Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From an e-mail:

Subject: VIR Cornerworking (you can print this)

I just read the piece on the VIR cornerworking deal with Hayden’s bike. I agree there is a problem that needs to be looked at a little closer.

On Saturday, I took the Red Bull track ride. I took my street-legal pit bike on the course because I felt like I wanted to see the entire venue first-hand. It seems as the specating at VIR is in a nice setting, but you can’t get to both sides of the track like you can at a place like Mid-Ohio, for instance.

Anyway. I ran my XR100-carb-equipped CT70 wide open for the entire session & on the last lap, I ran out of gas. I figured I’d look around & a cornerworker would see me. Wishful thinking on my part. No cornerworker stations were within an eyeshot of my spot on the track. I didn’t know what to do. I rolled the bike onto the grass & figured a truck would come eventually. That didn’t happen, either.

As I was waiting, I was chatting with some fans on the other side of the fence. After a couple of minutes, I asked if they had any gas. They handed me a can & I was able to start the bike.

At this point, I didn’t know if I should pull out onto the track in fear that I would get collected by a 100 mph Supersport bike in the soon-to-happen practice session. I putted along the infield to a cornerworker station & pulled up to his gazebo.

As the quiet engine of my CT70 idled, I had to yell to get his attention because he had his headphones on & wasn’t aware of my approach or presence. He turned to see me & was VERY surprised that I was on a little bike on the infield at the opposite end of pit in/out.

“How’d you get out here?!” he yelled. I explained I was a on the track ride & ran out of gas a few minutes prior. I asked if he could open the gate & he let me back in the infield.

As I rode back to the pits, I realized that absolutely no cornerworkers were aware of my presence on the track. If any cornerworker had seen me, he would have radioed & they all would have known. When my bike ran out of gas, the rear wheel actually locked. I could have been thrown from it at a lofty 50 mph, nonetheless, nobody would have seen it happen.

I was amazed of the series of events that had just taken place & it made me wonder what would have happened if it were a real racing incident.

Later that day, we found out what could happen. It didn’t help that the cornerworker was literally strolling to Haydens bike as it burned.

I watched the live feed as it happened & Earl Hayden actually said “could he have walked any slower?”

Enzo Assainte



From another e-mail:

A note of agreement with Stephen Robinson regarding the cornerworking crew reactions as seen on television for the past two AMA weekends. As a relatively regular cornerworker for the AFM for the past 7 years, I am pretty proud that we do our job well enough to get the praise that riders like Stephen and many of the top AMA and world riders have given us. I also know the AMA has been to VIR only twice now, and by the worker response, I am guessing that worker crews at both recent tracks were indeed short handed (and more than likely more accustomed to auto races).

I think they did what they could, but I agree that it was not what I would expect if I were a rider or a turn marshal. (My wife caught me screaming ‘Where are the Turn Workers?” more than a few times…) And from watching tapes of races I have worked, I know the cameras rarely catch us, let alone at our best.

However, it appears that more attention needs to be focused on ensuring each set of turns is staffed by an appropriate number of experienced workers at each AMA event. While they don’t need 20-30 workers on a turn like the FIM required at Laguna, 2-3 handlers per turn segment, in addition to the main communicator and flagger is generally appropriate at this level.

Following the Sears Point race, many interested and very experienced AFM workers submitted their names for consideration for what was represented as a potential new data base of experienced workers willing to travel to other venues. I assume the AMA has made this available at each event since, so that perhaps during this long off-season, the AMA safety staff will be able to compile and make use of a list of those willing to travel from around the country to assist at the tracks that would like/need more coverage.

Jim Douglas, AFM #143-W
AMA #549972


And now a differing viewpoint, again via e-mail:

AFM racer Stephen Robinson states:

“Then at VIR, I watched in complete amazement as Nicky Hayden’s bike sat for minutes on end (sound familiar?) before anyone bothered to check on it, or *hey* pick it up (I know, radical thinking on my part). Then the RC-51 that costs more than most of us make in a year bursts into flames and THERE ARE STILL NO TURNWORKERS!! Finally, someone bothers to show up, and Nicky has to put the thing out himself.”

