FORMULA SMACK PACK BENEFIT RACE A SUCCESS AT CMRA EVENT The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) hosted a charity race on Saturday, September 10th to benefit CMRA racer Gordon Bradeen, who was severely injured at Oak Hill Raceway on Saturday, June 25th, 2005. While Gordon continues to recover from his injuries, he has been unable to work and his medical bills continue to pile up. CMRA members came up with a novel approach to help Gordon out and have some fun at the same time. Dubbed the Formula Smack Pack Race, the idea of a benefit race was presented to the CMRA Board of Directors by members of the Formula Smack Pack, a loose group of CMRA racers that brag, talk trash and harass their fellow Formula Smack Pack members on the CMRA message board before and after each race weekend, all in fun. The Board approved, and by race time there were 44 entries for the 12-lap race, which was held at the end of the day on Saturday during round nine of the CMRA Championship Series. With a $40 minimum donation/entry fee, over $1,760 was raised by riders alone, but Brooks and Rese Gremmels doubled that amount with a generous contribution of $3,520, bringing the total to $5,280 that will go directly to Gordon Bradeen for his recovery. Billed as a “fun race”, the rules were minimal and “cheating” was rampant. At the LeMans-style start, several riders took off before the horn sounded. Motard riders consistently cut the course. Several riders stopped on pit road and did a Conga line around their bikes, then continued on their way. Costumes were encouraged, and many riders rode the race in a variety of outfits. Fun was had by all. Awards presented at the end of the race included: Winner – Karen Esterly (who didn’t actually ride, but talked the best smack), First Loser – Pierson Callahan (who did a spot-on imitation of Valentino Rossi during his acceptance speech), Second Loser – David Hirsch (who didn’t ride in the race, but threw a transponder back and forth across the timing loop for a new track record of 4.888 seconds), Third Loser – Bryan Middleton (who rode in a nurse’s outfit over his leathers) and Fourth Loser – Jason Keene (who rode in a polka-dot bikini over his leathers). Best Costume award went to Buck Beasley for his tutu and Nordic pigtails outfit, and the Tail of the Donkey award (Last Place) was given to Tyler McDonald (who actually “won” the race on the track). Everyone in attendance agreed that this was the First Annual Formula Smack Pack Race, and that there will be another race next year to raise funds for rider safety in the CMRA. For more information on Gordon’s progress, please visit www.cmraracing.com and click on the Gordon Bradeen link on the homepage, or send him a card at: Gordon Bradeen Health South 18550 I.H. 45 South, Room 2012 Conroe, TX 77384