1992 AFM Race Schedule
Just about a month and a half away...
Our first race is on the same weekend as the AMA National at Laguna Seca. Please keep in mind that you must work every AFM race to earn the 1992 Die Hard Hat. Like last year, we are looking for about 15 people to work Saturday rider's school and practices. We will need all of you for the endurance race on Sept. 12. Please contact me if you want to work on Saturdays so I can put you on the list. If you have any questions please call me at (916) 685-7927 or write to the address on the front. Thumbs Up!
Next race: April 25-26 1992, Sears Point.
Howdy Y'all. It's been almost five months since our last race and the new season is upon us. I hope everyone's winter went well. So what have you been doing over the winter break? My son Ryan is a little over eight months old and getting bigger every day. Just like dad. We spent some of the winter watching old racing videos. He seemed to like them. But he also likes to look at his dirty diapers. The weather is getting warmer and I have the lawns mowed and fertilized and now I'm ready to go racin'. The AFM said they would hire an assistant for me for the hardest part of my duties, but then how much would it cost to hire someone to worry for me from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Sundays; "Are there enough workers to put on the race?" But, as always, the race goes on, and always with the best workers around. Anyway, I would just end up worrying about the person they hired to worry for me that he wasn't worrying enough. Oh well, what's a few more gray hairs? I really enjoy worrying. Really? Workers Needed
Because of the conflict with the Laguna Seca National we will need some extra workers for Sunday. If you know anyone over 18 with common sense, bring them along with you. Saturday Workers
We are still looking for a few more experienced workers for Saturday practices and New Riders School. If you have worked with us in the past and are interested in helping on Saturdays, please contact me at (916) 685-7927. Just as last year, lunches will be provided. We will, however, need a full crew to work the September 12th 4 Hour Endurance Race. Please mark your calendars. I'll meet everyone at Start/Finish at 7:30 a.m. Bikes will be on course at 8:30.
Important Information for the Well Informed About Raceday at Sears Point
For those of you who are new, Sears Point is located near the junction of highways 37 and 121, between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:10 a.m. After 7:10 you will have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. It looks real bad. The worker gate is located on the left as you enter the track grounds. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of getting the turn you want. Plus it keeps down my gray hair count. However, some workers have special requirements or seniority that need to be met. Our morning meeting will begin at 7:15 at Start/Finish. The weather... You know about me predicting the weather, so be warned. Dress appropriately. Layers are the hot set-up. Also, please wear white colors if you can beg, borrow or steal them, but no red or yellow colors. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. It looks real funny. No short pants, please. Sears Point will not be raced in the rain, but if you want to receive this year's Die Hard hat you must attend every race this year, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be at the gate taking names. On raceday, coffee and donuts will be provided, as will after race beverages and snacks, and ten bucks for gas. We will have nothing to give away at the first race. NOT! We have a T-shirt for those of you who attend our first race! No way? Yes! Way! 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 at (916) 685-7927 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Next race: May 23-24 1992 Sears Point
Three years ago just before our last race was the Loma Prieta earthquake. Last year during the last race was the Oakland Firestorm. This time the earthquakes hit before our first race. And for the people going home via Vallejo, there was a plane that landed on its belly just before highway 27. I wonder what kind of year it's going to be.
Oil, oil everywhere, and lots of drops for everyone to slip (and fall down) on. First there was the synthetic oil mess in turn 2 where Sears Point had to burn off the oil. Chuck Bates headed up the crew of Donald Ng and new guys Carl Stolnacke and James Faulkner. Then there was the six-bike oil-related multi-crash in turn 7. Mark Branovan, Annie Everson, new worker Debbie Wachtceitl and their fearless leader Pete Barnum. (Will Pete's brother Bruce ever show up again? He'll trade in his new fishing boat for a new pair of nomex gloves. NOT!) Up until the Turn 7 disaster, Start/Finish had the most crashes. Even so, we tied turns 4 and 5 with four crashes each by the end of the day. Your Start/Finish crew was Barbara Smith, Doug Smith, Danny Valadez, Patti Gustafson, Phill Brown (Hey, that's me!), our helpers Shawn and Keri Bates, the haybale crew, and a cast of thousands. Carl Merifield, Pete Tegle, new workers Junior Robillos, Joey Dela Sierra, John Fernandez and Nancy Wilburn worked with crew chief Charles Pina in turn 4. Also with four crashes was turn 5, headed by John Paulsen, Steve Holcomb and new guy Greg Golsan. Turn 5 is no longer the sleepy little turn where nothing happens. It was great to have so many workers on the weekend that conflicted with the Laguna Seca National.