After reading this, I went to my TV and rewatched the crash in question. It took approximately 1 minute and 50 seconds from the time Nicky’s front wheel lost traction for Nicky and the cornerworker to begin fighting the fire.

Less than two minutes.

I think this is a rather good response, and wish to commend the cornerworkers that responded to Nicky’s crash.

In my experience cornerworking for MARRC at Summit Point, and both CCS and the AMA at VIR, I have learned a few things.

When dealing with a crash, the corner worker must think of his own safety first. Then the safety of the riders on the track. Last, but not least, the safety of the downed rider. This is what I have been taught by both MARRC and AMA cornerworking schools.

In this case, Nicky was obviously not seriouly injured. The closest cornerworking station was ACROSS the track, and some ways from where Nicky’s bike came to lay. From what I can gather from the televised race, the track was STILL HOT when the first cornerworker approached the bike. That means that cornerworker who responded either had to wait for a clear spot to cross the track, or that he came from another station. That section of track has a lot of elevation, and it’s difficult to move quickly when carrying a 50+ lb. fire extinguisher. (VIR uses “Cold Fire” extinguishers which use water mixed with a chemical agent. They are heavy and cumbersome, as I found out last year while working the AMA event at VIR.) Don’t forget that the cornerworker has to move through an impact zone to get there. (While the track was hot.) This means that he has to keep an eye on oncoming traffic and while moving to the downed bike.

In my opinion, the cornerworkers did everything by the book in this situation, and did it quickly and efficiently. There was no need to endanger their own lives, or the lives of the riders on the track, by crossing a hot track, or by placing themselves in an impact zone beside a hot track. If Nicky had been unconscious or immobile beside the bike, that would have been a different story. Since he was obviously OK, and out of danger, their response was appropriate.

Cornerworkers are the unsung heroes of road racing, and I commend them for their time, efforts and professionalism.

Regards,

Sean Jordan
Mid-Atlantics CCS #779, WERA #778
Centreville, Va

From a press release:

The Mid Atlantic Ducati Owners Club, NESBA, and Summit Point Raceway will put on a Charity Track Day at Summit Point Raceway, August 21, 2002. All
entry fees will go to a local charity.

For details, go to www.mad-ducati.com or contact NESBA at www.nesba.com. Come out and join us for a good cause. Hopefully this will turn into an annual event.

Michael Wheeler
Mid Atlantic Ducati Owners Club, President

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From an e-mail:

I first met Randy in 1983. It was the season-ending race for the Superbike and the Formula 2 AMA Pro Series, and also the amateur finals at Daytona.

Being a fresh Amateur I ended up being in a garage with Randy, we talked a bit and my first thoughts were about what a genuine guy he was. Randy was in the battle for the 250 Championship, and as the weekend went along he was having brake problems. So for the final, after my Amateur race he borrowed my brakes for the 250 final. I don’t remember where he finished in the race but he won the Championship.

I began doing the Nationals the following year and we always talked and laughed about things going on. Randy was always the same guy, just a racer who loved doing what he did and did it very well.

When he was injured in 1990 and had his toe put on his hand so he could still race, I thought to myself “What a man.” To this day I don’t believe I know anyone who would take that kind of chance to do something that means so much. But Randy Renfrow did it and came back to be one of the fastest guys around. That says a lot about what he was made of.

A few years ago, Bob Applegate was announcing at Daytona and Randy went over and said to Bob don’t just focus on the front guys, there are other guys out there trying just as hard and they like to have their name said over the P.A. also. So Bob, taking Randy’s advice, started the next day bright and early, we had not been in the track but a few minutes. We hear the click of the P.A. system come on, waiting for an announcement and all we here is——“Randy Renfrow”

That was it.

Bob would do this for years to come. People looking around asking themselves what the hell was that. Those of us who knew the story were just smiling and laughing. This was just one of many little things that Randy did along the way that will bring a smile to my face when I think of him. I can assure you that Daytona in March will not be the same without him nor will Elkhart Lake and Siberians be the same.

