American Federation of Motorcyclists Schedule for 1993
Like last year, we are looking for a few (15-20) good turnworkers to work our Saturday practices and new riders schools. If you are interested, please contact me at the address on the front. This is just a quick post card with the schedule so you can mark your calendars. A full newsletter with all the important information will arrive a few weeks before the first race. 'Till then - C-Ya!
Next Race: April 3&4 1993, Sears Point
We've had our winter rains (boy did we have them). The streets are starting to dry out. The weather is warming up. Almost perfect golf weather. (Did he say golf?) Spring is right around the corner. There's just the hint of Castrol in the air. And in a couple of weeks the AFM will start its 1993 Roadracing season. It's hard to believe over five months have past. So far we have eight races on the schedule for this year. Along with our regular Saturday practice/new riders school and Sunday sprint races, we have a four hour endurance race and the possibility of one other two day event that will be very special. The details are still in the works so stay tuned right here for all the late-breaking news.
More good news.
The SCCA is in the process of building a new race track in Northern California near Willows. It is about 100 miles north on Sacramento on Interstate 5. The SCCA has bought the land and has all the permits for the track. If I remember rightly it's called Thunder Hill Ranch. It is over three miles long with about a million turns of every type and shape available. The track will be able to split up into two sections that can be run at the same time. It will not be a spectator track. It will be set-up for testing and small (small?) clubs like us. The AFM has invested some moola into T.H.R. and should get a few race dates there when it is opened. The SCCA is trying not to borrow so the more money they receive the faster it will be completed. I guess if someone in the SCCA wins the lottery we could see paving by the end of the year.
New Worker Information
If you have never worked an AFM race before and want to be part of the action we have very few requirements. You must over 18 and have common sense. We will provide you with on the job training on raceday. You will be placed with a crew of seasoned veterans who will show you what to do. If you are still not sure about it, please give me a call and I'll answer any questions. If you want to just check it out, come out to one of our Saturday practice days and hunt me down at Start/Finish.
Saturday Workers
We are still looking for a few more workers for our Saturday practice/riders school days. If you have worked with us before and interested in helping us, please give me a call. Overnight camping is available for Saturday workers but please check in with Sears Point before doing so. Lunches are provided. I'll meet everyone at Pre-grid at 7:30 a.m. Green track at 8:30.
Raceday Information for Sunday April 4
Sears Point is located just north of the junction of highways 37 and 121. Between Vallejo and Novado. The worker gate will open at 6:30 and close at 7:10 After 7:10 you will have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. 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 will start at 7:15 at Start/Finish. Be there.
Dress appropriately. Who knows what the weather will be like? Last year it was warm all year long. Layers are the hot set-up. Also, please were white colors if you can, but no reds or yellows. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. This looks real funny. The racers take flags very seriously. You don't want to confuse them. No short pants, please. The AFM will not race Sears Point in the rain, but if you want this year's prestigious ÒDIE HARD" hat you must attend every race, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be there taking names.
On raceday we provide coffee and donuts in the morning, lunches, and after race beverages and snacks. Also ten bucks for gas. And usually we have some freebie to give away to everyone. 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 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Next race: May 7, 1993 Sears Point
Whatta Day! It musta rained everywhere but at Sears Point. The race gods were looking favorably on us. Just a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Even with the time change that I forgot to tell everyone about. Not even a deer. That is unusual for the first race of the year. And only 29 crashes for being so cool. Barbara Smith, our Race Director, tells me that there are generally more crashes on cooler days than on warm ones. You may or may not have noticed that we had an almost two hour period between 2:26 - 4:12 p.m. that we were crashless. Almost hard to believe. We didn't want to tell anyone because it might jinx us. And only three crashes between 1:55 and the end of the day. I didn't even get a chance to go around the track with the crash truck. Keep up the good work, racers!
