Clubman Class a new series The AFM introduced a new series for 2006 to allow new racers and racers that wanted to race in a little different environment.

Clubman Class a new Clubman Class a new seriesseries The AFM introduced a new series for 2006 to The AFM introduced a new series for 2006 to

allow new racers and racers that wanted to race allow new racers and racers that wanted to race in a little different environment. The race was in a little different environment. The race was rained out on Saturday afternoon and ended up rained out on Saturday afternoon and ended up being the first race of the day on Sunday.being the first race of the day on Sunday.

All three classes would run in a three wave All three classes would run in a three wave start. Open class started first with a couple of start. Open class started first with a couple of wheelies, a bunch of cheering as the fans were wheelies, a bunch of cheering as the fans were extremely supportive. Many of the riders were extremely supportive. Many of the riders were first time racers and others were experiencing first time racers and others were experiencing their first shot at winning the race.their first shot at winning the race.

Clubman heavyweight is the first Clubman heavyweight is the first to launch and with the Green to launch and with the Green Flag we see a few wheelies and Flag we see a few wheelies and the field take off to Turn One.the field take off to Turn One.

Clubman middleweight is off Clubman middleweight is off next with one rider stalling on next with one rider stalling on the line and all the others the line and all the others making off with a clean get making off with a clean get away. In the lightweight class it away. In the lightweight class it was Paul Berger # 923 and was Paul Berger # 923 and Charlie Inman # 586 off the line Charlie Inman # 586 off the line first, with Inman snatching the first, with Inman snatching the lead. As he dove through turn lead. As he dove through turn one, a rider went down ahead in one, a rider went down ahead in turn 3A.turn 3A.

Tad Koklich was the first to see Tad Koklich was the first to see the Riverside banking, leading the Riverside banking, leading the heavyweight. He continued the heavyweight. He continued to roll in the lead and cross the to roll in the lead and cross the line to be the first to lead a lap. line to be the first to lead a lap. Richard Serne was close and Richard Serne was close and then there was a pair just behind then there was a pair just behind battling for 3battling for 3rdrd and 4 and 4thth. .

In lightweight David Ben-Jamin In lightweight David Ben-Jamin led a pack of three guys dicing as led a pack of three guys dicing as they completed their 1st lap. they completed their 1st lap. Heavyweight had Koklich and Heavyweight had Koklich and Serne still going at it as the three Serne still going at it as the three classes start to mix and we have classes start to mix and we have some serious passing going on. some serious passing going on. At the ½ way flags we had our At the ½ way flags we had our first really good battle between first really good battle between was in heavyweight as Koklich and was in heavyweight as Koklich and Serne. In the middleweight class Serne. In the middleweight class Ben-Jamin was first into turn one Ben-Jamin was first into turn one to lead lap 5 on the run to the to lead lap 5 on the run to the white flag.white flag.Brian Esslinger was near William Brian Esslinger was near William Fox are still on the podium with Fox are still on the podium with Tom Shao opening a couple of Tom Shao opening a couple of bike lengths on Ozzie Fregoso as bike lengths on Ozzie Fregoso as they see their first white flag of they see their first white flag of the year. the year.

Serne took the well earned win in Serne took the well earned win in

heavyweight class over Koklich. The heavyweight class over Koklich. The middleweight winner was Frankie middleweight winner was Frankie Garcia the first clubman to break the 2 Garcia the first clubman to break the 2 minute barrier. The lightweight man of minute barrier. The lightweight man of the day was Ben-Jamin.the day was Ben-Jamin.

Results: Results: HW: 1. Richard Serne HW: 1. Richard Serne # 265# 265

2. Tad Koklich2. Tad Koklich # 776# 776 3. Martin Ayala 3. Martin Ayala # 904# 904

MW: 1. Frankie Garcia MW: 1. Frankie Garcia # 620# 620 2. Freddie Guerrero 2. Freddie Guerrero # #

922922 3. Mike Arenella 3. Mike Arenella # 651 # 651 LW: 1. David Ben-Jamin LW: 1. David Ben-Jamin # #

706706 2. William Fox 2. William Fox # 984# 984

3. Brian Esslinger3. Brian Esslinger # # 619619

Formula Opens Twins.Formula Opens Twins. The OT’s would start first in a two The OT’s would start first in a two

wave class that included the Open wave class that included the Open Production machines as well. Eric Production machines as well. Eric Gulbransen rolled his Ducati 749R Gulbransen rolled his Ducati 749R to the pole in another attempt to to the pole in another attempt to take a victory in the class he won take a victory in the class he won last year. last year.

