FIRST PERSON/OPINION:
By Berto Wooldridge
This past weekend [July 8], the AFM lost a member of the club during our race weekend at Thunderhill.
Jason Blancas is one of us, an AFM racer. He was someone club members were getting to know, someone his fellow class racers knew, and someone who will indelibly be remembered as the upcoming future of our club.
On Sunday, we AFMers were starkly reminded why racing, especially motorcycle racing, is so much different from almost all other sports. Our hearts were broken in the loss of Jason Blancas during his race. While partaking in the Sunday races, Jason made contact with another bike and lost control of his motorcycle causing him to be thrown from his bike. The medical staff and Enloe flight crew worked to save Jason, but ultimately his injuries were too great to overcome.
We lost a racing brother and Jason’s loved ones and friends lost a quality man. Nothing is more tragic to racers than the loss of one of our own at an event. Heavy hearts were with every single AFM member: racers, staff, emergency personnel, and corner workers. I’m quite confident Jason has been thought of several times daily by members since Sunday and our hearts are heavy with grief for Jason’s loved ones. Jason was a part of the future of the club.
In the aftermath of tragedy we also reflect on the man Jason was and the goals he was fulfilling. All AFMers have followed the same path as Jason’s and like Jason himself, are members of a small and elite group of motorcyclists. This group, the AFM, is proudly one of the tightest racing families in the country and very exclusive. Not many riders choose to test their mettle by engaging in racing with other riders on a closed course. Jason knew that’s what he wanted; to compete with others. We all share that competitive spirit and we all share the respect for our fellow AFMers and competitors. This sport demands such respect for one another and that’s one of the most impressive aspects of AFMers; the respect for one another on and off the track and the willingness to assist each other at the track and in life overall.
Lifelong friendship is the norm In our club, long after the racing is over. These friendships transcend an afterlife; we reflect and tell stories of AFMers since passed on as if they still were riding with us. Perhaps they are riding with us, guarding against the chance of mishap. Even when AFMers have passed on, they still remain eternally, a part of the AFM. We do not give our members up, ever. That is the exclusivity and loyalty of our club to each other and to our membership.
Jason Blancas, #780 will always be a quality AFMer. His memory will stick with all of us long after our careers racing motorcycles has come to a close, but we will still remember his name, the day we lost Jason, and how similar he is to all of us on the track. Jason is one of us and we will miss getting to know the racer he was to become, but will not miss the member he is as Jason will always be one of us.
In memory of Jason, bury hatchets, let go of grudges, and be a friend to each other. Mortality is very rarely tested in our club, but when it is it’s a poignant reminder that the risk in racing is balanced with the reward of the bond of racers and the lengths we will go to for one another and the AFM. This includes the lengths we will go for a grieving loved one of an AFM member.
At our next event at Sonoma, please take one lap for Jason and give him your best lap. That’s not to say your fastest or slowest lap, but your best lap. You get to decide what that means and how you want to ride that lap.
So what now? How do we pick up the pieces in the wake of tragedy? We already have picked up the pieces; the second most of you at the Thunderhill event strapped on your helmet, zipped up your leathers, and swung a leg over your racebike to go back out on track and do that very unique thing we do, you picked up the pieces and did what racers do at times like these; raced. We’ve been here before as a club and we may be here again, but given the AFM’s excellent safety history, losing a racer during a race weekend is very rare. In 10 years, over 2,000 members, and 1.2 million laps turned, we’ve lost two of our racers during an event. The safety of an AFM race event with experienced staff, on-site ambulance and life flight helicopter at our disposal is unparalleled. We are lucky to have such a well-qualified staff and emergency personnel as well as AFM members. We are lucky to be able to race our motorcycles in one of the most competitive clubs in the country with some of the best people in the country and develop the elite skills and friendships required for wins and championships. As said above, racers are a very unique breed. Motorcycle racers are a very unique breed.
Long live AFM #780, Jason Blancas. Safe travels, Jason. There are lots of AFMers to meet you along the way as you get where you’re going. They know you’re one of them and they’ll be great help, as we are to each other here on Earth.
On behalf of AFM members, corner workers, staff and board, In God’s name; peace be with you.
Berto Wooldridge
AFM #15
President 2018