The Racers Forum Racers Picture Thread

[EastBayDave]

Yes, I had the chance to go pro, but I never did. I was "AMA Qualified" (you need a certain number of top 3 finishes), but at the time people like Kenny Roberts, Randy Mamola, Chuck Askland, Gene Romero, Mike Baldwin, etc. were the hot guys on TZ750's (Yamaha's GP bike at the time, 4 cyclinder 2-strokes.)

My little KZ650 superbike was not really competitive (friends on similar bikes would get lapped 2-3 times), so I figured why bother? I just plain didn't have the sponsorship & $$$. Roberts was busy badmouthing "Streetbikers getting in my way" to everyone that would listen anyway.

I wanted to ride against Roberts (just so I could "get in his way"), but figured I'd have absolutely no chance at a win, or even a top ten so aw the hell with it. Friends on similar Superbikes would finish 15th-20th at Laguna/Sears Nationals at the time & I just didn't want to run if there was no chance at winning.

On the other hand, I was finishing top 3 in the AFM consistently, w/a couple occasional wins, but mostly 2nd/3rd place finishes. So why run for top 20 when I can be top three? Much cheaper too. I had a few sponsors, but the big bux was reserved for the "little guys." You see, I was 6'3" & 235lbs. when I was in top shape (football player size), & all the little guys had HP on me simply cuz they were 100lbs. lighter.

One of my local sponsors flew me to a LA dealer (only) show once to shop for sponsors, & had folks like Ken Clark (Yamaha Racing Mgr., Sparky Edmondson, etc.) tell me I was "too big to be a bike racer." So I didn't gain any sponsorshop there sadly. I had to suffice w/Richmond KAW, Dunlop, Wheel Works. Lockhart, & a few others. Mostly discount bike parts; but my partner at Richmond KAW was Rich Oliver who was a GREAT fellow team member! We all know Rich's history of his later years in racing...

No regrets, I got 8 full seasons of hard racing, & I had a ball. I stayed involved w/AFM/AMA for a few years more after my 84' retirement wrenching for others. Best placing as a wrench (Jeff Banister riding) was a 2nd place in "Open Grand Prix" in the 1987' Season Championship running a GS1000/former John Woo superbike.

It was the most fun & exciting time of my life so far w/the exception of my children's births, & a time I'll never forget. If only everyone could be so lucky...:teeth

 

[Agent Orange]

as far as needing consistent top 3 finishes at the club level to compete in the AMA, is that rule still in effect today?

great story. seems like racing hasnt changed much as far as politics go other than the technology.

 

[ducboyjr]

World's cutest racer

This is 7-year-old Misuzu, a pocket bike racer in Japan. She has better riding position than many of the club racers I've seen (myself included)! And those "Baby Tweety" leathers and helmet take the cake. Amazing.

mark
afm#739

 

[budman]

That is a :cool pic...

Tweety is a sweety :thumbup

:smoking

 

[EastBayDave]

as far as needing consistent top 3 finishes at the club level to compete in the AMA, is that rule still in effect today?

I don't know what today's requirements are. I believe you need the same thing (points from top-3 finishes over a couple years), & you need a approval from your race club president/officer as well.

In my later years in the AFM, I saw a couple riders who were great riders....but they crashed a lot....so they couldn't get approval from AFM President (at the time) Vance Breeze. Daryl White comes to mind....a GREAT rider who simply crashed too much to get approval...(win or crash)...:wow

 

[budman]

When I got my AMA license the AFM president had nothing to do with it..this was 87. I just sent in my histroy (results) , lap times, etc. Had to pass a physical and send that in too.
This was not a Superbike license. Just supersport and endurance..yes the AMA use to have endurance races the Saturday before the Superbike race..cool stuff.

I rec'd a thumbup and went out and did it...big deal for me..the big time :tsc

Vance breeze...damn...remember him too.

Dave I am going to talk to you as we will be embarking on a history of AFM feature article during the course of this year.

50 years of fast fun...Happy :bday AFM.

:smoking

 

[kneedrag]

There's a points criteria to obtain an AMA license. At least there was back in 97. The points are award by finish and by how many competitors in class.

The following is rough estimates:

You needed 150 points for an AMA Supersport license using the AMA's points calculator. (I don't believe they have Pro Sport available anymore) Just to clarify, it's not a one for one, AFM to AMA, point ratio. I believe it was 30 points for a win for a class that had more than 20 starters. 15 points are awarded for a win with less than 20 starters.
Example: If you win a large AFM class you're awarded up to 75 AFM points, which is only worth 30 AMA points.

The AMA sends you a form that you forward to the AFM's scoring dept. They will for a fee of $25(?) calculate your AFM finishes toward the AMA minimum requirement. If you meet the requirement they will sign the letter stating you have enough accumulated points and that you're a competent racer.

 

[EastBayDave]

Dave I am going to talk to you as we will be embarking on a history of AFM feature article during the course of this year.

Happy to help...let me know...

I even know some old codgers who go back to the sixties w/the AFM...:teeth

 

[budman]

:cool

Codgers are good. :teeth Be in touch!

:smoking

 

[motojava]

Buttonwillow.

This was my first win at the 2000 season finale at Buttonwillow. I set a 250P class record during that race.

 

[motojava]

Here's a shot of me *not* running over John Rabasa in turn 11 at S-P. During the Summer of 2000.

What's ironic is that a year later, I was run over right where John is.

 

[motojava]

Me in 1999 with the answer to the question:

Can you get a podium spot in the 450 edurance race on a VTR 250? (yes you can)

 

[motojava]

This win was the best one ever.

This photo was taken three weeks after I was diagnosed with leukemia. The drugs were (and still are) kicking my ass. This win was my way of saying "try to stop me".

That trophy sits next to me every day in my office.

 

[motojava]

Leading a 250P race in turn 6 at T-Hill. (first lap)

 

[motojava]

and the very last trophy for me, since I'm done racing.

(250P class championship)

 

[EastBayDave]

and the very last trophy for me, since I'm done racing.

(250P class championship)

Not only winning a few races (battles), but you won the war too! (Season Championship) That is so friggin' awesome; something I never was able to do (runner up in AFM Open Stock, Open Prod., & Open Superstreet numerous times, several years in a row!)

I am impressed! Good job! Nice pics too! :teeth

 

[longwaytofall]

great pics guys, hopefully i will have a few of my own in the months to come.

 

[jehanzeb]

To 'ducboyjr'.

'Tweety' has an absolute killer form!

I can almost see the look of concentration behind that visor and judging by the abuse those knee pucks are getting, she isn't tooting' around the track either.......

Here's to a future world champion.....

Thanks for posting!
AJ.

 

[rgvjames]

OUCH!

Crashed just this last weekend @BW and spent a night in the hospital. And I thought the guy's bike across the pits was wadded up....

 

[ducboyjr]

Re: OUCH!

Were you in the first block of garages? If so, that was my bike you saw all wadded up....

Crashed just this last weekend @BW and spent a night in the hospital. And I thought the guy's bike across the pits was wadded up....