By Michael Dapper
VRA Page Webmaster DREW’S RIDE THIS SUNDAY The poker run to raise funds for Drew Humphries’ bike repair is this Sunday, May 6, starting at Ferraras Victory in Melbourne, Florida. Check with Tony and the gang at the dealership for details. (FYI: Ferraras is having an open house on Saturday, May 5, from noon-4 p.m.)
Drew had an unscheduled meeting with some wildlife, went down, snaked himself off the road to avoid becoming part of an 18-wheeler’s tire tread, and ended up with a busted leg and assorted other sore spots. He has insurance, the bike didn’t.
Victory riders immediately posted a call to action on the VMC forums, and people making donations have the chance to win some great stuff donated by – who else? – generous Victory Riders.
The response was so great, and the donations have piled up so impressively, I don’t think Drew’s even going to fix his 2003 Touring Cruiser. He’ll have enough money to buy a brand-new Victory Vision Tour.
Hats off to the organizers and to all those who have chipped in.
VOTE FOR KYLE John Rollins of Colorado pointed out that NASCAR is once again allowing fans to vote for an extra driver to be entered in its May 19 Nextel All-Star Challenge. last year, with the backing of many Victory riders, Kyle Petty got voted in, and his appearance money and winnings were passed along to the Victory Junction Gang Camp Kyle founded with his wife Pattie.
John noted:
“We have another exciting opportunity to ‘Vote Kyle’ into the Nextel All-Star Challenge on May 19th. As you may recall, last year was a huge success! Kyle wheeled the Coke Dodge to 8th place in the race and most importantly was able to raise over $750,000 for the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
“It was votes like yours that made this happen, let’s do it again this year!”
To vote, visit:
All-Star Challenge Voting In order to vote, you’ll have to register with NASCAR.com, but don’t fear NASCAR-tinged spam. We registered and voted last year and have received no mail at all from NASCAR.
The top vote-getters will be announced May 19, right before the All-Star race.
VICTORY WOMEN How cool is it to look at the index for the “V Rider of the Month” feature on the VRA Page and see an impressive list of Victory Women?
One of the featured riders is Laurie Draper, who rides a great-looking, custom-painted Vegas 8-Ball. Meanwhile, her husband Chris, who steered her to the Victory dealership in the first place, is riding a Brand X machine. Guess that’s the modern version of a “mixed marriage.”
Thanks for all of you who submitted profiles and photos. All of you Victory Riders – men and women – are invited to submit profile info and photos anytime to the Victory Mailbag. You’ll see rider profiles not only in the V Rider of the Month section, but also in the Letters section and, occasionally, in the News section of the VRA Page.
It might take some time for your photos or letters to get posted, but hang in there.
victorymailbag@polarisind.com ARLEN ANNIVERSARY PARTY The Arlen Ness store in Dublin, California, which is a Victory dealership as well as a custom business, is hosting an anniversary party on May 12 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Odds are good that the collection of partygoers’ bikes in the parking lot will be more impressive than a lot of bike shows across the country.
TRIBUTE From the “life is truly too short” department comes sad news of the recent passings of three avid Victory Riders:
• Richard M. Alvarez of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania – better known as Rico or “RicoSusQ,” his posting name in VMC forums – died April 22, 2007, as the result of a motorcycle crash. He loved riding and loved life. He was 57.
• Harold Williams, 1953-2007, died in March, reportedly of a heart attack while sleeping. He was an avid Texas Victory Rider and a great ambassador for Victory and the VMC.
• Jon Unger of Bemidji, Minnesota, died April 26, 2007, after a long battle with cancer. He worked at TEAM Industries, a major supplier to Polaris and Victory, and he loved riding his Kingpin. He was 42.
Godspeed, riders.