Saturday Notes
A few snakes were found in the comm boxes Saturday. El Presidente, Joe Montoya, asked them very politely to leave (with a shovel!).
Overheard on the comm line, "Wow! Look at Tommy run! Jump, Tommy, Jump!" It seems that Tommy Bright was caught out on the track in turn 1 when bikes were let out on course. On a dead run, Tommy dove over the haybales. Too bad I didn't see it. The judges in turn 2 gave him a 5.6 for form and a 8.2 degree of difficulty!
New Workers and New Worker Information
New Workers for April 26, not already mentioned are: Steve Morgan and Peter Gonzalez in turn 3, Louis from turn 8A, Rick Demaso and Eric Juliano from turn 10, Clistus Tripp, Chuck Hoke and Steve Meyers from turn 11. Don't forget your way back and tell a friend.
I received a few phone calls from people who want to work but don't have any experience. As long as you are over 18 and have common sense, you qualify. On raceday we provide you the On The Job Training you need to become an official Turnworker -type person. If you are still a little unsure of what's involved, please give me a call at the phone number at the end of this newsletter.
Saturday Workers
For those of you who are working Saturdays, overnight camping is available at the track. Please, check in with Sears Point before doing so. We are still looking for a few more experienced workers for Saturday practices and New Riders School. If you have worked with us in the past and want to help on Saturdays, please contact me at (916) 685-7927. We provide lunches. We will, however, need a full crew to work the September 12, 4 Hour Endurance Race. Please mark your calendars. I'll meet everyone at Start/Finish at 7:30 a.m. Bikes on course at 8:30.
Important Information For Sunday's Memorial Weekend Event
Sears Point Raceway is near the junction of highways 37 and 121, between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 7:10 a.m. After 7:10 you have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. It looks real bad. The worker gate is on the left as you enter the track grounds. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of getting the turn you want. However, some workers have special requirements or seniority that need to be met. Our morning meeting (yawn) begins at 7:15 at Start/Finish.
Memorial weekend is usually HOT, but I've been through some downpours that weekend too. Be sure to dress appropriately. Layers are the hot setup. Also, please wear white colors if you can beg, borrow or steal them, but no red or yellow colors. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. It looks real funny. No short pants, please. Sears Point is not raced in the rain, but if you want to receive this year's Die Hard hat you must attend every race this year, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be at the gate taking names.
On raceday, coffee and donuts are provided, as are after race beverages and snacks, and ten bucks for gas. Helpful items you may bring along are: 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 at (916) 685-7927 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya! 4th Newsletter
Next race: June 20-21 1992 Sears Point
HOT! HOT! HOT! And now, page two. Oil! Oil! Oil! It seems as all we did was to spend the day sweeping up the track with grease sweep. At least it kept the dust down. Two guys lost their drive chain and broke the engine case, dumping oil out all over. The one guy didn't even make it past the cones at pregrid and rode all the way to Start/Finish. He then pushed his leaking bike down, around the end of the pit wall, near turn 1, and back to Star/Finish. Oh darn. Musta left the clip off. Sears Point warned us of a possible rabid skunk. I don't know about you but I don't think I would want to be close enough to a skunk to find out if it was of the regular or rabid type.
