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Post by Blazing MX on Oct 30, 2007 23:29:55 GMT -6
Enter your nomination for the Sonny Chatham Youth Rider Award so we can vote on it at the November meeting. The winner will have his name engraved on a plate, affixed to a plaque, along with previous years winners, and will be on permanent display at Poppa Rollos. The nominee must be a WEMC member and under the age of 18, and be the rider you believe has displayed the most noticeable improvement in riding abilities in the last year.
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Post by tcollier on Oct 31, 2007 6:19:44 GMT -6
I nominate Gage Sipe!!
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Post by DaddyFlea on Oct 31, 2007 7:09:32 GMT -6
Jeff the award is one in the same. The confusion came when Waco Motorsports took over the display of our list of awards winners. If you notice the same riders got it for the same thing just one year difference. The reason for the difference was because the election was held in 03 for Lee but the award was actually for 04 year. I actually documented the exact date if you need it in my book. There is also another Plaque floating around out there somewhere.
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Post by cyclepop on Oct 31, 2007 7:38:34 GMT -6
Does someone that acts under 18 count??? Just kiddin, no chance for you Curt! Man where do I start, so many Karson Kasberg Ty Wood Austin Wood The Poteet boys (Where are they?) Adam Valenta Alex Constancio Curtis Stevens I have seen Gage blossom a bunch These boys all wait at the finish line after the race to pat each other on the back. No one moves until they are all there. That's what this club is ll about! I nominate the entire 85 class!
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Post by tcollier on Oct 31, 2007 8:16:43 GMT -6
I would like to nominate Dillon Stevens and I agree with Ron. That is a bunch of good kids!!
Lori
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Post by jeanine davis on Oct 31, 2007 8:40:49 GMT -6
Danny, I was a bit confused as both plaques had the same names on it. I think this needs to be cleared up. I know for the last two years, we have only voted for one person. The award seems redundant. But if I have to vote for the most improved rider, then my vote goes for Curtis Stevens, Jr. and my original vote for Gage Sipe.
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Post by hanginon on Oct 31, 2007 8:59:43 GMT -6
I agree with Ron S. & Tim. Those boys truly inspire me! Just watch the next 7-11 85 race. They're great to watch. Every month they are making huge advances in their riding skills. And they all seem to be advancing as fast as the rider in front of them. I was riding behind some of them Sunday and last night and I'm here to tell you we're not getting slower, they're just getting a lot faster. If you don't believe me, go and ride behind any one of those boys and see if you can make a pass. After the last Waco Races, they would come off the track after every moto and congratulate each other, one by one until the last rider came off the track. I know that is not the purpose of the riding award, but you gotta admit it's pretty @%$# cool! Congratulations to your future officers and award winners. Ron K.
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Post by DaddyFlea on Oct 31, 2007 11:07:48 GMT -6
The award was created in Sonny Chatum's name to go to a Youth Rider in the club that best displayed the values and sportsmanship of a Waco Eagles Rider. It was never meant to be for the fastest, best, or most wins. The Club originally wanted the award to be displayed at Bargers Allsports but for some reason Jay King took it to Waco Motorsports. I actually saw it hanging there a couple years ago. We had more confusion when the years were jumbled Skipper Roberts son was the first winner, then I get kind of fuzzy myself from there. I believe the Flea was the second or third winner. I know Garrett won as well as a couple others.
Just for Ron's information Gage was nominated last night and I think Gage is an excellent canidate. The only problem electing Gage would be the kiss from the trophy girl.
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Post by DaddyFlea on Oct 31, 2007 11:28:23 GMT -6
This is an excerpt from my book explaining just a little about the award. As you can see Lee got the award on 11/25/2003. Reading my book tells me that the Flea's award was for 2004 and Skipper Robert's son was the first which would have been for 2003 and was awarded right after his death.