Randy called me shortly after I got home after my crash in Fontana (April) and we talked about whether it was worth racing and I am glad to say we both agreed it was. That conversation meant a lot to me, and when I had healed well enough to try and ride VIR I looked so forward to seeing him and Shawn to say thanks. But I guess God had other plans.

Just say a prayer for Mr. and Mrs. Renfrow and Randy’s brother Shawn, great people who have lost a great son and brother.
I will miss you Randy.
God Speed

Greg Esser
AMA 250GP #26

From a Formula USA press release:

Pocono Cycle Fest Returns to Pocono Raceway

Motorcycle Racing and Stunt Shows August 22-25 with all new SuperTicket

AURORA, Ill.- Formula USA proudly announced an all new VIP SuperTicket for The Pocono Cycle Fest August 22-25, 2002. With the addition of Thursday racing including the 200 Mile Team Challenge to the Pocono Weekend, fans can now buy the SuperTicket valid for 4-event days for just $35 in advance which includes the following:

* Thursday August 22nd

–Multiple CCS and National Road Race Series practice and 200 Mile Team Challenge.

* Friday August 23rd

–Multiple CCS and National Road Race Series practice and racing.

* Saturday August 24th

— CCS Racing & National Road Race Series practice & qualifying, plus XSBA qualifying

* Saturday Night

o Pocono Cycle Jam Live Concert and Miss Pocono Contest

* Sunday August 25th

–XSBA Finals, Formula USA National Road Race Finals and Parade Lap

“The Pocono experience is like no other and the new super ticket is one of our best values in any of our series. The advance ticket includes four days of racing, a parade lap, and a free concert,” said Dan Krolczyk, Senior Director of Marketing for Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports’ motorcycle division.

SuperTicket prices are just $35 in advance and $40 at the gates effective Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday at 6AM. Additionally a Sunday only pass is available for just $30 in advance and $35 Sunday at the gate.

This schedule of events highlights the return of Formula USA National Road Racing to Pocono Raceway. The four-day event features multiple classes of championship motorcycle racing from Formula USA’s National Road Race series, an eight-round pro series that begins and ends the season in Daytona, Fla.

Pocono Raceway’s gates will open on Thursday at 7:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday’s racing will feature practice and qualifying for the National Road Race Series with Sunday’s format featuring the main event. Racing will feature the Lockhart Phillips USA Superbike class of high-speed national champions and the Pro Honda Oils 600 Sportbike class. Both classes of racing pits motorcycles tuned to exact specifications resulting in extremely close racing that’s exhilarating for fans.

Additionally, the XSBA (Xtreme Sportbike Association) will showcase a sportbike freestyle performance/competition on both Saturday and Sunday. Imagine your typical street-sportbike doing a 100mph wheelie with the rider SITTING ON THE HANDLEBARS! XSBA features 120 mph wheelies, slow-speed burnouts, and 75 mph ‘leaps of faith’ where the rider actually leaps off the back seat – it’s an all-new style of extreme motorcycle stunts featured at National Road Race Series events.

While the bikes are whizzing by on Pocono’s legendary tracks the infield is peppered with vendors and exhibitors from the motorcycle industry and fans also have access to sections of the professional racers pit areas where they can get up close and meet the pro riders and see the industry’s most technologically advanced motorcycle rockets!

In addition, anyone with a valid motorcycle license is also invited to try the demo rides on some of the industry’s latest factory creations.

Kids (12 and under) can see the entire event for free, and adult tickets start at $30 for Sunday only or $35 for a 3-day pass in advance. Motorcycle enthusiasts can actually take a ‘parade lap’ around Road America’s turns and straight-aways when they purchase a 3-day ticket in advance from Ticketmaster. Camping is available on site for just $10 per person.

