What happen to AFM at Sonoma? - BARF

hitman5532 · 01-29-2021, 03:27 PM

Hey y'all,

Haven't raced (or ridden) for 5 years, and hoping to get back into it. I just looked at AFM schedule and noticed no more racing at Sonoma! What happened? Is this just a COVID thing?

Joshman · 01-29-2021, 04:10 PM

I'm not entirely sure of the specific reasons, but last time I rode Sonoma it was straight up unsafe. The pavement is in horrible shape; the u-turn is so torn up it felt like my puck was going to get torn off.

As much as I used to love racing Sonoma, I'm glad it's not on the list this year.

ViperThreat · 01-29-2021, 04:10 PM

I don't have anything concrete to add, but I've seen that many TD orgs are avoiding Sonoma due to the price and terrible condition of the pavement. Wouldn't be surprised if AFM made the same decision.

synfinatic · 01-29-2021, 05:43 PM

$$$

**budman** · 01-29-2021, 05:50 PM

Yup... got pay $$$ to play at the Point.

DannoXYZ · 01-30-2021, 08:39 AM

Sears Point Sonoma makes 80% of their yearly operating budget on a single weekend...NASCAR!!! Everything else is just minor nuisance.

So they've been raising prices more and more to squeeze out less profitable weekends. Costs more now to rent Sears than Laguna. I'd much rather drive extra 1.5-hrs to Laguna than Sears. Much better track surface.

Maddevill · 01-30-2021, 10:03 AM

Back when I was racing, ( and dinosaurs walked the earth) the only track we had was Sears Point. That was great for me since I had little budget for travel. I loved that place. Challenging but fun. I started when we were still using the old Turn 11 down by the wall. My last race there was 2007. It's sad to see that the owners don't seem to want to take care of the track or to have the AFM out there anymore.

Mad

DrSwade · 02-01-2021, 06:31 AM

So sad. That was easily my favorite track. Sear's Point is a crucible for all those fast guys coming up from other tracks, who quickly discovered that a faster bike wasn't a match for great cornering and braking skills.

i_am_the_koi · 02-01-2021, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshman

I'm not entirely sure of the specific reasons, but last time I rode Sonoma it was straight up unsafe. The pavement is in horrible shape; the u-turn is so torn up it felt like my puck was going to get torn off.

As much as I used to love racing Sonoma, I'm glad it's not on the list this year.

This

They also dicked around AFM last year.

Their management sucks.

Their security guards are people who can't get jobs in Vallejo.

Love the track, hope it improves

hitman5532 · 02-04-2021, 07:50 PM

That blows donkey balls. Having a two track race series is kinda "meh" and just asking to be a major factor in the demise of the club...

**budman** · 02-04-2021, 09:18 PM

AFM will survive.

I doubt any demise.

And to those that say it it unsafe now I laugh at you, I still feel you.

It was always was a casket course and is way safer now.

Turn 9 at a buck thirty with a wall 15’ off the track?
A fucking ditch on the exit of 3A and a wall just outside 4??

Same with 7 and at 110 mph T10.

Nascrap 11 was pretty safe back then compared to most of the track.

Great road course for learning cornering and race craft back in the day. Hope they live on for many decades to come.

hitman5532 · 02-05-2021, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by budman

AFM will survive.

I doubt any demise.

And to those that say it it unsafe now I laugh at you, I still feel you.

It was always was a casket course and is way safer now.

Turn 9 at a buck thirty with a wall 15’ off the track?
A fucking ditch on the exit of 3A and a wall just outside 4??

Same with 7 and at 110 mph T10.

Nascrap 11 was pretty safe back then compared to most of the track.

Great road course for learning cornering and race craft back in the day. Hope they live on for many decades to come.

I liked the bus stop a lot more before they changed it years back for the cars (world sport touring cup or something)

Gavin Botha · 02-06-2021, 09:50 AM

The reason it is unsafe now is not because of the configuration, but because of the condition. There are seams that have turned into gaping cracks that will take you down in an instant. The one in the Carousel took out Bobby Fong several years ago, and it continues to get worse. Track is in terrible state of disrepair.

Intheapex · 02-06-2021, 12:00 PM

Sonoma is one of the best tracks in the world in my opinion.

jbawden · 02-06-2021, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin Botha

The reason it is unsafe now is not because of the configuration, but because of the condition. There are seams that have turned into gaping cracks that will take you down in an instant. The one in the Carousel took out Bobby Fong several years ago, and it continues to get worse. Track is in terrible state of disrepair.

Exactly this; plus its extremely expensive for AFM to run an event there. It's a shame really, it IS a world class layout but seems to be managed by a faceless corporate bot that has absolutely no passion whatsoever for the soul of our track.