Turn 2 took honors with the most crashes in the day. Dennis Baird headed the crew of Rick Richard, Dan Cheli and new guy and racer Gary Donaldson. Not too far behind was turn 11. Their fearless leader was Don Alexander and supported by Linda Pauli, and new guys Bart Dressscher, Lee Simmons, Dave Kambarian and Paul Shank. Turn 7 with Pete Barnum, Mickey Housel and Mark Branagan finished of the day with four crashes. Turn 9 got their one-crash-a-year taken care of early this season. Don Fritz headed the crew rookies: Sean O'Keeffe, Brian Yamamoto, and Craig Shiraishi.
New Workers The list of new workers not already mentioned are John Dede, Diolinda Cook (all the way from Truckee) and Richard Stewart from turn 1. Mark Hayes in turn 3. John Sweeney from turn4. In Turn 5 was Calvin Oshiro and Scot Ching. In turn 6 was Ed Haazler. And last but not least, from turn 7 was Nancy Moore. Thanks for coming out and helping make the raceday safer. Now don't forget to come back.
Good News - Bad News For those of you whom were not at the morning meeting at our first race I made an announcement. It looks as if I spent too much time at home during the off season and I am expecting my second child, due on the date of our October race. It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement. Effective the end of the year. It wouldn't be fair to leave my wife alone all weekend with two little Kahunas running around. My wife has been very patient with me for the last eight years as Worker Coordinator. It is time they come first and not the race schedule. I've been associated with the AFM since 1980 when I actually raced around Sears Point on a Yamaha 650 twin roadracer. Yes, I did! But now the leathers don't fit like they used to. (Like not at all!) I would like to thank the AFM and all the turnworkers I have worked with for all their support. I learned more about people, management, and organization than I could have ever learned in school. I'll stop here before I get too misty, because we still have a season of races to run before I'm outta here. Doug Smith and Steve Kramme will split up my duties in 1994 and will guide The Crew to the next level. This has been a very hard decision for me. The AFM has been my "baby" for eight years. It's going to be very hard to let go and say good-bye.
New Worker Information If you have never worked an AFM race before and want to be part of the action we have very few requirements. You must over 18 and have common sense. We will provide you with on-the-job training on raceday. You will be placed with a crew of seasoned veterans who will show you what to do. If you are still not sure about it, please give me a call and I'll answer any questions. If you want to just check it out, come out to one of our Saturday practice days and hunt me down at Start/Finish. Saturday Workers We are still looking for a few more workers for our Saturday practice/riders school days. If you have worked with us before and interested in helping us, please give me a call . Overnight camping is available for Saturday workers but please check in with Sears Point before doing so. The AFM provides lunches. I'll meet everyone at Pre-grid at 7:30 a.m. Green track at 8:30. Raceday Information for Sunday May 7
You'd better Read This. I've Added a Few New Sentences! Sears Point is located just north of the junction of highways 37 and 121. Between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate will open at 6:30 and close at 7:10 After 7:10 you will have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. 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 will start at 7:15 at Start/Finish. Be there.
Dress appropriately. Who knows what the weather will be like? We almost had our first race rained out. Layers are the hot set-up. Also, please were white colors if you can, but no reds or yellows. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. This looks real funny. The racers take flags very seriously. You don't want to confuse them. No short pants, please. The AFM will not race Sears Point in the rain, but if you want this year's prestigious "DIE HARD" hat you must attend every race, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be there taking names.
