Farewell, my dear friends....

[russ1962]

My Dear Friends,

Just wanted to tell you that the Midwest Expert #47 number plate is available this coming season.  If you'd like it, I'm not reclaiming it.

After 15 years of racing, living with you wonderful people, I'm turning in my wheels and moving on... 

I've decided to officially retire and recreate my world.  As of April 1st, I'll be finished with work, as my company has once again been sold to a larger operation, and I am fortunate enough to accept a retirement opportunity. 

I'll bought a home in Sicily a few months ago in anticipation of this move.  It's located in Castelbuono, Sicily.   I've got family there, and it's a beautiful piece of heaven.  If you'd like to see a little more about where that is, click this link...

http://www.sicilyphotos.com/foto_della_sicil_000001.htm

My new house is located about 1.5 miles from the sea, on the northern coast of Sicily.  Consider my home in Sicily as a vacation getaway for yourselves, complete with wine, great home cooked Italian food, race photos, and lots of racing lies long into the evening. 

I'm excited about my future, but have to admit I already miss you all.  You have been a huge part of my existence and world for so long, and I'll miss it dearly.  When I think about all the wonderful experiences I've had in this sport, one constant remains through them all:  it's the friendships and people that I come back for each season.  The bond we all share is deep, as you all know and feel.  I'll miss that most of all.

I hope to see as many of you folks in the next few months, hopefully at Daytona in March. 

Sincerely, respectfully, and with love and admiration for you all,

Russ Intravartolo
Former Midwest Expert #47.
rintravartolo@yahoo.com

[Court Jester]

that's awesome.
best wishes.

[nfcracin]

Good luck Russ

I cant belive after fighting for the #47 for so many years with you
and even stealing it for 1 year just to have you take it bake the next.

now your just giving it away.

You should keep it and come back and race at least once a year.
There will always be a bike ready for you with YOUR # on it when ever you need it.

Lonny

[Super Dave]

Russ? 

Sicily? 

Is intravartolo Italian similarly to Rosno?

[Super Dave]

And I'll bring my beanie and swim suit.

[barb_arah]

And I'll bring my beanie and swim suit.

OH NO!  Is it the same one you wore at the Wegman?

[Super Dave]

Only Russ knows.

[russ1962]

Lonny, just adjust the seat on that thing so my feet can touch the ground and I'll be there.  I'd love the opportunity to come back and ride.

Dave, the beaches are topless, so just bring the beanie and your all set.  I'm sure you'll be a hit there.   Yes, Intravartolo is Sicilian, my family is there and I met them when I was there a few months ago.  Very cool, they knew my family in the states and followed their lives from afar.  Feels like home to me.

No airfare in the invitation!  You're kidding!  Get ur butt there on your own, and spend nothing more when your there.  It's a beautiful place to see, and you'll be taken care of like royalty when you arrive.

Russ

[mdr14]

Russ, I will be saddended by your departure. 
Have fun in Sicily!!!

[Jeff]

Just keep in touch with us on the forum!  Congratulations to you Russ, I hope you enjoy your new adventure and take life easy.  Enjoy the fruits of your labors...  Too few people actually get to do that!

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

So how close are you to the nearest GP track?   

[russ1962]

So how close are you to the nearest GP track?   

Autodromo Di Pergusa
http://www.autodromopergusa.it/user/index.php?id=2

The track is located about 50 miles from my house, just south of Mt. Enna, called Pergusa.  It's a ring that surrounds the largest natural lake in Sicily.  Lots of Italian riders test there in the winter months since it's cold in most of Italy at that time, and Sicily is warm in the winter.  There's club racing there too, so you know I'll be sniffing around there pretty quickly.

[Super Dave]

Bella!

[russ1962]

Bella!

Dave, Italia non prende gentilmente agli uomini pelosi che portano un bikini.  Dovrete radere che l'ente ugly di il vostro prima di voi visita.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Imma jealoso!

[spyderchick]

Congratulations Russ, thank you for being such a great ambassador for the sport. Have fun in Italy, I hear the women are gorgeous!

[LMsports]

Russ, this will definitely be all our loss. You have always been a great person to share the paddock and the racetrack with. Thanks so much for all the good times.

[russ1962]

Congratulations Russ, thank you for being such a great ambassador for the sport. Have fun in Italy, I hear the women are gorgeous!

I know they are!  I'm taking mine with me. 

Thanks, Rob, those are some very kind words to hear.

[PaulV]

Congrats Russ!

Good luck and God Bless in your new home and life!

Paul
Polar-Optics

PS:May see you over there one of these days, keep us updated on the forum.

[dylanfan53]

Dave, Italia non prende gentilmente agli uomini pelosi che portano un bikini.  Dovrete radere che l'ente ugly di il vostro prima di voi visita.

Dave,
I don't speak Italian, but even I can tell that says something to the effect that Italians don't take kindly to ugly men in bikinis and that you'd better cover your ugly junk before you visit!

Congrats Russ!  Beautiful country, as you already know!

[weggieman]

San Marino in August '08 sound good Russ?? This years vacations are already booked.  I would say Mugello in June but it's the same weekend as the AMA RA race.............you know I can't miss that.

[spyderchick]

No one said Russ was taking reservations!

Too bad I'm so damn busy, or we would book a flight.

[J Farrell / Speed Tech Motorsp]

Aww Darn Russ my heart is just sunk! I'm sorry to see you retire and go but after looking at those pics you sent me why wouldn't you go right!
Well Daytona was fun for what it was and maybe we will do it again someday. It has been a blast racing with you and I look forward to hanging out with you whenever you come back to the states after you move. Maybe I'll have to visit you over there and do some racing on some unfamiliar land.

Give me a shout soon.

[russ1962]

San Marino in August '08 sound good Russ?? This years vacations are already booked.  I would say Mugello in June but it's the same weekend as the AMA RA race.............you know I can't miss that.

Just a second, G-Man, lemme see if I can get off work that week....

umm, yeah, looks like I WON'T BE WORKING!   Let's plan it.  Fly yur wrinkly old buns to Rome, then we'll rent some bikes and ride there.  Or, I'll meet you in Rome on my Ducati (which you still have to line up for me), and we'll rent you a scoot and ride from there. 

I'm there, so it's up to you.

Really, though, would you rather go to RA and eat cheesy brats in June instead of coming to Italy?  Anyone...  anyone...   Bueller, anyone anyone.....


Jason:  Had so much fun with you in Daytona, you and your crew are a total blast!  So what if the bike farted and we couldn't ride like we wanted.  It's the experience that matters, and I had a great time.   You are a class act, an awesome rider, and I wish I could have hung out with you more often.  Come visit anytime, I'm sure I'll be riding something there sooner than later.

[catman]

WOW -GIGANTIC KUDOs - from this noob- must have beaten some very fas people over a looooong time- mucho respect! John in Victory Gardens ,  no emoticons , New Jersey

[Maduro Mistress]

I took a photo of one of your bikes today...  It seems so sad!!! Good luck to you!

[russ1962]

I took a photo of one of your bikes today...  It seems so sad!!! Good luck to you!

Speaking of bikes, this SV650, built like a monster, is for sale.


Jason, your email keeps bouncing back to me...  please call, I need to talk to you about my SV in your shop.

Russ

[weggieman]

Wrinkly old buns??? Whoa dude, those is fightin' words..........remember, we're sharing a room in Daytona and you have to sleep sometime.....

[J Farrell / Speed Tech Motorsp]

Well damn email! Thats kind of like saying the mailman can't find the box!
I'll call you tomorrow.