By David Swarts
Pro Superbike racer Chris Ulrich raised $4036 during the 10th annual Roadracing World Action Fund (RWAF) benefit held this weekend at Auto Club Speedway, in Fontana, California.
Ulrich, working with significant support from Fastrack Riders, Dunlop and others, gave RWAF donors 63 rides on his two-seat GEICO Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, covering approximately 130 laps – or over 300 miles at speed with a passenger around the 2.3-mile infield road course – and reaching speeds of up to 167 mph.
“We had a little bit of a low turnout,” compared to a record-setting 89 rides in 2013, said Ulrich. “I think the weather affected that, but you can’t break records every year. It was a good event, interesting, especially with the rainy weather on Sunday. Everyone was really patient and waited around for a chance to ride on a dry track. Unfortunately, we had a couple of riders who didn’t get to go, but we can’t control the weather.
“Like every year we had a lot of new riders and a lot of repeat customers. We’ve been building the event for a long time, and I’m pleased with what we’ve been able to accomplish.
“One of the big factors that has made the two-seat Superbike fund-raiser a big success has been the matching funds from [Fastrack Riders owner] David Pyles. He’s done a great job for his customers by helping us raise money to purchase and deploy soft barriers to keep his customers safe here at Auto Club Speedway. I know he just sold the company, but it’s important to mention how much he’s done to help keep his customers and other racers safe via the Roadracing World Action Fund.
“I’m proud of what we’ve done with this event. I’m looking forward to future events and doing what we can to bring awareness to motorcycle road racing safety and to spread the gospel of motorcycle road racing while we’re at it.”
One new participant in the Roadracing World Action Fund two-seat Superbike fund-raiser was Nadine Lajoie, a former racer, entrepreneur and author who brought several of her business clients out to ride with Ulrich
“This is my R.A.C.I.N.G. to Success event,” said Lajoie. “As an ex-Champion motorcycle road racer I love to compare life and business with motorcycle racing and give my clients the experience of how to live outside of your comfort zone, how to live on the edge and dance with your life. That’s what I teach in business. I know Chris Ulrich is a true professional, and I have all confidence in him. I love Chris, I love his father [John Ulrich], and I love the whole team at Roadracing World [Action Fund] and everything they do.”
“It was exhilarating,” said David Phillipson, a client of Lajoie. “I’ve been riding bikes since I was eight years old. I’ve always ridden, and it’s nothing like this. These guys are performance athletes. You’ve got to be in shape! I want to get in shape and come back here and ride myself. The experience, it’s something that you can’t put into words. You won’t get it when you’re watching a video or a race. The bottom line is this is something that everyone should try for themselves at least once.”
All of the laps at the fund-raiser event were completed using U.S.-made Dunlop KR448 front and KR451 rear slicks, and Ulrich used just two front tires and three rears during the entire two-day program.
The Dunlop slicks were mounted and balanced by FRP (FrictionRacingProducts.com). FRP is the official Dunlop trackside vendor at all Fastrack Riders events.
Over the last 10 years Ulrich has raised a total of $37,510 giving two-up rides on his Superbikes. That’s in addition to raising awareness of motorcycle road racing by giving rides to broadcast and print journalists prior to Pro road race events, the two-seat Superbike’s original mission.
Fastrack Riders has partnered with Ulrich and the RWAF to hold the Thanksgiving weekend fundraiser each year for the last 10 years, providing track time, riding gear and staff support. For more information, go to www.fastrackriders.com .
For more information on the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization which promotes the deployment of soft barriers to help prevent rider injuries at racetracks, go towww.roadracingworld.com/actionfund/.