On raceday we provide coffee and donuts in the morning, lunches, and after race drinks and snacks. Also ten bucks for gas. We have a special freebie for you for spending Mothers Day with us. 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 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Next race: May 30, 1993
This is just a quick note to remind you of the next race. More in the next newsletter. Because of the amount of raceday entries, we need more Saturday workers. Experienced or not, we need you. Call me if you have any questions. On May 29, I'll meet you at Pre-grid at 7:30 a.m. Green track at 8:30. Raceday Information for Sunday, May 30. Sears Point is located just north of the junction of highways 37 and 121. Between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate will open at 6:30 and close at 7:10 After 7:10 you will have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. 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 will start at 7:15 at Start/Finish. Be there. Dress appropriately. Who knows what the weather will be like? We almost had our first race rained out. Layers are the hot set-up. Also, please were white colors if you can, but no reds or yellows. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. This looks real funny. The racers take flags very seriously. You don't want to confuse them. No short pants, please. The AFM will not race Sears Point in the rain, but if you want this year's prestigious "DIE HARD" hat you must attend every race, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be there taking names. On raceday we provide coffee and donuts in the morning, lunches, and after race drinks and snacks. Also 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 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Next race: July 10+11, 1993 Sears Point
Whatta weekend. And how about this weather? Kind of hard to figure out. Everyone was a good sport for putting up with the rain delays; getting wet while we waited for it to clear up (which it didn't). We really earned our Die Hard hats. And what a great turnout of workers. Even with it being a three day weekend. Thanks everyone!
To help me in getting this newsletter out, Doug Smith and Steve Kramme will be writing a column called Race Notes. It will cover some of the high points of our raceday. This installment was written by Doug. Take it away, Doug...
Race Notes
Some Notes on the Memorial Day Weekend Event
The weekend weather was about a day ahead of where it should have been. Saturday was cool and the track was to most everybody's liking. What was definitely to everyone's liking was the coffee and donuts on Saturday. Thank you Steve Kramme!!! We got a lot of practice time in for the racers. Guys and gals were running out of gas by the end of the day. So were a few of the workers. Pete Barnum was suffering from an attack of Denny's, but still made the long run to the Goodyear bridge from Turn 6 to tend to a fallen rider. Both were feeling much better on Sunday. Our small but talented crew did a fine job, as the riders averaged one fall per practice session. These all day practices are very well attended by the riders. We could use a little more help next time, so if your schedule permits, we'd love to see you. The weatherman had us under his spell all day Sunday. (No Indy news). The morning was dry, but it kept getting darker as the day went on. Turn 4 got most of the early business. The Swamp Things did a great job with a lot of action. Ever seen a 750cc Chia Pet? You had to be there (still no Indy news). We got a wild start to the races when a 250 production guy in the middle of the grid did a straight up - off the back of the bike - vertical 360 spin, got it straight and left. Somehow everybody missed him. (Phill knows who won...shhhh) After lunch we finished race #4, then the Damn Heavy Drops put everything on hold for 20 minutes. Almost half way through Formula 2 though, we were done for the day. Thanks to all the new workers. We hope you'll find your way back. See you all the weekend after the Fourth. (Good show Emmo)
It looks like turn 4 has taken over the number one spot for grinding down that little burr on your fairing. On May 9, it was staffed by Rod Scott, Charles Pina, Geramy Kentz, and Brian Lowe. And on May 30 it was manned by Monte Simmons, Rod Scott and Charles Pina. The sure have been doing a lot of sweeping up there.
New Workers
Here is the list of new workers for our last two races: Philip Klingelhofer, Gaylord Eckles, Savanna Eckles, Dave Wallace, Ed Bowen, Teresa Hunt, George Attia, Carol Espino, Gerald Powell, Jeremy Krentz, Brian Lowe, Lee Wilkenson, Dwight Teague, Matt Trumbull, Scott McBirney, Frank Jackson, Pati Hill and Rob Coates. Thanks for sharing your weekend with us and don't forget your way back.
Saturday Workers
We are still looking for more Saturday Workers, expierenced or not. If you are interested, please contact me. Thanks
Raceday Information for Saturday, July 10 and Sunday, July 11
Sears Point is located just north of the junction of highways 37 and 121. Between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate will open at 6:30 and close at 7:10 After 7:10 you will have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. 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. On Saturday, because there is no charge to enter the track, I'll meet you at Pre-grid at 7:30 a.m. Green track at 8:30. On Sunday our morning meeting will start at 7:15 at Start/Finish. Be there.
Dress appropriately. Who knows what the weather will be like? Don't ask me. Even taking up a collection to buy me a clue won't help. Layers are the hot set-up. Also, please wear white colors if you can, but no reds or yellows. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. This looks real funny. The racers take flags very seriously. You don't want to confuse them. No short pants, please. The AFM will not race Sears Point in the rain, but if you want this year's prestigious DIE HARD hat you must attend every race, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be there taking names.
