American Federation of Motorcyclists
E-mails and notes set by racers about Trackworkers
#1 Written by AFM #1
2001 Rob Mesa.
#2 Written by Gary
Jaehne AFM #12 about the above incident.
#3 Written by Marcus Kellum, #576.
#4 Written by Dale Olstinske #930
#5 Written by RacerGirl "Barbie"
about our June 3, 2001 race
#6 Written by Walt Davis About our June 3, 2001
race
#7 Excerpts from the AFM discussion
list May 2001
#8 Written by Dale Olstinske about racing
with the AFM
#9 Written by
Alynn Hiscox. Worker thank you's
10 Written by Chris,.AFM #552 about his
crash
Date: Wed, 4 Apr
2001 11:29:19 EDT
From: RoketPylot@aol.com
Subject: A note to Turnworkers
Dear unknown turnworker:
To the person flagging the "West Hill" on Saturday at
Buttonwillow during the new racer school. GOOD JOB. There
was an incident with about 10 minutes left in "open
rookie practice" when someone left the road going over the
hill. The errant bike went through a water puddle and splashed
an amazing amount of water and mud all the way across the
track (at the left kink) 5 feet wide! The track was almost
unusable at this point, even taking it very easy my bike
was all over the place crossing this mud slick. The turn worker
stood right at the edge of the inside of the corner at the
top of the hill with the flag stuck right in my face. I
couldn't miss it! and this said to me ...PAY ATTENTION serious
situation ahead. And it was, had I not really slowed down I
would have pitched it for sure.
thanks for saving my bike
Rob Mesa
AFM #1
PS Please forward this to the worker list
In a message dated Wed, 4 Apr 2001 11:31:48 AM Eastern Daylight
Time,
RoketPylot@aol.com writes:
<<<The errant bike went through a water puddle and splashed
an amazing amount of water and mud all the way across the track
(at the left kink) 5 feet wide! The track was almost unusable
at this point
======================================================
Wow ...... so that explains it! Thanks Rob for bringing this topic to the list. I remember coming around that section of track during the New Rider School open practice (right after it happened I guess), not seeing any flag at the moment, and crossing over this area feeling my bike get REALLY unsettled!
After the fact, I thought to myself that it had looked like the track surface coloring didn't quite appear normal in that area as I felt the bike slip, and even thought at first that it may have been a layer of dirty water.
I later (in the remaining portion of the lap) began questioning if it was perhaps just a shadowing of the light of the late afternoon. This questioning of what I'd seen was caused by the huge size of the area effected, the location of it being in such an odd spot for an off-track excursion to bring anything back to the track surface, and the fact that I didn't see a bike that had gone down in the offending area. I even questioned whether something may have been going wrong with my bike, to cause the loose feeling behavior on the previous lap.
After seeing the cornerworker so actively displaying the warning flag on the next successive lap, I realized that it had not been my imagination, and something was in fact on track in that area to cause the bike's reaction. I guess those eight years of racing Moto-X, before getting into roadracing, must have come in real handy on that previous lap, as I instinctively managed to use lots of body english to keep things from going bad in a big way. :-)
I'd also like to send out my own big "THUMBS UP" to this currently un-named cornerworker, for doing such a great job of getting right out there in the thick of things, in warning the riders of the impending danger. Job well done!!!
Gary Jaehne
AFM #12
My name is Marcus Kellum, #576. In race 3 at Buttonwillow, I was taken out by another rider at the exit of turn 8a, on the checkered flag lap. After landing on my head, and tumbling several times, I finally came to a stop-you guessed it-face-down in a world-famous Buttonwillow mud bog.
After counting to what seemed like a million ( I wanted to be REAL sure I was no longer sliding) I got to my feet and tried to clear the mud out of my nose, mouth and eyes. I found my glasses about 40 feet away-also coated with mud-but I put them on anyway. The first thing I actually focused on was the turnworkers rushing towards me.
I have pitched my bike down the track a couple of times, basic low-sides-nothing major. This experience was entirely different. I got my bell rung pretty good, after landing on my head, and flipping around like a sock in a dryer: I was disoriented, scared, and experiencing all sorts of fresh, raw pain.
