From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2003
ROUND 12 – CINZANO RIO GRAND PRIX
16TH SEPTEMBER 2003 – EVENT PREVIEW

RIO RACE NEXT STOP FOR FUCHS KAWASAKI TEAM

Four races in five weeks, that’s the demanding MotoGP schedule that faces Fuchs Kawasaki riders Andrew Pitt and Garry McCoy as they prepare for this week’s South American adventure at the Rio Grand Prix.

The Rio race is round 12 of the MotoGP World Championship and traditionally takes place on Saturday rather than the more usual Sunday. It is the first of a series of multi-continent flyaway events that will take the Kawasaki squad through Brazil, Japan, Malaysia and Australia.

It’s a long, tough trip with GP teams and riders working out of packing crates and away from their traditional European bases. However there is a silver lining for Pitt and McCoy.

The reward for the Australian pair is that the final flyaway race, before a return to Europe for the season grand finale, is their home Grand Prix at Phillip Island on October 19th, where they will have the once-a-year opportunity of racing before family, friends and home fans.

McCoy and Pitt will face vastly different challenges at Rio as they try to reverse the disappointment of the recent Portuguese GP. As with the at Estoril, the Kawasaki team goes to Rio for the first time with no data or base settings to work from in this first development year of the 990cc ZX-RR MotoGP machine.

MotoGP rookie Pitt has another new track and culture to learn as he prepares for his Brazilian debut. However Pitt, who won the Supersport World Championship with Kawasaki in 2001, has proved to be a fast learner in his first season aboard the prototype Ninja ZX-RR.

Meanwhile, McCoy is a Rio regular and is familiar with the unpredictable conditions, both weather and track, that can be part of the racing equation in Brazil. While dismayed to be a non-finisher at the recent Portuguese race, the resilient McCoy is hoping the wider and faster Nelson Piquet Circuit will provide the opportunity to maximise the performance of the ZX-RR.

The Rio circuit has a couple of unusual features apart from its bumpy and abrasive surface. The road course is combined with an Indy car oval track and there are two cross-over points for the car circuit. Then there are the two parallel straights, the shorter of which contains the start-finish line and pit garages while the super-fast 1,000 metre main straight rockets its way past a huge grandstand that provides a panoramic view of the whole complex.

Garry McCoy
“Every time I go back to Rio the track seems like its torn up more than the last time; maybe we get spoilt in Europe with mostly smooth tracks, but it can be pretty wild over the bumps, a little like a motocross track. I know the track as a rider, but the tough part is that unlike most of the other factory teams Kawasaki is going there for the first time without data from previous races. There are some changes of direction that might be hard on us, but also there are some faster corners and a long straight and Kawasaki have been tweaking our motors recently so that should help. It can be either hot or raining and tyre wise Dunlop have made some positive progress for both conditions, but if I had to pick right now I guess a wet race might be a little better for the ZX-RR at this stage.”

Andrew Pitt
“I’ll be in Rio a few days early to try and shake off the jet lag and have a look around and get the feel of the place, as I’ve never been there before, either as a racer or a tourist. I’ll probably try and get on a scooter and do some laps and work out which way the corners go. First practice on Friday morning will be a learning session for me as I know the track will look a lot different at 300km/h on the ZX-RR. But I’m looking forward to the challenge; I learn tracks pretty quick and hopefully we can find a race set-up that gives us a chance of moving forward, running at the back is no fun.”


From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION
Preview Rio Grand Prix at Jacarepagua
18 – 19 – 20 September 2003

HONDAS EXPECTED TO FLY DOWN IN RIO

The Nelson Piquet circuit on the fringes of the bustling conurbation of Rio de Janeiro hosts the first and only South American based MotoGP race of the intense 2003 season on Saturday 20 September, with all three of the top Honda RC211V riders in the series having tasted victory at least once so far.

The top three championship positions at this important juncture of the season are filled by the V5-powered triumvirate of 2002 World Champion Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V), Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) and Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V). Rossi sits on 237, Gibernau on 191 and Biaggi on 161.

