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Mike Messenger writes in Racer X Magazine:In the early '70s, as motocross was developing in this country (and supercross, more specifically), you didn't need years of amateur domination to make a name for yourself as a racer. Tom Detersis is determined to do just that, only he takes a self-destructive and somewhat self-righteous path to do it in The Motocross Conformist, a 614-page novel by Lee B. O'Dea. After some limited success on the track, Tom drops racing and gets into the promotions business, determined to become the "commissioner of motocross." He doesn't like the way the "normal" America perceives our sport, and he's going to fix that. That fix includes dropping the outdoor series and engaging in underhanded dealings, and the racers, would-be sponsors, and team managers don't agree with that vision. When a rider is seriously injured because of one of his schemes, Tom reconsiders his actions and leaves the sport for greener pastures. As the story moves through nearly three decades, Tom finds a motocross protege and takes the rider under his wing, but tragedy is not quite finished with him. If you have time to sit and read, check this book out. People who know their motocross history will get a kick out of some references, and it might conjure up a ghost or two from days gone by. Order it at www.motocrossconformist.com. |