I stumbled on this post and despite it being a year old, felt compelled to respond. I’m one of those old CRA guys. I raced with the club from 1984 – 1987. I high-sided coming out of 10 (old track) onto the straight, totaled my FZ600 which was my demo from when I worked at Metro Honda / Yamaha in So St paul. Broke multiple bones in my right hand and met my future wife (26 years and counting) all in the same week.

I worked with Don Framstad at Burnsville Sports Center. We were both mechanics and Don was one of the people who encouraged me to start racing.

Don was an odd (but loveable) guy with wild hair. When you talked to him you quickly realised he was an order of magnitude smarter than anyone else in a room.

My memory is that Don never rode anything remotely new. His favorite bike I think was his “Water Buffalo” a water cooled, two stroke GT750 Suzuki that had been modified by Don in every conceivable way possible.

Do was very active with the CRA – I don’t remember his history beyond he was the lead NR instructor. I do remember following him around the track for the very first time on my 500 Interceptor. There was this big talker idiot with us on the sighting lap riding a VF1000R Honda Interceptor. He crashed going into 10 right in front of me, grabbed a big handful of ft brake and tucked the front.

Don sent him home :)

I wasn’t there when Don died. I was told he crashed near the end of the straight.