Dying of cancer, but I have a dream (18 tracks, 13 countries) - RIP, Jonathan Ko

ThumperX

ThumperX

Well-known member
Jon,

Start with this guy! He has connections with Ducati and Triumph and just did a tour of European tracks.

I'll send you a PM with my info so you can use my name.

When do you want this to happen? Obviously it's contingent on weather, seasons, and of course your health.

Also, do we need to get some crowd source funding stuff going for you?
 
flying_hun

flying_hun

Adverse Selection
scotinexcile said:
I know you said MotoGP tracks but they used to race on the Isle, there is no other place that can be called the "Motorcycle Mecca" than the Isle of Man. The people on the Isle are AMAZING, just like BARFers :)
Click to expand...

This is so true. :thumbup Plus, no trackday costs for running the TT course. Much of the course between towns, as well as over the mountain, are unrestricted. :ride
 
CatMacLeod

CatMacLeod

Leod Escapes Tourmaster
Leod Escapes can help make it real

We run tours to Europe that include track days at MotoGP tracks. As it stands we've got more trackday inventory from our German partner than we know what to do with. Literally it's all about building tours around all those great tracks. Of course we can also get you set up to ride some of the other courses we haven't built tours for yet and arrange bikes for you. How about Cartagena this January 2014? Seriously we've got it reserved for 4 days! You can also be part of our tour to Sachsenring in September. In the meantime we can help arrange other trackdays at far flung courses for you.

If the Barf community would like to do this as a charity event to make your dream possible here's how Leod Escapes could work it. Get 12 People to come on the trip and you go for free. It's that simple. Everyone comes along and gets to be a part of the adventure. It would be fun and inspiring for everyone. Sachsenring & Italian Alps Trip would be good. Sachenring is worldclass and it's a challenging course. We are also going to do Nüburgring (longest race course in the world) with the Swiss Alps but I don't know if that interests you as much.

Cat MacLeod
Tourmaster
Leod Motorcycle Escapes
 
Marci

Marci

"Shut Up & Ride Marc!"
Jon:

You post has touched me as well.

I am personally offering myself to help get you to as many tracks as we can. I can give you my word that I will work endlessly with full heart to get you where you need to go, with all the tools and contacts we are provided with. Donations, sponsors, etc.

Here is my proposal:

1) You and I communicate, decide, and lock down which tracks and when. Once that happens, we start a separate thread in the Track Day Forum.

2) I will handle communicating to all forums updates etc.

3) I will open up a PayPal account for those that would like to donate. You will obviously be in charge of the money donated, but I can coordinate paying the track providers (if I cannot get them to provide it to you for free), and any other expenses.

4) I will also coordinate as best as I can liaisons at the tracks for memoirs etc.

That's just the beginning...


I am really serious about this. I am sure I have a few friends on here that would tell you that when I take something on, I see it through and this I would do for you. Please feel free to give me a call at any time. (408) 426-0696.

Marci
:love
 
Marci

Marci

"Shut Up & Ride Marc!"
Sorry Rel. My fingers went on fire before I saw you post this. I will stand down and help you as needed. Either or.


Rel said:
I am volunteering to head up the committee to make this dream happen. If the OP says go then we're a go!
Click to expand...
 
latindane

latindane

Learner. EuroPW, NaPS
budman pointed me to your thread. I don't know if somebody has mentioned it, but bike promotion (a German-based company with teams in Denmark and Spain and maybe other countries too) usually has some of the GP tracks in their schedule. Not sure when the one for 2014 comes out; here is the current one in a PDF.

And good on ya dude, you are not dying of cancer. You are Living (with a capital L) with cancer.

Send me a PM if you have questions about logistics, etc. I can put you in touch with the Danish bike promotion folks who I am sure would be glad to help you figure it out. Last thing is I wouldn't go to the Spanish tracks in the summer. Do it in the spring or in the fall.
 
jonko

jonko

Well-known member
Hi all,

I've done some research and have come up with a rough schedule for 2014.

Laguna: April 15, http://www.keigwin.com/
Silverstone: May ?? http://www.focusedevents.com/bike-hire.asp or http://www.hottrax-online.com/
CotA: June 1, http://www.ridesmart.info/
Indy: Aug 14?, http://www.schwantzschool.com/
Philip Island: Oct?

