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Tom Reese of the Moto Armory Collection will offer a selection of more than 150 vintage off-road motorcycles at the 27th annual Las Vegas motorcycle auction this January.

Like most people, the path of Tom Reese’s life has been profoundly guided by the influence of his parents, Robert and Carol Reese. And like most people, it’s a story made

atypical by the unique circumstances and personalities of his parents. The typical portion of the story is that Tom and his two older brothers, Dennis and David, grew up in 1960s-era Midwest America in Geneseo, Illinois, on a 400-acre farm that to those young boys seemed huge. Their father raised corn and beans, cattle, hogs and chickens. Their mother was a stay-at-home parent, helping on the farm and taking care of the family. Tom and his brothers spent time playing and exploring the farm but also had chores to do. Weekends were spent with friends and extended family, often on the banks of the nearby Mississippi and Rock Rivers. That’s pretty much where the typical ends.

As a 17 year old, Bob Reese was the junior national trap-shooting champion of North America. Because of his interest in and proficiency with firearms, as well as the proximity of the Rock Island Arsenal to Geneseo, Bob also became an army surplus dealer. From the arsenal, he would buy gun parts, military vehicles, army helmets and rifle slings—just about anything the government deemed obsolete. That meant that while the barns on the Reese farm held the typical farming equipment and materials such as tractors and hay, there were also brand-new rifle and pistol magazines, a tank, a Jeep, Weasel, M1 Garand and carbine slings and butt stocks, M2 Browning 50-caliber parts, along with all the other treasures found at the Arsenal, all stacked to the barn rafters.

During one trip to the Arsenal, Bob became aware of an official government notice of procurement marked as an urgent need

for 20,000 BAR machine-gun 20-round magazines. The Army needed these for the soldiers serving in Vietnam. Bob knew he had purchased some of those magazines as obsolete spare parts from the Arsenal. He approached the General in charge to let him know he could supply what the Army needed. The skeptical General couldn’t believe that a farmer with pig manure on his boots actually had what U.S. servicemen desperately needed in a barn just 30 miles away. Bob persisted, and with the help of a local congressman, the deal was made. The boys used rash-inducing, harsh chemicals to clean the mags, pack them and load them onto a special government supply plane waiting at the Quad Cities airport.

Tom grew up in this typical yet extraordinary environment, in a family led by his hardworking and resourceful parents. He and his brothers had typical farm chores—feeding chickens, herding cattle, aiding in the delivery of pigs. Other chores and the methods used to complete them weren’t so typical. Tom learned from his father that there is usually more than one way to accomplish a task. If timber needs to be cleared and a working bulldozer isn’t available, an army tank does the trick. The same tank with a blade on the front also makes a fine snow plow. If the chainsaw is broken, a few bursts from a machine gun will bring branches in need of trimming down just fine. Removing tree stumps is easy with a stump grinder, but using dynamite gets the job done as well and, to Bob and the boys, was much more entertaining. If the sale-barn horses ridden by your boys and used to herd 500 head of cattle on your farm have bitten or thrown those same boys and sent them to the hospital one too many times, get rid of the horses, buy and use old military surplus motorcycles to herd the cows instead.

THE STORY OF TOM REESE AND HIS FANTASTIC ASSEMBLAGE

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When Bob sold the horses and bought motorcycles, Tom and his brothers spent all their spare time riding. At first, they shared a 60cc Yamaha scooter. As they got older, the Reese boys would build their own go-karts and minibikes, using those surplus barns full of goodies as their parts warehouse. They rode anything they could get running around the family farm. Because of the cattle, the Reese property was like a perfectly groomed golf course, which gave them access to the entire farm, not just the fields but also the dense timber, steep hills, streams and mud holes. Riding this varied terrain day in and day out year-round laid the foundation for Tom to have a successful career racing off-road motorcycles competitively.

A self-proclaimed gun nut, Bob passed his love and respect for firearms to his wife and sons. Many families share this same passion, but when Bob would take Tom and his brothers shooting, it wasn’t to the range to do some plinking at targets or pop cans. Rather, they would gather at the farm dump, and Bob would hide various items such as a can of gas, some sticks of dynamite or perhaps a can of paint among the debris. He would then detonate those hidden things with tracer rounds from a 50-caliber machine gun. There truly was never a dull moment with Bob around. Tom fondly remembers the day the school bus pulled up to the farmhouse, and the three Reese boys got off. Tom was about 6 years old. The big old family sedan was parked in the barnyard by the house. Bob timed it

so as the school bus pulled away and his sons were making their way to the house, he burst through the door, cowboy hat on his head and a pair of pearl-handled Colt revolvers in the holsters of his gun belt. He ran toward the car, yelling “You no-good piece of junk!” And he unloaded those revolvers into the side of the car. The revolvers were shooting blanks, but all Tom and his brothers knew was that their dad was standing there acting out a scene from some Western movie.

