Poppy828 said:

Just give me the word and I'll take over if you want me to, even though all the back work is done. But like you said, I know Bob and Jan and I've done this before, so if it will help you out, I'll collect all the money and do whatever else on the day of the ride.

I'll continue the thread....

I'm Arno (spelled Arnaud the correct way but people butcher my name, Arn oudddd, yikes), 24. I'm fron France originally, I moved to the US (Chicago) almost 13 years ago. Currently flying for American Airlines (Eagle) out of Ohare, it is a fun job but on the downside, if I get hurt in any shape or form I can loose my medical certificate, then out on the curb, so I have to take it "easy" when I ride....riiiighht, like that is possible. I rode once in a while on friends bike growing up but never got a bike until two months ago :) I bought myself a yz400f, 99, and I just love it! I haven't tired the motocross thing yet but I am going to Buffalo Range tomorrow (thrusday 30th to ride on a track for second time... first time was on a quad at KI Tracks, so it should be interesting...) I live in St. Charles, near Geneva, Aurora, etc... Went to University of Illinois, in the middle of the corn haha.
Besides the new motocross bug that I got I'm usually flying a lot, tons of different planes, also model airplanes. Lots of waterskiing, snowboarding and all that jazz, but it is hard to fit all this stuff in.

So yeah, thats my story.... anyone going to BR tomorrow that could give me pointers? (ei track etiquette, lines, etc...)

Arno

Here is what my bike looks like. Got a green silverado with red trailer.



So yeah, th

Matt228 said:

No worries. I will stick with it as that is what I committed too. If I need a hand I will let you know. Look forward to it in a way, but don't because it is the last ride. In any case, we will have some fun.

Your best bet is to park like Mickey did towards the front and top of the hill, that way everyone that comes in will see you and give you their money.

Poppy828 said:

Remember what I said... :smirk:

Matt228 said:

That was my plan.

OK, like HOGIE - I'll see if I can gay it up some more in here...

I started riding in 1968 on a brand-new Honda Mini-Trail that my granddad purchased for me. He was a motorcop for the IL State Police from the '30s thru the '50s - as well as an occasional dirt track racer. He lived & breathed motorcycles so it kinda rubbed off on me as my own father wasn't all that interested.

I went thru too many bikes to list back then, but my first real racebike was a Steen-framed Hodaka set up for DT - followed by an XL350 in a Champion frame, and finally a Bultaco Pursang. (The local dealer felt that an Astro was too much bike for a teenager at the time.)

I was never much of an MXer (only ever rode three as a youth...one in '75, again in '76, and one in '77.) but found that I enjoyed the woods more than turning left on packed clay. Some of my enduro bikes were an ungodly heavy '74 DT175; a Powrolled XL150 (my favorite); and the last brand-new bike I ever owned...a 1976 MR175. Competition consisted of an occasional enduro or scrambles. (Forerunner to today's H/S) I gave up DT for good in 1977 to concentrate on school (my high school grades were in the toilet) and an occasional enduro. (I was at an enduro in Murray, KY in 1976 when it rained like 12 inches the day before. I was the only one in my class to finish the event.)

By '78 riding motorcycles got to be like taking out the trash, and from the Spring of 1979 until the Spring of 1996 I never touched a motorcycle in any form...outside of a quick spin on various friends' new bikes.

I bought a farm with acerage in '96 and had the urge to see what was out there, and ended up being bitten by the vintage bug with bikes I had been around as a teenager. I began vintage racing (H/S & MX and an occasional Trials) in '99 and haven't stopped since. Everything I remember quickly came back - except this time I appreciate it more for what it was. (Vintage racing does that to you.) My son began riding in '01 and is now 11, and races the Super-Mini/80 Open class(es) and is developing his skills as a H/S rider. I was lucky enough to win several Vintage Regional & National championships over the last 10 years, but have since slowed down (literally) and now it's time to slow down and focus on my son's racing...when he's ready. (I despise Moto-Dads.)

I'm currently a vintage race promoter & director (my wife and I are the 'vintage racing' version of Trackman and his wife) and have worked in various capacities in the M/C industry over the years...making life-long friends along the way. I've met a lot of cool people, seen things the public never gets to see, and ridden at some of the best places our sport has to offer.