Anyhow, I can honestly tell you this: I have NEVER been so relieved to see ANYONE in my life as I was to see those turnworkers headed towards me. In a strange sort of way, it confirmed that I was OK-I knew the routine: Get rider, Get bike, bike comes back to pit in the truck-and I was glad to be at my pit when the bike came back-more good news: no ambulance or chopper for me! Thank you to the turnworkers who helped me and my bike get home safely (and the crash-truck personnel!)
But it doesn't exactly stop at the track-a turnworker walked with me all the way from Turn 8a to the medics-it seemed like a million miles to me. The medics took off my helmet (my hands didn't exactly work), cut me out of my now useless leathers and gloves, did many checks on my bruised, road-rashed and bleeding body, and cleaned and bandaged the wounds, then released me to the care of my girlfriend, and my teammate. Thank you Track Medics.
But it didn't stop there. The next day, Barbara called me at work to see if I was OK, and to advise me of the crash protest proceedings (I was glad for the reminder, I was a bit loopy until the next day). Thank you Barbara.
I don't know if you guys get tons of thank-you emails from everyone that you help. I just wanted to express my gratitude and admiration for the job that the turnworkers perform at every single race. I have always made good-racer-karma donations to the Benevolent Fund, the NMP's and the Turnworker Appreciation day. I will continue to do so, and encourage all the racers I interact with to do the same. If it wasn't for the exemplary performance of everyone at AFM, I could no longer race, and my life would be poorer as a result.
So, a big, fat THANK YOU!!! To everybody!
Marcus Kellum
AFM #576
p.s. See you at Sears Point in April!
This past weekend was my first experience with AFM. I attended
the new racers school and raced for the first time on Sunday.
I just want to say thanks. Having been involved with other types
of clubs, I know that you get complaints most of the time. None
from me! I have to say that you guys are first rate. Everyone
I met was friendly and helpful, with safety first and foremost.
All the attendees appeared to have a good time. I had a great
time. That's what this is all about, after all. Thanks again,
Dale Olstinske #930
Subject: Re: Congrats for surviving the AFM crash-fest
What a weekend. I could not believe all the darn wrecks! A few
happened right in front of me too. Wheeeew! I have to tell you
that what you and the turnworkers did touched my heart. I was
surprised to see everyone doing it back to me and I think I even
started to cry. Since I dedicated my race to my dad who sadly
died two weeks ago, that race meant more to me than anything so
to see every turn worker come close to the track and blow me kisses
made that weekend even more special. If there is an email address
for turnworkers could you pass it along to me or pass along my
heart felt appreciation? I wish I could thank each of them personally.
Hope to see ya at Thunderhill!
I posted the following on the afm list, but to help my chances of finding out who the "mystery" CW is I thought I would send it to this address too. Thanks.
I wish to thank all the AFM corner workers (especially one) who were working T11 last Sunday morning at Sears. I was in practice group #1 and "through no fault of my own," (ya, right!) I crashed and "caused" 2 other riders to go down too. I, unfortunately, was the one who refused to get up and walk off the track. Before a CW got to me I laid on the track thinking I was VERY hurt, and I was kinda scared, to tell the truth. I could not move but I had a burning pain in my chest and back. When the first CW got to me the FIRST thing he did (after he made sure I was alive!) was assure me I was safe and not going to be hit by other bikes. (As it turns out, that had already happened, but we sure as hell do not want it happening again!)
I guess I was down for a long time, but what I remember most, other than the question, "What is your bike number?" :-) was one particular CW talking to me in a very calm voice telling me what was going on and that everything was going to be ok. I remember asking him what his name was, and when he told me I actually thought I would remember it, but I did not. I tried to remember it on my ride to Sonoma Hospital in the back of an ambulance but I would not come to me. So, you know who you are and thanks. Thanks to you and all the CWs in T11 and all the CWs with the AFM.
(And if you read this drop me a line so I know who you are and so I can thank you in person at the next race.)
Walt Davis
afm825
Here is a positive comment for the list from a yellow plate rider.. The turn workers were on top of everything this weekend, I saw witnessed alot of accidents and never a once did I not see their persisstent flagging and instructions to stay away from the impact areas... Cheers to them...
Kalib #518
From: DucMan900@aol.com
Subject: Re: Turnworkers
I got to agree.
Best part of my races is waving to them. It is a comfort to know
they are there.
