San Diego, CA, February 1, 2019 - The Legend and Heroes Tour Traveling Moto Museum is pleased to announce that they will again take part in the pit party activation at Monster Energy Supercross on Saturday in San Diego CA. This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the tour and their mission of celebrating the Legends and Heroes of the sport. In addition to their display of vintage machines and memorabilia, the tour will honor motocross pioneer Jim Beachamp during the evenings opening ceremonies.
About Jim Beauchamp - Jim Beauchamp, one of San Diego’s early pioneer motocross racers, became a force in SoCal motocross scene beginning in 1969 as a 14-year-old, Boy Wonder racer.
He was starting his career out on a Bonanza mini bike, which lasted all of about 2-days until young Jim completely destroyed it. Soon, his late-father Al began looking for a “real” motocross machine, which led him to a 100cc Bultaco Lobito. After winning many races, Jim caught the eye of the local dealer and world land-speed record setter, Don Vesco, who put Jim on one of his legendary 125cc Super Sachs where Jim’s career took off like a rocket.
Jim was off and running, traveling the western U.S. with his good friend and soon-to-be motocross legend, Marty Tripes. Together, the young San Diego moto-gladiators formed a dominant duo with, at one point, Jim winning 24 straight motos! Jim’s domination in the highly competitive SoCal region caught the eye of the Harley-Davidson factory, who had decided to build a 125cc 2-stroke motocross bike to complement their successful Baja 100cc model.
Jim became a prestigious factory rider with Harley-Davidson in 1972, even winning his first race on their newly developed 125cc MX racer. With such a successful debut, both Jim’s and Harley’s hopes were high as they targeted the upcoming 125cc World Cup “Grand Prix” event in St Louis, MO. Unfortunately, just before the St. Louis race, Jim suffered a broken right ankle. Not wanting to miss what was arguably the most prestigious small-bore motocross competition in the world, Jim gave it a go, yet did not achieve his expected results.
After a few months of mending, Jim tried to make an early comeback and again suffered a setback with a broken wrist. This time it came just before another prestigious race that promoted as the 125cc National Championship. Staged at Arroyo Cycle Park (today is known as Glen Helen Raceway), Jim elected to ride with his wrist immobilized in a cast. Understandably, his results were not what he had become accustomed. Highly discouraged, Jim soon called it quits to what was a short but auspicious motocross career, electing to focus his competitiveness to the successful family real estate business, where today he still devotes a large portion of his time.
With the kind-hearted rearing from parents Al and Arlene, Jim’s generosity continues today on an a-near-daily basis where he gives to many needy causes in both the US and Mexico; places he still spends many days riding his off-road motorcycles. Objects such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of National City, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, multiple orphanages and senior homes in Mexico, plus Supercross’s own Alpinestars Mobile Medical Unit have been on the receiving end of more than a few donations from the Beauchamp family that also includes Jim’s siblings Alton and Pamela, wife Jeana, son Ryan, and daughter Brittany.
