It's good to be back! Round 8 awaits.

It is good to be back indeed.  A small get off in Round 2 caused what could only be termed an "operational pause" in the racing action for Team Coriolis.  Repairs to the rider's body and the bike have been completed with the help and support of some really great sponsors:

Composure Photography & Videography

Allegiance Realty

Michelin Tires

Kokomo Automotive Services

And a newcomer, Doug Beach (Machinist and Mechanic)

Have made this process nothing but smooth sailing.  "I could not have done it without you," says James, "It's good to have such great people believing in you and supporting you during times like these.  If you have a need for services you should definitely support these great people."

We all can't wait to get back on the race track.  We are embarking on a busy "summer break" filled with 100 degree plus days of testing and practice; we couldn't be more excited.

See you at the track on October 2nd and 3rd at the picturesque Thunderhill Raceway.

Round 2 of AFM Racing Season and Coriolis Goes Racing

Greetings. Hopefully everyone had a happy Easter. Now for us it’s time to get really serious. The bikes and support vehicles are ready. I’ve been training hard and fiddling with the final touches and details to get everything ready to race.
The second round of AFM’s 2010 Season is just about ready to light the fuse. We will be at Infineon Thursday evening to set up our pit and settle in. I am really looking forward to this round because Infineon (Sears Point to me and many other ‘older’ types) is a track that hails from hallowed antiquity (well, something similar). Many, many champions have and do race and ride there. When you’re out on the track it’s hard not to pay homage to their passage and presence.
 As a spectator this track is one of the best the AFM visits! Nearly every part of the track is accessible by foot or bicycle and there is plenty of grandstand seating. If grandstands are not your thing there are numerous hills and grassy areas you can relax in the relaxing Bay Area sun. Weather for this event is going to be the definition of perfection; seriously, look perfection up in the dictionary and you’ll see the weather report for this event! I can’t stress to you how wonderful it would be to see everyone out there, cheering on their favorite racer and enjoying the company of so many fine people.

I’ll see you at the races!
 Cheers
James Minenna and the Coriolis Racing Team.

Happy Easter Everyone

We at Coriolis Racing hope that you and yours are enjoying this day with family and friends.  Hold close to those whom you love and cherish; in life we all know that the small moments are the most important ones.

I would like to take time to thank my wife, Dawn, for being there for me and to publicly proclaim my love and adoration for her.  She makes my life a happy one.  My Andi, Allison, Erik, and Hannah, you all are special to me and I love you.

My parents and friends, without whom life would be a lot less colorful, I think of you all the time.

Coriolis Racing is a Team and, more importantly, Family.

Cheers - and Happy Easter!

God Bless you,

James Minenna

Coriolis Racing Team Proud of a New Sponsor

Outlaw Screen Printing has joined forces with Coriolis Racing Team and is now the official provider of all things vinyl, printed, and logo'd.  We were proud to have them come on board because they are a really great service provider.  They can customize and print while you wait or design and print in very short order; whatever your printing needs may we suggest you try them first.

If you talk to Debrah (owner) she can begin to build with you a printed advertising campaign for your business or service.  She must know what she's talking about because she talked me through the process and helped me get it right; anyone who has the patients for that is probably a saint! :)

Also we are proud to say we are using Galfer Brake Pads and Stainless Steel Brake lines.  A quick review: they feel like they can stop a truck and the last a very long time.  Nothing else does the job like Galfer in my opinion.  Big thumbs up to them.

Thanks for reading.

James

Team Coriolis may be expanding by one rider in the near future! My good friend Homer Montalvo is going to begin racing by mid 2010 in AFM 650 Production; yet another reason to come out to the races!

Hey all just wanted to update that I have begun a Facebook page for the team! Stop by and become a fan of AFM.
Cheers
James Minenna

Team Coriolis Racing Invites you to Infineon Raceway

Coriolis Racing invites you to the second round of AFM Racing's 2010 season at the prestigious Infineon Raceway on April 24th and 25th.

If you are a motorcycle enthusiast you owe it to yourself to attend some of the fastest and most family freindly racing in the western United States.  Walk through the pits, talk to the racers, and buy some of the same products and services they use to make their machines rocket around one of the most renowned tracks in America.

Whether you watch from the grandstands or whether you opt to volunteer for the "best seat in the house" by working as a corner safety worker, you'll never have a better time at the races.  Bring your family and come on out and see what motorcycle racing is all about, check out the teams and root for your favorite rider.

Check out Coriolis Racing's pit area and talk to the team, have a soda, and watch the racing action.  It truly is about family.

Sincerely,

James Minenna

Team Coriolis Goes Racing at Buttonwillow Raceway

Finally, after months of cold, wet, and waiting Team Coriolis went racing!  Buttonwillow Raceway was the scene of the opening round for the American Motorcyclist Federations 2010 season.  Hundreds of racers, vendors, spectators and fans showed up to turn the paddock into a family friendly and color-filled extravaganza.  Racing fans were not disappointed as the racing excitement kicked off with pitched battles for podiums in several racing classes.  

