Launi DiMaggio

In the ’90s, every factory rider wore backward hats and sponsor gear. Launi DiMaggio gave them the one thing their contracts couldn’t: individual style.

Her Wildomar salon, Hairy Situation, became ground zero for the Supercross scene. McGrath, Emig, Windham, Factory Phil, Ryno, Budman, Button, the Albrecht brothers and eventually the rest of the top 20 passed through for frosted tips, peanut-butter-and-jelly colors, carved designs and whatever other damage Launi could talk them into. Racer X even operated out of the back. It was part salon, part clubhouse and part confession booth.

Jeremy and Jeff both trusted her with contracts, women and everything happening behind the scenes. Launi listened, gave advice and never carried information across the room.

Then their rivalry became her actual life.

Jeremy was one of her closest friends. Jeff became her boyfriend. As MC and Fro fought for the 1996 outdoor title, Launi was caught between the King and the man trying to dethrone him, wanting both to succeed while knowing only one could leave Steel City with the plate.

She helped Jeff manage the pressure and watched his victory transform him into the rock star he had always wanted to become. Launi didn’t simply style the Moto Nineties. She had a chair in the middle of the war.