February 1, 2010 - Thinking of Our Trailblazers Friends

We have learned that Kelly Moran, retired Speedway racer, is quite ill and in the hospital. Anyone with information on where to send cards can send that to us and we will advise the members. Also, old 38X Blackie Bruce has brain cancer. Cards can be sent to him at 42200 Margherita #224, Temecula, CA 92592.

January 1, 2010 -

A note with new address for Shell Thuet. He is now sharing Digs with Adelaide (Boots) Sliger

MERRY CHRISTMAS.... Shell and I now live at: 37579 Houston St., Lucerne Valley, CA 92356. His mailing address is P.O. Box 823, Lucerne Valley, CA 82356. Mine is P.O. Box 882, same town, same zip code. My phone number has not changed: 760-248-2087; Shell's new phone number is: 760-248-6075. Would you please advise Trailblazers so they can update their records. Would love to hear from you and, if it is on your way, or not, stop in. You could meet my two old dogs that live with two old dogs. I am finding all kinds of old photos and articles from the good ole days as i unpack my stuff that has been in storage for the past 6 years. Again, Bill, Merry Christmas to you and yours. Vaya con Dios....Boots

TrailBlazers

Happy New Year to all and a wonderful 2010. Boy am I glad to say good-bye to 2009.

See 2009 Banquet photos! Online at: www.vft.org

TrailBlazers Motorcycle Club is on Facebook

September, 2009 - Danny Macias’ Bike at Bonneville by Terry Morairty

Danny Macias was my mentor, teacher and lifelong friend. I worked for him at Bellflower Triumph and on the Triumph Factory Road Racing Team, in Duarte, California. Danny set a record at Bonneville on a 1957 Triumph 350 twin in 1960. He was in the process of rebuilding it to return to Bonneville, to break his old record, when he died suddenly in 2007. He had the engine finished, but the frame and front forks were the only parts left of the original chassis. With the help of Dan's family and friends, I finished the bike and we took it to Bonneville this year to complete Dan's dream. Due to several factors, we were unable to break his record, but the bike did run again as Danny wished. The best part was the many friends that came together to help on this project. We had a team of seven that I have known for over 40 years, and who were also friends of Danny. Many sponsors also stepped up to the plate. It was truly a humbling experience. Our team consisted of; John Bommarito, Dan Jones, Vince Zine, Terry Morairty, George Nachtsheim, Kansas Annis, Paul Beneditti, and Mike Caspers.

Sponsors: Alloy Graphics, Mike and Pam Caspers, Van Leeuwen Enterprises, JRC Engineering, Titanium Metalurgy, IMS ShirtWerx, Pechanga Resort and Casino, Classic Restoration, Dan Jones, James J. Hill, Paul Benedetti, Rich Rohrich, Dennis Kanage, 2twenty9 Photography, Superior Office Services.

Attempt to break prior record of Danny Macias at Bonneville 2009, with same bike. Team members from left to right: John Bommarito, Dan Jones, Vince Zine, Terry Morairty, George Nachtsheim, Kansas Annis, Paul Benedetti. Missing from photo, Mike Caspers.

September, 2009 - Don Emde 2009 Grand Marshal

In 1971, a group of young American motorcycle racers who rode for the Birmingham Small Arms Co. (BSA), marketers of the BSA and Triumph brands, flew to England to compete against some of the most talented motorcycle riders in the world at the inaugural running of the Trans-Atlantic Match Races. Don Emde was one of those riders. Although the Americans didn’t win, Emde had a solid pro rookie year when he returned to the States. With third-place finishes at the Daytona 200, the Talladega 200 and at the Kent, Washington 100 mile National. Emde scored the most road-racing points in the 1971 AMA Grand National Championship, behind Dick Mann and Kel Carruthers.

Don Emde, an AMA Motorcycle Hall recipient, was chosen as the Grand Marshal at 2009 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, held July 24-26 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. With BSA named as Marquee of the Year at the 2009 event, Emde was a natural choice for the honor of Grand Marshal. The Southern Californian’s history with BSA runs deep. Emde grew up working at his father’s BSA dealership in the San Diego area, and when his dirt-track status advanced in 1970 from novice to amateur, he graduated to a BSA A65. As an expert he won main events at Ascot, California State TT Championship and then BSA put together its biggest race team ever which contested the first year of the Trans-Atlantic Match Races. Emde’s greatest competitive achievement came at the 1972 Daytona 200, when he was competing for Team Motorcycle Weekly with backing from Yamaha. He raced a Mel Dinesen tuned Yamaha 350cc two–stroke. Emde won, making it the first Daytona 200 victory for Yamaha and the first time a two-stroke won the race. Emde also was the first son of a Daytona 200 winner to repeat the feat, and he did it on the smallest displacement bike to ever win the event. Congratulations Don.

May 6, 2009 -

The Mike Hailwood, Isle of Man sequence was simply stunning" said Superbike racing star Ben Bostrom after he attended the La Mirada screening of Take It To The Limit. His brother Eric and motocross champion Broc Glover who were two of the other modern era of racing stars had their favorites from the award wining movie too. The screening of Peter Starr's classic racing movie was held as a benefit for prostate cancer education and awareness and attracted an eclectic crowd of enthusiasts. Some had seen the movie before and wanted an encore dose of movie excitement. Others had been attracted for the first time because of the subject matter of the benefit. Several men who faced issues about prostate disease asked about alternative treatment for prostate cancer. They were provided with suitable information including an e-pamphlet entitled "10 Important Things about Prostate Cancer your doctor will probably not tell you." This is the first of many screenings of the 1980 award winning film across the country that will benefit the Prostate Cancer Initiative organized by Healing Arts Education Foundation.

The photos show:

Broc Glover, Peter Starr, Ben Bostrom and Eric Bostrom after the show and

The crowd gathers and talks motorcycles before the show starts.

March 23, 2009 -

The Trailblazers have learned that the plane crash in Montana on Sunday involved members of Bud Feldkamp's family. Bud, the owner of Glenn Helen Raceway, was not on board the plane at the time. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Feldkamp family during this difficult time.