I was the one with the "SAPPY" speech that flowed the tears... :'(
Sorry for puttin you all in a stooper 1st thing... ::) But, my father and I were extremely close as I'm sure you could tell from my sobbing and sincerity of my speech...There are a few things that I wanted to say last night but couldn't due to my inability to refocus... ::)
Up until 2004 I have never even set foot on a closed course of any type, I had not even done a trackday...My 1st time on a course was in April when I completed my Cornerspeed School and then raced that same wk-end...I am 38 (Old will sufice) and started MX at age 4 in a organisation in Wellsburg West Virginia called Track & Trail...It was founded by my father and a few of other guys that worked in the steel mill in Weirton WV...They found an old farm that was leased for the cost of the property taxes every year and could modify it in any way the club saw fit...I had a blast all of those years and have very fond memories and numerous #1 plates in various classes that I raced in until my fathe passed...
Those days I really cherish and just wanted tell all of the young guys out there to soak up every bit of every experience you have with your father cause you have already spent more years with your father than I had a chance to because he departed this earth when I was 13 yrs old...And it tears me up so bad because I don't feel like I ever got to say good bye properly...even tho I know I said good bye it just didn't feel right and to this day I feel lost without him...
I did not get around to meeting all of you last night so CONGRATS on your hard fought accomplishments... ;D and I look fwd to rubbing some new elbows as well as learning some new things...Thanks for your support last night during and after my speech...I'll always remember those moments... ;D
Andy Young
I wasn't there but it sounded like a very touching moment. Congrats to you and all the other honorees.
I didn't get a chance to meet you last night but I thought your speech being 1st set the mood just right for the evening....think it made us all take a moment and realize how lucky we are to be able to go out and do what we do
and have a great bunch of guys/gals to do it with.
thanks for sharing a part of your "life" with us. :)
Congrates to you Andy! I was glad to share the moment with you. As you heard from Kevin last nite, my emotions surface quite often. We are a passionate group of people,thats what makes us Champions.Keep wearing it on your sleeve, it's heathier that way. See you at Daytona ;D
Andy,
Your award acceptance speech, was great and showed all of us that a man is better for being able to show his emotions and say what he feels in his heart. You showed your fellow racers that don't know you as well as some of us do, your appreciation of others and that you don't take your life or others for granted.
Last night I learned alot about what makes you who you are. Not that I would have professed to know everything from sharing the traveling to and from Roebling Road and a great weekend of racing and hanging out down in Georgia this past season.
I have to admit, my selfish side wishes to see you at the track(s) often this coming season, but I do understand and respect your decision to scale back your racing schedule this year. You have your priorities in order and a great family, so I can then wish you the best with you endeavors this year and in the future.
I will be greatful when your out there with the rest of us and look forward to our ocassional telephone conversations, keeping in touch with each others goings ons. Oh by the way, I think you will turn a few laps on the Lone Wolf Cycles Kawasaki in 2005!! ;D
Talk to you soon, your friend Dave Cross
QuoteCongrates to you Andy! I was glad to share the moment with you. As you heard from Kevin last nite, my emotions surface quite often. We are a passionate group of people,thats what makes us Champions.Keep wearing it on your sleeve, it's heathier that way. See you at Daytona ;D
Thanks, and Daytona is not in the cards for me this year...As I have always said "I will do Daytona before I depart this wonderful planet on my terms hopefully"
QuoteAndy,
Your award acceptance speech, was great and showed all of us that a man is better for being able to show his emotions and say what he feels in his heart. You showed your fellow racers that don't know you as well as some of us do, your appreciation of others and that you don't take your life or others for granted.
Last night I learned alot about what makes you who you are. Not that I would have professed to know everything from sharing the traveling to and from Roebling Road and a great weekend of racing and hanging out down in Georgia this past season.
I have to admit, my selfish side wishes to see you at the track(s) often this coming season, but I do understand and respect your decision to scale back your racing schedule this year. You have your priorities in order and a great family, so I can then wish you the best with you endeavors this year and in the future.
I will be greatful when your out there with the rest of us and look forward to our ocassional telephone conversations, keeping in touch with each others goings ons. Oh by the way, I think you will turn a few laps on the Lone Wolf Cycles Kawasaki in 2005!! ;D
Talk to you soon, your friend Dave Cross
Dave, thank you so much for the kind words...Life long friendships start out just like this... :D
I guess I'll need to find a ZX-6R to get familiar with... ;D If I snuggle with one do you think it will help... ;D
Andy
I am all mushy and tender inside :P :P ;D
Andy, forget about that Kawacrappy junk :-X
Dave I might be at a few events that you'll be racing endurance, if so i'll pit for you that stuff is fun.... even if its a Kiwisucky :)
JP, thanks for the offer ;D.. I was never a Kawaclappy guy either, but now that I have 2 of them, guess I am now. Hell, I was never a 600 guy, till the TL met its fate, kinda did the racing thing a## backwards. It will be good to see you at the events, I am going to VIR March 12-13 for the final warmup before Jennings on March 24-25, see you at the track.