Fiat Yamaha Team Fan of the Week – Sachsenring – Kurt von Ahnen
For each MotoGP round, we are introducing a fan who will also get a prize courtesy of our good friends from the Fiat Yamaha Team
Name, Twitter name and location
Kurt von Ahnen – @VonAhnenDesigns, @FreeTrackDay – New Mexico, USA
How long have you been following motorcycle racing?
KA – I have been following roadracing since the “Superbikers” on ABC Wide World of Sports! That led to my sourcing my racing fix on VHS – gathering as much footage as I could about Assen, Silverstone, Daytona and the like.
Have you ever attended any races at any level?
KA – I began racing in 1987 with WERA, AMA/CCS, then moved west to join the MRA. I moved up to a very short career in FUSA and now race with the SMRI. I have attended multiple AMA events as well as World Superbike at Laguna Seca, as a member of the media.
What got you into Motorbike Racing?
KA – I feel like a European trapped in an American’s body. I love Soccer and Roadracing! Truthfully though, I love to participate much more than spectate. As I got more and more involved in the sport, it became natural to keep up with it more and follow the careers of those I looked up to… Rainey, Lawson, Schwantz, Doohan, Cooley & Merkel etc etc. I was a lunatic as a kid on the streets, and learning that there was this whole new world without light posts, parked cars, and kids chasing soccer balls was very appealing.
What do you ride?
KA – 2000 Suzuki GSXR750 Supersport
Most memorable experience on a motorcycle or watching bikes
KA -Riding at Daytona and sharing the track with my heroes – even if they didn’t know it at the time… Ricky Orlando, John Ashmead, Michael Barnes, etc.
Dorna for a day. You control Grand Prix racing at the highest level. What would you do, or change?
KA -For Americans… I would strive to make it as accessible as possible attempting to monetize it through sponsorship and exposure. Time and time again Americans are this HUGE demographic that just miss the boat on this sport. It is awesome, a pinnacle of personal fitness, teamwork and technology that has the ingredients to attract Americans but has yet to get it done.
If you could spend a day on a track with any racer (past or present), who would it be?
KA -If we are really dreaming here, it would be with Wayne Rainey – out of the chair – without the constraints of industry & personal performance… just for fun and my personal development. In a more real scenario, I would love to have some one on one time with either Kevin Schwantz or Dave Sadowski.
How and where do you normally watch the races?
KA – I announce for the Sandia Motorcycle Roadracing, Inc. group at Sandia Motorsports Park… so I usually watch from the cockpit of my own GSXR or through the scoring tower at Sandia.
Who is your favourite motorcycle racing legend?
KA – My Daughter’s name is Rainey Joy…..hint – hint
Anything you’d like to share with the MRR community?
KA – Performance Motorcycle Riding is an awesome sport and one that should be watched and studied. While some of the things we see Lorenzo, Hayden, Edwards, Spies and yes… Valentino accomplish on a motorcycle are mind boggling and out of our reach, I firmly believe that we need to encourage as many enthusiasts as possible to ride on the track in a controlled environment. Keep the shenanigans of stunting, speeding and otherwise reckless activity to a more appropriate venue. You can find better places to stunt, drag a knee or raise your adrenaline… maybe even places that offer the 1st session free?
I just got finished control riding for FAASST at a Pueblo Motorsports Park track day and lap after lap was indicating over 180MPH diving towards turn 1. I promote Free Track Day in Albuquerque where we are constantly finding new ways to invite newer, younger riders to the track for an introductory free session… and I instruct with the MSF, Riders Edge and the SMRI where fun, safety and rider development are always the key. There are lots of ways to enjoy your motorcycle safely and with the surrounding community in mind.
