1991 AFM Race Weekends
[ = New Riders School
It's almost time again! Just a couple of months until our first race. I trust everyone is doing well. A lot has happened since our last newsletter. Some our workers who are in the reserves or on active duty may be flagging tanks in the desert this year. Our thoughts will be with them all. Let us know which dune to send this letter to and we will keep you informed to what's happening at your hometown racetrack.
Things will be a little different this year; the AFM will be responsible for track operations for both Saturday and Sunday events. We are looking for about fifteen to twenty people to work on the Saturday events. You will be paid and receive some extras. There will not be any Turnworker School this year because of scheduling conflicts at the first couple of races. Also lots of great freebies this year! Stay tuned right here. Below is this year's schedule. If you are interested in helping out on Saturdays or have any questions, give me a call or write. Till the first one. . . C-ya!
Next races May 25-26, June 15-16, June 29-30, July 13-14, 1991 Sears Point.
Because of the short time span between the next four races (two to three weeks), this newsletter will cover most or all of them. I'll try to put out a post card sometime between races, and a Super Issue before the August race. Please be patient with me because it looks as if we will soon add to the staff of The Crew. Deidre, my wife, is expecting a little flag waver around the beginning of August. Between races we will be moving The Crew's World Headquarters (just down the hall) and renovating the old space to make room for the little knee dragger. Thanks for your understanding.
Gee, it seems as if with the long layoff we never had our first race on Easter Sunday. Even with it being a holiday, we had a turnout of workers that rivals the best we've ever had. Thanks to all of you that suffered family reprimands for being there. It helped make the raceday much safer for everyone. Our first attempt at running the show on both Saturday and Sunday went smoothly. With the great help that we have, we couldn't miss. Thanks to everyone.
If you wanted to watch someone change the number on their number plates by using asphalt and high speed, turn 4 was the place to be. Monte Simmons headed a crew of Rod Scott, Doug Westmacott, Pete Tegel and Monte's next door neighbor Patricia Miller. A total of eleven crashes plagued them during the day. Or possibly you just enjoy deeply grooved, swirling patterns, in what otherwise was a perfectly good fairing. Then turn 2 was your spot. Veterans Chuck Bates, Dennis Baird, Steve Gregory and Rick Richard picked them up and moved them out.
New Workers
Bob Light and Mindy Macy from turn one. Mike Leahy, Dennis Burrescian, John Pedroza, and Rene Pedrosa from turn three. Patricia Miller from turn four. Noelle Small from turn five. Eric Hinote from turn seven. Ed Busuttil and Margo Walls from turn eight. Annie Everson and Eric Dorman from turn eight. Peter Moran and Greg Strum from turn eleven. Scott McKee from turn twelve. Thanks for your help. Don't forget to come back. We always can use more workers, so tell a friend!
Saturday Practices / New Riders School
We are looking for 12-15 workers to help us out on Saturdays. You must have worked for at least one year. If you are interested, please give me a call before each race. The morning meeting for Saturdays will be 7:45 a.m. and lunches will be provided.
Even thought you think this is the same old paragraph, it isn't. Please note new times!
Sears Point is located at the junction of highways 37 and 121, between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate will open up at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:15 a.m. and after that you will have to pay to get in. The worker gate is located on the left as you enter the grounds. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of getting the turn you want. The morning meeting is at Start / Finish at 7:20. Yes, this is earlier, but we have to get things started sooner with the tight schedule we now have. The bikes will be on course for practices at 8:00.
The weather lately has been real unpredictable, so be sure to dress appropriately. The hot setup is layers. It can get cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon. Please wear white colors if you can get them, but no yellows or reds. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag. Also remember that Sears Point will not be raced in the rain. However, in order to receive this year's Die Hard hat you must have attended every race this year, rain or shine. If it's raining, I'll be there taking names.
Coffee and donuts, lunch, after-race beverages and snacks, and ten dollars will be provided. You can bring along gloves, binoculars, sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, munchies, and sodas (no alcohol). We should be done by about 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions please call me or write me at the address on the front. Thumbs-up!
You asked for it, You got it! Here is your reminder for the upcoming races.
We will be starting the morning meetings a little earlier, 7:15, so please arrive a little sooner. The worker gate will close at 7:10. Green track at 8:00. If you are a turnworker with at least one year of experience and want to work on the Saturday events please give me a call. Also we will need a full crew for the 4 Hour Enduro. Keep your calenders open.