Very few people achieve a status that lasts more than a short time. Some people do great things and for a short time they are well known. One person in this area was famous for his one vice. This one addiction made him known to many people and unlike some people, no one disliked him. This guy was a Milk man. He delivered milk as a private contractor to all the local cities, but he had one weakness. Sonny Chatum loved them “Motor Sickles.” It is unknown exactly how Sonny came to be the Waco Eagles Track Announcer, but it was his job. When Lee’s Grand Daddy wrecked his Harley on the Waco Eagles Flat Track, Sonny was the announcer. As the years went by, no one ever checked to see if Sonny was going to be at the races, it was just assumed that Sonny would be there. While he was living, I was only aware of one race that Sonny missed. That was only shortly before his death. At one of the races I promoted, I asked Sonny if he wanted to be paid. Sonny told me “I really feel like I need to pay you. I got to watch some really fine Motor Sickle races, from the best place on the track.” Sonny never accepted one cent for his services at these races. Don’t think it was easy. In the Summer time the Announcer’s tower was the hottest place on the track, and Sonny did accept a few free drinks, but that was all. During the Officer’s elections in 2002, where the Summer Series Trophies were presented, Sonny Chatum was presented with a plaque, from the Waco Eagles Motorcycle club honoring him for his service. It was unknown how many years Sonny had been the Track Announcer, but I was sure that I could prove three generations of Motorcycle racers. Lee’s Grandfather, Tommy Krumnow wrecked his Harley while Sonny was announcing, I was racing when Sonny Announced, and for the past year or so, Sonny had been announcing for Lee. Sonny’s plaque for “Three Generations of service” was presented to him by Lee Krumnow. Lee was the third generation rider and the 50cc 4-6 year old Waco Eagles Series winner. In the Spring of 2003, Sonny died. This was Lee’s first funeral he attended. There was every kind of motorcycle rider you could think of at this funeral. As we walked by the casket we saw the plaque given to Sonny next to it. As we passed Lee said “there is Sonny’s plaque I gave him.” After we passed we stopped and talked to Sonny’s wife. She hugged Lee and told him how much Sonny thought of that plaque. We were told that Sonny’s family had requested that all donations be given to the Waco Eagles Motorcycle track in Sonny’s name. A short time after his death the Waco Eagles Motorcycle Club decided to award one young rider a year with the Sonny Chatum Youth Rider of the year award. This award was to be awarded by a vote by the Club members. I sent a notification out by E-Mail to a number of people and was astounded by all the people that knew Sonny. I received this reply from Mrs Ray Tieman “I can't think of a higher award anyone could get. Sonny told me about riding his motorcycle to the Indy 500 in the 50's. He said he only did it one time, and it was an experience. He rode it there and back, and still got back in time for his milk route Monday morning. He said he was sore, but it was fun. He had gone to the Indy 500 something like 50 years straight, and that's got to be some kind of record in itself. He was a one of kind person.” There was no person more dedicated to the sport than Sonny Chatum. On 11/25/2003 Lee “The Flea” Krumnow was awarded with the Sonny Chatum Youth Rider of the year award. In my opinion, this was one of the highest awards Lee would ever receive.
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Post by dadwood1 on Oct 31, 2007 12:11:43 GMT -6
This years 85 class is what sportsmanship is all about. This is a group of boys that have fun riding and racing together. They enjoy the sport.
Some of the members in this club should follow their example.... I don't have to call names, you know who you are.
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Post by dadwood1 on Oct 31, 2007 12:19:33 GMT -6
I nominate Ty Wood for the Sonny Chatham Youth Rider award
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Post by cyclepop on Oct 31, 2007 13:05:49 GMT -6
Just for Ron's information Gage was nominated last night and I think Gage is an excellent canidate. The only problem electing Gage would be the kiss from the trophy girl. I will take his place for the kiss!!
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Post by tcollier on Oct 31, 2007 14:22:13 GMT -6
That's okay Anthony...you can say it...he knows who he is...right Curt??
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Post by dadwood1 on Oct 31, 2007 14:58:07 GMT -6
It is not just one person, it is several people, myself included, that need to (sometimes) step back and look at what a family club is all about.
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Post by Blazing MX on Oct 31, 2007 17:23:19 GMT -6
Okay, I finally got all the skinny on this award. It comes from Gene Ficker who is the guy that 1st began the award to honor the late Sonny Chatham.
The official name of the award is "The Sonny Chatham Youth Award". It really has nothing to do with a youths ability to ride, but more of a youths attitude, conduct, roll model to their peers, and unselfishness to help when and where ever needed. The youth must strive to do their best at all times, be a positive influence on others, and be courteous and considerate. I think that this award is fitting to most of our youths at Waco Eagles but unfortunately there is only one award.
Since there was confusion (which I hopefully have cleared up for everyone) I will continue to accept nominations via the forum in this thread only. I will tally all the nominees and the award will be voted at the November meeting. Again, sorry for the confusion.
btw, the reason there are 2 plaques is because one was thought lost a few years ago but was later found after a replacement was purchased. The reason for the confusion was the one of the plaques read "RIDER" on it, which was a mistake.
Past winners: 2002 - Ryan Roberts 2003 - Lee Krumnow 2004 - Brandon Parsons 2005 - Garrett Saulter 2006 - Jason Rich
In addition to the nominees from the meeting, I'll list the ones off the forum below.
The nominees from last nights meeting are; Curtis Stevens Jr. Dillon Stevens Gage Sipe Tanner Collier
Nominations from the Forum: Karson Kasberg Ty Wood Austin Wood The Poteet boys Adam Valenta Alex Constancio
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