With each race our crew keeps improving. I won't be long until we will be able to run our turns from our arm-chairs at home, via remote-control. I see in the future... (dream sequence)... On every turn there will be a Binford Flag-O-Matic 5000 remote flagging system guaranteed to display 4 flags simultaneously without getting them tangled up like the old 4000 model. The 5000 has the Differentiator, which makes it able to tell the difference between a REALLY slow rider and a crashed bike. Also standard equipment is the Patriot heat seeking Hover-X-tinguisher. The latest model has the new, dolphin friendly, non-ozone depleting, no choice, fission fuel cell, and is able to distinguish between super-conductor and super-duper-conductor fires. Having retired from racing many years ago Richard Petty of Petty Industries rolled out the new Sweep-Meister 2.9.3v. In one compact package it has the ability to find synthetic oil and debris, and burn it off the track. If the Sweep-Meister finds old petroleum based oils it will dispense grease sweep, scrub it in, and blow it off the track all while dodging oncoming bikes. It's like watching a ballet in action. And no turn would not be complete without a SuperBike-Scooper. When you press the retrieve button, the Super Scooper locates the crashed bike, loads it, straps it down, and then an army of carbon-fibre and petroleum based bio-bots will repair the damage by the time the Super Scooper returns to the pits. You will be able to view all of this from the virtual-reality goggles while sitting in your chair at home. There's even the Fonzomoto thumbs up machine for the racers to get feedback from the workers. But all the racers would see is the graphic representation of the thumbs up in their VÐR goggles... (end of dream sequence)... No JBL speaker with surround sound can duplicate the sound of FZRs and Twins. And the replicator can't quite get the subtleties of Castrol right. Just hand me a broom and I'll go sweep the track. It wouldn't be any fun without seeing my friends at the track; face to face. Getting dirty and hot together. Having a good time. End of commentary. Thanks.
First on the list for most crashes on Sunday's Crash-O-Rama was turn 11 with 10. Linda Pauli headed up the crew of Carl S. John Paulson, Annie Everson, and new guy Christopher Cunningham. Not far behind was turn 4 with Monte Simmons, Rod Scott, Charles Pina, Reagan Cason, Dylan Holwerda, and Jerry, who had 7 track painters. Tied for third place was turn 5 (where nothing ever happens) who had five go down at once, and turn 7. Both turns had 6 each where the riders found the fairing parts have less traction than tires. Our turn 5 crew was Steve Holcomb, Julie Bursi, and Greg Golsan. The turn 7 crew was Mickey Housel, Don Alexander, Mark Branovan, and Mike Chouiniere, minus Pete Barnum. This is the first race Pete has missed since I have been keeping track of the workers and was the only turnworker left who hasn't missed a race since 1985. Pete was in New York on business. We missed you, Pete.
New Workers and New Worker Information
New Workers for May 24, not already mentioned are: Tessa Howard in turn 1, Chris Nave from turn 3, Terry Martin in turn 9, James Chan and Sue Lawler from turn 10, and last but not least was the new workers from turn 12 Don Sheldon, Peter Yurfest, Jeremy Cain, and Dean Pierce. Now that you found us, don't forget us.
I received a few phone calls from people who want to work but don't have any experience. As long as you are over 18 and have common sense, you qualify. On raceday we provide you the On The Job Training you need to become an official Turnworker-type person. If you are still a little unsure of what's involved, please give me a call at the phone number at the end of this newsletter.
Saturday Workers
For those of you who are working Saturdays, overnight camping is available at the track. Please, check in with Sears Point before doing so. We are still looking for a couple more experienced workers for Saturday practices and New Riders School. If you have worked with us in the past and want to help on Saturdays, please contact me at (916) 685-7927. We provide lunches. We will, however, need a full crew to work the September 12, 4 Hour Endurance Race. Please mark your calendars. I'll meet everyone at Start/Finish at 7:30 a.m. Bikes on course at 8:30.
Not Much Changed In This Final Section Since Last Time But You Better Read It Anyway
Sears Point Raceway is near the junction of highways 37 and 121, between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 7:10 a.m. After 7:10 you have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. It looks real bad. The worker gate is on the left as you enter the track grounds. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of getting the turn you want. However, some workers have special requirements or seniority that need to be met. Our morning meeting (yawn) begins at 7:15 at Start/Finish.
Dress appropriately. The last few races have been HOT! Layers are the hot setup. Also, please wear white colors if you can beg, borrow or steal them, but no red or yellow colors. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. It looks real funny. No short pants, please. Sears Point is not raced in the rain, but if you want to receive this year's Die Hard hat you must attend every race this year, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be at the gate taking names.