If you have any questions please call me (Phill Brown A.K.A The Big Kahuna). Later Dudes!
1991 AFM Race Weekends June 29[ -30 July 13 -14 August 10[ -11 August 31 - 4 Hour Enduro Sept. 1 October 20 [ = New Riders School
Next Race: August 10-11, 1991 at Sears Point.
Well, a lot has happened around the offices of The Crew since we last met. If you skipped the written part of this newsletter in favor of looking at the picture's first, then you already know that the staff of The Crew has been increased by one. Ryan Edward Brown was born July 22, 1991 at 9:28 p.m. and weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs., 3oz., 20.5 inches. Not bad for being two and a half weeks early. Everyone is doing fine! The little wheelie master and I spent some quality time watching the races on ESPN last Sunday, but he kept falling asleep during crash replays. Deidre (my wife) says he looks just like me (scary thought) and the Doc said he's has big feet, hands and shoulders (just like Dad, but not the belly). What a little miracle!
With all that has been going on around here - painting, carpeting, remodeling, oh yeah and baby - some of my notes from the last few races have disappeared. The dog ate them. Four races in eight weeks! Whew! We've had some back-to-back weekends before, but I can't remember anything like this. We had a few procedural problems at the beginning if the quartet, but our last race went as smooth as a baby's behind (Really, I know!). As soon as I get this newsletter in the mail, work will begin on the Turnworker manual and Turnmarshal / Equipment master sheets. This will help the Turnmarshals check in and place their equipment on the turn. They will also help the Turnmarshals train any new workers (or rusty, old ones) by having a list of the procedures and hand signs to cover during the turn meeting. We are taking time away from our big morning meetings to give the Turnmarshals more time in their turn meetings. Our Crew just seems to be getting better and better all the time. Thanks everyone, for keeping the team together.
Race Notes
Here are some notes I was able to salvage from my dogs fangs. On May 26, the racers were rearranging the hay bales that form turn 12 (chicane). A bike fire spotted in turn 12. Re-spotted in turn 3. Put out in turn 4. I guess that's what you call a hot seat Our turn 12 spotters were Steve Kramme, Chris Strom, Rod Ollivier, Allan Seward and Scott McKee. Bunches of hay bales were replaced in turns 10 and 12. On June 16, the "Phill Phlag" was invented (A Hawaiian shirt on a stick) when I filled in for Debbie Thomas at 10 Flag. Nine bikes down in turn 4. Rod Scott headed up the turn 4 crew of Reggie Dean and Jay Falkner. The raceday ended real early. Thank you. On June 30, Turn 2 had 12 crashes for the day. Dennis Baird, Chuck Bates, Rick Richard and Darren Peters staffed turn 2. Turn 4 had 6 crashes. Five of them in one race, and all 6 in a row. Turn 4 was manned by Rod Scott, Monte Simmons, Todd Solinger, Reggie Dean and Doug Stump. On July 14, 11 down in turn 2 and 9 down in turn 11. Linda Pauli marshaled the crew of Andy Almedia, Annie Everson and Jim Lowe. On that Saturday Tommy Bright, filling in for me, had a runaway bike go from turn 10, through the inside of turn 11 and crash against the outside wall in 11's exit. Tommy couldn't find the kill switch, so he yanked out both carbs to stop the engine. Way to go Tommy!
New Workers
I was told a while back that I forgot to name a new worker from our first race. Sorry Bob! That's Bob Fleckenstein who usually works turn 9 with Don Fritz and David Eggleston. New workers for the past few races are for May 26th: Rob Burgoon, Alfredo Gonzalez, Dave Dahm, Tom Martin, Bill Scherf, Mike Sherf, Cindy Richert, Rod Ollivier, Alan Seward, for June 16, Andy Davis, Colin Franze, David Givens, for June 30, Mike Gilbert, Darren Peters, Leo Valencia, Randy Mc Gill, Eric Larson, Dan Cheli, for July 14, Vel Deltoyos, David Edmister, Chris Nunez and Doug D'Amico. -{{{ Ralph Sheheen }}}-
Danny Valadez, our Referee/Starter/Pregrid/Ex-cone placer/Equipment picker-uper/Sunday beer and soda master/and all around great guy, ran into (no, he didn't hurt him) Ralph Sheheen at the NASCAR race at Sears Point. Ralph used to be our announcer on race days and now is in Big Time TV. You can catch him on ESPN occasionally, but has his own show on SportsChannel as well as being a race commentator. Ralph told Danny that he hadn't seen his name in the newsletter in a while. So Ralph, here you go. Congrats.
