Bill (Billy the kid) Rotton

Bill and his daughter Carlie

Name:  Bill Rotton

Age:  38

Home: Waterloo,  Iowa

Bike(s):  Honda & Yamaha

What was your race number on your bike?  33

Years Riding: 15           

Years Racing: 15       

Classes: 80/125/250           

Race Goals: To be a positve and fair rider.

Sponsors: Dad mostly, Tuff later in carreer.

Favorite Track: Tipton, Iowa

What's your worst crash?  Broken neck at Byron, Il motosports park.  Oct 15, 1988

Who is your favorite rider nationally, and why?  Roger DeCoster, because he is a classy guy and racer.

Who is your favorite rider locally, and why?  Austin Raubs, and the Kleins.

How many times a week did you practice? 
Everyday except monday unless it rained.

How did you train for a race? Ran and Jogged.

How did you keep fit in the off season? Snow Skiing

How did you prepare  for a race? 1st get sick (nerves), and try to relax.

Do you think that female and male riders should race separate classes?
No big deal to me, everyone should be able to compete in any class no matter of sex.

Is there a lot of competition locally?
Not as much now as back when I raced, there were over 40 tracks in Iowa alone then. Plus the high costs of todays bikes keep out more posible riders.

Who maintained your bike?   My dad

Did you do any freestyle tricks?  Back in my day it was not important.

On average, how many race events did you compete in during a year?   3 events a weekend midseason.

Does your family provide you support, moral, etc.?  Yes.

Is there anything else that you would like us to know about yourself?
I just want to keep being a good father to Carlie &  to be a better person.

With what happened at Byron and breaking your neck, do you wish you never raced? 
No, because I saw alot, it was a great learning experience from state to state.
Meeting Professionals of the sport was wonderful.  Beside being paralized has tought me many things specially patience.

What do think of todays racers compared to racers of your day?
I don't like style of todays riders, this block passing thing shows no respect.  When I raced you used finese and control when you passed a rider, you either jumped further or did other things to make a pass.

Bill was riding before there was color. (Just kidding Bill)

Bill and his little yellow YZ

He has a beautiful daughter named Carlie who shares alot of that great character and respectfulness. She is a brown belt in a very demanding and disciplined form of karate called Seishin-Ryu. Bill is always there for her in all aspects of her training. From giving her rides to and from class to donating his vehicle for weekend karate excursions.

Bill has stayed competitive in other forms of life besides motocross, He has become a very skilled pool player and have several awards to show for it.

I want to personally thank Bill for sharing a little motocross history with me and MXIOWA.COM.
If you see Bill at the races or at a karate tournament make sure you stop and say hi.

Bill & Roger DeCoster

Bill has his Honda flying here!

Young Bill checking out the trophy girls

Bill on his RM100

Bill doing that back yard double