Honda made a steadfast appearance last weekend at the final round of AMA Superbike racing at Laguna Seca. The display included one of every current 2008 model in the product line, but at this event we highlighted the all new 2009 CRF450R, the new multi-utility vehicle called Big Red, and the three-seater AquaTrax F-15X personal watercraft.... Read more »
Sunday is the last day for the racers to strut their stuff, and a big congratulations to all our Honda Champions.
85 12-13 Mod: Jessy Nelson
Collegeboy: Blake Wharton
Jr 25+Am: Rick Schroder
Girls 9-13: Jennfer Burton
MX C/D Mod: Kevin Tetley
MX C/D Stock: Kevin Tetley
MX Lites C/D Mod: Cody... Read more »
Saturday was off to a great start. Honda of Housto-supported racer Jessy Nelson grabbed the first championship for Honda Jessy is returning to his old ways of winning races after having a rough season last year. Way to go Jessy, looks like Mom and Dad are very proud of you!
Wednesday to Friday the starting gates were falling to qualify riders into the main moto's. This year Lake Whitney had another great turnout with more than1,800 riders that came from all over the United States.
Tuesday is the first day of practice and the first chance racers get to scurry up the infamous "Mt. Whitney". The track was damp from the light rain that fell during the night and this helped to keep the dust down.
HRCA supports amateur MX racers from all across the country at the 2008 Lake Whitney Spring Classic. The Event was held at the WB Ranch inbeautiful Lake Whitney, Texas. Getting started early is the name of the game in Texas so each day started before the sun was up and the Honda Riders Club of America crew was ready to tackle any problem that... Read more »
Thanksgiving Day. In Florida, away from my regular family. What could be better than being with your racing family and eating the greatest turkey dinner ever? This is what the 36th annual Winter Mini-O's in Gainesville are all about. Today is the start of the Motocross segment of the event and what a start it was. Cloudy and rainy is how things... Read more »
Pure racing on Tuesday and Wednesday. All Supercross racing with Honda riders taking home nine Championships. Winners are: Vince Friese-125A Exp Stock,Edward Allingham-125 C Stock & Mod, Sean Lipanovich-Youth Four-Stroke, Kyle Peters-125 12-15 Stock, Sunny Drake-4 Stroke, Marc Williams-250 C Mod, Randy Debartolo-250 B Stock, and Madison... Read more »
Today was Supercross practice for all classes of riders. The first few days of these nationals seem to be the most grueling part of the event. Our Technicians, Eric Crippa, Ben Coumea and Joe Ross, and I took part in getting all the Honda riders tuned up and dialed in for maximum competition.
The first moto's also started later in the... Read more »
Sunday was the set up day for the HRCA Crew. It was a brisk 28 degrees at 8:00AM. Our 18- wheeler setup went flawless and we got prepared for a long week of racing. The HRCA Manager Bill Savino and HondaTech Line's Ben Comeau flew into Gainesville late in the day. Supercross practice is tomorrow. I was thinking about getting fried gator for... Read more »
Saturday was a travel day for Marty Fisher, Eric Crippa and myself, Dave Thomforde. We all landed safely in Orlando, Florida and began our trek up towards Gainesville. I got a call from one of our support riders, Les Smith and he had asked if we wanted to watch his cousin run his first 200-lap stock car race. His cousin being Ricky Carmichael,... Read more »
For the first time in my career at Honda, Laguna Seca hosted the final round of the Superbike series with all four classes racing there (Superbike, Supersport, Superstock, and Formula Extreme). It’s hard for me to believe this is my eighth time at Laguna Seca, but this Laguna was very different than the MotoGP race that happened earlier in the... Read more »
HRCA Members were treated to a great day of racing at Round 9 of the AMA Motocross series at the Spring Creek Motocross track in Millville, Minnesota. For the first time, the HRCA set-up a special HRCA VIP Hospitality Area up at one of the best viewing areas on the track. Members could see most of the race track and not have to walk... Read more »
The Honda Super Cycle Weekend at Mid Ohio brought very hot weather on Friday and Saturday and rain on Sunday. But, the racing went on as planned and HRCA Members showed with coupons in hand for their free gift courtesy of the HRCA.