I've used dates from 2013 assuming they will be roughly the same next year. Indy is a tough nut. The only way to get in is through the Kevin Schwantz school. Spendy, but hopefully worth it. I'm trying to do English speaking tracks first. I believe it would be easy to acquire bikes at Laguna, Silverstone, and Indy. I've sent out feelers regarding CotA and Phillip Island. If anyone has any more leads there, I would appreciate them.

I'm planning to put up something more official, either a webpage or blog. I'm not that sure about a youtube video, I have neither charm nor charisma. Thank you all for your support.
 
Charlotte

Charlotte

likes things starting w B
jonko said:
Hi all,

I've done some research and have come up with a rough schedule for 2014.

Laguna: April 15, http://www.keigwin.com/
Silverstone: May ?? http://www.focusedevents.com/bike-hire.asp or http://www.hottrax-online.com/
CotA: June 1, http://www.ridesmart.info/
Indy: Aug 14?, http://www.schwantzschool.com/
Philip Island: Oct?
Click to expand...

October is OK for PI. November would be better. Most GP's in OCT end up with some rain. It can be 3 seasons in one day over there. I can definitely start looking into bikes, places, accommodation etc now if you would like...? Are you interested in coming down to Tasmania as well? We rode from Sydney to Tas last Christmas, best road trip i have ever done. Tassie has amazing riding.
 
Sticka

Sticka

I am the Stig
I have a mate that helps out at Phillip Island trackdays.
He has just been diagnosed with cancer himself and I am sure that if he can, he will help you out at the Island.


.
 
phocup

phocup

Well-known member
Not to throw a wrench but Apr 15 @ Laguna is on K@TT's 2013 calendar. AFAIK their 2014 calendar is not public yet.
 
jonko

jonko

Well-known member
update

Hi all,

I just wanted to give you guys an update (and to let you know that I'm still alive :)).

My health has been good so far. The drug I am currently on has been quite effective. I also only need infusions once every three weeks. I continue to be active with sports, although I plan to start conditioning for trackdays as well. The tumors have probably shrunk in size since my last post. This drug is currently my last best option. I believe only drug trials await after this. I have no idea how long it will continue to work, but I have planned for at least one good year. I plan to make the best of it.

I have made a little bit of progress towards my goal. I am signed up for Laguna on May 25th with Keigwins. I know it's no longer a motogp track, but I have family there, and it would be great to be able to meet some of you if you could make it. Unfortunately, neither CotA nor Indy seems to be available for trackdays or schools this year. Kevin Schwantz has a school at Indy and was my only possible option, but they are on hiatus for this year and frankly might never come back. As for CotA, well, it seems trackdays are too lowbrow for them :(. Anyways, adapt and overcome right?

I am currently looking at European trackdays. There are a couple of UK outfits which have trackdays on the continent. I am considering No Limit, and Focused Events. I consider them since I would not have deal with language issues. Does anyone know anything about them? I have not signed up yet, but I plan to soon. Looking at a 2 day event at Assen in mid-June. I would like to do another one in August. I have some options.

http://nolimitstrackdays.com/euro-tracks.html

Not sure which ones actually fit in with my schedule though. Oh, I am signed up at supermotoschools for dirt biking day on April 5th.

So, just started the planning process. I hope to have this years tracks locked down soon. Thanks for reading. I appreciate all your support.

Oh, I've also started a blog, but I will probably continue to cross post here as well.

http://nottimeenough.wordpress.com/
 
Lunch Box

Lunch Box

Useful idiot
I was just thinking about you the other day. I'm glad to hear that you're still ticking, and are still pursuing this dream. That sucks that the CotA doesn't do track days. I have had my buddies on standby, willing to loan you a bike and give you a place to stay. If they start allowing track days, shoot me a line and I'll get you set up.

Meanwhile, just let us know how we can help you. I don't know the Euro organizations that you mentioned, but I would wager that someone else here will.
 
Gixxergirl1000

Gixxergirl1000

AFM #731
So glad that you're making some headway! :)

Please keep us posted on your trackday out here, I for one will do what I can to juggle my schedule to cheer you on! Depending on my schedule, I might be able to volunteer to be your Pit Monkey for the day, too!

Good luck with the meds that you're currently on, I truly hope that they turn things around for you! All the best, and keep us posted!! :thumbup
 
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