Wide Open: A Life in Supercross [Hardcover]

Jeremy McGrath (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2004

The champion supercross racer offers a personal memoir of his own life and the sport that has evolved from a 1970s sideshow to an internationally popular extreme phenomenon and provides expert tips on how to become a supercross racer, common bike problems, and more. 35,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this gossipy, spiteful memoir, champion Supercross motorcycle racer McGrath wastes no opportunity to settle scores and gloat over vanquished enemies. Targets include his former Yamaha sponsors ("how quickly people can turn their back on you"), Supercross rivals Damon Bradshaw ("failed to win a single pro championship") and Jeff Emig ("always felt he was above everyone else") and "spoiled diva" actress Alyssa Milano ("she was a little bit out of shape and her butt was kind of big.") The nursing of resentments gives some energy and focus to an otherwise slack, anecdotal recounting of McGrath's aimless off-track existence as it meanders from his party-hearty bachelorhood, to his tense but dull courtship of his wife, to the furnishing of his home ("I rubbed my knees on each individual carpet sample page to simulate lying on the floor watching TV.") McGrath's account of his on-track career is preoccupied with the minutiae of sponsorship and endorsement deals and a catalogue of his record-setting accomplishments, but it occasionally includes revealing material on racing strategy and the exploitation of riders by promoters. Advice sidebars on topics like motorcycle maintenance ("modestly apply oil to filter, then gently massage in") and career-building ("you need parents to supplement your paper-route money and take you to the races") may be of interest to young Supercross wannabes, who will be further inspired by the countless photos of McGrath and motorcycle soaring through the air.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Supercross, a supercharged version of motocross motorcycle racing, is a high-speed, flamboyant, and potentially very dangerous sport. It takes a special combination of talent and guts to excel, and McGrath, supercross' winningest competitor, has both. Fans of this relatively new sport and of its living legend will flock to this new autobiography (written with coauthor Palmer). It's a book that captures the public image of the sport--wild living, high octane, guts 'n' glory--while also promoting the notions of safety, common sense, and dedication. Parents of young racers will enjoy the book for its subtle message (even when it looks like fun and games, success is a lot of hard work), while younger readers will thrill to its stories of a racer's adventurous lifestyle. McGrath has had an interesting ride, from obscurity to top of the supercross ladder, and his story will be relished by anyone with an interest in this unusual sport. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperEntertainment; 1 edition (January 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060537272
• ISBN-13: 978-0060537272
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #220,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Motorcycle Racing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight and easy reading book, January 9, 2004

By 

Gary A Collins (Escondido, Ca USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wide Open: A Life in Supercross (Hardcover)

Other than magizines, I don't normally read books. But my hats off to Jeremy. This is a great book about family values, frinedships, sacrifices, facts and his living history of the Motocross industry. There are many insights into what happens behind the races that will open your eyes. It's not just about racing - Jeremy goes into preparation, both physical and mental and politics amongst the race teams. I read this book in three days and it won't take you long either. I learned allot about how individuals in the grueling sport of Motocross. I strongly recommend this book - young and old. A must for someone in the sport.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful MX Book, April 14, 2004

By 

Charles Loomis (Gloversville, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wide Open: A Life in Supercross (Hardcover)

I just finished reading "Wide Open". It is an excellent book and should have been written a long time ago as MX riders have been terribly exploited over the years. Many were forced out of this demanding sport by injuries that would alter the rest of their lives physically, emotionally and financially.

Jeremy McGrath wrote an engaging and moving testament to the sport that will help riders, sponsors, and promoters better understand what is exactly at stake when a rider goes to the line.

Thanks, Jeremy, you have helped to make motocross a better experience for everyone.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for any supercross fan!, January 21, 2004

By 

Robert C Brinkley (Broken Arrow, Ok United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wide Open: A Life in Supercross (Hardcover)

By far, the most in depth look at the life of a factory racer. By "in depth" I dont mean all contracts and training. The book chronicles Jeremys perepective year by year as he rises up the ranks of amature racing thru his pro career. Included are halarious stories of, as Jeremy puts it, "What I do when no one is looking." Buy, borrow, or if you have to, steal this book. You wont be disappointed.