Greetings Hooligans,
Welcome to NEWS FLASH. This page will be updated on a weekly (sometimes more...sometimes less) basis telling you all about interesting events and news going on in the world of VROOM. Remember, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me. Now, onto the news....
May 13 2000
Back once again for yet another update. I realized something about biking in the past few weeks. IT seems that a lot of people have "gone down" this year already. But the fact is, we now know most of hte riders in town and thus it seems more. New pictures added to the hooligan page and regular page. Minor tweeking here and there.
I would love it if you visited the Mike Battle web site. It is still very much under construction, but a whole lot of stuff will be added soon. www.clik.to/mikebattle.
later people
flash
April 22 2000
I am going to just start writing and see where this update takes me. I have been trying to start it for some time now and nothing I start with seems to justify what has gone on over the past week. Our love for sportbikes comes at some risk and, that risk, took one of our own here in Victoria. His name was Micheal Battle and he died on Sunday April 16 of internal injuries. He was 28.
Here isn't the place to talk about him (the Mike Battle tribute site will be up soon). All I can say is that he was an EXTRA ORDINARY person who touched so many lives. I really mean it. I am sorry that I didn't get to know him better.
My love goes out to the Battle family and our own Deanna, Mike's proud "little sister". Mike outrode all of us. HE rode his bike like only we could ever dream about doing. I have leant one very important lesson from this. Make a difference in people'e lives. Carpe Diem as I say.
I miss Mike Battle and I am sorry not to have known him better, but I feel I know him some what.
And to the cop who decided to pull 3 of us over the other day, all I have to say is this. Your attittude sucked. You were rude and mean to all of us. You ticketed us too. But hey , YOU KNOW WHAT, it doesn't really matter now does it? I am sorry you had a shitty day and decided to take it out on us. Once Mike was pulled over and decided to get a picture taken with a cop giving him a ticket. The picture has hime smiling from ear to ear, laughing.
I gladly accept the ticket you gave me. Maybe next time, I can buy you a dozen donuts and you can tell me why your day sucked so much during our encounter. Until then, remember, WE CHOSE TO PULL OVER, not the other awy around.
We know you are looking down on us Mike. We'll try and make you proud...
With love to all
Ari B. Knazan (aka The Flash)
April 10 2000
Wow. I didn't realize you guys were so picky about me doing this damn update? Jesh, I am one day late in the update and and all hell breaks loose. Well, here we go. The weekend sent us up island just past Parksville. We went to an "undisclosed" location to test out the roads. Needless to say, we had a blast. The ride was just over 7 hours. The weather rocked and Speed Demon is a copy cat with his new trick! More pictures to come.
No real news that I can think of. Just the normal stuff. Oh, I added a light kit to my bike. Looks neat. I'll add pictures soon.
That's it
cheers
Flash
April 2 2000
Oh happy joy joy joy. Great weather and good times. The stuff we did yesterday was a blast. A special thanks to Oli who awed us at his skill on one wheel (and two). I learnt a few things yesterday. First, the ZX9R is one fast machine. Speed Demon let me take his bike for a spin. Yikes! A little heavier than my F4 though. And the breaks are soft too. But the thing hits 200 kph in NO TIME!
Second, the new ZX6R is a MONSTER. I raced Oli on his in a 2 gear roll on from 50 kph. He just pulled away. Its one fast bike and rides nice. My bet is that the ZX6R will take the 600 supersport this year. Also, the GSXR 600 needs to be updated badly. The difference between my F4 and the 6R is the difference my F4 is over the Gixer. Time for Sazook to infuse a lot more midrange into their 600 bike.
You know a bike is fast when you get past like you are standing still and YOU ARE GOING 200 kph. (happy Speed Demon??).One thing though...its a PIG. <evil grin> Tex and Power Ranger, don't worry, you'll "get it up one day".
We took some action shots today. Wheelies and endo's mostly. They are posted on the picture page under Hooligan shots. We also took some video. We hope to add some REAL GOOD stuff once Venom is back from back East and Havok gets his bike back. Oh..and Astro Boy is all "fixed" up.
Many of you have sent some very nice emails to me regarding the site. Thanks for the kind words. And I will keep adding more. I wish I was getting paid for this! Please spread the word, link us, or do whatever it takes to get our hits up. Thats it for me..its 4 am...bed calls
Flash
Mach 27 2000
Here we go with yet another update. This past weekend has been very eventful! I would like to thank the Vroom Crew for the party they threw for me on Friday. It really meant a lot and that's why I put so much effort into this. Special thanks to Havok for letting us use his house.
A special thanks to Jamie, Oli, and Dwayne for their support this past weekend. I am glad to see that fellow riders support us. Thanks to Jack for coming up again. I suspect he'll become the first international member of VROOM. I hope Andrew and Troy had a good time too.
Simon has become the latest member of VROOM. Good one!
The ongoing saga of Bing and now Freddie has come up (the same person perhaps?) With any web page, one is bound to have jerks leave their calling cards. ANY person who laughs or makes light of any serious situation is a total coward in my books. I am usually not a heavy about things, but I will come to the defence of my friends and fellow riders when attacked. I know they will do the same for me. This will be the last time I mention this stuff because I know this person is getting off at the attention. If they haven't guessed, they are in the MINORITY. 99 percent of the people who have met us, rode with us, or dropped by have had a great time. As Big Kid (Iron Man) said "why pick on us?" Do you know us? I doubt it?