The track events will be run at 10AM Thursday through Sunday and will end approximately at 6PM daily. For more information, call Ticketamaster at 215-336-2000, call the Pocono Hotline at 800-216-7482, visit www.formulausa.com.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

PRIDMORE WINS LOCKHART-PHILLIPS FORMULA XTREME TITLE ON A TIEBREAKER

After nine rounds and hundreds of miles of racing, the 2002 Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme Series ended in a tie between Attack Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore and Bruce Transportation Group Honda’s Jake Zemke. Pridmore earned the championship by virtue of a tiebreaker–Pridmore won two races during the season to Zemke’s one. The championship completed a triumphant return for Pridmore, who was a top Formula Xtreme rider in the 2001 series, but was forced to miss most of the season after suffering a broken leg.

“People don’t know how hard it is to come back from some of the injuries I put on myself,” said the 32-year-old Pridmore from Ventura, Calif. “I wouldn’t say that I’m always the most positive person, but racing’s what I love to do and I love the team I’m with and sometimes I want to win more for them than I do myself. The competition this year with Jake and Damon — I knew this was going to be a wild and wacky weekend (at the VIR finale).”

Pridmore won two of the nine rounds in the series. He rode his Attack Suzuki GSXR1000 to victories at Pikes Peak International Raceway and Road America and earned six podium finishes. The son of three-time AMA Superbike champion Reg Pridmore, Jason has four-career AMA Formula Xtreme wins placing him sixth on the all-time wins list for the series. Pridmore adds another AMA championship trophy to his mantle, he was the AMA 750 Supersport champ (now called Superstock) in 1997.

Pridmore’s title brings Suzuki its second-straight championship in the burgeoning Formula Xtreme Series, which launched in 1997 as a spin-off of the old SuperTeams competition. Pridmore hopes to defend his title next year. “I’d like to be back with Attack Suzuki (next year), this championship probably didn’t hurt things today,” said Pridmore. “I’d like to come and defend the title that’s for sure.”

Pridmore dedicated his championship to a friend David Holman. “He was a great kid and great friend and had an accident down in Costa Rica jumping down a water cliff and broke his neck and passed away in January. I told his Dad I was dedicating this season to him.”

From an e-mail, which expresses the personal opinion of a reader:

The last two weekends of the 2002 AMA season were both exciting and amazingly disappointing for me to watch. My problem wasn’t with the racing itself, no, that was top notch as usual. What had me practically screaming into my television set were the turnworkers at Mid-Ohio and VIR. In Mid-Ohio, I winced as Aaron Yates was left pinned under his bike bleeding like a vampire victim for what seemed like minutes on end. When two turnworkers finally did arrive they both picked up the bike and proceeded to stand there with the bike!! NEITHER BOTHERED TO ATTEND TO YATES!! What the heck was going on? He finally managed to get up on his own and proceeded to leak blood like a sieve as he ran across the track by himself to safety.

Then at VIR, I watched in complete amazement as Nicky Hayden’s bike sat for minutes on end (sound familiar?) before anyone bothered to check on it, or *hey* pick it up (I know, radical thinking on my part). Then the RC-51 that costs more than most of us make in a year bursts into flames and THERE ARE STILL NO TURNWORKERS!! Finally, someone bothers to show up, and Nicky has to put the thing out himself.

I have the distinct pleasure of racing AFM, with the best turnworkers around. That is probably why I was so confused by what happened at Mid-Ohio and VIR. I have never seen it take so long for turnworkers to get to a crashed rider in AFM (or WSB or GP, for that matter). With all of the hoopla this year about track safety, you’d think the AMA would put a little more emphasis on (1) having enough turnworkers so it never takes more than a few seconds to get to a crashed rider, and (2) turnworkers that know their job. Well, maybe in 2003?

Sincerely,
Stephen Robinson
San Francisco, CA

From a press release issued by 3M:

3M PUSHRODS MOVE ENGINE PERFORMANCE TO NEW LEVELS

ST PAUL, Minnesota–3M, a company known for innovation, has brought to market a new class of pushrods for high performance automotive engines. In lab tests and on-track competition, the pushrods, made of continuous fiber reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composite (AMC) material, have consistently outperformed steel, titanium and other metals. Stiffer and more durable than steel at about half the weight, 3M(TM) AMC Pushrods reduce flexing and extend service life, allowing engines to run longer at higher rpm – a key advantage in competition.