Team Coriolis Rider, James Minenna, began Saturdays practice with setting dialed in from the two weeks previous practice sessions.  Almost immediately he was lapping Buttonwillow fast; setting person bests his very first session out.  A new Michelin rear tire and his lap times fell even further.  "The high levels of grip we're getting from the Michelin is just incredible," Said Minenna, "I have the feeling I can just push and push whenever I want.  It's incredible."

Saturdays end brought the first two races of the weekend with Clubman Lightweight and Formula 40 Lightweight.

James gridded up in the last spot on the grid for Clubman as gridding was based upon AFM numbering and not actual times but got a fantastic start and immediately pushed up to 8 overall (from 25th place).  James picked his way through the traffic and eventually ended up a very respectable 5th. (*Edit by the Rider: Due to a boneheaded move by myself I was eventually DQ'd from that result by the Race Director.  I made an error in judgement and the DQ was justified.  New Racer error for sure.)  "With the level of the riders here and the talent and machinery, I'm happy to have finished with such a good result.  Of course we'd like to be on the box, but you have to be steady and consistent to win championships.  We are going to be strong this year."  James commented after the race.

Formula 40 had twenty five very experienced entrants.  Coriolis once again gridded at the back of the pack but in no time James Minenna was up there scrapping hard for every spot he could.  In an intense and sometimes close battle James managed a 15 overall to take points in the class and ultimately satisfy his goal of finishing in the mid pack.  "This was going to be the hardest race of the day, "James told me, "There are some really fantastic riders here and some very fast motorcycles.  In the end we got by some of the toughest riders and fastest bikes to take our position.  I'm happy to have been so competitive."  Positive to the last, James Minenna, grinned from ear to ear with enthusiasm.  "Nothing like racing with friends.  My family and sponsors really stepped up for me and took care to see that I had the gear and the track time to get the job done!"  He said.

Saturday night brought a once-over and a thorough cleaning of Team Coriolis' race  machine.   The stout little Honda NC30 showed that it has what it takes - being both a Honda and a thoroughbred racing machine - to work it's way through fast laps with rock-solid reliability.

Sunday began bright an early with a short warm up session and then it was on to the most important race of the weekend for James; AFM 450 Superbike.  Competing in this class is a dream come true; some of the most experienced and fastest riders compete here.  "It's been described as a hardcore 'gentlemen' class." Said Minenna, "It's where I have wanted to be for a long time now.  We scrap together on the track, and are friends off of it.  It's the best parts of racing all wrapped up in one."


Again a back of the pack grid position but as he has become accustomed to James got a great start and ended up in 7th place before the end of the second lap but the race was cut short due to a red flag incident; a crash in turn 7.  The restart of the race saw James in 8th place and fighting a hard fought battle for 7th.  Finally managing to make the pass stick James began to reel in hard for 6th place; lap times dropping to his new personal best but alas it was not to be.  "The race ended two laps too soon." joked Minenna, "But racing is full of 'if only' and 'I could have's'."  In the end a 7th was where he ended up but that was good enough for a big hug from his wife and family and a typically big smile.  

James said, "Thank you to my sponsors, without my Honda Motorcycle, Michelin Tires,  Catalyst Reaction Suspension Tuning (making the bike a dream to ride!) ,Chicken Hawk tire warmers, Dainese, Aplinestars, Arai, Sidi, and support funds from Composure Photography this successful opening round would not have been possible.  My wife Dawn has been so fantastic; you'll never understand fully how important you are to me."

We had a great time in Buttonwillow; we are all looking forward to Round 2 at Infineon Raceway.  We hope to see you at the races!

Team Coriolis.

Coriolis Racing rider and bike tested last weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway

Coriolis Racing rider, James Minenna, said in a recent interview that he's "really feeling positive about this year."  He worked out the kinks during a testing of the bike and pilot last weekend with the help of Dave Moss, with Catalyst Reaction Suspension.  Michelin tires performed better than exceptional in the cooler weather and extended track torture sessions.  Minenna completed nearly 125 laps of the Buttonwillow Raceway circuit during the two day testing and the bike (HONDA), tires (MICHELIN), and suspension (CATALYST REACTION) were put to the ultimate test; passing with flying colors!  "My confidence in the bike is at an all time high right now," Says Minenna, "and I am one hundred percent happy with my set up."  "Set up is everything in racing and getting the setup just right at such a challenging track is a tough nut."  Said the Coriolis Rider, "We nailed it."

The painters are just completing a refresh of the motorcycles paint scheme - "It's Awesome!  The red is completely out of this world; Honda all the way." According to Minenna.  "I'm going to lay the numbers on tonight after the clear coats dry," Said Minenna, "and then begin placing sponsor stickers and logs."  Get yours logo noticed now! 

If you are interested in getting into the fun, contact Coriolis Racing by email or phone: 559.779.9306 for sponsorship and spectator information.