On raceday, coffee and donuts are provided, as are after race beverages and snacks, and ten bucks for gas. Helpful items you may bring along are: 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 at (916) 685-7927 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Next race: July 11-12, 1992 Sears Point
We had a real light worker turn-out for our Father's Day race. I got in trouble for missing the better part of my first official Father's Day, but I got home early enough to catch Ryan before he went to bed. Sorry son. Even with all the delays (two medivacs, multi-bike crashes) we were able to get the whole raceday schedule in by the 5:30 noise curfew. This is mostly due to the teamwork during the cleanups. Workers from turns near and far all pitched in to speed up the sweeping. All of our transports are doing as well as expected. I even got to call in a crash down in turn 11. When the communications in turn 11 went down, I went there to communicate with Start/Finish with my walkie-talkie. But while I was at 11, Barbara spotted a fire in a bike's fairing on the grid. Doug grabbed the mother of all fire-bottles and the handle broke. (After all, it was Father's Day) Doug grabbed the other bottle and put out the fire. Apparently a needle in his carbs stuck open and was dumping fuel in the fairing. The racer didn't know he was on fire. He would have soon, however. With the fire out and needle freed, the racer was asked if he would like to go back on the grid. He answered, "Ahhhhhhh I don't think so."
Turn 1, after being quiet for so long, barked very loudly with an eight racer muli-bike crash. Turn 1 was run by Jim Short, Chuck Hoke and new guy Paul Golling. They ended up with a total of 9 crashes for the day. Another large multi-bike crash (because of oil from a blown-up bike) that left seven bikes in turn 3 and two in turn 4 during Sundays practice secession. Turn 3 was staffed by Ron Johnson, Mike Chouiniere and new guy Steve Schlotthauer, and totaled 10 crashes by day's end. Charles Pina, Greg Parks, Robin Parks - Greg's wife and first-time worker - and new guy John Holtrichter were turn 4's care-takers. Both turn 4 and turn 7 (Pete Barnum, Mickey Housel, Mark Branovan, Carl Merrifield) had seven crashes each. Turn 9 had their annual crash with Don Fritz, Bob Fleckenstein, and returning worker Paul Fletcher. Turns 5, 8 and 8A had to look elsewere for action. The Kahuna works in strange and mysterious ways.
June 21 was Annie Everson last race for a while. She is moving to up-state New York. She signed up as a turnworker at the Great American Motorcycle Show at the Cow Palace last year and is a '91 Die Hard as well. Thank you for sharing your time with us on the Left Coast. We'll miss you. Please keep in touch.
New Workers and New Worker Information
New Workers for June 21 not already mentioned are: Rick Swadling from turn 2, Erin Clarke from turn 6, Tom Duff in turn 8A, last but not least is Able Byrd from turn 11. Don't for get to come back now, here?
I received a few phone calls from people who want to work but don't have any experience. As long as you are over 18 and have common sense, you qualify. On raceday we provide you the On The Job Training you need to become an official Turnworker-type person. If you are still a little unsure of what's involved, please give me a call at the phone number at the end of this newsletter.
Worker Photos
Send me any photos of us working on the track and I'll give you photo credit and try to get them in the newsletter.
Saturday Workers - Half Day on July 11
For those of you who are working Saturdays, overnight camping is available at the track. Please, check in with Sears Point before doing so. We are still looking for a couple more experienced workers for Saturday practices and New Riders School. If you have worked with us in the past and want to help on Saturdays, please contact me at (916) 685-7927. We provide lunches. We will, however, need a full crew to work the September 12 4-Hour Endurance Race. Please mark your calendars. I'll meet everyone at Start/Finish at 7:30 a.m. Bikes on course at 8:30.
Raceday information for July 12
Sears Point Raceway is near the junction of highways 37 and 121, between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 7:10 a.m. After 7:10 you have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. It looks real bad. The worker gate is on the left as you enter the track grounds. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of getting the turn you want. However, some workers have special requirements or seniority that need to be met. Our morning meeting (snore) begins at 7:15 at Start/Finish.
Dress appropriately. The last few races have been HOT! Layers are the hot setup. Also, please wear white colors if you can beg, borrow or steal them, but no red or yellow colors. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. It looks real funny. Really, we all want to look somewhat the same. No short pants, please. Sears Point is not raced in the rain, but if you want to receive this year's Die Hard hat you must attend every race this year, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be at the gate taking names.