23 entries lit it up at the green and 23 entries lit it up at the green and the regular wrecking crew of the the regular wrecking crew of the AFM gang was out of the gate and AFM gang was out of the gate and racing. The green had Bud racing. The green had Bud Anderson with one wheel up as the Anderson with one wheel up as the veteran racer was just a bit anxious veteran racer was just a bit anxious on the draw. Gulbransen rocketed on the draw. Gulbransen rocketed to the front with Scott Schwanbeck to the front with Scott Schwanbeck and Patrick Blackburn moving by and Patrick Blackburn moving by Anderson on the run to Turn One. Anderson on the run to Turn One.

AFM # 37 Bud Anderson

Patrick Blackburn finished ……on the podium.

Go Go came by with a 5 bike length Go Go came by with a 5 bike length lead on Lap One and it was Blackburn, lead on Lap One and it was Blackburn, Anderson and Schwanback who were in Anderson and Schwanback who were in the hunt for the podium and a shot at the hunt for the podium and a shot at Gulbransen for the win. He continued Gulbransen for the win. He continued to run strong out front and leading to run strong out front and leading Blackburn and a now challenging Blackburn and a now challenging Anderson. Anderson.

Schwanback continued to hold 4Schwanback continued to hold 4thth with with Simon Williams in 5Simon Williams in 5thth with Craig with Craig McLean hunting for the spot behind as McLean hunting for the spot behind as the white flag was shown. Go Go the white flag was shown. Go Go Gulbransen did it again to the big Gulbransen did it again to the big twins gang and in a great battle behind twins gang and in a great battle behind it was Bud moving out of the draft and it was Bud moving out of the draft and slicing by a wheel at most to claim slicing by a wheel at most to claim second place… at least that’s what I second place… at least that’s what I thought. The timing did not agree.thought. The timing did not agree.

Results:Results: 1. Eric Gulbransen1. Eric Gulbransen # 394 # 394 2. Patrick Blackburn 2. Patrick Blackburn # 119 # 119 3. Bud Anderson3. Bud Anderson # 37 # 37 4. Craig McLean4. Craig McLean # 501 # 501 5. Scott Schwanbeck 5. Scott Schwanbeck # 196 # 196

Go Go Gulbransen dominated on the track and celebrated accordingly on the cool off lap

Open Production Open Production Open Production is stacked this year and Open Production is stacked this year and

this much talent has not run this deep in this much talent has not run this deep in this class for a few years. Probably back to this class for a few years. Probably back to the late 80’s and early 90’s when Suzuki the late 80’s and early 90’s when Suzuki Cup was the “Thing”. Cup was the “Thing”.

Back in the day when only Suzuki put out Back in the day when only Suzuki put out “Real” contingency money, Production “Real” contingency money, Production classes were always well attended and the classes were always well attended and the battle for the top ten fierce with capable battle for the top ten fierce with capable racers and life was good. racers and life was good.

The front row today would be class The front row today would be class Champion Martin Szwarc with Corey Champion Martin Szwarc with Corey Sarros, William Scott, Chris Weiss and Sarros, William Scott, Chris Weiss and Daniel Bokum on row one. Brandon Daniel Bokum on row one. Brandon Sullivan, Greg Davis, Mark Montalvo and Sullivan, Greg Davis, Mark Montalvo and Mike Ellsworth would fill out the row Mike Ellsworth would fill out the row behind. behind.

Net-Moto Racing’s AFM #6 Andy Carman Net-Moto Racing’s AFM #6 Andy Carman and Oakland Suzuki / ARClight Racing, and Oakland Suzuki / ARClight Racing, AFM # 1 Dave Stanton would line up side AFM # 1 Dave Stanton would line up side by side on Row 4 as part of the AFM by side on Row 4 as part of the AFM “Known Fast Guy” rule. “Known Fast Guy” rule.

