"Bad Brad" as he was called became America's first World Champion in 1982 after 10 years of facing the world on his own to fulfill his dream. The young rider from Northern California trained behind the iron curtain to learn how to ride against the dominating Europeans and became the fastest rider in America winning the 1972 AMA 500cc National Championship. From there, the long struggle on various brands including Kawasaki, Husqvarna, Honda and finally on Suzuki which he won his title on in August of 1982.