A very unexpected acolade

[Deans BMW]

Chris just returned from the BMW dealer meeting down in San Diego.

The factory presented him with this, they have never done anything like this before.

http://deansbmw.smugmug.com/photos/259681848_J6wXY-L.jpg

http://deansbmw.smugmug.com/photos/259681928_SWigb-L.jpg

He was completely blown away.

Truly, this brings a tear to my eye, I could not be more proud of him.

[Rchop]

Just a red X Dean, wish I could see it:102:

[DarthRider]

Me too...
Did they give him a KLR ?

[Wild Will]

Hurry, somebody get the Hoon a drool pad...

Way to go, Chris Hodgson! Thirty years of racing and all I got was this...

It's way cool! Dean, try to keep the keyboard dry.

[Deans BMW]

Steve Carlton just called me and said the pics don't show, I'll try to fix ASAP.

[Steve Carlton]

I want those damn pics!!!

[Deans BMW]

Refresh the page, they should be there now.

[JCsman]

You must have done a quick fix, Dean fixed. It up now.

Very, very cool.

[Deans BMW]

They called Chris an icon.......................

[Deans BMW]

Back to bed now...................for my beauty sleep................you know.

[Optimus Prime]

:eusa_clap:
I've only met Chris once, and he was busy running a race team then, but it's obvious he's an asset to BMW and the entire two wheeled community.

Congrats Chris.

[Capt. Blackadder]

Awesome. Just plain awesome. Damn decent of them to honor one of the premier torchbearers of BMW motorcycle racing even when the factory was pretty much on racing hiatus. Congrats all around!

:eusa_clap: :041: :003: :thumb:

[supermotoC]

And who was it that started Chris on his path........ was it Obi Wan?

Dean is big part of that Iconic symbol.

[Rchop]

Cool trophy and tribute Dean :023: Well deserved by Chris. Now, if they can just follow up with a check to support his racing effort...

[Deans BMW]

Apparently, BMW has put out a book on racing. I don't have the book but Chris is sending one for the MC B&B. Here is a pic of the front cover that Tim took.

http://www.sjbmwracing.com/PRESS/BriansBook/BrianBookCvr.jpg

This is way cool.

[Deans BMW]

Just a reminder, our race van at Daytona in '77 or '78. This van as an aside earned the reputation of "If its rockin, don't come knockin........"

http://www.sjbmwracing.com/VintagePhotos/ChrisOnTheBeach.jpg

My gosh, those were the days.

[JCsman]

Just a reminder, our race van at Daytona in '77 or '78. This van as an aside earned the reputation of "If its rockin, don't come knockin........"

My gosh, those were the days.

For the racing, or the "rocking"? :icon_redface:
++++++++++++
I have met Chris only once as well. It was in the heat of Daytona where they were fielding two bikes. He (and his lovely bride) took time to make me welcome. I was even able to perform a couple of minor tasks that let me imagine I had a (very) small role in their effort.

I'm a real novice at the motorcycle racing scene. Daytona was a revelation to me. Both the two-guys-with-a-bike teams to SJBMW. Mostly on their own dime. With little or no hope of financial return. For the love of the sport.

Astounding.
+++++++++++
As the good Captain B. indicated, I suspect that BMW, having decided to return to factory racing, realizes that a handful of individuals have manned the parapets and done battle for many years. They did so out of love for the sport and the brand. They have laid the foundation for the factory return with both hard learned lessons in technology and a fan base.

Chris, has for the past few years has been at the forefront of the fight.

An icon is, of course, a symbol, a representation. This trophy would seem to be saying that Chris is the symbol for both his efforts, his team's effort and those other warriors who carried the torch in the years when they were, largely, unsupported by BMW. Dean was/is undoubtably one of the Captains of this rear guard action. Chris, as Dean's heir at SJBMW, as the guy who continued the fight, who achieved real successes on the track at great personal expense and effort is, indeed, a worthy icon.

[Moose]

These awards are the result of compassion and commitment. Congratulations Dean, you picked the right man to carry on the SJBMW racing tradition. I was most impressed by Chris when he staunchly stood by Brian and Tom at Iowa. That took heart. Moose

[1MPH]

For the racing, or the "rocking"? :icon_redface:
++++++++++++
I have met Chris only once as well. It was in the heat of Daytona where they were fielding two bikes. He (and his lovely bride) took time to make me welcome. I was even able to perform a couple of minor tasks that let me imagine I had a (very) small role in their effort.

I'm a real novice at the motorcycle racing scene. Daytona was a revelation to me. Both the two-guys-with-a-bike teams to SJBMW. Mostly on their own dime. With little or no hope of financial return. For the love of the sport.

