From a press release issued by Team Oliver Yamaha:

Rich Oliver Medical Update #4, Santa Rosa Trauma Center sends bill for “extra” services!

Rich has improved the condition of his mangled arm to the point where he is able to do most of the normal things in life, including brushing his teeth and paying the bills at least once a month like most people. He was even able to win Pikes Peak and Brainerd, along with a second place at Elkhart Lake.

We let Rich pick up the story from here, “Well, I got home after all that great racing, and went straight to bed! But the next morning I decided to attack the huge stack of mail on my desk, and guess what, most of it was from Santa Rosa Hospital! I thought that the bill for my 4 operations would be high, and man was it, but over $100,000?

After I climbed back on my chair, I started to read the fine print and look over the itemized charges and that’s when I became just horrified. You see, the staff up there was just so nice and accommodating to me, and quite frankly I was under the impression that they thought I was a semi celebrity!

So looking the bill over, I see the usual outrageous charges for band-aids, drywall screws, galvanized strap and that kind of stuff, no big deal. But as you may remember I consumed quite a few after 4pm Merlot IV drips and five to eight gourmet dinners and a healthy number of the fruit and cheese plates during my agonizing and difficult stay. Plus, I ordered lots of little perks and gifts for my swimsuit model roommate that I assumed were, you know, on the house!

Well, it turns out they had the gall to charge my insurance company for all those little inconsequential extras, to the tune of $36,000. Did I mention I was horrified! Thankfully Blue Cross of California only raised my rates by 24 dollars a month, so I’m still well ahead of the game. Next time I’m in the hospital, I guess I’d better order box wine and the microwave meal, or maybe I’ll just tell them I’m Miguel Duhamel!

Swimsuit model becomes much less attractive!

Rich had the good luck to be roomed up with a very attractive swimsuit model that had an unfortunate encounter with a rogue wave during a photo shoot. After the two got to know each other during their hospital stay, the sparks were flying between them, but unfortunately it was not to last past the first date.

Rich tells the sad tale, “Oh, she was great at first, you know like I said before we had so much in common, she loved racing, and I loved swimsuits! But then on our first date she really changed. It was really awful, she started asking me all these questions like, what were my core beliefs, what I thought the real meaning of life was, what was our purpose here on earth, what I thought about ancient cultures and people, what I felt about the state of the world and the conflict in the middle east, and on and on and on.

I tried to get her back on point and focused about what was really important, namely swimsuits, but it was hopeless. I mean, she just wanted to get so deep, and I’m from California, we just don’t have the time for that kind of discussion out here, unless you want to talk about Survivor or the Bachelor show or something meaningful like that. I wanted to talk about the state of hip hugger pants, belly rings, cosmetic surgery and things that really matter, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be for us. I still have hope though, they say love will come along when you least expect it!”

Team Oliver Yamaha is sponsored by:

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA
Dunlop Tires
Advanced Motion Controls
SHOEI Helmets
Silkolene Lubricants
Wilson’s Motorcycles
Sunsports Motorcycles
Auto Werks Paint
Rick Shell Crankshafts
Lindemann Engineering
Supertech
Sharkskinz
VP Racing Fuels
NGK Spark Plugs
EK Chain
AFAM
Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers
Kushitani Leathers
Helimot Leathers
Marietta Motorsports
Ferodo and Braketech
Frenotec
I Need Stickers. Com
Doc’s Custom and Collision
South Coast Inc.
AST Research
Cytomax, Cyto Sport


And more, from another press release issued by Team Oliver Yamaha:

Brainerd race report:

Oliver wins 58th AMA race on his Yamaha TZ in front of Sorensen and DiSalvo!

Rich Oliver rode to victory with the help of a recharged Yamaha TZ250, the machine producing proper horsepower again after problems were diagnosed by the Factory Dyno Team at the Brainerd track. Back at full steam, and with much improved handling capabilities due to the fine tuning adjustments by Jim Lindeman of LE Suspension, Rich was able to perform again at near maximum speed.

Asked about his fitness during the hot and humid race, Rich states, “I was pretty hot, but I just focused on what we teach at my Mystery School and that carried me through. I’m still healing up all my injuries, but each race I seem to get stronger.”

Rich also wanted to talk about Crew Chief Robert Ward, “Robert has really been a steady and reliable guy during the tough times we’ve had earlier in the season, he believes in me, and it’s great to win and reward all the effort that he’s put in with a victory for both of us and our great team sponsors.” Rich has moved up quite quickly from 20th place in the title chase and is now tied for 7th in the point’s championship.

Melneciuc finishes a fine 4th place!

Perry Melneciuc battled with Jason Disalvo for the last podium spot at Brainerd, the first time this year that Perry and Jason have been able to race head to head. Perry’s Yamaha TZ was amazingly fast, especially considering the huge size difference between the two riders.

Perry comments further on the race, “It was cool to race with Jason, however I’m a little disappointed to have finished fourth, coming up next is Laguna Seca and that’s a great track for me, I hope to gain the podium there for sure!”

Perry is still a strong second in the championship points tally.