Last week we asked for readers to send in their stories from past Laguna Seca races. Here is the second installment:

Back in the 90's when Mick Doohan crashed just before the corkscrew .... and watching him sitting on the track dazed and confused and as the other riders are trying to avoid hitting him then finally seeing him get up and hobble to the guard rail slowly... just was unbelievable total determination ... when I witnessed that my heart went out for the guy that was the same year when he had major surgery on his right foot and I believe he had the rear thumb brake setup .... unforgettable.
Nick Vanovereem

Burlington, Ontario, Canada

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Lots to choose from, but my biggest grin came from watching Kenny put on a riding clinic in the '70's. Wheeling down the straight past old turn two, carrying it through all the gears, with no one in sight. Ray Weber in Santa Cruz, Cal.

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I suppose my favorite times were seeing Ben Bostrom win in WSB, when he was still an AMA guy-- was that in '99? I also loved watching Noriyuki Haga come into T5 with the tail of his R7 wagging gently from side to side, hard on the brakes. And of course Colin's win in the second race in '02 that jump-started his meteoric rise to the championship that year. It was also memorable and magical to see the GP bikes (and esp. Rossi) come out on the track for their first practice in 2005. I also had a very enjoyable conversation one year with Skip van Leeuwen, whom I had seen race at Ascot many, many times. And I was watching in T5 the year that Colin crashed on someone's oil and waved the red flag himself, drawing a fine from the FIM.

But I was also watching in T5 on the Friday that Jamie Bowman crashed in T3. I didn't know what had happened, and didn't find out until the next day that he had lost his life. That day was obviously very sobering, and I found myself thinking that I come to the track to be entertained, to watch extremely talented riders do astounding things on motorcycles, and I come also for the rush of the speed and the sound of the bikes. But it is not entertaining to have people lose their lives or even get injured (in spite of what the general public seems to think about spectators hoping to see crashes). It becomes an odd relationship: I come to be entertained and have an enjoyable day at the track, and these riders risk their safety and even their lives to provide it. I am deeply appreciative of that gift they give to me and to the rest of us.

Kevin Peet
Albany, CA

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One of my favorite memories of Laguna, is my recollection of the
following story as told by Dean Adams dated April 10, 1988

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/feature1988usgp.htm

I watched Eddie throw his helmet over the fence, but it was not at the
corkscrew.

What the story does not mention, is that the old winner's circle used to be next to the scoring tower between turn 9 & 10, which is where Eddie pulled up after the race. Having been on the podium at Laguna numerous times before, It's my belief that he automatically went where he had always gone after winning a race at Laguna. Clearly, he was not paying attention at the pre-race rider's meeting! My personal opinion, is that he threw his helmet over the fence to make it seem like he had stopped there on purpose, rather than reveal to all the fans that he had actually made a mistake! My only regret, was that even though I had a great view, I was on the wrong side of the track to be eligible for that incredible souvenir.

I would like to ask him sometime if my theory is right. I wonder if he would admit it?

Another one of my favorite memories was during the World Superbike races at Laguna in 1996.

Of course, this was before the permanent garages were installed, so the teams used overseas containers as garages surrounded by pedestrian barriers to keep folks back while the teams worked on the bikes. My 8 year old son and I were standing along the barrier in front of the Ducati team, which was one of the more popular locations for fans. John Kocinski was riding for Ducati that year and was the featured rider on Laguna's poster for the event in 1996. Even though John is small, I spotted him far back inside the trailer and he was leaning left and right and actually hopping up to get a better view of the fans standing at the railing. Suddenly, he darted through the team members and mechanics with one of his worn out racing boots in his hand. He went straight to my son and handed him the terrific souvenir. Many people in the crowd exclaimed what a cool memento that boot was, wishing they were lucky 8 year olds!

Later, we caught up with John heading to his motorhome and he gladly signed the boot and posed for a photo with my son. This is definitely a great memory!