Shawn Higbee, three-time Professional Road Race Champion/Development Rider, Buell Motorcycle Company, says “AMC Pushrods are definitely helping me have confidence that I’ll continue winning when I go to the track.”

About 3M Metal Matrix Composites
3M Metal Matrix Composites is a program of 3M Company. For more information, please call 1-888-650-5116 or visit our website at http://www.3M.com/mmc.

From a press release issued by USGPRU:

Will Morton Takes Well Fought Win in USGPRU Final at Thunderhill in 105+ F Heat

Nobi Iso Airlifted After Horrifying Crash in Turn 8 on Final Lap

Sean McNew Treated for Two Broken Ankles Sustained in Saturday Practice Highside

Tuesday, August 13, 2002 – Willows, CA – Round Three of the USGPRU (United States Grand Prix Riders’ Union) Western Region – 125GP National Championship was contested August 9-11 at Thunderhill Park Raceway in tremendous heat exceeding 110F at times during the three day event.

Riders battled heat, dehydration and track tempuratures that exceeded 150F all weekend and consumed enough water and Gatorade to fill a swimming pool.

On race day 18 riders took to the grid as temperatures rose above 105F. “I think the bulk of us were running the Medium Compound (Dunlop “C”) rear. You pretty much had to. It was hot… I stopped paying attention because it was depressing me, but it was 100+ easy. All I know is I ended up with a 155 main!” said Quentin Wilson. Will Morton rode a flawless race in unbelievable heat to take the win after a 48 km battle with Veloce Racing’s Nobi Iso from Japan when Iso crashed in Turn 8 on the final lap forcing a red flag.

“In the race Nobi and Will (Morton) pulled ahead of Nick (Moore) and Carlos (Neves), then Stewart (Aitken-Cade) and I. By the time I got by Stewart I was half a straight-away behind Carlos and Nick. That’s pretty much how it played out,” recalled Quentin Wilson.

The heat was getting to everyone and as the 54km long race wore on the riders began to drop. “By the halfway-mark, I felt like an ice-cream cone left out in the sun to melt,” said Tiffanie Ragasa.

Morton was nose to tail with Iso as Nobi led the last lap on the #35 Veloce Racing Aprilia. As the two riders entered the fastest corner on the track (turn 8) Nobi put his wheel into the dirt and unable to recover his line took him off the track at triple digit speeds where he was thrown from the bike tumbling dozens of meters from the track and layed unconscious for 20 minutes while emergency medical personnel awaited the helicopter to transport him to Enlow Trauma Center in Chico, CA. “You really have to cook that corner to get the drive up the hill,” noted fellow front runner Quentin Wilson. Will Morton who was just a few bikelengths behind Nobi when he went down recalls, “Nobi was pushing real hard and I was having to push the rear tire all over in the corners, I had a tough time keeping up with him. He was real consistent and smooth but I could see Nobi was having a tough time in that corner so I was going to set him up there and try to make the pass in the last lap but I was too far behind him to make the move as I had not seen the white flag the previous lap; it was flown from so high above the track we couldn’t see it.”

As the Helicopter lifted off from the infield outside turn 11 the entire 125GP Paddock (nearly every rider and crew member) watched on from the adjoining fence a few feet away from the tight right hander that served as the makeshift helipad while their friend and competitor was flown from the track.

“He (Nobi) was conscious when leaving [the track], Jonathan [& Saiko were] heading to the hospital… Initial reports were that he was fine, we’re all waiting to hear from Jonathan,” said John Rabasa.

“We went to the hospital right away to check on Nobi but he was asleep when we got there and I didn’t have the heart to wake him. The doctors said he was doing well and that he was lucky he had such good protective equipment on or it would have been much worse,” said Series Director Jonathan Flack. “I talked to Spiros Gabrilis (Nobi’s Team Owner at Veloce Racing) on Monday night and Nobi had just gotten home. He was discharged from the hospital with a broken tibia at 11:00 am Monday morning and although he’s a bit fuzzy on the whole incident he’s doing very well. Among his first questions apparently was whether he had DNF’d or not… classic Nobi. He slept all the way home and went right to bed after he got in but otherwise he’s alright. Portland is out of the question but we all hope he decides to come down to the track and hang out with us that weekend – I don’t think he can golf with his cast!”

