Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Long-time AMA race announcer Richard Chambers is not at Brainerd to call the races, breaking a long tradition of service at the Minnesota track.

Chambers was forced to miss the Brainerd event due to an incident in the paddock last weeked during the Loudon Classic at New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS).

On Saturday, June 19, Chambers (riding his pit scooter) collided with a racebike coming off the track. Chambers suffered several bruises, abrasions, a black eye and a laceration to his right knee (believed to be from a footpeg) that required stitches.

“The good thing about bleeding is you know you’re not dead,” Chambers joked with a Roadracingworld.com reporter at Loudon, although it was clear that he was in considerable pain.

Chambers continued working and finished announcing the event at NHIS but called to cancel his appearance at Brainerd in the days before the event.