POETRY IN MOTION
This poem is a bit long, but it was written many years ago by Dick O’Brien, the head honcho of the Harley Davidson factory race team.
“To start at the beginning is a long time ago, I always love racing, for why I don’t know.
The question is asked a million times two, I have no answers, either do you.
Anything fast is a thrill to do, the challenge is great for all of you.
We start at the bottom and nothing will do, we must get our hands on a throttle or two.
If we are lucky and work hard enough, we may get a chance to ride the hot stuff.
Some of us make it, some of us don’t. The biggest percent are those who won’t.
The riders are flighty, but so is most youth. A few are bullets, the rest are just spoofs.
They drive and they party and have a good time, some will make money, others waste time.
Some become mechanics, for this takes much skill, Just as important as racing up hill.
A real top tuner has had much to learn, setting up engines from stem to the stern.
Knowing the track and all riders too, is part of a job he must learn to do.
Machinist and welder, fabricator too, takes many years and there are few.
The unsung hero behind the whole show, the satisfaction is great, but glory is low.
The people I work with use most of the night to have all machinery tuned up just right.
Your feelings run deep for family and all, you hope the riders don’t take a great fall.
Sometimes it happens and death comes to fast, you feel like saying this is the last.
Nothing you do will change the fast pace, so you try a lot harder to make a safe race.
It’s really a challenge to obtain number one, Final satisfaction compares to none.
The season is over and some rest will come. A few weeks only as we start back for one.
Somehow it’s worth it, the hassle and all, to see all the races from spring until fall.
Many years passed since I started out, millions of miles by every type route.
This is no ending or even a start, a fun way of living for those young at heart.”
TRAILBLAZERS ON AMA BOARD
Three members of the TrailBlazers have been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF); Jack Penton is Chairman, Tom White is Vice Chairman and Jeff Heininger is Secretary/Treasurer. Their main function will be to raise money for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
MISC. BY JUDY
Thanks to those of you who sent me information for the newsletter. Without input from the members, I wouldn’t have anything to write. Please keep me informed so I can keep everyone else informed.
Don’t forget to check our website. Don Emde and the staff at MIC have done a great job of setting it up. If you are going to Las Vegas for the AMA event, share a ride or maybe a room. We had considered a bus, but the logistics just didn’t work. It is more fun as a group and it would be really nice for the TrailBlazers to show their support.
If anyone complains about not getting their newsletter, ask if they paid their dues. If they think they have, tell them to contact me. If they haven’t, send $10.00 to:
TrailBlazers
c/o MIC Inc.
2 Jenner Ste #150
Irvine, Ca 92618-33`3
You can contact me at mctrailblazers@cs.com or 951 780-1978.
