The call came from Inside Motorcycles’ editor Patrick Lambie and I would be telling a fib if I said it caught me by surprise.
Patrick was looking for some content for the IM website and was hoping I could help. A few years back I had been contributing web material but then I just kind of stopped. I can come up with a million excuses but in reality it came down to laziness.
After talking to Patrick I agreed that I would once again start sending in some stuff for the website, hopefully at the very least on a semi-regular basis. How could I say no really? Way back in 2010 I started writing for Inside Motorcycles and after almost eight years I still pinch myself every time I think of what I am a part of. John Hopkins was the editor briefly when I first started and then he passed the torch to Graeme Jones. Under the guidance of Jones, I developed a writing style and a following of flat track fans as I did my best to bring the news of my sport of choice to enthusiasts around the country. Now with Lambie at the helm, I will continue to have printed material but will expand my horizons a bit as I try to share my thoughts with web based readers as well.
I would never be in this position if it weren’t for David Weber however. Weber is the man guiding the ship and paying the bills, and almost eight years ago agreed to take a chance on a guy he didn’t know that didn’t possess any formal training. Since that time I have contributed over 50 feature stories, with almost all of them directly covering flat track. What other North American motorcycle publication can say they have seven, eight, or sometimes even ten flat track stories in their magazine every year? The answer is zero. Thanks David. Thanks a bunch.
I am a lifelong motorcycle fan and I can still remember like it was yesterday getting my first new bike which was a 1982 YZ 125. Since that time so long ago I did a little road racing and a little flat tracking as well. I earned the nickname Tumblin Todd during my road racing days but I’m proud to say I kept the 450 on the chocolates every time I went out last year. Although my parents never approved of the bike thing, I think if they were alive today they would smile knowing how much happiness motorcycles have brought into my life.
I’ve been blessed with a beautiful family, some great friends and a whole pile of memories related to two wheels and a motor. I am the announcer for the Flat Track Canada series and the fact that I now get paid to talk is both amazing and ironic. How many times I wonder did my parents or my wife just want me to shut up……..
The announcing gig is one of the coolest things I have ever done. I take pride in knowing that I have announced race wins for hall of famers and also put notches in my belt when I think that I got to call the first ever George Pepper Classic as well as the first ever race at Georgian Downs. I’ve called some races when my son has grabbed the checkers, but also had the misfortune of calling a race or two where he has hit the ground. My partner many times at the track is IM columnist Frank Wood and I love the banter that goes back and forth between the two of us. Frank has promised to ‘will’ his column to me but I really hope he isn’t going anywhere soon. I’ve just got so much to teach him. I hope to follow him into the Superbike series as well someday. I guess next time I interview Colin Fraser I will put a few bugs in his ear……..
My web material will not just be flat track based. There could be lots of it don’t get me wrong, but I may stray from topic to topic once in a while. If you are at the races please pop in to the booth to say hi and if you feel there is something motorcycle related I should really know about please send me an email at tvallee@bell.net
So anyway, after all this rambling the answer is yes Patrick. I will start contributing some material to the website. After all, with everything motorcycles and IM have done for me, how could I say no?
Todd Vallee
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