the
AMA Hall of Fame.
He was well liked among members of the Northwest Motorcycling
community and often made the trip over from Yakima to Seattle to
partake in Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts club events. When the
Pacific Northwest Museum of Motorcycling began auctioning off bikes
several years ago for fund raising Jim penned his name to a Bultaco
used in the 2004 auction.
 Terry
Saxlund who worked at University Honda/Bultaco when Jim’s star began
to rise put it this way – “we found out real quick he was genuine,
not at all pretentious, not arrogant, just a talented likable kid
who wanted to please, have fun and win races. It was a pleasure to
have him as a representative for our dealership.
Photo: During a VME gathering. Jim at center.
Photo courtesy of Barry Mercer/VME
In the early 80’s Jim had become interested in teaching street
skills as well. Bill Spencer of Latus Motors in Oregon was on the
range when Jim participated in his first class (see photo below).
“Seven of this group went on to become MSF certified instructors.
The course was held at Sumner HS circa 1981, one of the first
training sites in the new WMSP prior to the currant program. Jim
wanted to start his own training program, so I suggested that he
take the basic MRC to assist him with his understanding and coaching
techniques that could apply in the development of track training and
skills."
Photo: Motorcycle Rider Course circa 1981.
Jim is in the stripped shirt. Photo courtesy of Don Daugherty
Don Daughrtey was also on hand that same day. He reveals the
candid side of Pomeroy’s attendance. “Jim was his usual gregarious
self throughout the class, until he tried to dispute the notion of
counter steering with our instructor and my friend, Bill Spencer. I
think Jim called 'B.S.' to the idea that one would push on the left
handlebar to go left (thus effectively deflecting the wheel right to
initiate a lean) and vice-versa for the opposite direction. Jim
remained steadfastly unconvinced even in the face of seeing the
maneuver on the training video from a top view. Clearly, the counter
steering could be seen. Just to 'prove' that it was all a lie, we
all filed out to the parking lot to watch as Jim tried to wrestle
the little 250 cruiser into left and right turns without counter
steering. Here was a world-beating motocross ace attempting to
disprove the physics of counter steering. Needless to say, Jim
finally sheepishly admitted to the possibility that counter steering
just MIGHT be legitimate!”
 Photo:
The last tank Jim signed on August 2nd at a VME gathering in
Georgetown. Photo courtesy of Barry Mercer/VME
There are many more stories about Jim and you can celebrate his life
with others by sharing and listening to these stories in the years
to come. The Northwest has lost a legend, but his friendship toward
others and the community will last forever.
SR/Summer 2006
A fund has been set up in Jim's
daughter, Jamie Lee's name for those that would like
to help.
To contribute, please contact the following:
Banner
Bank*
5005 Summitview Ave.
Yakima, WA 98908
Please note:
Make the check out to the
Jim Pomeroy Memorial Fund
and on the memo line put
Jamie Lee Pomeroy
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