Greg 954
------------------------------
Absolutely... they add confidence to racing, knowing they are
always there looking over each and everyone of us...
kalib 518
--------------------------------
From: Speedsterp@aol.com
Subject: Re: Turnworking
Probably the most exciting thing I did was chase a flaming bike halfway from turn 9 to turn 10 with a fire extinguisher in handtrying to get him off the track.
I saw this bike on fire, think it was FP? Remember thinking well that sucks, what a helpless felling to watch your bike burn up. Hope the damage was not to bad.
------------------------------
From: aaron brownlee <afm625@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Turnworking
>--- Mark White <ducboyjr@yahoo.com> wrote:
>And you all should know that when you ride by on your cool-down
laps and
>acknowledge the workers, it means a lot to us. It is really
gratifying to the workers
to know that our efforts are appreciated by the racers.
It's also great that the workers give riders a cheer on the cool off lap. Racing is the greatest high, a feeling of achievement like no other. Workers have the best seat in the house, and to see them acknowledge a good race adds to the excitement. I'm always happy to return the wave - sometimes I even want to park it so can stand there and cheer with them!
As an aside, I alwasy find it amusing that we are encouraged to spend entire lap entering corners one handed. Of course, we could wave with a foot, and (most) everyone manages to acknowledge the workers without crashing. I hope workers don't take it personally if some riders decide to steer rather than wave.
thanks for a great weekend! (a) sixtwofive
------------------------------
From: Kla Jade <klajade@yahoo.com>
To: afm@micapeak.com
Subject: Turn working
Turn working is my favorite way to contribute to the cause since I'm NOT a mechanic or fast enough to race and can't stand to "hang out" in the pits all weekend. I'm SO glad there is a way for me to participate until my lap times are satisfactory. This was my second race weekend and look forward to returning to Sears Point!! I'd have to say leaping off the cement wall flagging the burning bike was probably one of the more interesting moments of the weekend and am very happy the rider was not injured. However, Marks on his knees display during the victory/cool down lap for Barbie Racer #718(who was blowing kisses)was pretty spectacular as well. You go boy! ;-D
K'la Jade (Turn 9 flagger)
#62W
------------------------------
From: Debbi Thomas <FreeBrrd@PacBell.net>
Subject: Re: Turnworking
That show of appreciation goes for all of us who work for AFM.
I probably would have left for a real life if not for the riders.
(and leather!)
------------------------------
From: "Tychee" <Tychee_AFM@hotmail.com>
Subject: Thank you all...
Message-ID: <OE5HMwVN7miR9Odutox00000432@hotmail.com>
A huge thank you to everyone for putting up with some of my list BS and yet giving me one of the most awesome exhilarating experiences ever. I raced 600 SB and accomplished all my goals with the main one being "Have fun". Anyone around me and Aaron's pit can probably testify to this as they looked to see where the helmet muffled screams of pleasure were coming from as I rolled into the pit.
An extra special thank you to all the corner workers. After rounding T1 on the checker flag I realized that I had just finished my first race but then felt very alone and depressed because my family was not there to cheer me on. Then I look over to see all these folks dressed in white with a thumbs up and waving to me. As I began waving back I realized I wasn't alone at all and had plenty of family around. I may have finished way back as 47th but you folks made me feel like #1 by the time I finished the cool off lap.
Again, thank you everyone!
-Tychee AFM 819
I crashed in Sunday morning practice at the last Sears Point weekend when another unidentified rider took out my rear end at the start of the T6->T7 straight. I went down pretty hard, slid and rolled halfway down the straight. I ended up dislocating my shoulder.
I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the two corner workers who appeared on the scene within seconds, propped me up and reassured me that I was actually still alive. They helped me get off my helmet and gloves while we were waiting for the EMTs to arrive, kept me calm and generally showed just how much they cared about some rider they'd never met before. They were also suitably horrified when I popped my shoulder back in :)
I regret that I neglected to ask their names but I think in no small way their care helped me keep my head settled for the race later in the day.
On the cool down for my race I spotted one of them at T7 and tried to wave to say "thanks so much, I couldn't have done this without your care, this one's for you", but with a very sore shoulder it came out more as a half-hearted flop of my hand. I hope he understood.
To those and every corner worker out there, thank you so much.
Chris,.AFM #552, Zoom Zoom Racing.