On raceday we provide coffee and donuts in the morning, lunches, and after race drinks and snacks. (On Saturdays too, thanks to Steve Kramme) Also fifteen 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 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Next race: August 7 & 8, 1993 Sears Point
It was great to actually get a full raceday under our belts after our May rainout. The weather was wonderful. Just a little fog in the morning to keep us cool. It's liable to get pretty warm before the season's over with. We have just passed the midway point of our 1993 racing season with some really cool stuff in store for the final half. Read on for more information. Steve Kramme has this installment of race notes...
Race Notes
I've thought a lot about why I continue to be a corner worker at AFM events:
Race Highlights
Formula IV: Mike Mondo (#100) on his 125cc two stroke had the tightest lines of anyone and was always tucked in. 250 production is all about cornering speed and perfect lines, miss a shift and you loose two positions.
Open Twins: Eron Flory #76 on a pushrod twin BMW rode an incredible race to finish third and in the process humiliated a few Ducatis that have superior power and handling. If you work turn three ask Ron to let you sit in the box for part of this race. The whole box resonates when the twins come by. #921 on a BSA Triple has perhaps the best sounding bike of all, listen for him.
The Icing on the Cake: Formula Pacific. Incredibly this race just gets better every time: Geep Taranova #173 and Dave Devoe #125 fought the whole race. Geep watched and waited for a weak spot in Devoe's lines and found it in turn four on the last lap. Devoe nearly lost in under braking into turn eleven. Both wheelied out of twelve with Geep crossing the line first! As the AFM slogan says ÒRacing at its Finest." The next race should see the return of fast guys Joe Brett Williams and Scott Gray. I can hardly wait!
The best move of the day by a turnworker was Don Alexander who gracefully kicked a derailed drive chain out of the exit of turn twelve and jumped the pit wall while on the run as riders were approaching turn twelve. Bravo Don!
See you the seventh and eighth of August for two full days of racing.
(Doug Smith asked me to mention the great on-and-off-and-on-and-off-and-on-and-off-and-on save in the exit of turn 10. Musta had some smelly leathers after that! Phill)
New Workers
Here is the list of new workers for our last race: Deborah Flannerg, David Wilson, Wess Safford, Mike Gutterres, Jim Borup, Tom Parnham, George Simien, Grizz Archer, John Heacock, Benjamin Riggs, Randy Johnson, and David Boyer. We hope you had fun. Please don't forget your way back to us.
Special Two Day Event Information
The AFM is going to try something new, a two-day event. We will split up the race schedule and run some on each day. This will give the racers more laps and give us a little more time too. We will need all our workers for both days. Barbara has promised us special goodies. While on the subject of two day events, we will also need a full crew of workers for the Endurance Races weekend, September 25 & 26. After the enduro on Saturday we will have our annual BBQ. Be sure and mark your calendars.
Two-Day Event Information for Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8
As mentioned before, we will be running a two-day event during the weekend. We will need all workers for both days. Sears Point is located just north of the junction of highways 37 and 121. Between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate will open both days at 6:30 and close at 7:10 After 7:10 you will have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. 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. On Saturday, because there is no charge to enter the track, I'll meet you at Pre-grid at 7:30 a.m. Green track at 8:30. On our morning meeting on both days will start at 7:15 at Start/Finish. Be there.
Dress appropriately. Who knows what the weather will be like? Don't ask me. Even taking up a collection to buy me a clue won't help. Layers are the hot set-up. Also, please wear white colors if you can, but no reds or yellows. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. This looks real funny. The racers take flags very seriously. You don't want to confuse them. No short pants, please. The AFM will not race Sears Point in the rain, but if you want this year's prestigious DIE HARD hat you must attend every race, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be there taking names.
