Here’s the legendary film “Rad” in all its entirety. Some of you younger guys probably haven’t seen this… but now you have your chance to check it out.
“RAD BMX 1980 HD
Rad is a film about BMX racing, first released in the USA in 1986. The film was written by Sam Bernard and Geoffrey Edwards and directed by Hal Needham. It stars Bill Allen and Lori Loughlin. Parts of this movie were filmed in Cochrane in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, Colonel Macleod Jr. High School, and at Bowness Park, both in Calgary, Alberta.
Plot
The film’s story focuses on Cru Jones (Bill Allen), a young BMX racer who lives in a small town with his mother (Talia Shire) and sister. Cru is faced with a tough decision: the qualifying races for Helltrack are the same day as his SATs, which he must take in order to attend college. However, winning Helltrack means a lucrative sponsorship deal and fame. Cru chooses the latter option, ignoring his mother’s wishes.
The Helltrack race is endorsed by the city and a duplicitous Duke Best (Jack Weston), president of The Federation of American Bicyclists and owner of Mongoose bicycles. Best keeps adjusting the rules in order to keep Cru out of the race and to ensure BMX star Bart Taylor (1984 Olympic gymnastics champion Bart Conner) has an easy road to victory, thus providing a financial windfall for Mongoose Racing, Bart’s sponsor.
Racers from all around come to this small town for the Helltrack and Cru meets Christian Hollings (Lori Loughlin), who becomes Cru’s romantic interest. Christian and Cru have an interesting scene at the local high school dance where, instead of dancing like the other couples, they perform freestyle bike stunts on the dance floor, to the awe of many. Duke Best and his flunkie step over to the punchbowl, and “wake up those drinks” to which the mayor/restaurant manager says “don’t mind if I do.” After being blocked from the race due to a last minute rule change on participant sponsorship, Cru is ready to give up his dreams of winning Helltrack. Christian provides Cru with an idea for how he can still enter the race. With the help of one of the townsfolk, Mr. Timmer (Ray Walston) and the founding of “Rad Racing,” a small t-shirt business started by Cru’s classmate Matt Weston., Cru is finally able to enter Helltrack. Sgt. Smith tells Cru to “pretend he’s in the lumberyard….Go balls out.”
Duke has his riders hold back while ahead of Cru in an attempt to sabotage his race, without success. Bart, who leads the race, slows down so that he and Cru can face each other one-on-one in the final stretch. Cru wins, and offers Bart a spot in Rad Racing as the film ends.”
Random photo… Bill Allen (Cru Jones) and I years ago at NORA Cup during Interbike in Las Vegas. Cru Jones bought me a drink! Not too many people can say that, haha!
Loved this movie back in my time. Glad to see it again after 30 plus years.
I remember watching the movie with my siblings. I was a teenager back then, I’m now 41.(lol) I’d watch this movie over and over again. It’s really good.
In my top 10 of all time. Used to own it back in the day??
Top 10! or 1! Thanks so much even though I could not do 1% of those moves but we tried!
Good old great movie!!!
Razor Ramon
I watched this movie when I was a teenager and have been looking for it for years. Just now finishing it brings back so many memories growing up in such a simpler time. Thank you for posting this movie, it was a real joy watching it.
Great movie, great memories. As one of the 3 Canadians involved in the filming and full production of RAD, it was amazing being part of the process of filming this movie. The other two were Kirk Bujumbura (AKA: Captain Kirk, fellow NORCO Freestyle Team Member) and Jeff Ingram (Canadian Pro BMX Racer). Highlight was riding with many other notable names in 1980’s BMX and working with Hal Needham and others from the Hollywood scene. Meeting Mr. Hand (from Fast Times at Ridgemont High) and Talia Shire (from the Rocky series we’re great. Most memorable was Jamie Clarke, Supporting Actor who also climbed Everest after the movie and has so many cool adventures to add to his CV as a RAD main actor.
Here’s to the filming of RAD-2. I am certain that a creative, visionary and RAD supporter of this film from the next generation of BMX’ers will have the vision and desire to film this sequel.
~ Pat
Super stoked! I’m always one for the underdog!
Named my first born son Cru ❤️ After Cru Jones.. Stoked this is out ! 👏🏽