In Memory of MightyDuc #944

[Love944]

That is it all up to Heather - I will pass that on to her.
I understand where you are coming from Michael and I know Bryan was a big supporter of this, But my dad wants it to be something he is in control of, not someone else.  We have not had any control over anything since he passed, that has been Heathers unfortunate job.
We are not saying we are NOT going to give to this fund.  What some people don't understand is that MY BROTHER IS GONE! My parents are having a terrible time coming to terms with this, as am I.  We are still grieving, and I hope that none of you EVER have to understand what we are feeling.
This Fund is a way for me to get my parents focused on doing good for individuals, like Bryan, trying to get their foot in the door and on there way to the AMA racing.
The Cassell family totally supports the air fence and will contribute to it.  When I spoke to Heather, she said she had been talking to you about getting it going here - that is great.  But this fund is ours, as stingy as it sounds and we want to give to the little guys in the trenches.  I hope you understand that.
I hope everyone does.

Laura

[Mark Bernard]

Stumpy and Heather,

Maybe you could make a few extra "In Memory of #944" stickers and sell them to racers with profits going to Bryan's foundation? Not wanting to step on toes, but I would pay for one.

I would pay for a few stickers, along with a t-shirt. Whatever your family decides to do with the funds receved for Brian is fine by us. We totally understand where you are comming from. We will support you in any decision you and your father makes. We understand totally about your father having controll over where the funds will eventually end up.

[xseal]

ship them in bulk to supporting dealers and provide to CCS to hand out at races. Have a donation box with a recommended donation of $__.  My hunch is you'll collect more $$ and people will spend less on shipping.
   M

[Super Dave]

Laura...Nice to see you on the board.

Although I'm up here in the colder states...

Definitely air fence is a good idea in your area.  I raced in a time before air fence, I've been ran over, knocked down, hit walls, etc...air fence would bring the greatest good to anyone that motorcycle road races.  I'm sure you would hear a great deal of agreement on that.  The greatest pair of leathers won't reduce the impact into a wall.

Your brother is always in our thoughts.   ;D :'(

[madanalyst]

Ive been thinking, thinking and thinking about this.  Trying to put myself in your shoes (as well as the entire family's) by recognizing not only BC's passion for this hobby of ours but where he'd like to see the funds go as well.  That is, after his wife and fam have been taken care of and all of BC's and Heather's bills have been caught up.  I must amdit that i didn't know BC too well.  I did give several hellos in passing, though,  at our many meetings at Jennings and Moroso.  What we do have in common is a very kind and loving fam and for this reason i feel compelled to let you know what this racer would like to do with a fund that is established in his name in the event of something trajic.  

Of course, helping a fellow rider that is a mirror image of myself would be the first logical thing to do.  But its not reaching a large enough cause.  The cause, of course, is rider safety.  Safety cannot be sacrificed.  And by safefy i'm not talking about slapping a band-aid (or pair of leathers) on a few riders, or even placing an air fence for the benefit of 100 riders at one track (when there's far too many tracks and riders in the country).  I ask that we look at the bigger picture here and get to the center of providing maximum safety to all riders -- or at least make a valid attempt to do so.

This got me thinking back to the day (not along ago) that i was issued my race license.  And i must be candid here by saying the process was a joke.  And this joke of a process doesn't stop with me.  All one needs to do is to exam a recent unfortunate event at my home track.  Completely unavoidable, in my opinion.  But its not the initial licensing phase that has me dissappointed, its the sheer experience/lessons learned during a race season that goes unrecognized by fellow riders (that is, unless they care to listen and learn from those experiences).  These are the various instances where riders have been hurt and not properly counseled by other riders who have made the same mistakes.   Things that can't be explained in an initial licensing class b/c not enought time is provided and b/c the rider is more interested in hitting the track (and perhaps tuning instructor out in the process).  

So with this in mind, my proposal would be to create a vehicle that requires cont'd education every yr and that mandates this educ as part of the process for racing each yr.  Something that could be performed online (or in a class), that captures the experiences of riders in a particular region, that feeds the greater cause of safety by collecting a small fee from every rider and uses those fees to educate future riders in the sport.  Again, a pair of leathers or a safety fense is good, but if the person wearing them or running into them (air fence) doesn't have the basic sense of safety and hasn't enjoyed the lessons from fellow riders, then the protection falls short of safety in my mind.  Everyone benefits!  Who would hesitate to learn more about safety each yr?  Who would stand to lose from knowing the rider next to him/her knows the same about safety as they do?  

I sit here amazed to know that i face cont'd ed classes every yr in my profession, yet lives and physical safety are not on the line no matter how hazerdous i am in my actions.  I'd take great comfort as a loyal participant in this incredible sport/hobby to know the same existed here.  And i'd pay for it too.  After all, an avoidable experience could cost me much more.  

