This just in, via e-mail:

With the 2002 AMA Superbike season behind me, I can reflect back on every round and smile. I am not a rider, mechanic or support person for any team. I am an avid fan. For a while I have been able to say that I love the sport; now I can say that I love the people in the sport, too.

I have always made cookies for CCS Florida race days for crew, riders and friends. Once I started to attend more national races, I started to make cookies for my friends’ sponsors and support people as well. This grew into such a tradition, that this season I have made about 40 dozen cookies for every race in the series except Road America (where I did not have enough time between races to make the dough and bake) and I handed them out to 16 teams and support crew. I have been asked repeatedly why I go through so much trouble and expense to prepare, bake, package and haul all of these cookies to the races. While you might think this is a great trouble for me, I feel it is a small gesture from which I have profited greatly. Read on and you will understand.

I have made so many friends the past few years that I feel compelled to thank them. Every week I have been told by riders and crew how much they appreciate what I do for them, I would like to let them all know how much I appreciate what they have done for me:

First of all, to everyone on teams Valvoline Emgo Suzuki, Factory Yamaha and Graves Yamaha thank you for allowing me to spend time with your teams on pit road during the races. I am so grateful to have the experience of being that close to the action on the good days and the not so good ones. It was incredibly exciting (when I could handle it, right Jeff?) and Damon, I was very proud to be your umbrella girl. As I told you before, you and your team are first class.

I also need to mention Team Corona Extra Suzuki. I felt like your pit area was home; there was always food, fun and beverage. Did I mention fun? Thank you for your ceaseless hospitality and the warm welcomes I received whenever I arrived at the track. Both were unmatched.

For the Bridgestone crew, thank you so much for letting me hang out at your trailer this entire year. I appreciate you toting my cereal to every race to ensure that I always had breakfast.

Opie and Terry, thanks for the sandwiches and the brotherly advice. Most of all, I am very proud of your successes this year. I know it has taken a great deal of effort but look how your efforts have been rewarded. Great job!

Tony and Tim from MRO, I am so glad that you are at the races. Many people, including me, would not be able to go to church at all if your services were not on race weekends. So, thank you!

Thanks to the Dunlop guys, who gave me the nickname “Cookie.” Yes, my last name really is Baker.

Thanks to the guys at Factory Honda, Bruce Transportation Group and Erion Racing for your hospitality. Hopefully I did not get too many of you in trouble when I talked your ears off.

Mark from Alpinestars, thanks for lending me the perfect reclining chair when I needed a rest.

Joey, David and Hugh thanks for at least one really hard laugh nearly every race weekend. Even now, I can laugh out loud with the memories I have.

With the AMA, thank you Leah for always greeting me at registration with a smile and thanks for the pool lessons, Mandi!

I have tried to include as many people as possible. Please forgive me if I did not mention you personally. Nonetheless, thank you for all of the hugs and the hospitality throughout the year. This season has been unforgettable for me because of all of you and, most of all, your friendship.

One last thing, my hand mixer’s motor burned up while making my last batch of cookies for VIR, believe it or not. So, we can all thank Jake Zemke when there are cookies next year because he put money towards a new Kitchen Aid commercial mixer. Thanks Jake!

I will miss you all during the off-season. I will see you in March, but hopefully sooner.

Much love,

Christine “Cookie” Baker