Bud Ekins shuffles off

[Gerard De Ruyter (Twistandshout)]

Spotted in the paper yesterday: Bud Ekins pass away Oct 6.  US off-road pioneer, he was Steve McQueen's riding mentor, which led to his most famous moment jumping that supposed German WW1 army bike over the fence in The Great Escape as Steve's stunt double.  He also did the stunt driving of Steve's mustang up and down the hills of San Fran in Bullitt, so obviously a man for all seasons.  He was also in The Blues Brothers apparently!  Amassed a collection of 150 rare bikes (wonder where they will go now...).  Died aged 77.

[firko]

We covered the late great Bud right here on Oct 10 but he deserves another shot. Just last night on Temptation the host asked the question " What famous movie scene is Bud Ekins famous for"? I guess it's a tribute to the man when he gets his own question on a quiz show! Apparently he was selling off a lot of his stuff on eBay for the last year or so. Alan Jones bought some nice, rare Matchless engine goodies for his Cheney Matchless from him and I know of another bloke who bought a Wassell petrol tank from him. What a shame we didn't use that contact to open up communicaction with him to get his story. He's another of our sports unique individuals that has gone with little fanfare. He was an interesting and talented bloke.

[Freakshow]

Yes twas hot off the press then :

http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=804.0

[GD66]

 Also did the slide under the truck stunt on a Bonnie in Bullitt, and can be seen in the Steve McQueen bio movie casually shooting the breeze, a good lad without doubt, and a great ambassador for our sport. Star !

[Freakshow]

as another side note to the  whole steve mcqueen thing this is worth a good read :

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/14/movies/14cull.html?ex=1305259200&en=367fb59d7bba836f&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

[Gerard De Ruyter (Twistandshout)]

man o man - that is wild!  wild story about a wild movie, if it ever gets made.  anything that includes dirt bikes plus Mayan priests sacrificing beautiful maidens adorned with jewelry and not much else gets my vote!  no doubt, were it made, steve would rescue a handful of them and ride off into the sunset with em strung over the tank, back seat etc, hopefully with jewels intact and still no clothing.

[Freakshow]

well since he passed they are arranging the services to include a motorcycle cavelcade to warner brothers studio where will hold the momorial service, since then his daughter and freinds have been working behind the scenes to organise all the people who have come out in support of a forgotten hero.

more info is online now about this and have put a website together

http://www.budekins.com/

[Freakshow]

eddie mulder raced oval tracks as well if its the same kid, currently promoter for Vintage flat track meets on the west coast has his own series he puts the purse up for.

[VMX247]

How good is your history Freaky,
do you know where a Jack Sharp Speedway rider is or ended up?
Yer I know it not VMX