Stephen S
Veteran
- Location
- East Bay, Northern California
- Name
- Stephen Scharf
Shooting at the California Superbike Shootout at Sonoma Raceway, CA this weekend.
The event is combined event along with the American Federation of Motorcyclists club racing event. The "AFM" is the largest motorcycle roadracing club in the United States.
Wandered the paddock today and did some "street photography" of the racers. Motorcycle club racers are amongst the nicest guys you could hope to meet. These racers run wheel to wheel on one of the most challenging tracks in the United States. Intererstingly, as a result, they form extremely close bonds with each other, very similar to men that fight together in combat.They will loan a buddy a much-needed spare part only so that person and go out and race against them. I raced in this club for five years, and the camaraderie from racing in a club with bunch of great guys is off the charts; I've formed some the strongest friendships I've ever made in my life with some of the guys I used to race against. It's not at all an unsual for two guys to race against each other, roll back in to the paddock, jump off their bikes and give their opponent, their best friend, their buddy, a hug.
Walking around the paddock today, I was greeted with smiles, waves, and a very strong culture of welcoming and friendship. It was just the same as when I raced here years ago.
Some pics from the X-cams...
The Graves Yamaha Racing bikes await their riders...
The Yamaha factory mechanics setting up one of the racer's bikes...
Cameron Beaubier, one of the Yamaha Factory Racing superbike riders. I first saw Cameron racing when he was racing "minis" at Stockton when he was only 12 years old. He was ridiculously fast even back then.
A racer's girlfriend puts on a tire warmer while he looks for parts...
BIkes are constantly being "fettled"...
As soon as you walk up, a racer gives you a friendly smile...
"The front was chattering all the way through turn the Carousel!"
Two buddies, opponents, doin' some "bench racing"...
Helmets, tools, and a bunch 'o parts...
This is Oscar. As soon as I asked if I could take a photo of him with his race bike and ran over and gave me a nice smile and a "thumbs up". While I was taking his photo, he asked, "Do you need some water? I have bottled water!" "No, no, I'm fine." I replied. "Are you hungry? We have plenty of food, I could feed you lunch." And, that my friends, is a club racer for you.
Oscar and his bike....
The event is combined event along with the American Federation of Motorcyclists club racing event. The "AFM" is the largest motorcycle roadracing club in the United States.
Wandered the paddock today and did some "street photography" of the racers. Motorcycle club racers are amongst the nicest guys you could hope to meet. These racers run wheel to wheel on one of the most challenging tracks in the United States. Intererstingly, as a result, they form extremely close bonds with each other, very similar to men that fight together in combat.They will loan a buddy a much-needed spare part only so that person and go out and race against them. I raced in this club for five years, and the camaraderie from racing in a club with bunch of great guys is off the charts; I've formed some the strongest friendships I've ever made in my life with some of the guys I used to race against. It's not at all an unsual for two guys to race against each other, roll back in to the paddock, jump off their bikes and give their opponent, their best friend, their buddy, a hug.
Walking around the paddock today, I was greeted with smiles, waves, and a very strong culture of welcoming and friendship. It was just the same as when I raced here years ago.
Some pics from the X-cams...
The Graves Yamaha Racing bikes await their riders...
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
The Yamaha factory mechanics setting up one of the racer's bikes...
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Cameron Beaubier, one of the Yamaha Factory Racing superbike riders. I first saw Cameron racing when he was racing "minis" at Stockton when he was only 12 years old. He was ridiculously fast even back then.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
A racer's girlfriend puts on a tire warmer while he looks for parts...
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
BIkes are constantly being "fettled"...
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
As soon as you walk up, a racer gives you a friendly smile...
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
"The front was chattering all the way through turn the Carousel!"
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Two buddies, opponents, doin' some "bench racing"...
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Helmets, tools, and a bunch 'o parts...
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
This is Oscar. As soon as I asked if I could take a photo of him with his race bike and ran over and gave me a nice smile and a "thumbs up". While I was taking his photo, he asked, "Do you need some water? I have bottled water!" "No, no, I'm fine." I replied. "Are you hungry? We have plenty of food, I could feed you lunch." And, that my friends, is a club racer for you.
Oscar and his bike....
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
