Through The Lens: Eddie Lawson

“4X Eddie” receives the Maely Lifetime Achievement Award

Recently, people gathered in Las Vegas to celebrate this year’s inductees into the 6^th Annual Hot Shoe Hall of Fame. Founded in 2019 by three-time National Champion veteran speedway racer Gene Woods, the event recognizes the contributions of the many disciplines within the motorcycle industry that help to preserve the knowledge and legacy of the sport. “The chain that connects us all is our passion for motorcycles.”-Gene Woods

The Maely Lifetime Achievement Award this year went to Eddie Lawson #21 who was on hand to accept the honor along with many of this year’s 50 inductees and icons, including Geoff and myself for our photography work over the decades. We are honored to be acknowledged and included in this group of people, famous and less well-known, but appreciated who have raced, sponsored, supplied equipment, and captured the achievements of our collective passion.

Jerry Bernardo and Eddie Lawson at the awards ceremony.

When Geoff first began photographing racing as a young adult, he would often go to races just to spectate and practice his new hobby of photography. He unknowingly captured Eddie as a 250-Novice road racer at Sears Point in Sonoma, California. While at a dinner for Kenny Roberts’ charity, Geoff gave Eddie a copy of the below photo. Eddie’s response was, “Where did you get that??” Geoff replied, “I shot it at Sears Point in 1977.” Eddie then shared that his wife knew nothing of this era of his racing and that he couldn’t wait to share it with her.

1977 Sears Point AMA National, turn 3A. Eddie was a 250-novice racer.

Many people don’t realize that Eddie was a terrific dirt tracker too. Geoff called Cycle News in his early twenties to ask if he could photograph the 1977 San Jose Mile that was coming up. They gave him credentials to the event but didn’t publish the photo below. Eddie won the Junior Invitational over Ricky Graham, and Geoff still didn’t know who Eddie was! He was focused on the expert riders.

Eddie winning the 1977 San Jose Mile Junior Invitational, racing #11R.

As time went on, Kenny Roberts began to give Geoff press passes to races and Eddie was still an up and coming 250 Expert rider. He rode the Yamaha with the number 21 that he is known for today. At Sears Point in 1979 he finished second behind Freddie Spencer. He was riding for Ted Dann, who sponsored him dirt tracking as well. Ted was also at this weekend’s event to see Eddie receive his award, and he still sponsors riders and races.

1979, Eddie as a 250 Expert, racing #21. He finished 2nd to Freddie Spencer.

1980 was Eddie’s first of two championships on the 250 Kawasaki KR250. He would repeat this in 1981 and add a championship on the Superbike that same year. In 1982, Eddie won the Superbike Championship again before his career had him racing a Yamaha in 1983.

A pair of photos of Eddie at Laguna Seca, first on the Kawasaki KR250 in 1980, the next on the Superbike in 1981.

At Laguna Seca in 1982, Geoff captured Eddie on the Kawasaki KR500 with Kenny Roberts in hot pursuit. By now, Geoff knew who he was! In the first race of the day Eddie’s engine seized and he was a DNF. In the second race of the weekend Eddie crashed in Turn 2 and was out again. It was not a good weekend.

1982 at Laguna Seca, the old turn 7, Eddie leading Kenny Roberts.

At Daytona in March of 1983, Kenny Roberts finished first, Eddie second, and the late Steve Wise third. Later that season Eddie and Kenny were off to Europe to race in the GPs. Geoff was able to photograph Eddie one more time in 1984 at Laguna Seca.

1983 Winner’s Circle, Daytona 200.

It is always a pleasure sharing photos with veteran riders and the stories behind the shots at the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame event each year. Bench racing with your idols is a terrific way to spend a weekend. “Motorcycle people are good people.”-Gene Woods