On raceday we provide coffee and donuts in the morning, lunches, and after race drinks and snacks. (On Saturdays too, thanks to Steve Kramme) Also fifteen 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 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Next race: September 4 & 5 Sears Point
What a wonderful weekend. I think we witnessed some of the best and closest racing so far this year. We were very un-stressed by the Two-Day Event schedule. Darn neared put us to sleep. We are much more used to the hurry-up-offense raceday. But it was nice to get a little more time for lunch to walk around in the pits. Don't forget that September 25 &26's race will be our Endurance Race weekend. We will need a full crew for both days. Mark your calendars. Also after the enduro on Saturday will be our annual worker BBQ. Ya gotta love it!
Race Notes - August 7 & 8
(Doug Smith) We finally had the Great Experiment with the two day AFM event. From the comments at the beer, reaction was mixed. Let us know what you thought about the two day format, in a note next race day or in a short note to The Crew. Some of the good and bad comments that I heard on Sunday were:
So I guess a lot depended on your frame of mind at the time. And if you were working Turn 6. It seemed like all weekend long that was the busy spot. The crew there and every place else did a fine job all weekend long. Saturday we had a small but very able crew. We were rewarded with some very good racing, only one racer out of gas in the longer format (Frank...), great weather, and nobody got hurt. Sunday we had a much larger crew, better weather, flags and three transports put a damper on the day. Turns 3 and 9 had crashes that stopped the show, and if you missed the end of the day endo coming out of 8A, well, you missed it. Lots of air on this one, more than any Supercross jump. The rider walked away though. I hear that everyone else is doing fine.
Fifteen laps of Formula Pacific was a highlight of the weekend. A tightrope of physical stamina, tire preservation, and gas mileage (a 45 Mile race). Geep made his last-lap winning move in turn 3 this time. No crashing in the race! No crashes all the way through the seven practices on Sunday either. I can't ever remember that happening.
Labor Day weekend is our next race. This will be a practice Saturday and the regular fun packed Sunday schedule. See you all there!
(Steve Kramme) August 7 & 8, two days of racing! I don't think we could have asked for better weather. The longer lunch break was nice too. Saturday I was privileged to work with Don Fritz in turn 9. VERY FAST. Again the Vintage and Open Twins sounded great there too.
We witnessed history as the seemingly unbeatable Mike Summers was bettered by hard riding Dave Colbert. Those of you on the intercom will remember Steve Gregory's outburst describing Dave's combined tank slapper, handlebar handstanding gymnastics and miraculous save exiting the chicane. Colbert said after the race he would have dragged his bike across the finish line to beat Summers!
Sunday was another battle to the last lap between Geep Teranova and Dave Devoe in Formula Pacific. This is truly the AFM's premier class. Can this get any better?
New Workers Here is the list of new workers for our last race: Jeremy Schultz, Toby Chapman, Rodger Liles, Henry Hathaway, Jr., Laura Safford, Kyle Hornstein, and Russ Hoppner. We hope you had fun. Please don't forget your way back to us.
Saturday Workers We are still looking for more Saturday Workers. If you are interested please contact me. Because there is no gate charge for Saturday practices, I'll meet everyone at pregrid at 7:30. Thanks.
Information for Sunday, September 5 Sears Point is located just north of the junction of highways 37 and 121. Between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate will open at 6:30 and close at 7:10 After 7:10 you will have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. 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 starts at 7:15 at Start/Finish. Be there. Green track at eight. Dress appropriately. Who knows what the weather will be like? Don't ask me. Even taking up a collection to buy me a clue won't help. Layers are the hot set-up. Also, please wear white colors if you can, but no reds or yellows. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag and waved in the air by your leg. This looks real funny. The racers take flags very seriously. You don't want to confuse them. No short pants, please. The AFM will not race Sears Point in the rain, but if you want this year's prestigious DIE HARD hat you must attend every race, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be there taking names. On raceday we provide coffee and donuts in the morning, lunches, and after race drinks and snacks. (On Saturdays too, thanks to Steve Kramme) Also fifteen 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 or write me at the address on the front. C-ya!