RIP BC and much prayers go to fam, including sis....JM

[Love944]

OK - and I thought I was longwinded! lol  :D

Question - are you saying we should sponsor schooling/cont. ed?  I have a Title License and have to have 10 hrs every two years and all I am doing is issuing title insurance, not racing at 140+ miles an hour.
Or are you just talking in general?  Let me know where you are going with this.
I understand what you are saying about helping a small amount of people, but right now funds are going to be limited.  We have contacted an attorney and are getting everything rolling.
We are sitting down this weekend to work on our mission statement.
Today was a bad day for me today - a lot of crying.
So, today all I want is my Brother back, not thinking all to clear, so  I apologize for the rambling.
Laura

[Love944]

oh - I forgot to add, the race fund has NOTHING to do with Heather and Bryan's bills - Heather has been and is being taken care of -
I just want everyone to understand that Heather is not involved in this.
I do not want to lead anyone on, there are TWO separate funds - one is a Trust for Bryans bills and what ever is left goes to Heather.
We are starting the "Bryan Cassell II Memorial Foundation".
Just want everyone to be clear on this.

[madanalyst]

oh - I forgot to add, the race fund has NOTHING to do with Heather and Bryan's bills - Heather has been and is being taken care of -
I just want everyone to understand that Heather is not involved in this.
I do not want to lead anyone on, there are TWO separate funds - one is a Trust for Bryans bills and what ever is left goes to Heather.
We are starting the "Bryan Cassell II Memorial Foundation".
Just want everyone to be clear on this.

Thanks for the clairification Laura.  With respect to my earlier rant, i plan on attending the event at Jennings in mid Dec.  Its a very good cause and something we should all work into our hectic schedules.  Its there we can chat more.  In the meantime, please keep your head up...JM

[Super Dave]

This got me thinking back to the day (not along ago) that i was issued my race license.  And i must be candid here by saying the process was a joke. ...But its not the initial licensing phase that has me dissappointed, its the sheer experience/lessons learned during a race season that goes unrecognized by fellow riders.

So with this in mind, my proposal would be to create a vehicle that requires cont'd education every yr and that mandates this educ as part of the process for racing each yr.  Something that could be performed online (or in a class), that captures the experiences of riders in a particular region, that feeds the greater cause of safety by collecting a small fee from every rider and uses those fees to educate future riders in the sport.

I think you have an interesting idea...but I think it would be practically impossible to implement.  

Even motorcycle tire manufacturers understand that the dynamic of motorcycles is in constant flux based on rider, machine, development, etc.    There are new variables that are recognized constantly.

Experience does allow someone to gain knowledge.  Getting individuals to listen to free knowledge usually results in the students eating the covers of the books.  

And some knowledge comes over such a long period of time with huge costs that often there are things that you don't share.

If most racers were seeking knowledge for racing, I'd end up being well off.  This is what I do, and it's not very glamorus at all.

[Love944]

Dave,
If teaching is what you do, maybe you could give some insight on what young or novice riders generally lack.
Just to go that avenue and speaking from your experience.  Through all of this, I have asked for ideas and input.  So if you have any Iwould love to hear them!
JM,
I look forward to meeting you and talking with you!
Thanks again
Laura

[Super Dave]

Dave,
If teaching is what you do, maybe you could give some insight on what young or novice riders generally lack.
Just to go that avenue and speaking from your experience.  Through all of this, I have asked for ideas and input.  So if you have any Iwould love to hear them!
JM,
I look forward to meeting you and talking with you!
Thanks again
Laura

Oh, boy, I do have to go to work...LOL....

But let me start.

First, most new guys don't have the fortitude to understand that there is a lot more to this than just running a motorcycle into a corner.  I think all to often, skill gets over looked.  Some thing it's just a matter of b@lls.  

Indeed, there are people that are genetically gifted enough that, yes, they can react to things that happen so quick that they can go very quick right off.  Then they struggle after that.  

Schooling done by the racing organizations is really nothing more than a "safety course".  I know, as I taught similar schools for the Championship Cup Series.  

Many instructors just do that.  Here's registration, these are the flags, this is your brake.  I'm generalizing, but most instructors that I have known, met, heard about, generally don't have a really broad base of racing experience and set up time or they are very experienced individuals that are gifted.  

Most instructors can get a guy on the track, but getting them any further seems to be much harder.  

Motorcycle road racing has the simple problem of turnover.  Few people stay in the sport long enough to really learn a lot.  Additionally, the organizations are constantly trying to bring in new riders.  So, the standard to be a "racer" is pretty low.  Additionally, it seems as though racing has become "easier".  Fewer really fast riders, but more "recreational" racers that go track to track doing their laps.

Back to "schooling"....

New riders often go for the least expensive school to get their license.  My school offers a certificate that will get a rider a license just like other schools, but it costs more because they get more time on the track, more input about the bike, etc., etc.  But trying to "sell" that to a young guy that is pretty confident about what he thinks his skills are...hard sell.  More of my schooling business is from amateur and expert racers that already have a license and fully understand that motorcycle road racing might be the hardest and most frustrating undertaking of their lives.  I think that's why it is so addictive...and that's probably the only word to describe it....

More later?  I've got to work for my addiction....LOL!  
 ;D

[Love944]

Fundraiser update...
Wanted to let you all know that Stumpy and Heather are getting the stickers made for me and yes they added the Red!!
We will be selling them at the track day on Dec. 13 & 14 at Jennings - I hope some of you will be able to attend.
Again I am amazed by the love, support and Kindness that many of you have shown my family.
God Bless!
Laura