Milling around at Mid-Ohio Sunday, with his son Jordan in tow, was none other than former Harley-Davidson VR1000 factory rider Tom Wilson. Wilson was a rider for the VR1000 team for two seasons and scored their first podium placing with a second place finish at Mid-Ohio in the rain in 1997. Wilson was considered a dark horse contender for the Superbike title in 1998 based on his respectable finishes in 1997.
He was seriously injured in a crash at Loudon in 1998 and other than a test at Road Atlanta in 1999, Wilson has not ridden a Superbike since that day at Loudon. We chatted in the paddock.

Q. How are you, Tom?

A. Good. Real good. I've just been enjoying my family life, hunting and fishing and really have not thought that much about racing, to be honest. I hit your site every couple of days but other than that ...I've been enjoying my time off. There's a lot less pressure in all of that than in racing. I'm just fine being a spectator.

Q. You tested the VR at Atlanta last year and went well. Any thoughts about getting back on a Superbike?

A. I won't say it's over; but to be honest with you, I don't hear anyone knocking the door down at my house. It's not that big of an issue, to be honest.

Q. Ever thought about a Supersport ride?

A. I don't have a whole lot of interest in riding another class; that'd be a step backwards and i'm not really into that.

Q. A crash like that and the resulting damage to your body must have changed your life.

A. I'm sure it has, physically, I'm sure I'll be a whole lot more aware of that when I turn fifty years old. I'm sure then I'll know the full extent of it (laughs) then.

I value my life a lot more now, and am much more appreciative of what I have now, I know that. I think anybody who went through that would see it differently. I feel sorry for a lot of the other riders who ride just for the sake of riding and don't really look at the what-if situation. It's sad that a lot of the companies and the AMA don't stand on the rider's side. It really hurts us.

Q. There was yet another big debacle at Loudon this year with racing in the rain the issue. As a guy who went feet-first into the wall at Loudon without bales or an airbag, you have a pretty unique perspective on it. Let's hear it.

A. I agree with what John Kocinski said. He said, 'Why is everybody complaining about, bitching about riding in the rain? We shouldn't be here in the dry.' He pretty much said it all.