Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Please forward my deepest condolences and sincerest regards to the Emde family. I cannot unfortunately find the words to express my sadness at the loss which has been put upon us.

As another rider, who happened upon the scene moments after it occured, I would like to address something. After my emotions have settled, I have come to the realization that I was not prepared to try and help in an emergency situation. I was ill prepared to be of much help, other than running traffic after the initial 911 calls went out. I urge you (Roadracingworld.com), to ask people to take emergency medical/accident training classes. I will be taking emergency classes shortly, so that if I ever encounter another situation again, I will be able to help.

I ask you, to ask people to take basic emergency assistance courses so that the number of these tragedies can be lessened. It’s a terrible feeling, to feel that you should have been able to do something, anything, and were not able to. It’s a feeling, that for one incident in my life, I will never be able to forget, that I should have been able to help and wasn’t. I will however be prepared the next time, and I ask that our fellow riders be prepared as well.

I would also like to personally thank the local neighbors who were very helpful and kind. We appreciated your concern over a fellow rider, and your support in getting help. There was a gentleman passerby, who I would like to thank as well for his efforts. The EMT/Fire/Ambulance crews, thank you for your devotion to your jobs. I know that it was greatly appreciated by all. Thank you all for all your help.

May God welcome you with open arms, Dave.

Gordon Rayburn
Ramona, California

Via e-mail:

THANKS FROM THE EMDE FAMILY

On behalf of the entire Emde family, let me say thank you to all who have sent their kind words to us at this difficult time. Through his racing years and later as a motorcycle salesman, riding instructor and enthusiast, my brother David made many friends and we appreciate their support.

We should have his funeral service arrangements finalized later today. The tentative plan at the moment is for a service next Tuesday (9/23) at Glen Abbey Mortuary in our hometown of Bonita, California (San Diego area).

We will send out the exact date, time and location once we have everything set.

Thank You,

Don Emde

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WSMC racer (#188) Jody Hendley, 38, died of cancer Saturday, September 13 at his home in Mission Viejo, California, according to friend and teammate Eric Pinson.

He is survived by his wife K.C., two sons, ages 16 and 8, and a daughter, age 6.

Hendley was a contractor by trade and owned his own drywall company, Off The Wall Drywall.

Hendley rode for Bartels’ Harley-Davidson for most of his racing career and finished fourth in the 1997 AMA Super Twins Championship behind Eric Bostrom, Dave Estok and Jake Zemke. In more recent years, he raced regularly with the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, California. Hendley would routinely beat Ducati Superbike racers on his Harley Sportster and Buell Lightning.

According to Pinson, Hendley was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and underwent several unsuccessful treatments. Knowing he would not survive the cancer, Hendley last raced at Willow Springs July 20 and took third in the Battle of the Twins Heavyweight race.

Per his wishes, Hendley will not have a formal memorial or funeral service.

Pinson said plans are being made to start a scholarship fund for Hendley’s children, but no details were available at post time.



More, from a racer who knew Jody Hendley:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Jody was one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met at the track. In all my conversations with him he was always very pleasant, positive, and always quick to smile. He was also damn fast on his Harley. He was a colorful character and I’m sorely going to miss him–as I’m sure very many will.

Robbie Dowie
WSMC #6
Torrance, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Jody Hendley. I didn’t know him well but enjoyed talking with him on numerous occasions at Laguna. He seemed to have a great attitude and his speed on the Sportster he raced in Pro Thunder was amazing!

Tyler Sandell
Seattle, Washington


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Jody was one of my teammates on the SoCal Buell Dealers 24-Hours of Willow Springs effort in 2000. I was a first timer at Willow, struggling to get up to speed, and he calmed me down and gave me a lot of great advice and feedback as I learned the track. He was one of those rare individuals that made you feel like a close friend from the moment you met him. He was so positive and upbeat, not to mention ultra fast and smooth. It would be hard to find a better endurance racing partner, or friend. Thank you, Jody, for setting such a fine example of kindness, caring and friendship. Godspeed.

Paul James
CCS/F-USA #247

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS AND MAKES RECORD DONATION TO THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION

$7.2 million check presented to MDA during company’s anniversary celebration

MILWAUKEE — Harley-Davidson Motor Company surpassed its 100th Anniversary celebration fundraising goal by presenting a check to the Muscular Dystrophy Association for $7,286,191.57, making Harley-Davidson MDA’s top corporate partner for 2003. Harley-Davidson Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer Jim McCaslin made the announcement during the 100th Anniversary Party on Sunday, August 31 in Milwaukee, WI. The company set an original goal of raising $5 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The Harley-Davidson family of customers, dealers employees and suppliers conducted various fundraising activities including rider pledges, dealer fundraisers, motorcycle raffles and pin sales. Fundraising activities for the Muscular Dystrophy Association took place worldwide over the 14-month period leading up to the Harley-Davidson Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee.