Tom recalls, on more than one occasion, sitting at the dinner table when a flock of geese flying overhead would be heard. His dad would jump up with the urgency of a house afire, grab a Thompson submachine gun, run outside and empty a 50-round drum of .45-caliber ammo into the sky trying to bring down a bird. He was never successful, and this isn’t a typical method of putting food on the table, but it sure was fun to watch.

Tom learned so much from his father. The lessons from his childhood are what made him the kind of person he is today. Whether providing for and raising healthy successful children, or operating a healthy successful business, hard work is necessary. But hard work doesn’t have to be drudgery, and Bob did well in demonstrating that to his boys. Bob and Carol started off paying Tom and his brothers 10 cents an hour. Tom learned that the longer he was willing to work, the more money he had. As a 6 year old, Tom could use that money to buy candy when the family went into town. As he got older and the pay increased, he could buy dirt bikes or a car, or use it for the cussing jar. In fact, Tom’s first car was an army surplus Ambassador sedan painted in olive drab with “Property of U.S. Army” painted on the doors. He also learned that if he didn’t give in to instant gratification, or didn’t swear, he could save and the things he really wanted to have would be his much sooner.

Bob Reese at the farmhouse with his three boys

Bob returned to “The Grand” in his early 50s and did remarkably well breaking 98 out of a 100 clay targets

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Tom also remembers hearing from both his father and his grandfather that a person doesn’t always have to be the smartest guy in the room to succeed. The best thing to do is to always surround oneself with good, intelligent, hardworking people.

Tom and Denny started racing competitively in local enduros and hare scrambles in the early 1970s. They didn’t have the newest bikes or best equipment, but what they did have was very good off-road riding skills. Wearing jeans, work boots and farm gloves, the Reese boys were competing against men in their 20s and 30s. It wasn’t long before they were winning most of those local races, so they shifted their focus to national events. At that time, Tom’s ultimate goal was to become a member of the U.S. ISDT (International Six Day Trials) team. To do that, he had to compete in qualifier races that lasted two or three days and covered distances of between 200 to 400 miles. These races were held all over the country—Oregon to New Jersey, Texas to Minnesota and everywhere in between.

Like many Midwest boys, Tom was a part of his high school football team. But unlike most, after the Friday night games, he would get in his van with his brother, Denny, and drive all night to one of these qualifier races. He’d race a two- or three-day event, then get home just in time for school on Tuesday. Understandably, his football coach, teachers and principal were not happy about this arrangement. His parents though, felt like he was getting a different kind of education, so they supported him. It was through those qualifiers and national enduros that Tom met Jack Penton and became familiar with Penton Racing Team. He was thrilled to be invited to the Penton factory to set up his bike. Tom’s heroes in the racing world were men like Malcolm Smith, Jack Penton, Dick Burleson and Frank Gallo. He admired their riding abilities and accomplishments and strove to emulate them.

Over the course of many years, Tom won top honors in the Midwest, as well as Open A class honors at various national enduros. Tom didn’t make the ISDT team, but he was chosen as first alternate in 1976. He was thrilled to travel to Czechoslovakia to provide support for his brother Denny and the U.S. team. Tom continued to ride qualifiers until 1983, but then, due to serious back injuries, he stopped to devote all his time to work.

At about the same time Tom and his brothers started racing, Bob was able to fulfill one of his dreams of making his passion his career when he was able to purchase Springfield Armory. The original Springfield Armory was started by George Washington in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1794, Springfield started to manufacture cannons, muskets and other small arms for the brand-new United States. For every major American conflict over the next 150 years, Springfield

Armory was one of the main suppliers of arms for the U.S. government. With legendary and historically significant weapons like the Springfield 1903 rifle, the M1 Garand rifle (which General George Patton declared was “the greatest battle implement ever devised”), and the 1911A1 pistol and M14 rifle, Springfield Armory built millions of rifles and pistols that were critical to the preservation of freedoms all Americans hold dear.