Raceday mornings we get coffee and donuts. Also provided are after-race beverages and snacks, and ten bucks for gas. Helpful items you may bring along are: gloves, binoculars, sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, munchies, and sodas (no alcohol). We're usually finished by 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please call me at (916) 685-7927, or write me at the address on the front. C-ya! 6th Newsletter
Next race: August 22-23, 1992, Sears Point
Whatta Day! Let's hope we can break our two-medivac-a-raceday habit. According to Barbara Smith, our Race Director, all our transports are doing as well as expected. Thank goodness the race gods had it cool in the morning. It warmed up very quickly once the fog cleared. Our response and clean-up times have been very fast, but the Medivac delays had us all twiddling our thumbs for a while. Sears Point extended our curfew, which allowed us to get the full raceday in and have it count for points. Just a cheeseburger in paradise. Once again it was Turn 1 who, with the help of a seven bike pile-up, took the honors for most crashes during the day with nine. JIm Short headed the crew of Mike Chouiniere and Steve Schlotthauer. Whatta mess! I don't know about you but I go to the races to get away from sweeping up around the house. Close was turn 7 with eight. Whatta way to mark the return of Bruce Barnum (more on that later). Bruce helped his brother Pete, Fearless Leader - Don Alexander, Abe Byrd and Paul Fletcher. Turn 11 had sex. Whoops, whatta typo. Turn 11 had six. Whew, much better. Linda Pauli's crew of Greg Parks, Steve Meyer, Clistus Tripp and new worker, Jet Flores, kept watch of turn 11. It was good seeing two of our veterans who we haven't seen in a while. Bruce Barnum finally found his way back. He told me a few years back that he was going to take some time off from turnworking to go fishing. And fish he did. In two and a half years he caught six fish. Six Fish! That's two-point-four fish a year. That's about six fish more than I've caught in the last two and a half years. But then, I haven't been fishing. It was also good to see Richard Anderson worked with us on Saturday. Now that you found us again, don't forget your way back.
New Workers and New Worker Information
Our new Workers for July 12 not already mentioned are: Chris Gutzmer from turn 4, John Lyter from turn 6, Mike Walker in turn 8, and last but not least is Kurt Peeves from turn 8A. Don't forget to tell your friends how much fun you had. You did have fun. Right?
Before each raceday, I received a few phone calls from people who want to work but don't have any experience. As long as you are over 18 and have common sense, you qualify. On raceday we provide you the On The Job Training you need to become an official Turnworker-type person. If you are still a little unsure of what's involved, please give me a call at the phone number at the end of this newsletter.
Saturday Workers - Full Day August 22
For those of you who are working Saturdays, overnight camping is available at the track. Please, check in with Sears Point before doing so. We provide lunches. We will, however, need a full crew to work the September 12, 4 Hour Endurance Race. Please mark your calendars. I'll meet everyone at Start/Finish at 7:30 a.m. Bikes on course at 8:30.
Important Raceday Information for August 23
Sears Point Raceway is near the junction of highways 37 and 121, between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 7:10 a.m. After 7:10 you have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. It looks real bad. The worker gate is on the left as you enter the track grounds. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of getting the turn you want. However, some workers have special requirements or seniority that need to be met. Our morning meeting (yawn) begins at 7:15 at Start/Finish.
Dress appropriately. The last few races have been HOT! Layers are the hot setup. Also, please wear white colors if you can beg, borrow or steal them, but no red or yellow colors. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. It looks real funny. Really, we all want to look somewhat the same. No short pants, please. The AFM will not race Sears Point in the rain, but if you want to receive this year's Die Hard hat you must attend every race this year, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be at the gate taking names.
On raceday, coffee and donuts are provided, as are after race beverages and snacks, and ten bucks for gas. Helpful items you may bring along are: gloves, binoculars, sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, munchies, and sodas (no alcohol). We are usually finished by 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions please call me at (916) 685-7927 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Next races: 4-Hour Enduro September 12. Sprint Races September 13
Worker BBQ After Enduro! Full Crew Needed Both Days!
