When I was a kid, @garyjones88 was one of my motocross heroes. He rode a Yamaha, and I worked in a Yamaha shop. When I first started racing, he was the 250 National champion.
Gary, and his brother Dwayne, lived just over the hill from us, on the other side of Colima Road in Hacienda Heights. We rode on the same trails. I even saw them both one time when we were doing climbs up Monster Hill.
When I started my book, I chose to use an Ammex motorcycle for the letter “A”. Of course it was going to be Gary Jones on it. Gary’s partner @amoto203 wanted one of the books signed, and when I sent it to her, I also sent them the original pencil and ink artwork from the book illustration.
Then she asked me to do a custom commission of Gary’s son @jbones42. I was very honored to do a cartoon of him racing Baja. I really enjoyed doing the background on this, and drawing the helicopter. It’s pretty amazing how life comes full circle sometimes. And thank you again Anna for getting all the ABC books for the Grandkids and friends