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Injured motorcycle racer

Started by roortcloud, November 17, 2019, 12:24:04 PM

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roortcloud

Greetings motorcycle enthusiasts.

Some members know that I'm a fan of motorcycle flat track racing and traveled on my FJ to Illinois for the Springfield Mile double header this summer. There I met up with a local racer from Modesto Ca, James Monaco and had him autograph a RPM shirt. I had discovered earlier that he's a neighbor and friend of the Raduechel family.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/185566742@N03/49081667798/in/dateposted/

Sadly, James was involved in a racing accident that left him seriously & permanently injured. I am asking that you/we as a group of FJ owners consider helping James in the difficult time of his young life. While monetary donations are nice, I understand some people are not comfortable with that. There was also the suggestions of gift cards in lieu of monetary considerations. Home improvement stores gift cards will help them with the modifications to the house James lives in and was one suggestion. I am sure almost any gift card for James would be appreciated as he goes through this difficult time.

During this holiday season if anyone is thinking of donating to a charity please consider James and his family.

I have spoken with Randy who has been in contact with James father and they would be appreciative any support we can offer.

Randy suggested donations be sent to his P.O. Box 1476 Oakdale CA 95361 and he will collect everything. Please make all donations out to James Monaco and please within the next 30 days so that Randy can deliver all of them around Christmas time.

Additionally, next Spring I hope some local members can join us and help with projects on James home.

Thank you for your support.
Ron Oort

racerrad8

The back story of the Raduechel & Monaco families.

Back when I was about 6 years old, my parents moved us out of the city and into the country onto twenty acres. When we moved out there, needless to say there wasn't many people let alone kids around to play with. Well, about a half mile away was the Monaco ranch and a kid about five years older than me, James (Bub) Monaco. While Bub was quite a bit older than me, we did a lot of things together. Riding bicycles, mini bikes, dirt bikes and go karts. Once Bub turned of the driving age, I was racing go karts full time and our together time was reduced significantly.

We went to the same high school, even though we were four years apart. But I could always rely on Bub when called on.

Bub still lives on the family property around the corner from my parent's place.

Bub raced flat track motorcycles locally for many years and even dabbled in the local road racing circuits. They are motor racers to the core. Needless to say, James and his younger brother Dominic were riding bike shortly after they could walk. They have come up through the local ranks and James was in his first full time season racing the American Flat Track series riding an Indian 750 as a privateer.

Unfortunately, James was unable to avoid a motorcycle that had gone off track and back into the racing groove at the Minnesota Mile on Sept 21st. James suffer a spinal cord injury as a result of the collision and is now paraplegic. At the young age of 24 years, James' life has taken an unscheduled turn and the road ahead is unknown.

Ron's desired to help the James is, I believe after talking to him, that James is a local racer who was injured and also has a connection to the FJ family. Especially after meeting James, then interacting with him at a couple of other races this year and getting to know him better and the connection me and my family have with his James and his family.

I have spoken to Bub at length on what's next, what needs to be done and how can someone help. While then really don't know what is next because this was an unforeseen injury. But they are having to remodel the house for James to wheelchair access. This is more than just the removal of stairs at access the house, but everything inside the house to allow him to function as independently as possible. There will be the need for a handicap vehicle for him and the list just keep on growing.

If you would like to donate to help James and his family deal with the terrible situation, it would be greatly appreciated. Bub asked if we are willing to help, is we help them directly. They are learning the lesson of fundraising website and the percentage taken by those websites for "administration costs". If we donate directly to James, he will get 100% of the support you provide to him.

With that, Bub said he understand some do not like to contribute monetarily only and want to help, he told me right now, they have "too much" help. With that he means people are coming by daily to help and his concern is when a few months pass and the shock of this subsides, will there be people to help. I have offer up to help them if we can be of assistance. I know Ron will be there and I am sure many of the other local guys will be willing to throw in a Saturday or Sunday to help them at the house.

Bub said if someone is not comfortable sending a check, then home improvement store gift cards are greatly appreciated as they can be used to buy materials to work to the house. I am sure gift cards for department stores for clothes and such would also be very much appreciated.

In talking with Ron, we have decided to have all of the support the FJ owners offer be sent to me so that I can make one trip to see him and present it all to him at one time. I would be honored to be able to represent the group by delivering whatever you are able to offer.

