A flurry of year-end donations totalling $17,970 to the Roadracing World Action Fund, Inc., a 501(3)c non-profit corporation dedicated to reducing racetrack injuries by encouraging the use of soft barriers, has boosted the grand total to $314,222.75 received since the Airfence* safety campaign began back in April 2001, with $291,345.75 designated for road racing, and $22,877 for dirt track.
Many donations were made in memory of former racer and AMA and CCS race official Bill Parr. AMA Superbike officials rallied to honor the memory of their former co-worker with a combined donation of $350. Officials contributing include: Ron & Diane Hooper, $100; Ez & Michele Blakemore, $50; Bob & Carol Hill, $50; Jerry Durhammer, $25; Denise Mathers $25; Tom Roman, $25; Darlene Ghanati, $25; Leah Sheritt, $25; and Laura Perry, $25.
CRA cornerworkers sent $150 in memory of both Bill Parr and Craig Sailor. CRA corner captains Rollin Beard and Jeff Storjohann (also an AMA grid worker) wrote, “As veteran cornerworkers, we are pleased with the ongoing support the Roadracing World Action Fund has on road racing in the United States. Many times, we literally are the first individuals to arrive at a rider’s side following an incident and while the majority of tracks in our country still choose to ignore safety issues, it is comforting to know that the deployment of soft barriers made available through this effort truly makes our jobs easier. Enclosed is a check for $150. We donate this in two individuals’ names: Craig Sailor was a long-time corner captain for the Central Roadracing Association and close friend who brought both of us into this sport before he passed away from cancer in 1994. The donation is also made in the memory of Bill Parr, an AMA pit steward who passed away last month [Nov. 2004] following a battle with cancer. We had the honor of working with Bill during the 2004 season and per his request memorials are made to this fund. Godspeed to both men, and may your efforts continue until the day when track designs make such devices no longer necessary.”
Also honoring the memory of Bill Parr with donations to the Roadracing World Action Fund were: The Parr Family, $350; Gary W. McQuiston, Sr., $150; John W. Butler, $100; SFX Motorsports, $100; Keith Joy, $50; Jean Wilkins, $50; and Beth Miller, $25.
Topping the list of many repeat contributors is Brooks Gremmels/Shogun Motorsports, adding $10,000 to former donations of $4150 for a grand total of $14,150; Mr. & Mrs. Fred Bittner adding $2900 for a total of $9150; The Joseph C. and Esther Foster Foundation adding $1000 for a grand total of $16,000; Mark Brereton/RoadRACE DVD adding $545 for a total of $4015; Marcus McBain/RPS adding $250 for a total of $5025; Charles Buse adding $250 for a total of $500; David J. Kopfinger adding $30 for a total of $211.05; Nathan & Angela Church adding $50 for a total of $150; John Stewardson adding $80 for a total of $149.45; and Matthew Kennedy adding $50 for a total of $150.
McBain wrote, “I am very pleased to close out the season with the final donation of $250 this year. It has been an incredible year for my company and customers on RPS suspension products. I appreciate the support my customers give my company. I can definitely say that customers in the MRA, CMRA, and ASMA racing clubs have enthusiastically supported Racing Performance Services because they know when the attend a seminar or conduct business, I will ensure that RPS puts something back into the community. With RPS focusing on the Roadracing World Action Fund, the ability for customers to see our dedication to them is easy to identify and good for all.”
John V. Whiting contributed $50 each to road race and dirt track funds “in honor of Tom Pellegrini, who was recently injured in a street riding accident and is recuperating.” Whiting’s overall total is $200.
Darrin Talbott of the WERA BBS sent in $50 dedicated to DaveK, “just because Nicky couldn’t finish higher than a Texas Tornado,” and an additional $100 dedicated to Carl Anderson, “just because Nicky is not ready to win MotoGP.” Adding to the $50 Talbott contributed earlier this year (without dedication), his overall total stands at $200.
The Badweather Bikers sent $480 in honor of Blake Rudy; Chris Cullen/Mid Life Racing sent $200 “on behalf of all brother road racers around the country.” Greg Sahnd sent $25 “dedicated to those who have passed away during the 2004 AFM road racing season.”
Other recent contributions include: Lloyd Magruder, $255; Rick Weaver, $100; Bob Spillman/WERA $55; Shannon Huffman, $50; Jorge Gonzalez, $25; C. Nightengale, $25; and Martine Arnold, $25.
The Roadracing World Action Fund sponsors soft barrier demonstrations at various racetracks across the United States as part of an ongoing campaign of promoting and educating the public on motorcycle racing safety. Copyright-free educational brochures on motorcycle safety, including details of how soft barriers have been used successfully in the past to prevent catastrophic injury or death, are available to the public at soft barrier demonstrations, or by written request. Mail to: Roadracing World Action Fund, P.O. Box 1428, Lake Elsinore CA 92831. For more information visit http://actionfund.roadracingworld.com.
Summary of Recently Posted Contributions
Roadrace
Brooks Gremmels/Shogun Motorsports $10,000
The Joseph C. and Esther Foster Foundation $1000
Mark Brereton /RoadRACE DVD $545
Badweather Bikers for Blake Rudy $480
The Parr Family $350
Lloyd Magruder $255
Marcus McBain $250
Charles Buse $250
Chris Cullen $200
Gary W. Mc Quiston, Sr. $150
CRA Cornerworkers $150
Darrin Talbott $150
John W. Butler $100
SFX Motor Sports $100
Rick Weaver $100
Ron & Diane Hooper $100
John Stewardson $80
Bob Spillman/WERA $55
Shannon Huffman $50
Matthew Kennedy $50
Jean Wilkins $50
Keith Joy $50
John Vance Whiting $50
Nathan & Angela Church $50
Ez & Michele Blakemore, $50
Bob & Carol Hill, $50
David Kopfinger $30
Jorge Gonzalez $25
Beth Miller $25
C. Nightengale $25
Greg Sahnd $25
Jerry Durhammer, $25
Denise Mathers $25
Tom Roman $25
Darlene Ghanati $25
Leah Sheritt $25
Laura Perry $25
Dirt Track
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Bittner $2900 (eBay Auction Includes Superstars Autographed Little Motorcycle Book $415)
John Vance Whiting $50
Martine Arnold $25
January 7, 2005
Accounting Details to Date
Road Racing Expenditure Details
Direct purchase of soft barriers: $137,700
Shipping/Customs: $9133.50
Bank Fees: $384.05
Air Fence* Deployment Crew Training: $700
Transportation & Installation: $5577.78
Corporation/Business Fees: $612
Online Auction Fees: $221.99
Printing Education Materials – $346.42
Misc Supplies: $39.59
Donation to AMA Pro Racing for Air Fence: $104,104
Total Spent: $258,819.33
Total Donations Collected $291,345.75
Misc. Income $117.38
Cash on hand: $32,643.80
Dirt Track Expenditure Details
Direct purchase of soft barriers: $9,200
Shipping/Customs: $2717.72
Transportation & Installation $2174.77
Total Spent: $14,092.49
Total collected: $22,877
Cash on hand: $8,784.51
All administrative costs, including the percentage taken by credit card companies on credit card donations, have been absorbed by Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
*Trademark of Airfence Safety Systems Australia.