David Kunzelman flying thru the Riverside Banking

The “KFG” rule gives the The “KFG” rule gives the experienced and successful experienced and successful racers the chance to grid racers the chance to grid near the front. near the front.

Often a factor on whether an Often a factor on whether an AMA full timer or other series AMA full timer or other series top Pro’s will decide to give top Pro’s will decide to give an AFM race a go here or an AFM race a go here or there. there.

A good call by Kevin Smith, A good call by Kevin Smith, AFM President and the board AFM President and the board that seems very proactive in that seems very proactive in securing the AFM’s status securing the AFM’s status well into the Century.well into the Century.

To the battle at hand. The To the battle at hand. The board went sideways and the board went sideways and the green dropped.green dropped.

Dave Stanton looking for a Open Production Class crown

The waving flag sent Szwarc and The waving flag sent Szwarc and Sarros off the line to head the Sarros off the line to head the charge to Turn 1 as Carman and charge to Turn 1 as Carman and Stanton sliced thru one row and Stanton sliced thru one row and looked to get to the front.looked to get to the front.

The first round in a new series, in The first round in a new series, in a new class means you need to get a new class means you need to get a good finish to set you up for a good finish to set you up for “good” grid spots for the rest year. “good” grid spots for the rest year. Stanton got the best of it and Stanton got the best of it and moved to the inside as Carman was moved to the inside as Carman was forced to split right and he was forced to split right and he was stymied after a couple more spots. stymied after a couple more spots. Stanton shuffled up well inside the Stanton shuffled up well inside the top ten and carried the momentum top ten and carried the momentum forward to be an impressive 3forward to be an impressive 3rdrd by by the Bus Stop. the Bus Stop.

Szwarc had the point and Sarros Szwarc had the point and Sarros was his shadow as they led the was his shadow as they led the field around the Riverside Banking field around the Riverside Banking and into Lost Hills. and into Lost Hills.

Martin Szwarc ran off the track and came back big with a 3rd

Sarros found Stanton on his heels and Stanton moved by to Sarros found Stanton on his heels and Stanton moved by to claim the second spot on the run to the line for lap one. claim the second spot on the run to the line for lap one.

Stanton did not stop there diving inside into Turn 1 and Stanton did not stop there diving inside into Turn 1 and with the move he announced “The Champ is in the House” with the move he announced “The Champ is in the House” in impressive style. in impressive style.

Sarros ran third with Randolph up to challenge and Weiss Sarros ran third with Randolph up to challenge and Weiss battling with Dave Kunzelman. Carman was around 9battling with Dave Kunzelman. Carman was around 9thth and and moving forward.moving forward.

Sarros held off Stanton briefly before # 1 moved by

The next lap had Stanton moving out on Szwarc and The next lap had Stanton moving out on Szwarc and Randolph moved by Sarros to claim the 3Randolph moved by Sarros to claim the 3rd rd spot with spot with Weiss not far behind looking solid. Szwarc then ran into Weiss not far behind looking solid. Szwarc then ran into trouble over shooting the entry into Turn 1 and headed trouble over shooting the entry into Turn 1 and headed into the dirt. He rode it out in a good save and was into the dirt. He rode it out in a good save and was lucky that the rain soaked track from Saturday had not lucky that the rain soaked track from Saturday had not left the big one (mud hole) in his path. He rejoined left the big one (mud hole) in his path. He rejoined intact although any chance of hanging with Stanton and intact although any chance of hanging with Stanton and a win was gone, but he kept that “have to finish Round a win was gone, but he kept that “have to finish Round One to be in the hunt” reality alive.One to be in the hunt” reality alive.

Carman had passed Brandon Sullivan and he was now Carman had passed Brandon Sullivan and he was now closing in on Kunzelman and the top five. closing in on Kunzelman and the top five.

