stu thomsen was one of the first of the "old school" of professional bmx racers who gained fame in the early days of the sport beginning in 1974. his prime competitive years were 1976–1985. sometimes called the babe ruth of bmx for his prolific success and domination of bmx racing during the sport's early days from the mid-1970s into the mid-1980s, thomsen's considerable career accolades and legacy remain a benchmark for modern sports achievement.