Gene Cook

Career at a Glance

Hometown Blue Springs, Missouri

Started Racing 1979

Sanction ABA

First Sponsor Calvin & Laura’s Schwinn

Teams Calvin & Laura’s Schwinn, Jameson Distributing, Factory TRS

First Race Bike Kuwahara

Some BMX racers were remembered for their raw power. Others became known for charging into every obstacle with little concern for what might happen next. Gene Cook earned a different reputation. Gene was smooth, controlled, and deceptively fast. He understood how to carry speed around a racetrack, often making difficult sections look almost effortless.

From Blue Springs to the ABA

Gene began racing in 1979 and became part of the developing BMX community in Blue Springs, Missouri. His first sponsorship came from Calvin & Laura’s Schwinn through a Kuwahara co-sponsorship program, and his first race bike was a Kuwahara. He later raced for Jameson Distributing and Factory TRS. Each team connected Gene to a larger network of Kansas City racers who competed locally, traveled throughout the region, and helped establish the area’s reputation within ABA BMX.

Making Speed Look Effortless

Gene’s riding style distinguished him from many of his contemporaries. Like Tim Sparks, he could appear calm and controlled while moving remarkably fast. Rather than wasting motion, Gene used the track itself—maintaining momentum, choosing efficient lines, and finding places to pass where other riders might not have recognized an opportunity. Steve Burasco remembered watching Gene race: “Always out front. Fast and smooth. Used to watch him pass without pedaling. He taught me a lot about racing and having fun on a BMX bike!” The observation that Gene could “pass without pedaling” says more about his ability than a list of adjectives could. He knew how to generate speed before entering a section, preserve that momentum, and use it when another rider had already begun slowing down.

Teaching Through Example

Steve’s recollection also reveals something beyond racing technique. Gene taught younger riders about having fun on a BMX bike. His influence came through example—watching how he rode, how he approached racing, and how naturally he combined competition with enjoyment. That influence continued beyond the riders who competed directly against him. Bryan Jones later named Gene among the Kansas City BMX racers who influenced him, placing Gene within a group that included Drew Jameson, Curt Bales, George Stewart, Tim Sparks, Doug Prather, Steve Gibson, Dean Berry, Tim Applegate, and David Little.

Fast and Smooth

Many details of Gene Cook’s racing record remain to be documented. His first track, favorite bicycle, district rankings, and major race finishes have not yet been established. Nevertheless, the people who watched him race remember exactly what made him special. Gene Cook was fast without appearing frantic, competitive without losing the enjoyment of riding, and skilled enough to teach simply by being watched. “Always out front. Fast and smooth.”