“We considered our 100th Anniversary fundraising goal for the Muscular Dystrophy Association to be ambitious, but we knew it could happen with hard work from everyone involved,” said McCaslin. “I’m personally grateful to our customers, dealers, employees and suppliers who rose to the occasion and helped us not only meet but surpass our expectations.”

The 100th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson marked the 23rd year the Motor Company has been associated with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. During that time, the Harley-Davidson family of customers, dealers, employees and suppliers have raised more than $47 million to aid research and program services for children and adults with neuromuscular disease. The Funds raised at the various 100th Anniversary events will help support life-saving research, comprehensive medical care and the very special MDA Summer Camp.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight street, custom and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles in addition to motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson/Buell dealers and customers.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

HACKING, BUCKMASTER WILL DECIDE AMA SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP AT BARBER

Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship presented by Shoei set to belong to Yamaha for the first time in 9 years

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 16, 2003) — Jamie Hacking and Damon Buckmaster are both looking to win their first AMA Championship this weekend as the 2003 Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship presented by Shoei concludes this Sunday, Sept. 21, at Barber Motorsports Park.

A mere 15 points separates the two Yamaha teammates coming into the final round. And while Hacking and Buckmaster happen to be teammates, there has been a fair amount of tension between the two this season. Each has criticized the other at times this year, perhaps owing in part to the pressures both racing veterans feel in their quest to earn their first titles. Regardless of the occasional ill feelings toward one another, Hacking and Buckmaster have been the class of AMA Supersport this year.

Hacking comes into the season finale with a series-leading four wins. The British-born South Carolinian needs to finish eighth or better to secure the championship. Hacking is in his seventh year of AMA Pro Racing and ever since he burst onto the scene by winning the pole and leading his very first AMA race — the Pro Honda Supersport race in Phoenix in 1997 — big things have been expected of him. A perennial frontrunner, Hacking has never been able to put together a complete season until this year. Who could blame him if he feels the pressure of being on the verge of winning his first championship?

“I’ve never been in this position so I really don’t know what to expect,” said Hacking who is tied with Doug Polen for fourth on the all-time AMA Supersport wins list. “I’m just going out there and do the best I can. I’ve put myself in a position to win this championship and I don’t want to take any chances, but at the same time this field is so competitive that if you get too relaxed you’ll find yourself finishing out of the top 10. It’s pressure, no doubt, but I’ve just got to put that out of my head and ride like I have been all year.”

Buckmaster has tallied an impressive five podium finishes in the series and broke through to win his first AMA Supersport race last month in Alton, Va. That win couldn’t have come at a better time for Buckmaster. The championship was slipping away and his first victory suddenly put him back in the thick of the title chase. The 30-year-old Australian knows that every point is precious this weekend. Look for him to make a hard push to try to earn the pole point and attempt to take the early lead in the final in an attempt to earn the lap-leader point as well. Buckmaster is also in contention for the Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme Series title.

“Yamaha is guaranteed one and two in the championship either way,” said Buckmaster. “I would love to end the season on a winning note.” With either Hacking or Buckmaster, Yamaha will claim back the U.S. Supersport title it last owned in 1994 with Jamie James. The Supersport championship has traditionally been the closest competition in AMA Pro road racing.

Other riders hope to end the season with a victory even if the championship is out of reach. Suzuki’s Ben Spies has been called the future of American road racing by many in the motorcycle racing press. Spies, is third in the Supersport standings on a bike that is already considered outdated in the fast-moving world of Supersport racing — even though it was the same machine that carried Aaron Yates to the championship last year. Spies would like to put an exclamation point with a win at Barber. Others to watch for at Barber include the Kawasaki duo of Tommy Hayden and Tony Meiring and Honda aces Jake Zemke and Miguel Duhamel.

For additional information on this weekend’s doubleheader contact Barber Motorsports Park at (205) 967-4745 or visit www.barbermotorsports.com. The Supersport finale at Barber will be taped and shown in primetime on Speed Channel on Tuesday night, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m. Eastern.

From press releases:

Cycle Screens is now accepting race resume’s for 2004 for PUIG RACING SCREENS.

Send your racing resume to:

PUIG/Cycle Screens
P.O. Box 158
Ventura, CA 93002

Or visit www.cyclescreens.com



Galfer Braking Systems is now accepting 2004 Race Resume’s.