Really! Turn 2 reported that a deer ran onto the track and leapt over a racer. It musta been practicing for the 1998 Black Forest Deer Olympics. Rumor has it that a photographer from City Bike snapped a picture of the scene. If true, I will try to publish a copy of it here. I Thought we were finally going to get a reprieve from the heat wave. Not! It felt pretty warm to me. August 23 was one of the safest races we've had in a long time. Just one transport and zero medevacs. And none of the large multibike crashes that were becoming the norm. Everyone did such a great job. It just keeps getting better. I even got a new job to do on racedays Ñ Trophy Girl Assistant! Yes, a highly skilled job that requires me to hold all three Formula Pacific trophies and hand them Ñ in the correct order, I might add Ñ to the Trophy Girl. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.
The only real standout for the days most crashes were turn 11 with eight as opposed to the sex they had last time. Whoops, there goes that typo again. They had six crashes last time. Sorry!. Linda Pauli's crew of Mike Chouiniere, Duane Deboer, and new workers Elies Ramirez and Dawnel Quezada kept things clear in turn 11. Tied for second with five crashes each were turns 3 and 12. Ron Johnson headed turn 3's crew of Jim Lowe, Charles Pina, and new guy Kevin Wuertz. Steve Gregory, Mike McKee and new guy Paul Shestople, along with their turnmarshal, Steve Kramme kept all the hay together in turn 12.
New Workers and New Worker Information
Our new Workers for August 23 not already mentioned are: Irving Golub from turn 2, Carl Fitzgerald and Mike Klein in turn 7, Wayne Brunson from turn 8A, and last but not least is Ron Krebs in turn 9. Now that you found us, don't forget your way back.
Before each raceday, I received a few phone calls from people who want to work but don't have any experience. As long as you are over 18 and have common sense, you qualify. On raceday we provide you the On The Job Training you need to become an official Turnworker-type person. If you are still a little unsure of what's involved, please give me a call. The phone number is at the end of this newsletter.
All Workers Needed!! Endurance Race Saturday September 12 Annual Worker BBQ
We will need a full crew for the AFM 1992 4 Hour Endurance Race, Saturday, September 12. This is also the date for the catered Annual Worker BBQ. The worker gate will open at 6:30 AM and close at 7:15 for Saturday. The morning meeting for the enduro will start at 7:30. Practices start at 8:30. All the other information is the same and is in the last three paragraphs. For those of you who are working Saturday, overnight camping is available at the track. Please check in with Sears Point before doing so. Lunches are provided both days. After the Enduro a Santa Maria style BBQ will be served to all workers. If you are going to attend, please contact me so I can get an accurate count of workers for the caterer. Thanks!
Important Raceday Information for September 12-13
Sears Point Raceway is near the junction of highways 37 and 121, between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 7:10 a.m. After 7:10 you have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. It looks very bad. The worker gate is on the left as you enter the track grounds. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of getting the turn you want. However, some workers have special requirements or seniority that need to be met. Our morning meeting (yawn) begins at 7:15 at Start/Finish.
Dress appropriately. Be prepared for any type of weather. Layers are the hot setup. Also, please wear white colors if you can beg, borrow or steal them, but no red or yellow colors. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. It looks very funny. Really, we all want to look somewhat the same. No short pants, please. The AFM will not race Sears Point in the rain, but if you want to receive this year's Die Hard hat you must attend every race this year, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be at the gate taking names.
On raceday, coffee and donuts are provided, as are after race beverages and snacks, and ten bucks for gas. Helpful items you may bring along are: gloves, binoculars, sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, munchies, and sodas (no alcohol). We are usually finished by 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions please call me at (916) 685-7927 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Last Race of the Year: October 11 Sears Point
It feels as we just got the season going a few weeks ago and now here we are coming up to our last race. Gee, how time flies. Our endurance race went off without too much problem. It was pretty much a snoozer. I was relegated to Pit Cop. Walking up and down the pits. Making sure the teams had their fire extinguisher in hand during refueling and other referee stuff. Thank goodness for the BBQ afterward. Whatta spread. If you weren't there, you missed a great time. Thank you AFM for all the fixings. On Sunday we were a little short-handed but, as usual, everything went smooth. Everyone put in one hundred and ten percent. As far as I know everyone we transported is doing as well as expected. Speaking of crashes, my heart goes out to Scott Gray who was walking away with the Formula Pacific race when he crashed coming out of turn 6. According to Barbara, he suffered a broken leg. You know, I can't remember a time when Scott completed a race at Sears Point.
