All those thoughts were brought on by a email from a really good buddy of mine who I went to alot of Nats with and who got me into racing way back 13years ago according to my AMA card.
I have encouraged every young graduating from school racer to take one year and run a National Race series.They are special because of the people you meet and the trials you go through to do it.Still on my list of goals but have made effort but lifes priorities always got in way.
Why be friendly?I have shared some of this story before but here goes again.Back in 2001 Bill my buddy a Pro-Am racer riding a 250r chassis 500 quadracer and I hopped in the little truck of mine and headed to RedBud for the races.Ran practice friday and headed to hotel.Next morning at the free breakfast there was a Japanese man sitting at table all alone.I didnt know there customs and such but I did see that special emblem only Factory Suzuki guys have on his shirt.So I went over to his table introduced myself and Bill and invited him to have breakfast with us.He spoke excellent english and we could tell he got really excited over Bills Suzuki and the fact I was running a Suzuki piston in my 265R.He also wanted to question me about why I bought a Cannondale.Time was short but we told him where we were pitted and invited him over.
Now I am not sure what was up with this but all the WI guys always tried to pit near each other at RedBud for quite a few years.Doug Gust always pitted with the Gang rather than in pro row.After first motos up comes walking Tatsuya.We all thought he was going to speak to Doug since he was running Z400.He looked at Dougs quads and came over by us!Of course we were all pulling for Doug to get a factory ride.Wierd.
He started to look at our quads.Bill let him take the old 500 for a ride.Boy you should have seen the smile on his face!Was a little guy.I have seen big men tremble after hitting the gas on the old 500 but Tatsuya had a ball.Everyone was watching him ride and he must have known.Gained all who saw respect right there for sure.Turns out he was watching the race and had taken both of our pics during the race.Gave us each a Polaroid pic.He then took notes on everything we had even in toolboxes and trailer along with details of our machines.Questioned me about the Cannondale and I explained to him how I rode it once and knew instantly I was getting one no matter the price.Also how I loved the aluminum frame and fuel injection.We showed him a Walsh framed quad and told him that both of us thought the frame geometry was the best out there.Shook his hand and invited him to Ashtabula to see a TT.He then gave us his cards and left.Came back with a Factory Suzuki fanny pack and I think a hat for both of us.We exchanged emails also.
When Z400 came out we had high hopes.But obviously quad was done way before our input was ever taken.Bill thought of racing one and Emailed Tatsuya to inquire about getting one right away.Tatsuya contacted American Suzuki manager and could have got one priority but Bill got a Demodale to ride for the shop I work at.So it never happened.Now with the new 450 the same request was made by Bill.Tatsuya still must remember the old 500 ride!Check it out.
From:hhq.suzuki.co.jp
To:
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2005 17:30:58 +0900
Subject: RE: the new 450
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Hi Bill.
I applogaze you for my late reply.
I'm happy to know your recent situation.
I'm still working on ATV planninng.
Thank you fou your interest in our new product LT-R450.
Last month,we had a meeting with ASMC(American Suzuki Motor Corporation)
in
Japan.
After the meeting, I asked him about ATV racing program.
But he didn't know the details at that time.
So I asked him to inform you any racing program if they will have.
I forwarded him your e-mail with the URL of AAEN performance
http://www.aaenperformance.com/Racing.asp
on which we can see the photo of you and your race quad .
The end of the last month ,I had a CC e-mail from him in which he told my
request
to the person in charge.
Have you got any information from ASMC?
Not yet?( Sorry. I guess They are working hard to prepare for launching
LT-R450)
Anyway, I 'm looking forward to see you racing with LT-R450 (instead of
YFZ450).
Thank you.
Tatsuya
-----Original Message-----
From: bill berj berger
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 6:04 AM
To: tatsuya
subject: the new 450
Hi Tatsuya,how you doing? This is Bill berger. I 'm hoping you remember
me back from 2001 Redbud mx national where i met you. I raced the open
pro-am with that Quadracer500 motored 250r chassis quad.(the same quad i
used to win the open pro-am at Ashtabula national just last
year).Well,Tatsuya,I'm doing well,and still racing my hart out. I am very
interested in the new 450 suzuki is coming out with. It looks like
Suzuki did their homework on this one,and I'm wondering if you could help
me get on one of these?Do you know of any racing programs which might be
available?Any help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks again
bill
I changed and deleted some numbers and address so he isnt hit with all kinds of emails.
He still remembers and all those good memories started with a friendly introduction to a foriegn guy sitting alone at a National.I just find that amazing and really goes to show not to sweat the little things so when you get chance to be friendly you are happy to do it.