In fact, Haro Bikes embraced this idea with such enthusiasm that significant sponsorship support and funding has been made available for the 2012 Worlds. The event will also host most of the current Haro Freestyle team line up including Ryan Nyquist, Dennis Enarson, Corey Nastazio, and Colin Mackay, who will all compete and support the reunion show. “What’s better than showcasing the talents of today’s riders on a leading brand like Haro in Cologne Germany in July? Also showcasing the talents of yesterday’s top Haro riders who helped to make all of this possible”. Said Joe Hawk, Haro’s COO.
Stephan Prantl; Worlds event facilitator also reminded us of the historical value of this type of activity and its value to the sport... “When we staged the 2009 demo, none of us knew what to expect from it so we played quite safe. The guys are all still riding well, but the modern scene sometimes feels a little disconnected from its roots, so it’s hard to know how people will react. What Bob, Ron, Dave Brian and a number of other riders did on a weekly basis in the 80’s and 90’s is similar to the current rider lifestyle and it’s important to see that in one space. The feedback from 2009 was constant and extremely positive, so on the strength of that feedback, another show was always a possibility”.
There’s a feeling that even more historical activity from Haro is just around the corner.... “This year we celebrate the 30th birthday of the Haro Freestyler and the impact that this frame continues to have on BMX Freestyle. The character, commitment and talent of the guys who competed in the sport in the early 1980’s, many on this particular frame, cannot be underestimated. We have the right project manager on board for the historical program in Dom Phipps who has an amazing depth of knowledge and passion for this brand, so watch this space for some exciting developments!”
On Saturday July 14th at the Cologne World BMX Masters event, the original mid 1980’s Haro Freestyle team will
reunite one last time under the eyes of the world BMX community. Ron Wilkerson, Brian Blyther, Dave Nourie, Mike Dominguez and team manager Xavier Mendez will arrive in the Cologne Jugendpark, don their original Haro uniforms and stage an authentic 80’s Haro Freestyle show. This is BMX history at its best and you can be assured that it will be an extremely radical experience.
Dom Phipps – March 2012
In the early 1980’s, The Haro BMX Freestyle team was in high demand. Ron Wilkerson, Brian Blyther, Dave Nourie and Mike Dominguez were living the dream, travelling to the four corners of the world demonstrating the progression of a sport that was fast becoming an international phenomenon. Over an action packed ten year period, and a blur of intense progression, they took the slams, broke the bones, bent the steel and destroyed the vehicles on a campaign of ground breaking energy that covered almost every civilised and uncivilised country on earth.
The opportunity to reform the team and follow up on the success of the 2009 reunion show was discussed with a wider group of stakeholders, including Haro Bikes Chief Operating Officer; Joe Hawk, who commented... “When Dom and Stephan approached me with the idea in Vista, the timing was perfect. At Haro, we truly recognise the value and efforts of the Old School BMX community and were keen to pledge our support and resources towards a great and exciting project”.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.