FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: A tragic accident Friday afternoon September 15 has severely injured one of our up and coming AFM racers and my friend and teammate Mario Bonfante. Mario was riding his BMX bike and over jumped a rhythm section and crashed into the next set of jumps, unfortunately the crash broke his neck at C6. He was knocked unconscious in the crash, thankfully an adult was nearby who witnessed the crash and asked that none of his friends move him. This may have saved his life. He was rushed by life flight to the Spinal Clinic at Valley Med Center in San Jose, and underwent one 12 hour surgery Saturday night and another surgery September 18. I spoke with his Dad Chris, and Chris said both surgeries went well and they were able to remove the halo. He is currently classified as a quadriplegic; however there is some movement in his arms. Mario did amazing this year, his rookie year, in 600 Superbike and 600 Production, and he was putting everything he had toward his goal of next year being a break out year both in the AFM and AMA. He considered his BMX riding part of his training program for next year and took it very seriously. Mario has an absolutely amazing will and level of determination; I have rarely seen this in anyone let alone a 17 year old. This, along with his family, friends and his faith, will get him through this challenging time. Mario and his family are very strong Christians; he wanted to use his racing to share his faith with others. They know that there is a long road ahead for him and the entire family, but they also know that with God’s grace good will come from this situation. Each night at the hospital there have been upwards of 30 to 40 friends and family keeping vigil with Mario, sleeping in sleeping bags and taking turns going into see him and help lift his spirits. I saw Mario a few times this past week at the Spinal Clinic at Valley Med in San Jose. Talk about an impact this kid has on those around him, there was literally a 40 minute wait to get in to see him, as they only let two people in at a time and there were probably 30 people in line in front of me. He was joking around and making sure all of his friends were doing good, and not worrying about himself. As of yesterday morning, Mario is still spending his time getting used to sitting up in his wheelchair. He needs to be able to sit up for a required amount of time, in order to begin his therapy. We are hoping it will be this week. Mario currently has limited movement of his arms, and we know that with his amazing determination, will and faith, this will only be the start for him. Please keep Mario in your thoughts and prayers, we all wish he could be there on the line Sunday. His bike is at the front of the garage, as he and his dad were getting it ready for this weekend, and when I drive by and see the bike there, and I remember the desire and determination Mario had to succeed in road racing, I know this kid is going to be fine. There is a trust fund to help with the cost of Mario’s rehabilitation and medical expenses. If you wish to contribute to Mario’s trust fund for his rehabilitation and medical expenses the information is as follows: Washington Mutual Bank Care of Mario Bonfante Jr. # 3134238761 Please keep Mario and his family in your thoughts and prayers, Chip Jones AFM #316 Fox Racing, Inc. Morgan Hill, California