Mike Miranda (BMX rider)

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Michael Felty formerly Miguel Juan Miranda (born November 15, 1963) is a former American "Old School" professional Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racer whose prime competitive years were from 1981 to 1986. His previous surname which he is still widely and most familiarly known by, "Miranda", was his stepfather's name. There seem to be two stories on how he got his nickname "Hollywood". It was either coined by Bicycle Motocross Action (BMXA) editor Steve Giberson because he liked to "show off"; or he had pretty much gave himself the moniker by having a name sticker under the visor of his helmet reading "My name is Hollywood", which was noticed at the 1981 NBA Roncho Nationals. Here is how he tells it in this 1982 quote: "This guy I know that races motorcycles in Southern California is a real jerk. Every time you did something stupid, we would call you by his last name. 'You're such a Smith.' And at the Super Bowl of Motocross three years ago (in 1979), he raced and had "Hollywood" on the back of his jersey. From then on, whenever you did something stupid, we would say: 'You're such a Hollywood'. It was meant as a putdown but now I guess it's compliment. I just tell people that they call me that because I like to show off. Steve Giberson started it." -Mike Miranda Super BMX April 1983. Much like fellow pro racers Eric Rupe and Shawn Texas, he was a born again Christian who credited much of his success to God. Mike Hollywood Miranda now runs the new updated CW Racing https://web.archive.org/web/20110130223520/http://www.cw-racing.com/ He is using the old school retro style 4130 cromo frame and fork. CW has been widely popular by demand of the classic style of BMX. Mike Miranda had "Miranda Mountain" named after him at the Corona-Norco YMCA BMX track. It was a 180 degree table-top jump/turn. The young guys loved to see him show off on Miranda Mountain.

Racing career milestones

Note: Professional first are on the national level unless otherwise indicated. Started Racing: September or October 1977 at 13 years old in "Six Grade Class". His first race was at a district school race that was scheduled to meet once a month on a Saturday at Corona Raceway in Corona, California. Every school in his district including his Junior High School in Riverside, California, would participate. The racers raced in their actual grade level and not in a BMX age class. There were no proficiency classes like "Novice" and "Expert". For this reason and that his parents did not want him to get a motorcycle is the reason Mike Miranda started in BMX. Sanctioning Body: Riverside School District. First race result: Unknown. "I won a lot". However, this statement is contradicted by a factoid in the BMX Plus! 1988 Calendar. According it Mike Miranda didn't win his first trophy, let alone win, until February 7, 1978, four months after he started racing. First win (local): See above, unknown. First sponsor: Steady Pedaler Bike Shop. First national win: Never won an expert class division while an amateur Turned Professional: February 15, 1982, at age 18 the day after the American Bicycle Association (ABA)'s Winter Nationals in Chandler, Arizona. First Professional race result: Fifth place in "A" pro on February 15, 1982, the day after the ABA Winter Nationals at the post race.". First Professional win: In "B" Pro at the National Bicycle League (NBL) national in Bakersfield, California, on May 30, 1982. First Junior Pro race result:* See above. First Junior Pro win:** See above. First Senior Pro race result: First place in "A" Pro at the National Bicycle League (NBL)/International BMX Federation (IBMXF) Magic Mountain Grand Prix of the United States on October 31, 1982, in Valencia, California. He won US$2,000. the equivalent to US$4,263.21 in 2007 (Cost of Living Calculator). He moved himself up from "B" pro to "A" Level he could have won nine more "B" division races before NBL rule required him to graduate to "A" division. The NBL management went along with his decision since he was doing very well in the "B" pro class at the time it seemed unfair to the other "B" level competitors. Miranda had 11 "B" pro wins with the NBL at the time in addition to a further four junior "A" pro wins with the ABA. First Senior Pro win: See above. Retired: Effectively April 3, 1989, in Orlando, Florida, due to a severe back injury. It was a career ender. Height & weight at height of his career : *****In the NBL "B" Pro/Super Class/"A" pro depending on the era; in the ABA "A" pro. ******In the NBL "A" Pro/"Elite Men"; in the ABA "AA" pro.

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 given.

Amateur

Professional

Career bicycle motocross titles

Note: Listed are District, State/Provincial/Department, Regional, National, and International titles in italics. "Defunct" refers to the fact of that sanctioning body in question no longer existing at the start of the racer's career or at that stage of his/her career. Depending on point totals of individual racers, winners of Grand Nationals do not necessarily win National titles. Series and one off Championships are also listed in block.

Amateur

National Bicycle Association (NBA) National Bicycle League (NBL) American Bicycle Association (ABA) International Bicycle Motocross Federation (IBMXF)

Professional

National Bicycle Association (NBA) National Bicycle League (NBL) American Bicycle Association (ABA) United States Bicycle Motocross Association (USBA) International Bicycle Motocross Federation (IBMXF) Special races, Invitationals and Pro Series Championships

BMX Product lines

Notable accolades

What makes Miranda's victory such a stand out is that Miranda did not win a major race event up to that point in 1985 when the voting took place.

Significant injuries

An unknown accident almost completely severed his left ear off, but with medical attention it was reattached and remains permanently deformed.

Racing habits and traits

Post BMX career

BMX magazine covers

Bicycle Motocross News: Minicycle/BMX Action & Super BMX: Bicycle Motocross Action & Go: BMX Plus!: *****Due to a change of ownership, BMX Plus! did not publish a May issue in 1983. BiCross Magazine (French Publication): Total BMX Movies (RAD) Bicycles and Dirt (ABA Publication): NBA World & NBmxA World (The official NBA/NBmxA membership publication): Bicycles Today' & BMX Today (The official NBL membership publication under two names): ABA Action, American BMXer, BMXer (The official ABA membership publication under three names): USBA Racer (The official USBA membership publication):

BMX press magazine interviews and articles

*****Due to a change of ownership, BMX Plus! did not publish a May issue in 1983.

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