Due to budgetary constraints, the government closed the original Springfield Armory in 1968. Bob Reese was familiar with the company and understood its rich and significant history. In 1974, when he was once again in the right place at the right time, he had the opportunity to purchase the rights to the company, as well as unique drawings and tooling critical to manufacturing Springfield firearms. He and Carol mortgaged their farm, risking everything to pursue this opportunity. Bob bought the company, moved it to Geneseo, and with the help of his wife, sons and one secretary, the “new” Springfield Armory was born.Tom in 1975 at age 17

Tom competing in the Alabama qualifier in 1979

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Tom decided after high school to forego college and work full-time in the business with his father and brothers. Bob, Tom and Denny traveled the world building the business and relationships with top-quality suppliers on a global scale. The boys were still young, impressionable and thirsting for knowledge, and Bob delivered in spades as the same spirit of the young farmer talking to the General at the Arsenal was still in Bob as the company continued to grow.

In the early 1980s, Bob and Carol recognized the level of growth and success that the company was having due in part to Tom and Denny’s hard work, and they chose to sell the assets of the company to their sons. Together, Tom and Denny developed many new product lines and models and grew the business from one of a few employees to what it is today: one of the largest and most respected gun manufacturers in the world. Early on, they also selected and trained an incredibly talented staff, made up mostly of schoolmates, friends, some family and local Geneseo residents. Like Bob, Tom and Denny, most of the original management staff did not have extensive higher educations or advanced degrees. What they all did have was an incredible work ethic, enthusiasm and determination. Most of these same people are still at Springfield Armory today and have become among the top administrative leaders in the business and industry; without their help, Springfield wouldn’t be what it is today.

One of the first international trips that the Reeses made as owners of the new Springfield Armory was to Italy to visit another area known for centuries as “gun valley.” Beretta, Bernadelli, Tangfolio and many other prestigious, well-known Italian gun makers are located in this region. Before outsourcing was a common manufacturing practice, Bob’s

vision was to secure relationships and negotiate contracts with well-qualified and experienced gun makers that could provide Springfield Armory with top-quality parts at a fair price. This concept proved to be visionary as Tom and Denny took this approach and secured contracts with gun makers all over the world, many of which are still in place today.

As the company and its catalog of products expanded, Springfield became involved in the shooting sports. This was again a result of Bob’s guidance and his love for shooting and competition. Bob knew that taking an active role in shooting sports was a method to promote the super-accurate M14-M1A rifle as well as the legendary M1 Garand rifle. Bob took Tom and his brothers to Camp Perry near Port Clinton, Ohio. Camp Perry has been the host of the

Civilian Marksmanship Program and the National Rifle matches sponsored by the NRA since the early 1900s. Known as the world series of shooting sports, the national matches draw marksmen of all abilities from all over the world. The Reeses paid particular attention to the civilian competitors who took part in the grueling long-range rifle matches.

Observing individuals trying to compete against military and team-sponsored competitors, Tom and Denny saw themselves when they were first breaking into the national motorcycle-racing scene. Just as they benefited from the support of Penton Racing, Tom and Denny wanted to offer that same kind of support to these shooters through help with inspecting, maintaining and improving their equipment. Becoming and remaining involved in the matches at Camp Perry is a prime example of how an idea fostered by Bob and implemented using lessons learned from racing motorcycles is the basis of the success of Springfield Armory as a business and of Tom Reese as man.

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After adding the 1911 A1 pistol to their product line, Springfield wanted to become involved in the widely enjoyed sport of action pistol shooting. After seeing a few local bowling-pin matches, Tom again recognized the similarity between shooters and himself as a motorcycle competitor. Many of the local competitors were very talented but needed newer equipment or technical support, and with Springfield’s help, these local shooters could take their hobby to another level. The decision was made to start sponsoring some of these talented people, and Team Springfield was born. Team members were given a frame, slide and barrel that could be built to each individual’s specification. Others received complete pistol kits, or actual free pistols. This perk for team members was unheard of at the time it was implemented, as were team uniforms, another first that Tom was quick to execute. He created the first shooting-team uniform using motorcycle-racing gear as his model. Tom designed them using the same company that makes uniforms for NASCAR pit crews and drivers. Team members like Ken Tapp, Allen Fulford, John Shaw and Doug Koenig, Jerry Barnhardt, Chip McCormick and many others were thrilled with the uniforms and proud to have a supportive partner in Springfield, and when they started showing up to matches, they caused quite a stir.

