Great write up Johnny! Thanks for the big ups, but I think the peeps that put in deserve all the kudos. I had thought about making a thread to the fundraiser, but I wasn't sure how Ben might receive that since it might be considered spam. So I texted & emailed some of you. I got a great response and would like to thank:
JohnnyK (as you were the very first person to contribute, sight unseen, which motivated me to ask others). JohnnyK is a guy who until last weekend, we had never spoke on the phone, only from our exchanges here on PS and texting. I got a check from JK made out to me, before he even heard the sound of my voice. And of course
Chopperman, who has become like a brother, as well as
Keshva, who got a personal visit from CK in NYC, and sent a check with a few of his stickers (btw, I got the belt buckle you sent, cool!), and of course
Frosty, who I've had the pleasure of drinking a few beers with at both MotoGP and WSBK events. When I told Benny's dad and people at the fundraiser about these special contributors, I got looks of amazement. (Btw, guys, look out in the mail, you will be getting a small thank you note). Quite a special group when you consider they all put in knowing they would not attend the dinner and only know OF Benny Solis. It speaks first to their generosity and second to their passion for racing.
I'll admit, I was quite humbled by the whole experience. There were others I asked, but unfortunately at the moment, they didn't have disposable income, and totally understandable considering their circumstance. I felt timid asking, and I hope I didn't offend anybody who may think I overstepped my friendship with them. Seriously, this last part has weighed on my conscience, as I'm sure all of us have been asked for money by somebody and perhaps had the thought it was not cool to be put in that predicament. Also, there are some peeps I didn't ask, partly because I'm nervous about asking for money in general.
Though I will tell you, our work is not done. We need to prepare for a race in May, and I've typed out several proposals to gain some sponsorship from local businesses.
Cali Kid prepared the most amazing meal, filet mignon and lobster. It was first class fine dining. No ........, this guy put up a cook down that would make any bulimic salivate. CK is by far the hardest working human I know. Dude puts in 15-18 hour days, that is no exaggeration. So the last thing he want to do is cook on the weekend. But homebody put on a spectacular culinary show. So big ups to him. (Some peeps who don’t know .... racing even exist showed up when they heard that CK was catering, that is no BS).
As the program progressed, it turned into an all out party. The bottles of tequila came out and I think people actually started calling others to come, because more people started to show up. By the end of the night, somebody made a bon fire out back and I woke up on the couch the next morning not knowing how I got there.
We raised funds to get Benny to Daytona. Here is a link to the press release Benny issued before the season, if you read the thank you to sponsors, he makes mention of the fundraiser. Check it out:
LINK And he represented well on a bike he had never ridden up until the second practice session (the first session was cancelled due to rain). A fourth in race one, and ‘fortunately’ he crashed in race 2. I say ‘fortunately’ because the crash may have saved him from serious injury or worse. (I posted the video on this thread:
LINK). But as JK said, and we all agree, the only thing that matters is he was ok. Again, thanks to everybody who supported, as well as, there will be more opportunities to continue your support.
Here are a few pictures of the fundraiser. I made compilations to get more pics in. Btw, Benny will be racing at Laguna Seca, and of course we plan on making a big shin dig about it.
11564:Fund1.png]
11565:Fund2.png]
11566:Fund3.png]
11567:Fund4.png]
Thanks guys. (btw, Rog & Frost, you scared people).
11568:Fund 5.png]