Next races: 4 Hour Enduro and Worker BBQ Sept. 25, Regular Sprint Schedule Sept. 26, Sears Point
This is just a note to remind you about our next races. We will need a full crew for both days. On Saturday we will run the 4 Hour Enduro with the annual worker BBQ to follow. Sunday is our regular sprint race schedule. I would appreciate a call by Thursday, Sept. 16 if you will attend the BBQ so I can get the count to the caterer. Thanks! It was great to see a couple of workers we haven't seen in a while at our last race. Mike and Denise Santarelli and their son Nick flew in from Colorado to visit. Also our past Quartermaster, Doug Tapscott paid us a visit. It was good to see you all again. Paul Doyle was the only new worker we had at the last race. Welcome!
Information for Saturday and Sunday, September 25 & 26. Sears Point is located just north of the junction of highways 37 and 121. Between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate opens on both days at 6:30 and closes at 7:05. After 7:05 you will have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. 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 starts at 7:15 at Start/Finish. Be there. Green track at eight. Dress appropriately. Layers are the hot set-up. Also, please wear white colors if you can, but no reds or yellows. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag. The racers take flags very seriously. Don't confuse them. No short pants, please. The AFM will not race Sears Point in the rain, but if you want this year's prestigious DIE HARD hat you must attend every race, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be there taking names. On raceday we provide coffee and donuts in the morning, lunches, and after race drinks and snacks. (On Saturdays too, thanks to Steve Kramme) Also fifteen 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 or write me at the address on the front. Sooli-moola!
Last race of the year: Worker Appreciation Race, Kahuna Retirement, October 10
Just a quick note to remind you about the last race of the year. This is the annual end of season, Worker Appreciation Race. We will give away all of cool stuff that the racers, sponsors and vendors have given to us throughout the year. In the past we have given away: computers, helmets, soft luggage, boots, hats, T-shirts, booze, and cash! Be there to get your share. It is also my last race as Worker Coordinator. Be there as I pass on the Kahuna Klip-board. I might make some teary-eyed speech or something. You have to let me be serious at least once in eight years. NOT!
Information for Sunday, October 10. Sears Point is located just north of the junction of highways 37 and 121. Between Vallejo and Novato. The worker gate opens at 6:30 and close at 7:05. After 7:05 you will have to pay to get in. Please, if you are late, do not run the gate. 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 starts at 7:15 at Start/Finish. Be there. Green track at eight. Dress appropriately. Layers are the hot set-up. Also, please wear white colors if you can, but no reds or yellows. You don't want to be mistaken for a flag. The racers take flags very seriously. Don't confuse them. No short pants, please. The AFM will not race Sears Point in the rain, but if you want this year's prestigious DIE HARD hat you must attend every race, rain or shine. And if it's raining, I'll be there taking names. On raceday we provide coffee and donuts in the morning, lunches, and after race drinks and snacks. 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 or write me at the address on the front. C ya.
End of season Newsletter
A funny thing happened to me on the way to the last race... My son Tyler was born. It seems that my wife, Deidre, had a really fast labor. About 45 minutes. And I was stuck in traffic in Vallejo at the blessed moment. Oops! By the time I arrived Mom and baby were back in their regular room. We hadn't even finished our refresher class in La Maze. Oh well. Everyone is doing fine, but with a lot less sleep.
With the blessing of Deidre and Tyler, Ryan and I set off to hold my last morning meeting. I was really happy to be able to say goodbye to everyone. I would like to thank the AFM and everyone for all the wonderful retirement gifts. Gee, maybe I should retire more often. The golf clubs get me lots of laughs. The clock came in really handy when the power went out about twenty times during the night not long after Tyler was born. And the vacation cash, what can I say! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Everyone was so kind. I wish I could have spent the whole day but they kicked Deidre out of the hospital at about noon. It was very hard for me to leave knowing that the races were still going on. My son, Ryan, who helped put down the grid numbers, kept me company on the way home telling me about all the "mo-cycles" he saw. He still talks about them.