Please send your resume to:

Galfer Braking Systems
Race Dept.
67 W. Mc Farlane
Ventura, CA 93001

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

SPEED Channel has announced a change in its programming schedule and now plans to show four hours of live and tape-delayed coverage of the AMA series finale at Barber Motorsports Park September 20-21.

Originally, SPEED was scheduled to show the AMA Superbike and Supersport races from Barber on the following Tuesday, September 23, but those plans were changed today.

SPEED is now planning on showing Saturday’s AMA Superbike race at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time Saturday evening. On Sunday, SPEED intends to show the AMA Supersport and 250cc Grand Prix races live at 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively. The second and last AMA Superbike race of the season will be taped and aired at 5:00 p.m. Sunday evening, filling the slot that would have been occupied by the FIM 250cc Grand Prix from Rio, Brazil.

The FIM MotoGP World Championship race from Brazil will be aired tape-delayed at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 21, as originally scheduled.

The Brazilian Grand Prix is actually run on Saturday, September 20.

SPEED’s schedule for Tuesday, September 23 currently shows the FIM 250cc Grand Prix as being shown at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time followed by both AMA Superbike races from Barber Motorsports Park.

The AMA Formula Xtreme race from Barber is scheduled to air Tuesday, September 30 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, immediately following the two World Superbike races from Imola.

The penultimate round of the 2003 World Superbike series will not be shown by SPEED on the date it is run, September 28. The United States Grand Prix FIA Formula One race, however, will be shown three times within 15 hours (1:30 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on SPEED September 28, according to the programming schedule on www.speedtv.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: Brian Floyd Emde, the only son to David Charles Emde, was told of his father’s tragic accident shortly after his arrival at his mother’s home in Scottsdale, Arizona on Monday, September 15, 2003. Brian, a sixth grader who quickly earned the rank of Private from Millersburg Military Institute, Millersburg, Kentucky had made his father extremely proud. Dave fostered a very close relationship with Brian from the moment of birth and shared many motorcycling memories as Brian grew up. Brian will miss his father and the times they both shared together. Please say a prayer for our son, Brian Floyd Emde, and ask God to give Brian the strength to overcome his unexpected, terrible loss. Escondido Cycle Center located in Escondido, California is hosting a benefit ride and is accepting contributions for the Brian Floyd Emde Scholarship fund. Interested parties can contact Escondido Cycle Center for more information. I personally thank you all for sharing your kind words and memories of David Emde and I shall collect and share all your messages with Brian. God bless David and his friends. Rebekah Dodson (Emde) Scottsdale, Arizona [email protected]

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Fire destroyed nearly 60 percent of one of the world’s largest motorcycle museums, the National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham, England, Tuesday.

According to a BBC report, three of five exhibition halls and approximately 650 of the 900 vintage motorcycles stored and displayed at the facility were damaged or destroyed. The report described the motorcycles kept at the museum as “unique, priceless and irreplaceable” and valued the loss between $11.2 and $14.4 million.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Museum owner Roy Richards told reporters that he will reopen the museum.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jason Pridmore will not ride for Suzuki GB Phase One in the final race of the 2003 FIM Endurance World Championship October 5 at Vallelunga in Italy.

Pridmore broke his left leg in a fall at Virginia International Raceway September 1, and although he had surgery to mend the fracture and planned to race at Vallelunga, he has been ruled out by Suzuki GB Phase One team manager Russell Benney.

“I’ve got six great riders to choose from (Jason Pridmore, James Ellison, Jimmy Lindstrom, Dean Ellison, Olivier Four, Josh Hayes), and I just can’t risk using the one who broke his leg 28 days before the race,” Benney was quoted as saying in a posting on the team’s official website.

“…The Vallelunga race will be a real sprint, and with the extra intensity of the competition there’s a chance we may have to pick the bike up out of the gravel or maybe push in; I just can’t risk Jason in that situation.
“Jason is Mr. Commitment; he desperately wants to see the championship through to the end – perhaps putting his medical interests into second place – and I really admire his drive and respect his strength of personality. He’s a real hero to the team, and this season has been the pinnacle of his seven years of riding with us. To him, I’m sure it won’t be the same to not be at the last race of the season, but he’s played as big a part in our results this season as anyone.”

Suzuki GB Phase One, which needs to finish only 12th or better to win its third FIM Endurance World Championship, has named James and Dean Ellison and Jimmy Lindstrom as its riders for the 200-mile Vallelunga race.

Jason Pridmore could not be reached for comment at post time.