Jeff Chandler

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As a die hard sidecar road racing fan the high point at Laguna Seca in 1990 was the inclusion of the World Championship for sidecars at the Laguna GP. The sidecar engines were limited to 500 cc two strokes and the preferred chassis design was the LCR out of Switzerland. This was a once in a life time chance for sidecar racing fans to see the best of the sport on home turf. Seen in person the three wheeled marvels were absolutely awesome on the race track as they negotiated the circuit. In the paddock all of the riders and passengers were very accessible and were great to talk to and learn from. This was truly a high point for sidecar road racing here in the U.S. I also had the privilege of working with Dave Despain as the color commentator for the television coverage for the sidecar race. Dave is the all time best motorcycle announcer and it was great to work with him.

Regards,
Larry Coleman
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My favorite story is from Cannery Row circa 2000. A friend and I spotted a beautiful VFR400 parked near one of the watering holes. Nice little bike with a Two Brothers pipe on it. We watched the bike from the bar and when the owner came out to leave we pounded our brew and ran out to hear the little beast. We stood behind it trying not to look like squids but when we heard the mini V4 fire we just looked at each other and giggled like schoolgirls. Just 2 guys enjoying a rare treat.

My runner-up favorite story is that I didn't die in the heat at the track in 2006. That was a bonus.

Mark
San Luis Obispo, CA

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Back in the 70s there was a rabbit that lived on the inside of Turn Two. This was when the turn was an extremely high speed sweeper. The downhill entry started from top gear and involved late braking from top speed. The corner leveled out as it went along. Only one or two downshifts, so the apex was hit carrying lots of momentum. The frame stresses were extreme. Exit speed from Two determined your speed all the way around the dried-out lagoon.

Friday afternoon practice Roberts is diving for the apex of Two when a rabbit jumps out of the bushes right where he's planning to put his knee. Kenney being Kenney, he missed the rabbit. Apparently it stuck its head out a couple more times.

What followed was quintessential Kenny. After the day's action was finished, Kenney went back to his truck. He got his rifle. He went varmint huntin'. The rabbit never troubled anyone ever again.

Scott "Roserunner" Baldwin
AFM #47(retired)
Santa Rosa CA

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I have two Leguna Seca memories. The first is 2001's WSB round were Ben Bostrum showed the world he could not be beat at home. Race one he got a bad start but ran through from fifth place to take the victory. It was amazing to watch him pick off riders at the top of the corkscrew. Race two was not as challenging for Ben but doing the double rolled him onto another double victory at Brands.

The second great Leguna Seca memory was 2002's WSB second round where Colin Edwards took the victory that went onto him dominating the rest of the season and ultimately winning the title. Colin had never won at Leguna Seca until that second race.

I have both the races on VHS and watch them so much I need to transfer over to DVD before the tapes are wore out. Good times.

Terry Shrable
Tonasket, WA

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YAMAHA BEATS HONDA

Haga bombing Edwards on the inside at the bottom of the screw and into Rainey Curve, winning the WSBK race and making an otherwise ridiculous weekend totally memorable, circa '00?, '99 - can't remember...

And, to think, both guys are still having fun and getting it on the box almost a DECADE later. The glass remains half-full.

Craig Massey
California

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My wife Amber and I were strolling through the paddock in 1997 (or was it 1998?) at the Laguna round of the Superbike World Championship. John Konsinski has just finished a practice session. I had read many accounts of Mr. Konsinski being moody, if not down right rude. We stood in front of the barricade to the Honda pit area and watched as Konsinski debriefed the team regarding his session. Once he completed his debrief a growing group of fans stood outside the barricade and silently stared at the Razorback phenom. After a moment of inactivity, I took the plunge and asked, "Hey John! Will you come out so we can get some photos with you?" To my surprise, Mr. Konsinski obliged, and was actually warm and friendly to the growing number of requests for photos and autographs. I was struck by how different he was versus his media persona, and by how small he was! I am 5'11", and weighed only 175 lbs. at the time, and I felt like I was standing next to my little brother when I put my arm around Mr. Konsinski's shoulder for our photo.

Kenny Carter
Ormond Beach, FL

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