Such has been the consistency and speed of these men and their Honda machines that the next nearest challenge is 48 points behind Biaggi’s total and comes from MotoGP returnees Ducati, in the shape of Loris Capirossi (Ducati). MotoGP rookie Troy Bayliss (Ducati) is a further seven points adrift.

The second season of four-stroke MotoGP regulations has been a real battle for wins from day one, with Gibernau four times puncturing the frequently indestructible force field surrounding multiple world champion Rossi. More recently Rossi has found new focus and powers of race long concentration allowing him to secure the last two race wins, for a season total of five.

Rossi in full flow is an awesome sight to behold, and his personal record of five Rio wins, spread through all solo classes, is a telling statistic for his rivals to consider at this juncture. Rossi’s form is back to its exquisite best, having won the most recent Brno and Estoril MotoGP events, taking him to a career total of 55 in all classes.

“I am very happy after the last two GPs with good results,” said the 2001 and 2002 World Champion. “We worked very hard on the bike with the team and after the summer break we came back and concentrated at 100%. I think earlier in the season maybe we lost a little bit of our concentration. We made a few mistakes but now we are coming good for the important part of the season. We have had good success in Rio and I have many good memories of this track in the past. We hope to make more of the same results that will be good for the championship.”

The man who matched Rossi blow for blow for much of the season, Sete Gibernau, is optimistic about his upcoming Rio performance but recognises that the nature of the 4.933 km circuit can catch out the unwary, even on day one.

“Of course I’m very enthusiastic going into the Rio race,” said the rejuvenated Spaniard. “The race is important and I’m willing to fight for the win on Saturday. The track is not one of my favourites but I don’t dislike racing there. The big factors at Rio are the weather – sometimes it rains – and the tyres. Tyre choice is crucial at Rio and you have to get the set up right as soon as possible so you know your tyre choice is the right one.”

For Max Biaggi, his most recent experiences of the RC211V have imbued him with enthusiasm for the fight in South America.

“I had a good result in Estoril and I hope the next race will be even better,” said Biaggi, the Donington race winner. “I pretty much like the layout of the circuit but not the tarmac. Normally the grip is not good and it’s quite bumpy. You need a very good set up there. Anyway there are a couple of things that make me positive about Rio: the first one is that the RC211V is a naturally very, very well balanced machine, the second is that we made a step forward with the set up in Estoril. Hopefully we’ll improve even more from there.”

For Tohru Ukawa (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) his 2003 season has featured a mixed bag of results, and he sits seventh after 11 rounds.

“We had a good race at Estoril and I feel a lot happier now – after a few poor results earlier on,” said the 30-year-old Japanese. “The team worked very hard at the Brno test and at Estoril and we found solutions to some problems. Now I hope we can keep carry on the same way for the rest of the season.”

Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) has enjoyed his rookie MotoGP season so far but more importantly has been a thorn in the side of many more experienced competitors on several occasions.

“I’ve been feeling better and better on the bike recently and am really looking for some good finishes from the last few races,” said Hayden, who has another reason to be at his best at Rio. “I was pretty disappointed with the result in Portugal where I had come into the weekend with some high expectations from the previous two races. It only really started to come good at the end of the race and it’s too late then! I’ll be looking to get on pace quick in Rio and I definitely want to move up the riders table before the end of the season.” Hayden currently lies ninth on overall classification.

Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda RC211V) is playing the role of Bridgestone tyre development rider and full-on racer for his team, and Rio offers yet another challenge to his talents.

“We had a better day in Estoril, I’m happy with the race overall,” said three time SBK race winner, currently in 12th place. “We are closer to our rivals and I hope we carry on improving when we get to Rio. It will be my first race at the track.”

Another MotoGP rookie Ryuichi Kiyonari (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) faces a stiff test of his abilities at Rio, and hopes he will be able to put in new personal bests once more.

