Питер Лонкаревич: Американский велогонщик BMX

American BMX racer

Peter Pete Loncarevich (born April 8, 1966) is a former bicycle motocross (BMX) racer. Loncarevich was an "old school" professional BMX racer whose prime competitive years were from 1980 to 1994. He is of Croatian origin. Nicknamed the "Pistol Pete", Loncarevich received the moniker the way many racers did with the announcer choosing one for him. In 1984 at an American Bicycle Association national, Merl Mennenga, the founder and then President of the ABA, who often also announced "play by play" for the audience at ABA nationals called him "The Pistol" for his penchant in getting the "holeshot" out of the starting gate like a bullet out of a gun. It was also a simultaneous allusion to Loncarevich's similar sounding name to former professional National Basketball Association (NBA) Guard Pete Maravich who had the moniker of "Pistol Pete".

Note: Professional first are at the national level until otherwise indicated. Milestone Event DetailsStarted racing: Early 1977 Age 11 at Elk's BMX Lodge in Santa Ana, California. Sanctioning body: National Bicycle Association (NBA). Home sanctioning body district(s): American Bicycle Association (ABA) California 3 (CA 3) (1980); (CA 14) (1982)First race bike: Schwinn Sting RayFirst race result: Second in 11 Novice. Records are spotty. First sponsor: Cook Brothers 1977First national win: 1978 NBA Corona National 12 Expert. Turned Professional: December 1982 at age 17. First Professional race result: He raced in two local races without winning the mains. In his first pro race on the national level he got a second place in "A" pro on December 29 at the 1982 Jag World Championship (American Bicycle Association (ABA) sanctioned). He won US$500, the equivalent to US$1,074.09 in 2007 dollars. (Cost of Living Calculator) Immediately after the pro main a representative from Diamondback told Loncarevich that his contract with Diamondback was terminated for him turning pro. First Professional win: In "B" Pro at the National Bicycle League (NBL) War of the Stars (WOS) National in Northridge, California, on May 14, 1983. He won US$300, the equivalent to US$624.40 in 2007First Junior Men/Pro* race result: See "First professional race result". First Junior Men/Pro win: See "First Professional win"First Senior Pro** race result: Third place in "AA" pro at the ABA Spring Nationals in Fremont, California, on May 30, 1983. He won US$300 or US$624.40 in 2007 dollars. First Senior Pro win: In "AA" Pro at the 1983 ABA Wheaties Gold Cup in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 9, 1983. He won US$280, the equivalent of US$582.77 in 2007Height and weight at height of his career: Ht:6'1" Wt:~180 195 lbs. He underwent a substantial weight gain when he put on muscle during the 1985 and 1986 seasonsRetired from Senior pro (A/AA)* circuit: Unofficially in 1994, but like a lot of pros, they really retired only from the front line AA/A pro points chase circuit for the National no. 1 title. Racing never left his system. He came back to BMX by winning the ABA Masters class, the precursor to the Veteran Pro class, at the 1995 ABA Grand Nationals. He resumed 20" BMX racing on a competitive level in 2000 competing in the ABA's Masters/Veteran Pro class and in "A" pro. This was in addition to and simultaneous with his Mountain Bike (MTB) racing career where he won a Masters World Championship as well as multiple World Cup events. After another hiatus from racing, he competed in the 41 Over Expert class on March 26, 2010. *In the NBL it was/is "B" Pro/Super Class/"A" Pro/Junior Men, all depending on the era; in the ABA it has been and is "A" Pro regardless of the era (post 1980). **In the NBL it is "A" Pro/All Pros/"AA" Pro/Elite Men, all depending on the era; in the ABA it has been and is "AA" Pro regardless of the era (post 1980).

Note: This listing only denotes the racer's primary sponsors. At any given time a racer could have numerous 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.

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.

Broken arm at a race in New Jersey in 1980. Broke collar bone on October 25, 1987, at the ABA Western Regional Gold Cup in Reno, Nevada, five weeks before 1987 ABA Grand national. Was told he would be out three months by doctors, but Peter did not want to miss the Grands. He contacted a renowned sports medicine doctor that involved a 12 hour a day at a cost of $1000 per diem in an effort to retain. He attempted to race and made it as far as the semi finals, but did not transfer to the main. Broke two ribs while training on his bike on July 4, 1988, while visiting his cousin in Ohio. Laid up approximately a month. His first race back was the 1988 US Gold Cup Championships East event held in Mississippi. Sprained ankle playing basketball between the two weeks of January 24 and January 27, 1990, missing the ABA Lonestar Nationals held on the weekend of January 27.