Turns 2 and 6 tied for the #1 spot for crashing on Sunday with six crashes each. Dennis Baird lead the crew of Mark Branovan and Steve Gregory in turn 2. Fearless leader Mike Walker and his crew of Kevin Velk and Mike Hickey took over turn 6. Not far behind with 5 crashes were turns 4 and 5. Rod Scott, Monte Simmons and Greg Parks held down the fort in turn 4. Turn 5 was staffed with Athene van Asch and Erin Clarke.
A couple of new additions to our turnworker crew (well, in about 18 years) has happened recently. Many of you remember Debbie Kent was pregnant at the final race last year. Now she's not. Stephen was born about 8 months ago. Not quite ready to pick up a flag yet. David Rogers of turn 8 fame also had a son about 10 day before our race. Daniel Casey, 8 pounds 9.5 ounces, 21.5 inches. Congratulations to both of you!
New Workers and New Worker Information
We had only one new worker on Sunday. He is Glen Hall from turn 11. The Enduro scored a few new workers: Carl Vostrez in turn 4, Steve Owens from turn 6, Bill Glitner in turn 10 and Dennis Lindley helping out at Pre-Grid. Now that you found us, don't forget your way back.
Before each raceday, I received a few phone calls from people who want to work but don't have any experience. As long as you are over 18 and have common sense, you qualify. On raceday we provide you the On The Job Training you need to become an official Turnworker-type person. If you are still a little unsure of what's involved, please give me a call. The phone number is at the end of this newsletter.
Worker Appreciation Race
After our last race will be the Worker Appreciation Giveaway. Racers, vendors and fans donate stuff like: T-shirts, hats, gloves, and cash to be given away. In the past we've received: helmets, soft luggage, computers, gift certificates, and fanny packs. In the past everyone has walked way with something, but you must be present to win.
Die Hard List
If you worked every race this year and your name is not on this list please contact me as soon as possible: Don Alexander, Michael Chouiniere, Don Fritz, Mike Hickey, Steve Hulbert, Stephen H. Kramme, Carl Merrifield, Linda Pauli, John P. Schulmeyer, Jim Short, Debbi Thomas, and Kevin Velk.
Saturday Worker List
If you worked at least four of the five Saturday practices and your name is not on this list please contact me as soon as possible: Don Alexander, Michael Chouiniere, Bob Fleckenstein, Don Fritz, Mike Hickey, Ron Johnson, Stephen H. Kramme, Linda Pauli, John P. Schulmeyer, Jim Short, Debbi Thomas, and Kevin Velk.
Important Raceday Information
Sears Point Raceway is near the junction of highways 37 and 121, between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 7:10 a.m. After 7:10 you have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. It looks real bad. The worker gate is on the left as you enter the track grounds. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of getting the turn you want. However, some workers have special requirements or seniority that need to be met. Our morning meeting (yawn) begins at 7:15 at Start/Finish.
Dress appropriately. Be prepared for any type of weather. Layers are the hot setup. Also, please wear white colors if you can beg, borrow or teal them, but no red or yellow colors. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. It looks real funny. Really, we all want to look somewhat the same. No short pants, please. The AFM will not race Sears Point in the rain, but if you want to receive this year's Die Hard hat you must attend every race this year, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be at the gate taking names.
On raceday, coffee and donuts are provided, as are after race beverages and snacks, and ten bucks for gas. Helpful items you may bring along are: gloves, binoculars, sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, munchies, and sodas (no alcohol). We are usually finished by 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions please call me at (916) 685-7927 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
End of season newsletter.
We watched to some of the best racing this year at our last race of the year. Apparently with Dwayne Chung's win in the 600 Superstreet race, Dwayne gets the #1 plate for 1993. Congratulations. Except for a couple of overcast mornings I can't remember a race this year where it wasn't hot. And not rain-outs. I wonder what's going to happen next year?
Three turns tied with six crashes each for most crashes in the day. Turn 2 was staffed by Dennis Baird, Chuck Bates, Rick Richard, Steve Gregory and new guy Mike Edmister. Rod Scott lead the crew of David Rogers, Kurt Reeves and new workers Wade Gadberry and Max Marriott. Also tied was turn 11 headed by Linda Pauli and supported by Bill Baucom, Christopher Cunningham and Greg Parks.
