Racers and X-Racers check in!! - Page 39 - BARF

bite me · 10-29-2020, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by budman

There are a lot more mature racers these days (if you can call a racer mature

)

I remember seeing the 40yo class and thinking how awesome it was to see OG's racing.

Go Sarah!!!!

That is soo true, I remember thinking that as well. Geez hope i can still ride when i am that old.. Now going on 56, i think 40 young... LOL

firstbuell · 10-29-2020, 11:25 PM

eh, youse kids dunno wut “old” is.....

I moved to SJ in ‘71 from Ohio, towing a U-Haul trailer containing the 1st brand-spanking new CB500-4 to be delivered back there - the very 1st person I met socially here was Bob Jones @ Emery’s Honda (US dealer #2), an AFMer who directed me to their upcoming race @ Vacaville Raceway (an unbelievably bad pave circuit with Willow Springs-level lethality off-course)

I rode up on the freeway (with new wife driving her 351 Cougar XR7 behind, carrying my meager toolbox, front # plate, & mail-order leathers) & competed successfully (whew!) in Prod, then rode home - this is how some of us did it back then.....

within 2 yrs, wife & I were both officers in AFM North Chapter - 1 day I got a call that some PanAm pilot/impresario seeked a Board meeting/audience to introduce a too-young racer with mebbe 800(!) trophies from Lodi, etc. - the kid needed shelter/experience/guidance til he matured, & we had AMA insurance, so @ this meeting Jim Doyle introduced us to......
Randy Mamola (whom I described as a smiling freckle with legs)

AFM North opened up both Sears Point & Laguna Seca as Cotati & Vacaville disappeared, plus South had Riverside, Orange County Raceway, & then Ontario (total Indy clone) going, so there was a LOT of AFM racing to be had throughout the ‘70s

during that time, I won exactly 2 races:
1975 - Ontario 6-Hr 250cc class (therez always a story @ an endurance event.....)
1979 - Sears Point 500cc Prod (XT500 single against UJM-4s !)
before & after those successes, the comraderie of the racetrack defined my non-work existence for a decade+

that said, another AFM opportunity became available mid-‘70s - track announcer, a role for which I was MUCH more capable than competing - that wonderful gig lasted thru ‘80, soon growing into getting paid(!) for AMA Pro, IndyCar, IMSA, etc., events @ a wide variety of venues north & south

others followed me on the AFM mike, including (eventually) Ralph Shaheen, John (can’t remember), & Vik “Eek” Anderson

I’ll close by reprising my claim that AFM was (& still is) the basis for most of my enduring friendships, so be a pal to everyone

**Holeshot** · 10-30-2020, 12:42 AM

Curt, that post is the best thing I've read in 2020 (for me). Thanks for the memories. Quite awesome!

**budman** · 10-30-2020, 06:26 AM

Cool shit...!

More than I knew about ya.. and that would be John Fossgate.

"Here comes the psychodelic centipede!" <- Always loved that line.

ThinkFast · 11-05-2020, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by budman

Cool shit...!

"Here comes the psychodelic centipede!" <- Always loved that line.

YES! +1

**budman** · 11-05-2020, 10:10 PM

The AFM has been blessed with some good announcers.

Enjoyed all I have met a lot. I think Ralph may have been the only one that was not a racer. Not sure but I don’t remember another main one that did not race.

Still enjoy seeing Ralph on the Tube. I enjoyed our interactions when he was at teh Point. I recall someone else doing Willow. Anyone know??

atblasi · 03-22-2021, 07:30 PM

Raced AFM 87 - 90
#543

First year in 600 class on a Honda Interceptor 500, then on to a Yamaha RZ350 for the next 2 years. Loved racing the 2 stroke.

**Holeshot** · 03-23-2021, 02:49 PM

WELCOME! Love the history of that era!

atblasi · 03-23-2021, 04:17 PM

Definitely different back then. Compared to the new technologies in tires and bikes, it was amazing that we did not wreck more and that the bikes did well on the track, especially stock bikes with only suspension mods.

**budman** · 03-23-2021, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atblasi

Raced AFM 87 - 90
#543

First year in 600 class on a Honda Interceptor 500, then on to a Yamaha RZ350 for the next 2 years. Loved racing the 2 stroke.

Nice!!

Good to have ya check in!!