Late on Thursday prior to the race weekend, I got a call from Nicky Hayden’s manager who told me that... Read more »
My love of motorcycle started in 1972 when I got little mini bike with a lawn mower engine. I rode the wheels off that thing and graduated to a “real motorcycle” in 1974 on which I won my first trophy racing motocross. Since then, motocross has always been a part of my life, and in the world of motocross, Loretta Lynn’s is legendary. To this... Read more »
Can you say Dream Job? Well, other than being on the road for over a month, I would say that I’ve got it. July started with Moto GP in beautiful Monterey, California. The weather was great this year, and HRCA Members were out in force. Marty had the parking area taken care of; Tiffany had the turn five suite covered, so all I had to do was... Read more »
For the second year in a row, the HRCA set up an awesome HRCA hospitality and viewing area for nearly 300 HRCA Members at the Hangtown Motocross race. For any of you that are not familiar with Hangtown, it’s the first AMA Outdoor National Motocross race of the season and starts two weeks after the last Supercross race. Hangtown is located... Read more »
It was a great weekend for me at the Fontana Superbike race. Amazing racing, friendly people, and a lot of enthusiastic riders! This year at Fontana we had a spectacular hospitality area exclusively for HRCA Members. I was amazed at how the place looked; 2 large areas (including indoor and outdoor), with a lot of chairs and tables, decorated... Read more »
Today was the last Superbike race of the weekend. The HRCA hospitality area was full of HRCA Members who wanted to sit and get out of the sun. We also had that great view of the track, one of the best areas to see the race in my opinion. I was thankful for getting some down time so I can enjoy the race. Miguel was on the podium again, maybe... Read more »
Buzz, buzz the alarm rang. 6:30 Am. I couldn’t believe it was already time to get up. Back at Barber Motorsports Park, I got to watch some of the superbike qualifying. HRCA hospitality area had the best viewing area. Later in the day I went to the Barber Museum, not too far from our hospitality tent. The museum has so many bikes from vintage... Read more »
7am we were on our way to Barber Motorsports Park. It’s a beautiful sunny morning with clear skies. I was still half a sleep. I wasn’t used to the time change yet. The race track is amazing, such beautiful place. After setting up our hospitality area, I got a chance to check out the pit areas where all the riders were. Keith gave me the... Read more »
My first trip to Birmingham, Alabama. I arrived at the airport around 5:30pm central time. I went to the baggage claim, waited and waited. I found out my luggage was still at the Los Angeles Airport. I was really disappointed, I hope they didn’t lose my luggage. I met up with Tiffany Tong at the airport. After catching up with... Read more »
8:00AM – Awake and embark on the journey back to modern civilization; two days and 1000 miles later, it’s all just a memory and an incredible one at that. You may leave Baja but it never leaves you.
6:30AM – 33 bikes and 12 ½ hours later we’re done – and I do mean done!; Exhausted and bug-eyed we proceed to dismantle our pit and pack up the vehicles; 10AM and over to my buddy Mike’s for a well deserved nap – air mattress still leaking.; 4PM after restless sleep awake to a prime rib dinner with all the trimmings – how can this be so far... Read more »
6:30 AM fresh bread, bacon, sausage, home made corned beef hash – Am I awake or is this a dream?; Set up pits at graded pit location – tents, tools, lights, parts, etc.; It’s noon and we’re ready to go – first bike due in at approx. 5PM – time to relax before Baja pit all-nighter.; We’re surrounded by curious locals – we are their show; 4PM... Read more »
5:45PM - cross border into Tijuana - Mexican adventure officially begins – three miles later, ticket from TJ’s finest on motorcycle for driving box van in left lane; lots of talking = down the road to Ensenada.; 7:30PM arrive in Ensenada and check into hotel – steak dinner resulting in early bed time and heavy snoring.
7:00 AM fresh bread, home made sausage, potatoes, ham, eggs – is this really happening?; “Burp” begin journey to pit location (San Juanico, race mile 656.9); about 300 miles and 8 hours later – arrive in San Juanico (surfer’s paradise) – awesome panoramic view of the Pacific; This place is ready for the race and we’re the main attraction!; ... Read more »
6:00AM awake to head south towards pit location – keys become locked in back of box van – 30 minute delay for locksmith to unlock door - $20 later we’re on our way; 12 hours and about 600 miles later arrive at the “Yurts” in San Ignacio – the day’s journey offers breathtaking views of Baja including beach, desert, cactus and rugged mountains –... Read more »
Moto GP World Champion Nicky Hayden stopped by American Honda for a visit the other day. As amateur HRCA photographer and videographer extraordinaire, I was allowed to tag along as part of the Nicky crew as he made his way around the Honda campus. I shot some video as he was swept from place to place. Everyone wanted to see him and... Read more »