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Need for speed
Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Kryn P. Westhoven, JFHQ-NJ/PA
 

 

 

It was the first appearance of the National Guard sponsored Michael Jordan Motorsports #54 racing motorcycle in the Garden State on Labor Day weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville.

Atop of the two-wheeled recruiting billboard is Geoff May, who capped off the year with a set of solid results in the last race of the season for the American Motorcycle Association’s (AMA) Pro National Guard American Superbike series.

With the National Guard sponsoring the 11-race series and a high-profile team, it seemed the Guard presence was everywhere at the 2.25 mile “Thunderbolt” raceway track of the two-year old motorsports facility in Cumberland county.
Airman Ryan Diaz, left to right, relaxes after a high speed trip around the New Jersey Motorsports Park on the back of the National Guard pro racing motorcycle with fellow Guard members Pvt. Michael Werloch, Pfc. Paul Dzialo and Spc. Ingrid Minacapelli. Backgound photo: Brig. Gen. Stephen Hines waves the green to start the race.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nearly a dozen Soldiers and Airmen got the ride of a lifetime holding on tight as May took his passengers out screaming through turns as he leaned the Suzuki just inches from the ground.

“It was intense, it was the craziest minute and half of my life,” said Pvt. Michael Werloch of Cape May. “You just lean so far in the turns you think you are going over, then you slingshot out and you are doing a one hundred plus.”

“I got off the bike I was just shaking” said Werloch, 28, who left for Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. the day after spending his last weekend as a civilian enjoying the races.

“That was just amazing,” said Airman Ryan Diaz, 18, as the 177th Fighter Wing member removed the racing leathers.

The New Jersey Army Guard provided the color guard for both days of the event and on Saturday Brig Gen. Stephen Hines, deputy commander, 42nd Infantry Division, made a grand entrance in a Blackhawk helicopter to be the Grand Marshal for the races.

Table of Contents
Volume 34 Number 5 Staff / Information
     
(c) 2009 NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
http://www.nj.gov/military