10-29-2020, 11:25 PM	#572
firstbuell GO! 04,16,23,31,64,69,95 BARF Moderator: Fan Racing Forum Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: dem hills o'Redwood City Motorcycles: 99 Buell M2 Cyclone;06 KTM 450 EXC-plated!;04 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Disc;19 Wilier Cento1Hy Name: Curt	eh, youse kids dunno wut “old” is..... I moved to SJ in ‘71 from Ohio, towing a U-Haul trailer containing the 1st brand-spanking new CB500-4 to be delivered back there - the very 1st person I met socially here was Bob Jones @ Emery’s Honda (US dealer #2), an AFMer who directed me to their upcoming race @ Vacaville Raceway (an unbelievably bad pave circuit with Willow Springs-level lethality off-course) I rode up on the freeway (with new wife driving her 351 Cougar XR7 behind, carrying my meager toolbox, front # plate, & mail-order leathers) & competed successfully (whew!) in Prod, then rode home - this is how some of us did it back then..... within 2 yrs, wife & I were both officers in AFM North Chapter - 1 day I got a call that some PanAm pilot/impresario seeked a Board meeting/audience to introduce a too-young racer with mebbe 800(!) trophies from Lodi, etc. - the kid needed shelter/experience/guidance til he matured, & we had AMA insurance, so @ this meeting Jim Doyle introduced us to...... Randy Mamola (whom I described as a smiling freckle with legs) AFM North opened up both Sears Point & Laguna Seca as Cotati & Vacaville disappeared, plus South had Riverside, Orange County Raceway, & then Ontario (total Indy clone) going, so there was a LOT of AFM racing to be had throughout the ‘70s during that time, I won exactly 2 races: 1975 - Ontario 6-Hr 250cc class (therez always a story @ an endurance event.....) 1979 - Sears Point 500cc Prod (XT500 single against UJM-4s !) before & after those successes, the comraderie of the racetrack defined my non-work existence for a decade+ that said, another AFM opportunity became available mid-‘70s - track announcer, a role for which I was MUCH more capable than competing - that wonderful gig lasted thru ‘80, soon growing into getting paid(!) for AMA Pro, IndyCar, IMSA, etc., events @ a wide variety of venues north & south others followed me on the AFM mike, including (eventually) Ralph Shaheen, John (can’t remember), & Vik “Eek” Anderson I’ll close by reprising my claim that AFM was (& still is) the basis for most of my enduring friendships, so be a pal to everyone __________________ *Curt* "The only good thing about 2020 is MotoGP is fucking awesome" budman "Doohan Keeps Beating Injured Schwantz" roadracingworld.com

10-30-2020, 12:42 AM	#573
Holeshot Super Moderator Barf Racer BARF Moderator Founding Member Top Percent Poster Contributor + Barfie Winner 2014 & 2017 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Walnut Creek Motorcycles: Monica Sweetheart!!!! Name: Berto	Curt, that post is the best thing I've read in 2020 (for me). Thanks for the memories. Quite awesome! __________________ Posted as a BARF Member, NOT Moderator unless specifically noted as such. These opinions do not reflect the opinion of the BARF MODERATORS nor BARF itself. These are the opinions and posts of solely the posting member unless noted as such: "MOD HAT ON". AFM #6 2020

10-30-2020, 06:26 AM	#574
budman General Menace AMA Life Member #203453 Highway Aviator Founding Member Top Percent Poster Community Contributor + BB Moto Junkie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Palo Alto, Ca. Motorcycles: Keep me rocking life Name: Budman	Cool shit...! More than I knew about ya.. and that would be John Fossgate. "Here comes the psychodelic centipede!" <- Always loved that line. __________________ Your friendly neighborhood.... Budman BARF Terms of Service Be a BARF Contributor! Support those that support Barf! BARF Sponsors 1Rider introduction on KFOG Bone heads and bikers podcasts Racism and RIP threads on Barf - FYI Barf is more than a dub dub dub dealio Godspeed Mom Pit Ho Godspeed Nicky #69 Hoho AMA #203453

11-05-2020, 10:10 PM	#576
budman General Menace AMA Life Member #203453 Highway Aviator Founding Member Top Percent Poster Community Contributor + BB Moto Junkie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Palo Alto, Ca. Motorcycles: Keep me rocking life Name: Budman	The AFM has been blessed with some good announcers. Enjoyed all I have met a lot. I think Ralph may have been the only one that was not a racer. Not sure but I don’t remember another main one that did not race. Still enjoy seeing Ralph on the Tube. I enjoyed our interactions when he was at teh Point. I recall someone else doing Willow. Anyone know?? __________________ Your friendly neighborhood.... Budman BARF Terms of Service Be a BARF Contributor! Support those that support Barf! BARF Sponsors 1Rider introduction on KFOG Bone heads and bikers podcasts Racism and RIP threads on Barf - FYI Barf is more than a dub dub dub dealio Godspeed Mom Pit Ho Godspeed Nicky #69 Hoho AMA #203453

03-22-2021, 07:30 PM	#577
atblasi Newbie Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Reno Motorcycles: 2009 SV650 (Track) 2007 R1 (Street) Name:	AFM #543 Raced AFM 87 - 90 #543 First year in 600 class on a Honda Interceptor 500, then on to a Yamaha RZ350 for the next 2 years. Loved racing the 2 stroke.

03-23-2021, 02:49 PM	#578
Holeshot Super Moderator Barf Racer BARF Moderator Founding Member Top Percent Poster Contributor + Barfie Winner 2014 & 2017 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Walnut Creek Motorcycles: Monica Sweetheart!!!! Name: Berto	WELCOME! Love the history of that era! __________________ Posted as a BARF Member, NOT Moderator unless specifically noted as such. These opinions do not reflect the opinion of the BARF MODERATORS nor BARF itself. These are the opinions and posts of solely the posting member unless noted as such: "MOD HAT ON". AFM #6 2020

03-23-2021, 04:17 PM	#579
atblasi Newbie Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Reno Motorcycles: 2009 SV650 (Track) 2007 R1 (Street) Name:	Different back then Definitely different back then. Compared to the new technologies in tires and bikes, it was amazing that we did not wreck more and that the bikes did well on the track, especially stock bikes with only suspension mods.

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