In the 250cc Championship Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) sits third overall, part of a five-man group covered by only 22 points. World Championship leader Manuel Poggiali is at the head of a whole gaggle of Aprilia riders in contention with Rolfo.

Having scored a win on the undulating twists of Sachsenring he rates the very different Rio as a tough trial for both man and machine this weekend.

“Rio is a track I don’t really like very much,” confessed Rolfo. “In the past the bikes I have raced there suffered on the two long straights. The biggest problem at Rio is set up to run the long corners on the track. Maybe the Honda I have now will be better suited to the circuit than what I raced before.”

One man who looks forward to Rio, for more than just professional reasons, is Argentinean rider Sebastian Porto (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW). Based in Europe for almost all the year, Porto moves closer to home when the circus heads for Rio.

“I travelled home to Argentina after Estoril, celebrating my 25th birthday with my friends,” said Porto, who will start his 120th GP this weekend. “Sure Rio is a special place for me I won the race last year. Rio is the closest race to my home so a lot of Argentine fans come to the race. We make progress with the bike each race so I hope we have improved again since Estoril. I’m looking forward to the race.”

Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS125R) was blessed with some good fortune at Estoril in the previous 125cc championship round, his two main rivals clashing and Pedrosa taking the opportunity to move 38 points clear of his nearest rival Stefano Perugini (Aprilia).

Pedrosa now finds himself in an unexpectedly clear leading position, and may have to modify his normal approach of going for the win at all costs this weekend.

“Rio is one of those places where we might get rain, I hope not this year,” said Pedrosa. “It rained last year and I was doing OK in third place until my boot slipped off the footrest and touched the rear brake and I crashed. The way things worked out at Estoril was good for me but if it rains at Rio I will not take any risks. I just hope it stays dry.”

Masao Azuma (Ajo Motorsports Honda RS125R) was a convincing winner of the Rio race in 2002, and is understandably looking forward to similar riding conditions to last year.

“Last year Rio was a fantastic race for me, I have good memories of Rio,” said Azuma. “When the surface is clean it has good grip, also in the wet. If I could choose between wet and dry right now I would prefer the wet with the set up we have for the rain.”

Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) has some experience of the Rio circuit.

“I raced at the track in Rio last year, it’s not so bad,” understated the young Swiss. “Like all tracks in the championship its OK for me. I like the atmosphere in Brazil, it’s a nice country and I enjoyed racing there.”

The Rio race takes place on Saturday 20 September, not the more usual Sunday of most other MotoGP weekends. This means that official qualifying also starts one day earlier than normal, on Thursday 18th.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Longtime WERA Race Starter, “Airborne” Al Wilcox, 84, suffered a heart attack on September 13 at home in Trenton, New Jersey. Al was taken to a local hospital and had emergency surgery performed. According to his daughter Julie Smyers, “Daddy is doing pretty good and should be back home in a week to recuperate. He is my bionic father. All the doctors say he looks like he is 60!”

Al Wilcox was AMA National #49 Harley-Davidson factory flat track racer in the 1940s. He raced on the beach at Daytona and at tracks all over the nation. After his racing career, Al worked as Race Starter for the AMA for many years, then moved on to starting races for WERA in 1974. The Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Club, MARRC, honored him as a lifetime member in 1984. Al’s unique style of waving the checkered flag and jumping three feet in the air for the winner, earned him the nickname “Airborne” Al Wilcox. One of Al’s passions was rollerskating. Al was a master at the roller rink and could dance and perform tricks like few others. After knee and hip replacements along with doctor’s orders, the jumping and rollerskating had to stop.

He recently started the WERA National road races at Summit Point Raceway in West Virginia on August 1-3. Unfortunately Al will not be able to make the WERA races at Summit Point on September 20 and 21. Look for him next year.

Cards and letters of encouragement can be sent to: Al Wilcox, 22 Vermont Street, Trenton, New Jersey, 08648-4537.

Roger Lyle
Wheaton, Maryland

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]