The Annual Turnworker BBQ-Pizza Feast and Four Hour Endurance Race
Saturday, August 31, will be our annual BBQ-Pizza Feast, and just because the AFM wanted to give us something to do during the morning and early afternoon, they decided to hold a four hour endurance race (I must be dreaming again. I haven't been getting enough sleep lately). We will need a full crew for both Saturday and Sunday. More details on this will be in the next issue of The Crew. Mark you calendar. You won't want to miss this.
Saturday Practice/Riders School Workers
Please be at Start / Finish by 7:45. Bikes on course at 8:30.
Same Old Last Paragraph But Slightly Re-Edited So You Still Better Read It Anyway Because I Took The Time To Change It
Sears Point is located at the junction of highways 37 and 121, between Vallejo and Novato. On Sunday, August 11, the worker gate will open up at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:10 a.m. and after that you will have to pay to get in. The worker gate is located on the left as you enter the grounds. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of getting the turn you want, however some workers and turns have special requirements or seniority that need to be met. The morning meeting is at Start / Finish at 7:15. Yes, this is earlier, but we have to get things started sooner with the tight schedule we now have. The bikes will be on course for practices at 8:00.
The weather lately has been real warm, so be sure to dress appropriately. The hot set up is layers. Please wear white colors if you can get them, but no yellows or reds. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag. Also remember that Sears Point will not be raced in the rain, but in order to receive this year's Die Hard hat you must have attended every race this year, rain or shine. If it's raining, I'll be there taking names.
Coffee and donuts, lunch, after race beverages and snacks, and ten dollars will be provided. You can bring along gloves, binoculars, sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, munchies, and sodas (no alcohol). We should be done by about 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions please call me or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Next Races: August 31 and September 1, 1991 at Sears Point.
If this newsletter is a little disjointed, sorry. Little Ryan is a high maintenance machine. It's hard to put together long periods of time without interruptions for fuel, pressure adjustment (burping), changing the drain pan, (usually in that order) temperature adjustment, and pacifier tweeking. While we're on the subject of Ryan, my friend, Carol, saw our last newsletter and commented on the picture of Ryan. My caption read something like "Just a few minutes old and already in a racers crouch." Carol's comment was that Ryan was OK, but a racer's crouch looks a lot like a fetal position. I guess it is all in how you look at it. I can hardly wait till he's big enough to go with Daddy to his weekend work. Thanks for letting me ramble on about my son. They say you write what you know, and I forget most of the past. (Old age!) Any way, about the races...
From what I was told, Saturday was a real scorcher for the workers. Thank goodness it cooled down a little on Sunday. If there seemed to be large amounts of crashes, there were. Also some great saves. Some guy exiting turn 6 went off the track and saved it. Almost. Just as he got it under control, he ran out of room and hit the end of the tire wall, which exploded tires all over the place. A few tires even ended up in the track near the racing line. The racers behind did a great job of getting through all those tires. The racer limped away with a hurt ankle. Turn 6 also popped a fire bottle and put out a small grass fire. Turn 6 was headed up by Lee Taylor, along with his wife Sandy, and a crew of new workers: Carl Estrada, Athene van Asch, and Dave Gibbs. Pete Barnum, ex-turn 7 master from the beginning of time (please remember my advancing age), moved to work as a handler in turn 12 and had only 3 crashes. (Please stay with me folks, this gets weird) Turn 7, had 12 crashes. See the connection? Come on, it's right there. Pete from turn 7 moved to turn 12 and turn 7 had 12 crashes! (Those late night feedings must be taking its toll.) Turn 7 is usually very quiet, but not Sunday. Just ask the crew of Don Alexander, Mickey Housel, Mike Chouiniere (A.K.A. Steve), and Mark Branovan. Turn 12 was headed by Steve Kramme, with assistance from Michelle Filshie, Pete Barnum, and Steve Gregory. Turn 10's crashing bikes would stash themselves behind the haybales. Now, if we could only train them to get into the crash trailer. The only other note I have is something about ÒrattlesÓ in turn 11. I don't remember what that means. I don't think I want to know.
New Workers
Other new workers, not already mentioned, from our last race were: Charles Pina and Mile Keppler from turn 4, Ray Perry from turn 8, David Rebhalm from turn 10, and Shannon Cason from turn 11. Thanks for your help. Please remember your way back to us.
