Best racing performances: Both Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi get kudos from me for their great battle for the MotoGP World Championship. Nicky eventually prevailed, but not without the physical and mental torture brought on by teammate Dani Pedrosi in Portugal. Valentino, despite his runner-up finish, certainly got my respect for his determination to win the 2006 title after being written off about three times this season. He never gives up, and you have to appreciate that even in a losing effort. End of an era: We’ll still get to see Ricky Carmichael here and there in 2007, but 2006 was the last year that he contested the championships. Despite severe pressure from James Stewart, when push came to shove, it was Stewart that cracked, not Ricky. We won’t see another RC any time soon. Passings: I lost five friends and a dog in 2006. Lamar Williams, who passed away last January, had for many years owned and operated the American Motorcycle Institute in Daytona Beach and there’s just not enough space here to go into the many different ways he made Bike Week better. Dave Mungenast, Sr. was one of those guys that at times made me wish I could be him. He was a great motorcycle rider and former member of USA’s ISDE team, but more important, a great husband, father, friend and businessman. He was a great example of how to live your life and earned a well-deserved spot in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Another Hall of Fame inductee, John McLaughlin, died in March. He was a great motorcycle racer in his own right back in the 1950s, and father of Steve, who I raced with in my club racing days before we both went on together to the pro level. I only got to know Jim Pomeroy a few years ago, but I was a big fan of his when he was racing back in the 1970s and 80s. When we finally did get to know each other, I just wanted to figure out how to package up the energy and enthusiasm that guy had for motorcycle riding. Long time family friend and a true piece of motorcycle history, Bill Bagnall, passed away in late November. He was editor of Motorcyclist Magazine for 20 years and later co-founded Motorcycle Dealernews magazine. He was also president of the AMA for a few years and was instrumental in putting together the AMA’s affiliation with the FIM. In his later years he was the driving force with the Trailblazers organization and I was honored to succeed him as its president a decade ago after serving with him on the board of directors. And our dog Pepper passed away on Easter Sunday. After 16 years, it was like losing a member of the family. Godspeed to them all. Hottest day: Saturday at Laguna Seca…Sunday was the next hottest. Biggest Bummer: Having to cancel a trip to the French Grand Prix when I got an infection in my elbow and had to go in for surgery. Best moments: My son Jeff’s wedding in Las Vegas to Sarah; a gondola ride in Venice, Italy with my wife Tracy and daughter Jen; reaching Imogene Pass in Colorado on the RM400; being with Team Roberts at the Catalunya MotoGP when Kenny Junior made the podium; my 34th wedding anniversary; getting the news my sister Nancy and her husband Chris won their class in this year’s Baja 1000; and lastly, riding with Bill Gikling at Sturgis. I finally did Sturgis right. In closing, speaking for everyone on the staff of Parts Magazine, we wish you and your family a happy holiday season. We offer our hope for peace in the world and may we all build a list of our own for 2007 that is filled with great memories.
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ell, here we are. The last editorial page of the last issue of 2006. Before we tear down our calendars and pin up the new ones for 2007, it’s a good time to reflect on 2006. There were some great moments this past year, as well as some sad ones. You surely have your list. Here’s mine: