FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: My name is Jim Matter (J.J.), I am one of Roger Hayden’s chassis mechanics. On Saturday night my son’s 1998 RS125 w/CRF150R engine, along with his new NSF100 (both Number 22), where both stolen out of our trailer at the Oxford Inn on Ave K in Lancaster (we had roughly $20k invested in them). Within 12 painful hours of filing reports and fingerprinting the trailer (by Deputy Coleman, fingerprint expert), we received a call from Deputy Troy Bowser of the Lancaster branch of the L.A. County Sheriffs stating he had just found the bikes during a warrant search. The thieves didn’t have time to mess with the bikes. And Deputy Bowser also stated he had raced at Willow in the past (2004) and knew exactly what he was looking at when he spotted the bikes in the garage along with other stolen property. They were still arresting the suspects when he called. The clubs CMRRA and SCminiGP went all-out on the internet for me and my son Ryan. It was nice to have that type of help in a time of need. Also the Och Family and the Aquino Family stepped up on Sunday to let Ryan (my son) ride one of their bikes each, so Ryno only lost minimal points. It truly is a blessing to have a racing community like we do. And heart-filled thanks for everyone who was on the lookout for Ryan’s bikes. Again, thank you to everyone. Jim Matter And Ryan “The Ryno” Matter Rancho Cucamonga, California PS: This crime at least had a happy ending, and I think I’m going to go play the lotto with that luck! More, from another reader: FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: As an avid Roadracing World subscriber I’ve seen your genuine compassion in helping out those in the motorcycle community who need it. Last Thursday I had both my bikes stolen from my home in Walnut Creek, California and I’m trying to get the word out about them (2004 YZF-R6 & CBR1000RR). This has brought my racing to a screeching halt as I’m a starving student and it looks like there is no coverage on one of the bikes and aftermarket parts above $1k. The CBR was recovered in Martinez when two of the thieves totalled it and left the scene bleeding, but the uninsured R6 is still missing. These are the second and third bikes I have had stolen and thought I was safe with them locked to a post and each other with six locks and unbreakable New York chains. Apparently with the availability of torches and other construction tools for cutting rebar no bike is safe unless it’s out of sight. I’ve really appreciated all Roadracing World’s efforts to prevent bike theft and hopefully someone knows something about mine. Sincerely, Robert Brown AFM #402 (formerly #809) Walnut Creek, California More bike info: 2004 CBR 1000rr (black w/ gold levers/rearsets/ohlins, RS-5 carbon) 2004 R6 (Red & Black, #402, blue GPR, Bobby Fong’s 2005 bike) www.sponsorhouse.com/Members/BobbyBrown [email protected] cell # (925) 285-0286.