Astounding.
+++++++++++
As the good Captain B. indicated, I suspect that BMW, having decided to return to factory racing, realizes that a handful of individuals have manned the parapets and done battle for many years. They did so out of love for the sport and the brand. They have laid the foundation for the factory return with both hard learned lessons in technology and a fan base.

Chris, has for the past few years has been at the forefront of the fight.

An icon is, of course, a symbol, a representation. This trophy would seem to be saying that Chris is the symbol for both his efforts, his team's effort and those other warriors who carried the torch in the years when they were, largely, unsupported by BMW. Dean was/is undoubtably one of the Captains of this rear guard action. Chris, as Dean's heir at SJBMW, as the guy who continued the fight, who achieved real successes on the track at great personal expense and effort is, indeed, a worthy icon.



I wish I had said that. Very nicely put Bill.

Congrats all the way round for SJBMW Past and present.

[Steve Carlton]

I've been lucky enough to live within 30 miles of SJBMW and have met Chris many times. He impressed me with his knowledge and concern when I had a pinging problem on my R1100S. After trying to fix it with an O2 sensor on BMW's dime, he put in a Power Commander and no more pinging. The whole Pelican board was plagued with the same problem and was living with it. When my oil consumption continued for 19K miles and some pinging returned, Chris got the rings replaced under warranty so I could break it in again "properly." He also waved his magic wand, and for very little extra out of my pocket balanced the rods (big end to big end, small end to small end) and pistons, and did a special valve grind to effectively increase the diameter of the valves. He quietly waited for me to give my feedback rather than volunteer his opinion. Needless to say, the bike never ran smoother or faster. "Like a scalded cat" is what I told him, and he knew it.

The best part about Chris is he always has more than a few minutes to share the BMW passion with anyone who wants to spend the time, either on the phone or in person. He's also brutally honest and very candid. I've seen him reject modification ideas that aren't cost-effective for the owner, even though they would make him good money. Hopefully this new icon status won't change things...

He's the Burt Munroe of BMW, in my opinion. Here's a thread from a while ago I posted on Pelican. I'm sure you'll enjoy it:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=213966

[Deans BMW]

So that what my bike looks when it is clean,............I forgot.

http://onfinite.com/libraries/397119/f25.jpg

[DarthRider]

Dean-O, that trophy & recognition for Chris (and you!) are really nice. :eusa_clap:
Maybe that big ol' sponsorship check will be next !? Or better yet, a big ol' "support" check !
Are you and Chris going to rotate possession of the trophy every 6 months or so...?
Sure would look good at the MCB&B.

[DarthRider]

Opie, it was only "tongue-in-cheek"...tha's all.
No feathers ruffled here, and of course if we're going to be serious...you're right.

[Optimus Prime]

While I admittedly don't know the details of the past 30 years and the relationship between Dean and Chris, it may be a bit presumptive to claim Dean as a co-winner of the trophy. Don't get me wrong, Dean's a great guy and has done a lot of great things... but the award was given to Chris. Not SJBMW, not Chris and Dean. It was awarded to Chris and Chris alone. Unless Chris, as the award winner, comes out and says something like "I'm sharing this award with Dean" it seems a bit disrespectful and presumptive to force that sentiment.

Again, not trying to ruffle any feathers. I've got nothing but love for You and Dean. It's just my opinion that it seems a bit like stealing someone's thunder.Opie, it was only "tongue-in-cheek"...tha's all.
No feathers ruffled here, and of course if we're going to be serious...you're right.
Ah, you replied while I was deleting my post. Now I've messed with the flow of the whole thread.

Sometimes it's hard to know what will and won't ruffle feathers, and what opinions are better voiced in private than public. Since you replied I'll re-insert my post for continuity. Sorry for the mess.

[Rchop]

Here's a thread from a while ago I posted on Pelican. I'm sure you'll enjoy it:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=213966

What ever happened with the supercharged Boxer? Did he finish it? How did it run?
I remember hearing about the build, but not the results.

[Deans BMW]

Yes, Chris got it running, but the Moto ST and their Bonneville effort has totally taken all of their time. On the temporary back burner.

Guys, this trophy is completely as a result of Chris's 30 plus year dedication to making the BMW Motorcycle go fast and compete in the world. He has been extremely sucessful.

[NakedRider]

I've had the pleasure of meeting Chris a few times.

He saved me big time money with a nice PM regarding my F800S...I still owe him a 12 pack for that.

I'm happy they recognize his value. While I didn't give him a trophy I did get the chance to shake his hand at Infineon and thank him for the "entertainment" he and his team were providing for us BMW guys in the stands. I think the team won about 4 out of 5 races they had entered that day.