FIRST PERSON/OPINION:
Via e-mail:
2003 was the final season for the AMA 250 GP series. I had the good fortune to assist Ed Sorbo in the paddock, although due to serious injuries realized at a WERA Talladega round a few months prior I was primarily a go-fer for Ed. I did manage to snap some photos at Victory Lane, which are historic as this was the last 250 GP at Road Atlanta, and it was Sorbo’s only podium finish in his years of 250 participation.
This was the second time I had worked for Ed, and the pit set-up was classic 250 (which I believe is sorely missed today). Ed and Bruce Lind always set-up together which made for a most interesting meeting point for 250 competitors. The maintenance of these purpose-built racebikes was a continual ballet of repacking motors, changing gearing, changing pistons, rings, heads, etc. which was surprisingly simple to accomplish due to the race-design of these true racebikes. There was seldom a spare moment where Ed’s or Bruce’s motors were not apart for a gearing change or some such. Riders were always in and out of the Bruce/Ed set-up. Such as Ed was meticulous in the process, taking extensive track notes on any and all changes; further he had the post-ride debrief down to a science! Ed was/is the king of analogue organization!
We were always behind Mr. Editor Ulrich’s set-up in the paddock which also was a hot spot to be. I on occasion had to fill in and help JU with his pit board in practice. Not to mention crashing his infamous pizza parties. I was in 2 casts, slings and bandages, so I had to be someone important, right?
The 250cc GP podium pics are of Rich Oliver – 1st, Colin Jensen – 2nd, Ed Sorbo – 3rd. Next is a shot of Ed on the podium.
Next a pic of CU circa 1998 with his TZ250.
Ed and Bruce Lind in the paddock
Al Ludington at work!
My endurance team after a 2nd-place finish at the WERA Road Atlanta 6-hour Endurance. Team owner was Jack Dupree. I am on the far right; Jack is 3rd from the left.
Me during the endurance on the FZR400.
Jimmy and me.
AMA results 250 GP ’03: ~http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/asp/prorace/raceres/rr/racres.asp?cls=gp&snct=P8325&type=f&rnum=1&year=2003~ Morris Foor Cataula, Georgia