Robert MacPherson (BMX rider)
Robert D. MacPherson (born February 9, 1971 in Norwalk, California) is a retired professional American "Old/Mid School" Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racer who competed mainly from 1995 to 2001. His nicknames were "MacFearsome", and "Big Mac". Racing career milestones Note: Professional firsts are on the national level unless otherwise indicated. Started racing: MacPherson started racing in 1976 at the age of four, where crashed on his first lap around the track in practice. He didn't attempt to race again until 1981, and this time he did not qualify. In his third race he got fourth place. He had a successful child amateur career after that, and then left the sport in late 1986 at 15 years of age. He resumed racing in 1994 with the ABA Fall Nationals in Burbank, California on October 21–23, 1994. Sanctioning body district(s): American Bicycle Association (ABA) California 9 (CA-9) (1983), CA-22 (1985) First race result: Did not qualify in 1981. Turned professional: November 1995, moments after his victory in becoming National No.1 Amateur at the ABA grand nationals. He was 23 years old. First professional race result: Eighth place (last) in Superclass at the National Bicycle League (NBL) Christmas Classic in Columbus, Ohio on December 28, 1995 (Day 1). Retired: MacPherson first retired after the 1986 ABA grand nationals to pursue football. He resumed racing in 1994 after an eight-year layoff at 23 years old. He missed the travel and camaraderie. He retired again in December 2002 to spend more time with his daughter. Career factory and major bike shop sponsors Note: This listing only denotes the racer's primary sponsors. At any given time a racer could have numerous ever-changing co-sponsors. Primary sponsorships can be verified by BMX press coverage and sponsor's advertisements at the time in question. When possible exact dates are used. Amateur Valencia Schwinn: 1982 Zap Clothing: 1983 Vans: 1983-February 1985 CW Racing:February 1985-November 1986. He retired after the 1986 ABA Grandnationals retired for 8 years (December 1986-Late 1994) Mongoose: May 1995-December 1998 He turned pro with this sponsor. Professional Mongoose: May 1995-December 1998 Diamond Back: December 1998 – 2001 The 1998 NBL Christmas Classic was his first race for Diamondback. To Fitness/Diamondback: 2001-2002 Free Agent/O'Neal: 2002 Career bicycle motocross titles Note: Listed are District, State/Provincial/Department, Regional, National, and International titles in italics. Depending on point totals of individual racers, winners of Grand Nationals do not necessarily win National titles. Only sanctioning bodies active during the racer's career are listed. Amateur National Bicycle Association (NBA) 1980 9 Novice Third Place Jag World Champion National Bicycle League (NBL) 1981 10 Expert JAG World Champion (NBL sanctioned) 1985 14 Expert National No.3 American Bicycle Association (ABA) 1983 California District 9 (CAL-9) No.1 1985 14 Expert Grandnational Champion 1985 14 Expert Winter season* California 22 (CA-22) District age group (DAG) champion. 1985 14 Expert National No.1 (NAG) 1985 National No.3 Retired for eight years 1995 21–25 Cruiser World Champion 1995 19 & Over Expert and 21–25 Cruiser Grandnational Champion 1995 National No.1 *In 1985 the