The Annual Turnworker BBQ-Pizza Feast and Four Hour Endurance Race (Well at least the BBQ is Annual)
We are looking for a full crew of workers for both Saturday and Sunday at the next race weekend. The more people we have the more we can rotate around and take breaks during the enduro. The more, the merrier. Tell your friends. Anyone over 18 with common sense. Please be through the front gate by 7:10 a.m. The morning meeting on Saturday will be at 7:15. Practice will start at 8:30. We are getting started earlier because we have a few special positions to fill in the pit area. Break at about 10:00. The enduro should start at about 10:30 - 10:45 and go 4 continuous hours. Please bring along a cooler or something to keep your lunch cool for a short time. Lunches will be provided during the break. And afterwards, the BBQ Pizza Feast where we bench flag and tell stories and watch race videos and have an all around good time. Pizzas should be delivered around 4:30.
This Last Paragraph, Or Three, Is Just For Sunday. Kind Of. Some Of The Information Is Also Good For Saturday
Sears Point is located at the junction of highways 37 and 121, between Vallejo and Novato. On Saturday, August 31, and Sunday, September 1, the worker gate will open up at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:10 a.m. and after that you will have to pay to get in. The worker gate is located on the left as you enter the grounds. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of getting the turn you want, however some workers and turns have special requirements or seniority that need to be met. The morning meeting is at Start / Finish at 7:15. Yes, this is earlier, but we have to get things started sooner with the tight schedule we now have. The bikes will be on course for practices at 8:00. Except on Saturday.
The weather lately has been real warm, so be sure to dress appropriately. The hot set up is layers. Please wear white colors if you can get them, but no yellows or reds. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag. Also remember that Sears Point will not be raced in the rain, but in order to receive this year's Die Hard hat you must have attended every race this year, rain or shine. If it's raining, I'll be there taking names.
Coffee and donuts, lunch, after race beverages and snacks, and ten dollars will be provided. You can bring along gloves, binoculars, sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, munchies, and sodas (no alcohol). We should be done by about 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions please call me or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Last Race of the Year: October 20th, at Sears Point.
Everything around the offices of The Crew has been settling down a bit. Ryan is starting to sleep through the night. We have an opening set up for him at Stanford in 2009. In 2012 the National League has an option on his baseball contract. And a San Francisco law firm has been in touch with us just in case he wants to leave his baseball career early after he's surpassed Nolan Ryan's record in only his fifth season. Beep beep... beep beep... beep beep... There goes that darn alarm again. I guess I was dreaming a little. I'll be happy if he can play softball with me at the old ex-racers home. This has been a strange year with the AFM. We had our first race back in March; then, 2 months off. Next, six races all bunched together in the middle. And then, almost another two months off. It was amazing that there was enough time in there for Deidre and me to have a baby. Meanwhile, back at the races...
We all survived the endurance race. Enough said. But it really wasn't that bad. The BBQ Pizza Fest was a great success. A great time was had by all, but someone forgot to bring the TV and VCR for all those roadrace video tapes.
If you wanted to see the best use of brooms and rice hulls in one place, at the same time, you should have been near turn one and two. It was Bucket O Crashes time at the Colonel. I'm sure more than one racer had his share of Hot Wings sliding across the track. The clean-up staff at the Crash-em and Stash-em Hilton's first floor was Jim Short, Reggie Dean, James Falkner, and new guys Keith Rodriques and John Ball. The fearless leader of the second floor crew was Dennis Baird and assisted by Chuck Bates and Steve Gregory. Not to far away is the turn 7 and 11 Combo Sushi Bar and Crasher Rest Stop. Pete Barnum returned to turn 7 crew of Mickey Housel, Mark Branovan, and Mike Chouiniere. Linda Pauli, Jim Lowe, and Shannon kept the track clean in turn 11.
New Workers
Other new workers, not already mentioned, from our September 1st race were: Richard Walker from turn 2, Doug Eames from turn 6, Kevin Velk and Mike Hickey from turn 8, and Marnie Bach from turn 12. Thanks for your help and we hope you enjoyed yourselves. Remember your way back.
Die Hard List
If you made it to every Sunday raceday and your name is not on this list, please contact me ASAP: Pete Barnum, Charles R. Bates, David Eggleston, Michelle Filshie, Don Fritz, Steve Gregory, Steve Hulbert, Ron Johnson, Stephen H. Kramme, Scott McKee, Linda Pauli, Rick Richard, Rod Scott, Jim Short, Michael Short, Doug Stump and Debbi Thomas.