Incident of the race. Where do I start? A racer got into a bad wobble and tried to save it going into turn 10. He fell off and slid down the track close to the turn 10 flag station where Debbi Thomas works. The bike slid on its side to the edge of the track then stood up and ghostrode in a direct line to the turn 10 commbox. It hit the tire wall and Armco, and broke the front wheel off at the forks. The bike and wheel then launched in the air, over the commbox, hitting Sue Lawlor in the head. The bike continued over the access road and into the fence next to highway 121, really bending the fence, and came to rest back on the access road. Sue was taken to the hospital and received 21 stitches behind her ear and three next to her eye. I talked with Sue a few days after the race and she mentioned that she didn't remember getting hit, just the before and after. She said that it must have been the tire that hit her because of the tire marks on her shirt and headset. Sue also said she didn't expect the bike to go airborne after hitting the tire wall. She's still a little sore but expects to make a full recovery. We talked for a while about changes to prevent it from happening again. It was such a freak incident to begin with. Racers rarely fall in that spot and when they do the bike usually stops by the Armco and tires. Most crashes are way farther down the exit or slide toward the flag station at the apex. The location of the commbox is perfect for viewing both the entrance and exit. The only possibility we could come up with is a catch fence on the concrete wall behind the Armco. I talked to Barbara about this and she will bring it up at the next AFM Board meeting and talk to Sears Point about it. This incident just goes to show that even thought you are alert about what's going on in your turn there is always something unexpected that can happen. Thank you God. This could have been much more serious that it was. God, please continue to keep your eye on us!
Just for information, the AFM supplies secondary medical insurance to all workers to cover what your primary insurance doesn't cover.
Besides everyone receiving a t-shirt, almost everyone walked away with another goodie in Worker Appreciation Raffle. We got cash, booze, hats, a car stereo, some hi-fi gadgets, posters, gloves, helmets, tapes and CDs, a couple of racing tires, gift certificates, a $220.00 gift for flying instruction or sightseeing, amongst other stuff. Thank you to all the racers, sponsor and vendors for all the great things. You made many hardworking people happy.
Danny Valadez, our Referee, almost got hit by an over zealous rider getting the checkered flag. Danny had to do a fancy dance to get out of the way. ...and we'll have fun, fun, fun, Ôtil the CHP takes our Ninja away. One of the AFM's racers had his racebike ripped off from his garage about two weeks before the last race. He thought he spotted his bike in the pits, under wraps, being used by another racer. He notified Sears Point who called in the CHP. The first racer was almost right. The bike was stolen bike but wasn't his. Apparently racer of the second part reported his bike stolen but either it wasn't really stolen (insurance fraud), or he found his bike and didn't report it (stupid). Either way the CHP's had to take him away for being in possession of stolen property. See him on "America's Least Needed." Scott Gray update, September 12 event, Formula Pacific race. According to Scott he hit a foot peg bracket in the shadows at the bottom of turn 3 that bent the rim. The tire debeaded and came off the rim in the exit of turn 6 that caused his getoff. He broke his lower leg just below the knee. Because we were short-handed we were not able to staff anyone in the bottom of turn 3 who would have seen the bracket and removed it.
New Workers
The new workers for the October 12, not already mentioned are Alan Christensen from turn 1, David Bradshaw in turn 6, Mark Harper and Mark Woodward from turn 7, Jon Evers, in turn 9, and William DeRosler from turn 12. Thanks for helping. Don't forget to come back next year.
Forgotten Workers:
I forgot to include Greg Parks on the DieHard List, and Dennis Baird for the Saturday Worker List. Sorry about that. My computer must have burped or something. Thank you for your help in 1992!
Whatta year! It seems as if we just started it last week. Everyone has done such a good job and worked extra hard this year. We all pitched in when we were short handed to help get the job done. On behalf of the AFM, I would like to thank everyone who helped put on some of the safest races anywhere. And on behalf of the Turnworkers I would like to thank the AFM for the great BBQ and all the goodies we received during the year. Stay tuned right here for all the information on next year's races. Seven racedates are penciled in for the AFM and the possibility of an AMA national. When the dates are firm I'll put out a postcard so you can get them on your calender. 'Til then, Happy Holidays. C-ya!