Bing/Freddie; You are narrow mined. I suspect you won't answer my next question with a yes but I'll ask anyway.
If you have something to say, stop hiding behind your computer and come meet us. I personally would be worried if I pissed of 20 plus riders in my city.
I would like to to see an apology for your remarks and bury this issue. However, if you continue to act in bad faith towards people you don't even know, don't expect us to be very nice when we finally meet.
Oliver will be racing this year on his 2000 6R. I would love to get some people together so we can cheer one of our own on. I suspect he'll do very well this year. Good luck Oli, we're pulling for ya!!!
that's it for me.....
Vroom baby...vroom
Flash
March 21 2000
Its Spring. We are out in full force. What more is there?
March 13 2000
Well, I must say I am deeply touched by everyone who called me over the last few days to wish me well during my super flu bout. I am still weaker than heck, but as they say "You have to climb back on that horse if you have fallen off." Special thanks to Misti, Steve, Andy, Deanna, Dee Dee, Glenn, Mike and my family for checking up on me. It really means a lot (especially when you are running a temp of 103). That's one of the main reasons I enjoy the Vroom crew so much. WE know how to take care of our own.
I heard the Daytona race went well. Too bad I missed it. I am glad to see the Miguel placed in all the races. I love that guy! True guts and glory after breaking his legs TWICE last year. I think I'll make him an honourary member of VROOM.
It seems that the Bing guy has retracted what he posted on our site. I am VERY pleased to see everyone who has come to our defence, however, I just read the posting by Donovan on our guest book. There is a lot of speculation on who this guy is and why in the WORLD he would use someone else's email address. Again, I apologize to Donovan for sending him the emails and you were very kind in your response. Who ever can figure out who this Bing guy is, gets a free set of tires from me (ok, slightly broken in..ok..bald).
Furthermore, has anyone actually heard of someone crashing in front of the MH? Next time one of you go there, ask one of the staff.
That does it for me. Please remember to post suggestions on how I can make the site better. The 222's are kicking in...and I have to go throw my helmet on, sit in front of the tv, and watch Speed Vison
carpe diem
Flash
March 6 2000
The riding season has started here in Vroom's city. This weekend, Vroom was out in full force, with 13 sport bike riders tearing up the city. I would personally like to welcome Misti (who just bout her first bike), Javid, Brian, and Paul to the Vroom Crew. They look like they will be great future hooligans.
The site is growing faster and faster, and its hard to keep up with all the pictures and events that happen from week to week. I am trying to shuffle 2 jobs, riding, a social life and this page. Its been a lot of work, but well worth it. Special thanks to Dean and Mike for the words of encouragement. I would also like to add a hello to the sportbike clubs in Ontario and California who have dropped by and signed the guest book. It means a lot.
Happy bithday to Steve "Tex" (aka Quick Silver). On March 5, he turned 29. Without that chance meeting, this whole Vroom thing may not have started. You're a good friend and I promise that ZX6R will be yours soon. Also, as I said, Misti bought her first bike. We used to talk about how cool it would be to ride together. Now its reality. Follow your dreams "Wonder Woman"!!!
Had a flat tire today, but the crew came to my rescue and we were off. Couldn't help but pull a block long Wheelie moments after the tire was repaired. Its in the blood.
The daytona party at the Sticky Wicket pub is on Sunday March 12 at noon. 8 bucks to get in, food and rantings from everyone who rides in Victoria will be there. They are also having a draw to see who can take a 2000 ZX6R to SBW. Kewl huh?
I know this will be the start of an amazing riding year.
Smoke em if ya got em
Carpe diem
Flash
March 1 2000
Well, time certainly flies does it not? Havok will be back from 6 months at sea and Victoria will once again be turned on its ear. I had Speed Demon email me to say that his new ZX 9R is wickedly fast and has made an open challenge to "those other fella's on CBR 900 RRs." There will be some sort of ride happening at the Sticky Wicket on March 12 or 13. I have to look into that though.
If you read the guest book, Gary Rothwell was kind enough to stop on by and say hello. If you don't know who he is, visit his site (under links) to see why this guy OWN's so many world records. I would like to remind any of you who don't live in Victoria but are planning on visiting, to email me so that we can help you out. We are planning on making our rides even more legendary this year.
There has been some talk about photos and movies on the web page. Fear not, within the next 4 weeks, there will be a whole bunch of stuff on "us" posted here. Furthermore, Mike (Stoppie) has been kind enough to let me use his server at his house as a mirror site of VROOM. That makes the url so much easier to remember. The new mirror url is http://crash.to/vroom
That's it for me. Thanks for all the comments and please let me know how I can improve the site. Ride on everyone..
Carpe Diem
The Flash
Feb 24 2000
I got a pretty cool email today and I thought I'd post it for you all. It's nice to know people are taking an interest.
To: Phantom
From: rollinendo@aol.com
Subject: Las Vegas Extremes Thanks you
A special thanks from the Las Vegas Extremes. Please be sure to check back for updates.
Well, its late and I have to dream about bikes now. Tex and I were talking and we were thinking about putting up a booth at Sportbike West to sell some shirts, logos, maps, and generally spread the word. Its going to be a great riding season...
Carpe Diem,
Phantom