Worker Appreciation Race
For the past few years the last race of the season has been the Worker Appreciation Race. This is where the races donate stuff to be given to all the workers. In the past we have received: hats, T-shirts, gloves, hat pins, helmets, boots, computers (yes, we gave away two computers last year) wine, posters, sticker and all sorts of other stuff. So far we have always had enough stuff for everyone to go home with something. What will you come home with?
The Next to Last, Last Section of the Year
Sears Point is located at the junction of highways 37 and 121, between Vallejo and Novato. On Sunday, October 20, the worker gate will open up at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:10 a.m. and after that you will have to pay to get in. The worker gate is located on the left as you enter the grounds. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of getting the turn you want, however some workers and turns have special requirements or seniority that need to be met. The morning meeting is at Start / Finish at 7:15. The bikes will be on course for practices at 8:00.
The weather has been real weird for this time of year, so be sure to dress appropriately. The hot set up is layers. Please wear white colors if you can get them, but no yellows or reds. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag. Also remember that Sears Point will not be raced in the rain, but in order to receive this year's Die Hard hat you must have attended every race this year, rain or shine. If it's raining, I'll be at the gate giving out the Die Hard hats for those of you who get one.
Coffee and donuts, lunch, after race beverages and snacks will be provided. As will ten bucks for gas money. You can bring along gloves, binoculars, sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, munchies, and sodas (no alcohol). We should be done by about 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions please call me or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
End of season newsletter.
Whatta day! It was hotter October 20 than it was during most of our summer races. First we had no communications in turns 11 and 12. Then later the whole system quit... Then went worked... Then it quit... The communicators all received walkie talkies for a backup. None of the usual problems with deer, or bad crashes. Just new stuff. Oh well. There's nothing like a new challenge. Once again our workers all pitched in together to make the raceday a success.
Our worker appreciation giveaway was another great success. We received a lot of great stuff to give away, and everyone walked away with something. Tank bags, hats, t-shirts, adult beverages, fanny packs, gloves, gift certificates, and that always welcome gift, CASH! Yes, we received about $150.00 in cash that we gave away. Many, many thanks to all who gave to our giveaway. You made a bunch of really hardworking folks very happy.
Unmero Uno in this past racedays Crash-O-Rama was turn 11 with eleven crasherinos. Strange, but true. Linda Pauli headed the crew of Michelle Filshie, Shannon Cason and new guy, Carl Merrifield. I guess if you wanted to crash and didn't in turn 11 you really missed out. The crash-miesters from turn 4 with four crashes (Yes. Strange, but true again.) were Jim Lowe, Ken Puryear, Charles Pina, Steve Gregory and Cindy Richert. Can you guess how many crashes turn 3 had? Zero. It was a trick question! Ron Johnson headed up the turn 3 crew, with no crashes, of Mike McKee, Doug Stump, Tom Martin, and new guys Mike Keppler and Karl Vostrez.
New Workers
The list of new workers not already mentioned is Steve Holcomb from turn 5, (we should give him extra points for working with Tommy Bright), Mark Vierra from turn 6, Robert Freitas and Robert Schnurr from turn 8, Jeff Louie from turn 8A, Nancy Moore and Rich Waksmonski from turn 10 and last but not least are John Mechelke and Joe Lippo from turn 12. Please don't forget to come back next year.
Whatta year. Running 4 races in about 7 weeks in the middle of our schedule just about wiped us out. And with our first and last races separated by so much time, I almost forgot which flag to wave. Maybe the Phill on Course (Big Kahuna) flag. No rainouts. Thanks Tommy for not washing your truck on race weekends. I did sneak in a wash on October 6. I had to. The CHP couldn't read my license plate number. On behalf of the AFM I would like to thank everyone who helped us this past year. Not just those who came to the races, but also to those who supported us in other ways. With the addition of my our first child this year, my wife, Deidre, and my 3 1/2 month old, Ryan, has been very supportive by allowing me to "go out and play" with my friends on race weekends. I know I'm not the only one with other obligations. It just amazes me when I think about how we all come together on race weekends. We all come from different areas, from different jobs, different lives, and yet, come raceday, we put everything else aside and become the best motorcycle turnworking crew there is. And it's all because we all work together. Once again, thank you for all of you help and support. This has been the best year yet. I can hardly wait until next year. It just keeps getting better and better and better... Stay tuned right here for next year's schedule. I'll put out a postcard as soon as we get the schedule finalized. 'Til then, have a happy holiday season. C Ya!