Between the Races: Don Emde

As part of the Day of Stars, memorabilia from riders like Nicky Hayden will be auctioned off. Andrew Northcott photo

What does Riders have planned for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix?
This year we have officially named the Thursday of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix week as “Day of Stars.” There is a dedicated website at www.dayofstars.org, but in a nutshell, people can still buy one of the limited full Day of Stars tickets which includes a ride down to Carmel and back in the morning, then a lap around the famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, a tour of the MotoGP paddock, lunch at the track with Randy Mamola, Wayne Rainey, and myself, and finally at 4 p.m. we’ll hold a fundraising auction with some great signed MotoGP memorabilia items, and we’ll have many of the current riders there as well. Last year we had Marco Melandri, Ben Spies, Colin Edwards, and James Toseland there, and we expect a similar-quality lineup this year. I know we have a signed Valentino Rossi cap for the auction, and Colin and James have both sent some signed items. For people who might like to upgrade their seating situation for this year’s races, there are two sets of VIP suite passes that will be auctioned off. And there will be some great photo prints and much more, all in the name of charity for Riders for Health, which is, by the way, the official charity of the MotoGP series. And lastly, anyone who wants to just come at 4 p.m. for the auction, that part is free and everyone is welcome to come over to the stage on the outside of Turn 4, near the entrance to the Paddock area to watch or hopefully bid on some great collectible item. It will all follow shortly after the Yamaha kart race they’re holding this with year with Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts Sr., and Valentino Rossi, so it will be a very cool afternoon at the track with all that going on.

Is there still time to sign up for the Day of Stars?
Yes, tickets are limited, but I checked this morning and there a few still available. They can be either shipped out, or if time does not allow, there’s a will-call window inside the track where they can be picked up. The Day of Stars website has the ticket-ordering info at www.dayofstars.org.

Don, shown here with daughter Jennifer, sees big things in the future for Riders' U.S. branch. Photo courtsy of Emde

What do you see down the road for Riders II?
We’ve just touched the tip of the iceberg. There are so many people out there who really “get it” when it comes to supporting the use of motorcycles to help solve the problems of the world. I’ve been in the motorcycle sport all my life and know that people in the main stream of America often view motorcycle riders as daredevils or troublemakers. But through Riders for Health and our American affiliate Riders for Health II, we can help change the world by using motorcycles as a means to distribute the needed medicines and medical and social expertise throughout Africa. No one should ever die from a preventable illness just because the medicines didn’t get to them, and that’s what we’re trying to solve with Riders for Health.

I welcome motorcyclists everywhere to join me in building a much larger organization here in the United States. I can be reached at emde25@cox.net or by phone at 949-215-4780 x206 and also on Facebook.

Great, Don. Thanks for your time, and good luck.
No problem. See you in Monterey.

For more information on Riders for Health, visit www.riders.org.