Earlier in the weekend Sean McNew had also been seriously hurt when his bike highsided him in the ultra high speed turn 6. Sean would return to the track the next morning with both legs casted and two broken ankles. Sean was in good spirits and disappointed not to be able to race. Riders all came by in the morning as they prepared for qualifying to wish him their best as he prepared to depart for home. “He is a tough guy, and he had a good attitude which is half the battle,” said Wilson.

Newcomer Douglas Moore half joked, “There comes a time in ones life where you ask the question why? For me I that question came as I was sitting in the 105+ heat of Friday mid afternoon… Feeling very dehydrated and on the brink of hurling into the Garbage can I wondered why I was there and then I realized . . . I’m racing a 125!”

Peter Hofmann, the noted 125GP rider, also returned to the track on Saturday for the first time after a year recovering from a serious crash in Italy during the European Championships last season to ride the Gray Matter Racing – Ian E. Race Engineering Honda. “It was great to finally ride a few laps after so much time away from the track. The GMR – Ian E., BPS Honda was very fast and I’d like to thank Jonathan Flack for inviting me to ride. I hope to spend more time in the saddle and getting back up to speed.”

The USGPRU would like to thank CCS and their staff for another fantastic event. The whole CCS crew did a fabulous job all weekend. From Tiffiney to Kevin and all the others in between. Another thanks to all the medical staff at Thunderhill Park for their quick and professional response to events involving Nobi and Sean.


Rider Notes and Comments:
From Quentin Wilson –
“We are all SO psyched for Portland. Thanks again to everyone that was helping me at the track. Stuart for dragging my mungy Honda around, Rabasa and the Jacksons for letting me use the shade and tools, Will and Carlos and Jonathan and Peter for advice. Oh yeah, Peter Hofmann managed to drag his lazy ass out to the track on Saturday and do a few laps aboard Jonathan Flack’s 125! It was really good to see him, I hope it gets his juices flowing to get a bike and come play next year.”



FINAL RACE RESULTS – 10 laps of 11 Completed
1.) William “Will” Morton, Honda; 2.) Carlos Neves, Honda; 3.) Nick Moore, Honda; 4.) Quentin Wilson, Honda; 5.) Stewart Aitken-Cade, Honda; 6.) John Rabasa, Honda; 7.) Mike Orien, Honda; 8.) Marcus Henderson, Honda; 9.) Phillip Krenn, Honda; 10.) Jerry Berkey, Honda; 11.) Nobi, Iso, Aprilia; 12.) Tiffanie Ragasa, Honda; 13.) Jeff Lim, Honda; 14.) Melissa Shimmin, Honda; 15.) Jonathan Flack, Honda; 16.) Herb Wagner, Honda; 17.) Douglas Moore, Honda; 18.) Scott Jackson, Honda

From a press release:

Canyon Country, California.

No Limit Motor Sports finished their first full year as an AMA Road Race team in fine fashion. Riding 2002 R-1 Yamahas in the formula Xtreme class, No Limit riders Lance Isaacs and Jason Curtis exceeded expectations of the team owners, Ben and Dianne Curtis.

The final event of the season at VIR resulted in a sixth place finish for South African Lance Isaacs, and an eleventh place finish for Jason. This places the veteran Isaacs in fifth place overall, and Jason in ninth place for his rookie year. The entire No Limit crew worked hard to try and find the right combination of engine and suspension that would make the Yamaha into a racing motorcycle, even without access to factory ‘kit’ parts or technical assistance, the team was able to place both of the R-1s on the top ten listing.

No Limit Motorsports is looking forward to an even better year in 2003, and will be making announcement within the next few weeks about their plans for next season. This first year in the AMA paddock was a treat for No Limit, and both Ben and Dianne Curtis, team owners, enjoyed all the new friends they have made, and appreciate the eye opening introduction to professional road racing, AMA style.