With that said, if you send a check or money order, please make it payable to; James Monaco

All donations should be send to:
RPM
P.O. Box 1476
Oakdale, Ca 95361


Do not address the envelope to anyone other than RPM or it will be send back to the sender. If you want to write, James Monaco on the bottom corner, that will be fine. Please include your email and I will confirm I have received your donation with you.

I have asked Bub for James' PayPal account so if international FJ Owners wish to donate to him that can do that directly to him via a friends and family payment. If the F&F payment is made, PayPal does not take any fees and he again gets 100% of your support. He has not gotten back to me with that, but once he does, I will post it.

Thank you for thinking of James after this tragic accident. I am planning on taking all of the support to James on December 20th. I will make sure we get photos and get them posted up for you guys.

Randy - RPM
Randy - RPM

racerrad8

I just wanted to bump this back to the top.

Thank you for those who have already sent a donation, Ron and I do appreciate it. I know James will as well. I hope there are many more who are willing to donate to help James.

I hope our membership can find it their hearts to help out this young man who was tragically injured while doing what we all love to do, ride a motorcycle.

Randy - RPM
Randy - RPM

Pat Conlon

Randy, can we use your PayPal account (as F&F) to send you money for James?

If so, what account would you like us to use?
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

racerrad8

Quote from: Pat Conlon on November 24, 2019, 11:42:31 AM
Randy, can we use your PayPal account (as F&F) to send you money for James?

Pat and everyone.

I have asked James' dad for a PayPal account to be able to send funds that way. He has not gotten back to me with that as they are so busy modifying everything for James.

I do not want to use my PayPal account as I have to pay income tax on all monies received to the account as it is attached to the corporation.

I will ask again this evening, maybe when they are a little less busy and see if he gets it back to me.

Thanks for checking.

Randy - RPM
Randy - RPM

Pat Conlon

No, don't bother them, they have their hands full... no worries, I'll drop a check in the snail mail...
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

racerrad8

Quote from: Pat Conlon on November 24, 2019, 01:08:46 PM
No, don't bother them, they have their hands full... no worries, I'll drop a check in the snail mail...

Thanks, I will check with Bub again because you are not the first one to ask and that is the only way people outside the US can help him.

Randy - RPM
Randy - RPM

racerrad8

I heard back from Bub this morning with James' PayPal account: james23monaco@gmail.com

When you make your donations to him, please use "Friends & Family" payment type. That was PayPal doesn't apply any fees.

Secondly, when you make your donations, please put in the "Write a note" box, FJowners.com

Finally, if you do make a PayPal payment would you please PM with the amount so I can keep a tally on the total donations we collect for James.

Thank you again, Randy - RPM
Randy - RPM

Pat Conlon

1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

roortcloud

Greetings motorcycle enthusiasts.

As decorations go up and the hustle & bustle of Christmas planning gets into high gear let's take a moment and give thanks to how fortunate we are to enjoy motorcycling in good health.

The ability to release the stress from every day BS with our motorcycle on our favorite road is invaluable and something a poet could describe better.
I just love it and need it in my life. (not that I have a lot of stress being retired & all) Hopefully the day I can no longer ride is years away!

For James that day arrived much too soon!

So here's my gentle reminder for those who wish to contribute.

Merry Christmas & good health to all.

Ron Oort















racerrad8

I will be going over to see James on Monday,  December 23rd.

I appreciate the contributions recieved and would like to remind anyone thinking of contributing I, would like to have to before I head over.

Thank you,  Randy - RPM
Randy - RPM

racerrad8

I'll be heading over to see James Monday morning.

I have received contributions from the following people. If you have donated via PayPal, please let me know so I can make sure everyone who donated is included on the card.

ZOA
Flynt
Ron O
Paul L
Pat C
Chris P
Louie B
RPM

Thank you for all that have stepped up to help this young man.

Merry Christmas, Randy - RPM
Randy - RPM

racerrad8

I was able to go over and meet with James this morning as last week just didn't pan out.

The contributed was $700.00 to this young man.

I appreciate, those who stepped up to help this young man. He is in good spirits and is talking about his first ride on a hand controlled go-kart he took this past weekend.

His general attitude is since he got sour lemons, he better try and figure out how to make sweet lemonade.

He is very grounded for such a young man.

Thanks guys, Randy - RPM
Randy - RPM

Pat Conlon

Let's build him a bad ass sidecar FJ...or a FJ trike so he can join us on our rallies.
A machine designed so he can store his founding chair, so when he stops, it's readily accessible
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3