During his amateur BMX career he was a member of a Rockabilly band singing and playing guitar in Orange County, California. Due to racing commitments he had to leave it but he still played during his leisure time. By most accounts he was very good.

In his early twenties he began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and other martial arts. He is now a 3rd degree black belt in BJJ under Joe Moreira. He has won a couple of titles including coming in first in the Black Belt Senior 1 Male Lightweight class at the 2006 Pan American Championship held by the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation under the Brazilian Confederation (CBJJ). Pete Loncarevich now teaches BJJ out of the Lotus Club in Medford, Oregon.

LRP Products by Pete Loncarevich Super BMX March 1982 Vol.9 No.3 pg.74 article about Loncarevich Racing Products, Pete's family owned BMX company. "Pete Loncarevich:"Pistol Pete" Shoots from the Hip" BMX Plus! April 1984 Vol.7 No.4 pg.48
"Devonshire" BMX Action July 1984 Vol.9 No.7 pg.26. One of eight mini interviews with other racers held during the 1984 Devonshire Downs NBL race. "Five minutes with Pete himself" BMX Action August 1984 Vol.9 No.8 pg.52
"Unquestionably Pete!" Super BMX September 1984 Vol.11 No.9 pg.16
"Pete Loncarevich's Last Lap At Lubbock" Bicycles and Dirt September 1984 Vol.2 No.10 pg.52 Mini sidebar with Loncarevich describing how best to race the 1983 ABA Lonestar National track in Lubbock, Texas. "Round Table Blabbin' With ABA Numero Uno Pro, Pistol Pete Loncarevich" BMX Action June 1985 Vol.10 No.6 pg.26
"Pistol Pete: Gunning for Glory" BMX Plus! August 1985 Vol.8 No.8 pg.59
"How I Won the ABA Number One Pro Plate" Super BMX & Freestyle September 1985 Vo.12 No.9 pg.36 Story written by Pete Loncarevich
"A Tale Of Two Champions" Super BMX & Freestyle December 1985 Vol.12 No.12 pg.26 Duel interview with Pete Loncarevich and Greg Hill on how they did at the 1985 NBL Grand Nationals. "Peter!" Super BMX & Freestyle January 1987 Vol.14 No.1 pg.47
"Pistol Pete's Training Plan" BMX Plus! March 1987 Vol.10 No.3 pg.40
"Peter Loncarevich" BMX Action December 1987 Vol.12 No.12 pg.14
"Hill & Loncarevich" BMX Plus! May 1988 Vol.11 No.5 pg.140 A joint interview with Greg Hill & Pete Loncarevich. "The Pistol Goes Off" Go Magazine December 1991 Vol.3 Issue 2 pg.18
"On the Air With BMX Plus! A BMX talk show?" BMX Plus! March 1992 Vol.15 No.3 pg.62. Partial transcript of radio show interview with Pete Loncarevich, Todd Anderson and Freestyler Dave Voelker. Vans' Grand Slam! Taking a stand on BMX!" BMX Plus! April 1992 Vol.15 No.4 pg.32 Interviews with Loncarevich and his team mates Terry Tenette, Steve Veltman and Racer/Team Manager Everette Rosecrans. "Bang, Bang The Pistol Fires Twice More" side bar. BMX Plus! June 1992 Vol.15 No.6 pg.19
"Pistol Pete Speaks" BMX Plus! July 1993 Vol.16 No.7 pg.64 Detailed article on Loncarevich's career. "Back In Action: Pete Loncarevich" Snap BMX Magazine July 2000 Vol.7 Iss.7 No.45 pg.87 mini interview about his return to BMX competition. "Flashback: Pete Loncarevich" Transworld BMX March 2003 Vol.10 Iss.3 No.77 pg.30

After BMX, Pete went on to have a major career in mountain biking, and after that, he, for a short time, was the team manager for the west coast Razor Scooter pro team, touring the world for such events as the Panasonic Core Tour, and various promotional demos.

Note: This listing only denotes the racer's primary sponsors. At any given time a racer could have numerous co sponsors. Primary sponsorships can be verified by MTB press coverage and sponsor's advertisements at the time in question. When possible exact dates are given.

Note: Listed are Regional, National, and International titles.

No amateur status. Because of his previous status of being a professional in BMX racing, he was placed into the professional class of MTB immediately.