01-29-2021, 03:27 PM	#1
hitman5532 The Anti-Squid Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At the racetrack Motorcycles: Got a few.... Name: Dan	What happen to AFM at Sonoma? Hey y'all, Haven't raced (or ridden) for 5 years, and hoping to get back into it. I just looked at AFM schedule and noticed no more racing at Sonoma! What happened? Is this just a COVID thing? __________________ RIP Kelly Ruiz (7/21/81-10/14/07) Kari Prager (10/21/47-11/14/10) "I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge I see all kinds of things you can't see from the center." Kurt Vonnegut "If I'm a danger to myself, just think of what i can do to YOU!" - Otep Shamaya --In order to finish the race in first, you must first finish--

01-29-2021, 04:10 PM	#2
Joshman - Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oakland Motorcycles: sv650 Name: Josh	I'm not entirely sure of the specific reasons, but last time I rode Sonoma it was straight up unsafe. The pavement is in horrible shape; the u-turn is so torn up it felt like my puck was going to get torn off. As much as I used to love racing Sonoma, I'm glad it's not on the list this year. __________________ ______________________________________________ AFM #438 TWF Racing

01-29-2021, 05:43 PM	#4
synfinatic Wannabe Fast Guy Contributor + + + Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Motorcycles: Duzucati 650, wr250f Name: Aaron	$$$ __________________ AFM #22 http://synfin.net Thanks to everyone who sponsors me: Spears Enterprises \| Catalyst Reaction \| CTRacing \| Helimot \| Woodcraft \| Motion Pro \| Armour Bodies \| Motorex \| GP Frame & Wheel \| Raceimage Graphics \| Pega Precision "On the Internet, nobody can hear you being subtle." — Linus Torvalds

01-29-2021, 05:50 PM	#5
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	Yup... got pay $$$ to play at the Point. __________________ 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

01-30-2021, 10:03 AM	#7
Maddevill KNGKAW AMA #: 542337 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hayward Motorcycles: ZX14,GS750E, KTM 450/540 Name: Steve	Back when I was racing, ( and dinosaurs walked the earth) the only track we had was Sears Point. That was great for me since I had little budget for travel. I loved that place. Challenging but fun. I started when we were still using the old Turn 11 down by the wall. My last race there was 2007. It's sad to see that the owners don't seem to want to take care of the track or to have the AFM out there anymore. Mad __________________ If your nose runs and your feet smell, you're built upside down.

01-29-2021, 04:10 PM	#3
ViperThreat Veteran 1% Contributor Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Reno Motorcycles: '06 GSXR-1000(track), '07 GSXR-750(track), '08 FZ1 Name:	I don't have anything concrete to add, but I've seen that many TD orgs are avoiding Sonoma due to the price and terrible condition of the pavement. Wouldn't be surprised if AFM made the same decision.

01-30-2021, 08:39 AM	#6
DannoXYZ Veteran Barf Roadside Angel Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Bay Motorcycles: CB125T EX250E Ninja250R racer CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR VFR750 Name: Danno	Sears Point Sonoma makes 80% of their yearly operating budget on a single weekend...NASCAR!!! Everything else is just minor nuisance. So they've been raising prices more and more to squeeze out less profitable weekends. Costs more now to rent Sears than Laguna. I'd much rather drive extra 1.5-hrs to Laguna than Sears. Much better track surface.

02-01-2021, 06:31 AM	#8
DrSwade ...for limited time... Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico Motorcycles: .why you gotta pick my scabs? Name: Rob	So sad. That was easily my favorite track. Sear's Point is a crucible for all those fast guys coming up from other tracks, who quickly discovered that a faster bike wasn't a match for great cornering and braking skills.

02-04-2021, 07:50 PM	#10
hitman5532 The Anti-Squid Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At the racetrack Motorcycles: Got a few.... Name: Dan	That blows donkey balls. Having a two track race series is kinda "meh" and just asking to be a major factor in the demise of the club... __________________ RIP Kelly Ruiz (7/21/81-10/14/07) Kari Prager (10/21/47-11/14/10) "I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge I see all kinds of things you can't see from the center." Kurt Vonnegut "If I'm a danger to myself, just think of what i can do to YOU!" - Otep Shamaya --In order to finish the race in first, you must first finish--

02-04-2021, 09:18 PM	#11
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	AFM will survive. I doubt any demise. And to those that say it it unsafe now I laugh at you, I still feel you. It was always was a casket course and is way safer now. Turn 9 at a buck thirty with a wall 15’ off the track? A fucking ditch on the exit of 3A and a wall just outside 4?? Same with 7 and at 110 mph T10. Nascrap 11 was pretty safe back then compared to most of the track. Great road course for learning cornering and race craft back in the day. Hope they live on for many decades to come. __________________ 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

02-06-2021, 09:50 AM	#13
Gavin Botha Rookie BARF Sponsor 1% Contributor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Jose Motorcycles: All Name:	The reason it is unsafe now is not because of the configuration, but because of the condition. There are seams that have turned into gaping cracks that will take you down in an instant. The one in the Carousel took out Bobby Fong several years ago, and it continues to get worse. Track is in terrible state of disrepair.

02-06-2021, 12:00 PM	#14
Intheapex Newbie Join Date: May 2018 Location: Sacramento Motorcycles: 2008 Honda CBR 600rr 2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 Name:	I was thinking the same thing! Sonoma is one of the best tracks in the world in my opinion.

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