Remember that this weekend, March 20th and 21st, is the opening round for AFM racing in 2010!  Come on out and support the sport, meet the riders, and have a great family oriented time while you're at it.

Team Coriolis Bike Update

   The bike is just about ready to rock.  The suspension is getting the once, twice and thrice over and Coriolis Chief Mechanic is going over it with a fine toothed comb to make sure our first effort at Buttonwillow Raceway on March 20th with the AFM is a success.  I can't wait to see everyone and rub some elbows!

  Come on out and check out the AFM!  You won't be disappointed and you just might find you're a bigger motorcycle racing fan than you thought.  It's cheap adrenaline and a great cause.  Clubs like the AFM promote safety, community, and responsible ridership; your patronage supports that noble goal.

Coriolis Race Bike is getting upgraded suspenders!

That's right, I'm now in the process of removing the forks to send them to CATALYST REACTION for upgraded internals and a general once over.  Next comes off the shock for possible re-spring and rebuild by CATALYST REACTION. 

Whilst I'm at it I am going to be modifying the rear "dog bone" to the suspension so I can get the rear of the bike up in the air.  This, along with some other slight tinkering is sure to give me better abilities to change the bikes direction.  I am really excited about this because, although the bike is very easy to move around now, that extra snap is going to make precise turn in all that much easier.

I will put some pictures in our Gallery soon at Coriolis Racing's Website.  Check it out!

The little VFR is really coming along - a new paint job, a new sponsor (I will have decals on shortly), and a brand new year of thrills and (hopefully not!) spills.  Coriolis Racing is really working hard to promote businesses who support the sport of motorcycling!  If your company would like to partner with us - give me a call, or drop me a line.

John Hopkins Racing World Superbike!?

Has it been a bad year for Hopper or what?  I thought he was going to be racing a prototype bike in MotoGP.  That was until I found this!  What gives.

There are more rumors about what Hopper will be riding than what the Apple Tablet will run on, look like, etc.  I'm not a giant Hopper fan, but I didn't like seeing him get the shaft from Kawasaki.  He made his bed and had to lay in it but seriously; that was bad luck.

He had zero success with that Honda it seemed and he was injured most of the season.  Hopefully he can come back and show everyone what he's made of; there is certainly no lack of try in that one. 

It's raining cats and dogs lately in California; God knows we needed it.  I'm hoping the rain comes hard and stong for a month or so and then lets up - Racing must go on.  I don't have rain tires in my budget this year so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Cheers All.

Raining and Pouring and Waiting for Racing

Rain; we need it.  And it's coming down like crazy

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Exciting high tech times we live in no?

AFM 2010 Racing gets hotter by week.

AFM racing is indeed heating up! 

Have you been on the forums and the blogs; following some of the drama may make ones head spin but one thing is for certain.  There are no shortages of opinions on the state of racing today!

Even if you don't agree with most of it - I'm not experienced enough to have a strong opinion yet - there is so much debate and counter-debate on forums like BARF you could spend your entire day online and not scratch surface!

Some say the AFM is evaporating but most agree it's been through tough times before.  Some of it sounds alarming but I have a solution!  It involves you, and it involves me.

1. Get out to the races - it's inexpensive, entertaining and it supports some really great efforts and causes.  You can make a difference by exchanging a few dollars for a ticket.  You will not only be rewarded by a days worth of fun and racing excitement, you will be making a difference to a group of men and women who truly care about the sport of motorcycling. 
2. The next time you are looking for goods, services, and advice please visit one of the many sponsors who sponsor the various riders in the AFM.  None of the AFM riders are "Big Money" racers; there aren't any multimillion dollar contracts to be had.  These people do it for the sport, the fun, and the family atmosphere of the organization. 

The AFM has long been famous for good people, doing great things, while putting family and friends in the forefront.  You can be part of the fun and excitement while helping a great group do good things.

Don't forget to visit the FORUMS at Coriolis Racing's Website.  Leave a note, start a discussion or just see what's going on.

Cheers!
James Minenna

Racing Calendar Up and Running

Coriolis Racing's, Race and Practice Calendar is up!  Check it out, come one out, cheer us on!

Team Coriolis Motorcycle Racing Team Starts 2010 with a Bang!

Coriolis Racing is kicking off 2010 with a new website bang!
Team Coriolis is beginning 2010 with a bang! A new website, new sponsers, and new and higher goals! We hit the ground running this year in March (the 20th and 21st to be exact) with our first race of the 2010 campaing. Racing at our home track, Buttonwillow Raceway, we will have a great advantage. It will be a good chance to get the bugs worked out of the program and our feet underneath us for what is to surely be a strongly contested year.

Riding our NC30 Honda (VFR400) in the 450 Superbike Class of the AFM (American Federation of Motorcyclists) will be a challenge and a great opportunity for our sponsers (both curent and future!). We have already begun what will hopefully be a successful promotional effort and we look forward to helping other companies get their products and services recognized!

Please check out our website: http://coriolisracing.webs.com/ for more information on becoming a sponser or just coming out to support the sport of motorcycle racing!Cheers!James