Carman moves by Greg Davis

Behind Carman and Sullivan we had Michael Jarrad, J.D. Grow, Behind Carman and Sullivan we had Michael Jarrad, J.D. Grow, Mike Thompson and Bob Klatt. As they ½ way flags were Mike Thompson and Bob Klatt. As they ½ way flags were flown #1 was out in front and pulling away staking his claim flown #1 was out in front and pulling away staking his claim on a new class. Carman came into Turn 11 before the front on a new class. Carman came into Turn 11 before the front straight and had some traffic as he looked for the draft off straight and had some traffic as he looked for the draft off Kunzelman.Kunzelman.

Clearing the traffic he found himself outside and out of Clearing the traffic he found himself outside and out of pavement and headed for the “big one” that Szwarc did not pavement and headed for the “big one” that Szwarc did not find. He realized the only chance with the T-11 Bog was to find. He realized the only chance with the T-11 Bog was to ride it dirt bike style and hope for the best. Carman gassed it ride it dirt bike style and hope for the best. Carman gassed it to the delight of the crowd watching and found his front wheel to the delight of the crowd watching and found his front wheel sideways three times, saving it to the cheers of all watching. sideways three times, saving it to the cheers of all watching. He found himself with a lot of mud on the bike and himself and He found himself with a lot of mud on the bike and himself and rejoined the race outside the top ten and spent a lap at ¾ warp rejoined the race outside the top ten and spent a lap at ¾ warp speed as the mud cleared from tires and the mind. speed as the mud cleared from tires and the mind.

Szwarc was on the move and moving up. Szwarc was on the move and moving up. Stanton moved out front with Sarros and Stanton moved out front with Sarros and Weiss running 2Weiss running 2ndnd and 3 and 3rdrd. Kunzelman was . Kunzelman was next with Randolph, Sullivan, and Turmell next with Randolph, Sullivan, and Turmell just ahead of J.D. Grow, with Szwarc just ahead of J.D. Grow, with Szwarc quickly closing in behind. quickly closing in behind.

The White Flag had a big gap from the The White Flag had a big gap from the leader to second and Szwarc was charging leader to second and Szwarc was charging thru the field and was up to Randolph with thru the field and was up to Randolph with Kunzelman in his tracks as they got the flag. Kunzelman in his tracks as they got the flag. He made his way by and found Weiss ahead He made his way by and found Weiss ahead and continued to be consumed with making and continued to be consumed with making up for his mistake. When Stanton took the up for his mistake. When Stanton took the win it was a few clicks before Sarros came win it was a few clicks before Sarros came by for second and a few click later it was by for second and a few click later it was Szwarc snagging the 3Szwarc snagging the 3rdrd spot with an spot with an aggressive charge back from what could aggressive charge back from what could have been disaster. He and Carman gave have been disaster. He and Carman gave themselves a chance to stay in the themselves a chance to stay in the championship fight by being smart and championship fight by being smart and staying upright. staying upright.

Carman’s off road adventure left him muddy and out of the top 10

Weiss finished a solid 4Weiss finished a solid 4thth with Randolph just ahead of with Randolph just ahead of Kunzelman for the top five. Carman ended up 12Kunzelman for the top five. Carman ended up 12thth, but with , but with body and bike intact. It is tough not to bet on Stanton at body and bike intact. It is tough not to bet on Stanton at this point. His strong showing gave notice he will be the this point. His strong showing gave notice he will be the man to beat.man to beat.

Results:Results:1. Dave Stanton 1. Dave Stanton # 1# 1

2. Correy Sarros 2. Correy Sarros # 290# 290 3. Martin Szwarc 3. Martin Szwarc # 139# 139 4. Chris Weiss4. Chris Weiss # 666# 666 5. James Randolph 5. James Randolph # 54# 54 6. Dave Kunzelman 6. Dave Kunzelman # 34# 34 7. Brandon Sullivan7. Brandon Sullivan # 108# 108 8. William Scott8. William Scott # 108# 108 9. John Turmell 9. John Turmell # 53# 53 10. J.D. Grow10. J.D. Grow # 179# 179

Left to right: Dave Stanton, Correy Sarros, John Fosgate and Martin Szwarc