(Wow, that may be even gayer than HOGIE'S :lol: )

Yz400Flyer said:

Welcome aboard! Nice Bike but you should give it to Matt228 for the weekend so he can put some stickers and stuf on it, LOL :busted:

I will be at BR on Monday if interested. Anyone here would be glad to show you around. :thumbsup:

Man Poppy, I just met you a few weeks ago and now your gone. Well at least I will ride with you at Walnut. I will let you ride with my helmet cam for a few hours that way you can watch it over and over and over again.

Yamahasrx700 said:

Yes, it sux, but such is life. The helmet cam would be awesome for sure. Looking forward to riding with you since last time my bike was fubared.

Why would he want a video of dirt,sky,dirt,sky,dirt,sky.......?

Joe, are you bringing your camera out for the Walnut ride?

Can I duct tape it to my helmet?

I can't go.My boss is taking a vacation to Germany that week.Impossible for me..........Jeff Schuck shot some excellent BR helmetcam footage that way about a month ago.I keep looking,but I can't find it on youtube.If anybody knows him,I work in the same town where they live and can edit it and post it for him.

Poppy828 said:

Well now who am I going to call "Francis" ???

J/K - That sux bro :thumbsdn: . Your a good guy and I'm looking forward to these last few rides. Before you go, would you please show me the fast lines out there. You know I need all the help I can get. And although I'm sure I'll say this again at Walnut, but just because your no longer riding doesn't mean you have to be a stranger :prof:

sparkplug1972 said:

You can still call me Francis, but only you :ride:

The last few rides will certainly be cherished by me. Where and when this weekend? Sounds like Joliet is a mess right now still. I am open to anything really. Just let me know.

I will do what I can to stay in touch of course. I know I will miss riding with you guys and especially You and Tom. We have had some good times out there considering the short length of time we have known each other. Playing in the mud last week and yelling at one another and goon riding the hell out of Mini's bike had to be my best time on dirt to date. That will always stick with me for sure. If I keep going here I will get misty eyed, so I am going to stop.

Ovidio from New Lenox, IL.

Started riding 4 years ago. I felt I excelled quickly and wanted to try racing to see how good I was.

Got but kicked many times, had the wrong bikes to race with too.

This is my second season really racing consistently and doing well.

I race harescrambles. D17 #2 right now but my goal is to finish up C class this year at #1 before I move to B next year. Werd.

p.s. Riding is LIFE!!!!!!!!

What did I ever do without it??

o yea........... Lift weights.:excuseme:

Stacy (BUKO138) and Donny(aka the Mayor) checking in ...We park our race trailer in Crete Il (across from Nikki and Red) We have a great place out in the country, that we do just about anything we want from ridding bikes to ripping the snowmobiles when the snow fly’s...Donny has been racing forever... I have been at it for about 6 years..since Donny got me into it.. When were not racing MX or out on the boat :ride: ...Donny builds cars for Ford At the Chicago Assembly plant..and I fight fires and save lives:p at the Matteson Fire Department. We try to hit all the Megacross races ..We flag the Big Double... stop by and say HI..The Mayor loves to chat!!!!!:ride:

Poppy, sorry to hear about your situation, just really got to know you but look forward to spending some time with you at the rental. (not in that way you homo's) It might be a long ride but i hear Mt Carroll is doing an open ride on sunday and well since you only have a few limited times to ride I know you would enjoy going to that place. Give it a thought. I may be going also.

Poppy828 said:

Hey Francis...... :p

Come on out to BR with us on Monday for one last crappy ride on a crappy track, LOL :busted:

Dude, I really will miss riding with ya so you better get a bike again in the future. Actually, the next time the circus comes to town just steal one the midget clown bikes and you will be good to go. :busted: :busted:

VET MOOSE said:

Yes it is unfortunate, but such is life. Sacrifices must be made sometimes and it's my turn to make one. Family focus is key right now.

I am open to anything for this Sunday. Waiting for Sparky to decide what he wants to do as we had plans initially.