Two of the earliest members of Team Springfield were Arizona’s Rob Leatham and Brian Enos. Known as the dynamic duo, Rob and Brian were competing with each other at nearly every event for top honors. Fierce competitors, Brian and Rob were also best friends, training partners, neighbors and dirt-bike riding partners. Their abilities and their kindness coupled with their friendship and generous spirits made them favorites among spectators and other competitors, and they became the faces of Team Springfield and very close friends with Tom. In 1989, Rob was offered a major contract by Springfield,

which earned him the nickname of million-dollar man and allowed him to become the first full-time professional action pistol shooter. Today, Rob is still competing at a very high level. In his career, Rob is a 24-time USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) and seven-time IPSC (International Practical Shooting Championship) world champion. Rob still works full-time for Springfield Armory in promotions and advertising efforts as well as new-product development and testing.

The early 2000s was a time of extreme growth for Springfield Armory. Tom and Denny decided to add a critical new member to the Springfield management

team to help them with overall business decisions and new product development. They called on this long-time business partner and family friend to become a senior consultant of the business. He not only improved all aspects of the business, but also developed the next product line for Springfield: the XD pistol. The XD family of handguns is designed and produced by HS Produkt, Croatia, and has since become a vital part of Springfield’s family of firearms and accelerated the growth and success of the company. Tom believes that this man is the smartest person he’s ever known and is eternally grateful to him for his friendship, wisdom and guidance.

Team Springfield’s Rob Leatham graced the cover of “Gun Games” magazine in 1995

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In 2014, after almost 40 years at Springfield, Tom sold his half of the business to his brother, Denny, and retired. Retiring allowed Tom more free time to pursue his hobby of researching, locating and, in many cases, restoring vintage dirt bikes. He was made aware of an opportunity to purchase an incredible collection of vintage dirt bikes from the Greg Primm MX collection by Rick Doughty from Vintage Iron. Tom’s business sense told him this was a good investment, and his love for these machines told him it’d be the realization of a dream. Tom made the deal, and the Reese collection was born. With the blessing and encouragement of his wife, Jane, and their three children, Tom’s collection today now includes more than 900 rare, amazing, unique bikes. From Aprilla to Zundapp, all off-road racing disciplines are represented, whether it’s MX, ISDT, Flat Track, Hill Climb or Trials bikes. From Malcolm Smith’s gold-medal original 1967 Husqvarna ISDT and Bob Hannah’s original championship-winning Yamaha, and from Scotty Parker’s championship- winning Harley-Davidson XR 750 to more than 75 actual authentic “Works Bikes,” this collection has it all, including many other historically significant bikes and incredible racing machines. And this January in Las Vegas, buyers will have the opportunity to own some of these legendary and coveted bikes. Tom has relied on the lessons he learned from his father and those learned from co-owning and helping build the new Springfield Armory, and he once again surrounded himself with amazing people while working to build this assemblage. This collection is his passion and his dream, but it wouldn’t have been possible or come close to being as impressive and extensive as it is without the assistance and expertise of Shane Salisbury, Cody Vipond, Ray Sterns, Dave DeBaene, Dick Southwick and Pat O’Brien. For all of them, as well as his parents and family, Tom is very grateful.

Tom with his wife, Jane, in 1994

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While Tom was an accomplished woods (or cross country) rider and has several people he admires in that field, he also has great respect for professional riders who compete at half-mile and mile dirt-track races held at legendary tracks like the Springfield (Illinois) mile, the duQuoin mile and the Peoria TT. One of those riders was Davey Camlin. Tom was very impressed by Davey’s drive, his attitude and his skill. He was amazed by what Davey and his fellow competitors did on the dirt track—racing at speeds from 80 to 120 MPH. He was so impressed that he decided to have Springfield sponsor Davey in the grueling AMA dirt-track racing series. Tom and Davey developed a very special and close friendship.

Davey was having a great season in 1999 until the DuQuoin mile in July. Tom received word that Davey had been involved in a horrific crash and passed away on the track that hot summer night. While rare, the potential for fatal crashes is always present during these high-speed dirt-track races. Tom was devastated by the news, and still struggles with the loss of his good friend to this day. With love, honor and a great deal of respect Tom has dedicated his collection to Davey Camlin.

In Memory of Davey Camlin

Malcolm Smith’s gold-medal original 1967 Husqvarna ISDT