Needless to say I can't tell you what happened during the raceday, so here's Doug Smith with Race Notes.
Race Notes by Doug Smith AFM Season Finale / Worker Appreciation / Kahuna Sendoff Day
I wish that everyone could have heard the riders and sponsors on the P.A. system all day long thanking the turnworker and NMP's for the work done throughout the year. It says a lot about the job that each one of you did at every race. The worker appreciation day gifts kept rolling in all day long. I hope that everyone got something that will be enjoyed. There was some heavy trading action going on. Many thanks to Patty G. for bagging the prizes and doing most of the ticket drawing work during the races all afternoon long. Hopefully it gave us all some more time to wind down at the end of the day without listening for ticket numbers till dark. Comments for next year ??? My thanks and appreciation to everyone who came out to even one race this year. For those who were out a little more often, twenty-two Die-Hard hats were awarded, with about a dozen near-misses. We had a super crew, great turnouts, and great fun all year long.
What can I say about Phill's sendoff day? The work that he has done over the years for the crew and the club will be fondly remembered for a very long time. We were all sad to see him drive off a little before lunch, but happy for him and the new stage of his life. We know that he is not dropping completely out of sight. The programs, rule book publishing, and some Saturdays at the track are still on his list. Maybe a race day or two too. Thank you doesn't seem to say enough, but thank you Phill.
The day was also about racing, though it didn't look that way for a while. After the weather cleared and things were shortened up a bit, we had a lot of good racing. Seep nailed down the AFM Number l plate with a third place in Formula Pacific. Former Number 1 Pete Wensloff won the Formula II race, and all the class points races were decided. The hot spot was Turn 4 as far as our action went. I lost count after 7 riders down. Great work by the Turn 4 crew made it look like nothing special.
Several people asked about the AFM Awards Banquet after the race I'll see that the word gets out well before the event. It usually happens in January, and has been in Pleasant Hill the last few years. Watch this space. (Editors Note: The banquet is on Saturday, January 15, 1994. Contact Barbara Smith at (510) 796-7005 for details.) 'A little tough to recognize everyone without their whites and leathers, but a fun evening. It will be good to get together over the winter break. Thanks again to everyone for a great year. Let's do it again !!!
New Workers
New turnworkers for the last race of the year are Craig Shiraishi from turn 2, Gary Garcia from turn 10 and Paul Doyle from turn 11. Thank you for your help and don't forget us next year.
It's been a great farewell tour. We hit all the really good spots: turn 2, turn 9, the big cleanup in 3, the snack bar, and Start/Finish. When I think back on the past eight plus years there are many people who have helped me and I would like to thank. Tommy Bright and Vance Breese who first gave me the chance to put together the CREW. Doug Tapscott for holding my hand at the first few Board Meetings making sure they listened to me. The various members of the AFM Board over the years who listened to me: Mike and Joanne Ross, Joe Montoya, Wayne Montoya, Denny Doherty, Kurt Krueger, and Steve Wickland. Doug Smith and Jim Short for all their support on and before raceday. All the AFM racers, friends, family, sponsors, vendors and Sears Point for making motorcycle racing in Northern California the best! The hundreds of track workers I have worked with over the years. You have made this "job" as easy as spending the weekend with friends. Last, but not least, Barbara Smith. AT&T could make a commercial about all the time spent talking on the phone with her. Her support, encouragement, and friendship has been a real blessing throughout the years. I know I have forgotten some people, but with one colicky baby and the other one saying, "no 'puter, play Daddy, play," please forgive me. This has been a wonderful time of my life. With friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you for sharing them with me. Thank you all! Thumbs up!
1994 AFM Schedule
An enduro, new riders schools and full-day practices to be arranged on race weekend Saturdays. And a special "Battle of the Legends" two-day event during the August 6 and 7 race
This is my last newsletter. Please direct all questions and comments to Doug Smith at the address on the front. But, of course, my door will always be open to those who want to chat. Thanks again for everyone's help. Take it away Doug...... C ya!