New York state looses an old friend!!

I am saddened to report that former NY Speedway Rider and Promoter, George "Ironhorse" Lewis passed away on Nov 18th. George and his son John "Boogie-man" Lewis rode for years and opened up Victory Motorcycle Speedway for a couple years in the late 80's-early 90's. They were very dedicated to the sport. There will be a service on Jan 20th I believe it was in Elbrige, NY. His daughter is looking for old pics or stories with George in them from speedway. Ian Charles post on speedwaybikes2 has her email address. Our most sincere thoughts go out to John and his whole family. Jason Bonsignore.
http://www.georgeironhorselewis.com/

LATEST NEWS FROM THE RICHARDS' FAMILY

I just spoke with Bobby, this is sooooooo incredible. He said he had just gotten back from a test to see if he can get out of there. (CT-SCAN) He asked me for clothes and they will be sent overnight so he gets them tomorrow. (Billy included a #1 Racing Dad cap for him to sport of course) Our plan is to go out and get him on or before 11/30. My last visit to Ohio of 10 days, I had told him I was done with Ohio and would not be back to visit but to bring him home and hopefully this time we can get-er-done as planned. I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ALL THE RIGHT WORDS TO THANK EACH & EVERYONE OF YOU WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED IN YOUR OWN WAY TO BOBBY'S RECOVERY. SO, JUST KEEP SPEEDWAY ALIVE FOR US - Rhonda & Billy Wade Richards

Good news from Richards' family

I recently returned from a 10 day visit with Bobby. In my observation and working with him his update is as follows: Bobby would wake between the hours of 12:00p-2:00p each day and remain awake until 11:30p-12:00a. He cat napped between the hours of 12:00a & 6:30a. He slept the most between 6:00a & 2:00p. He watched football and NASCAR with me all day Saturday and Sunday. As of Sunday and Monday he moved his right leg gently.(which he had not done before) and appears to be quite active. His nurse and I asked him at different times, if he was in any pain and he gently nodded no, when asked if he was comfortable he nodded yes gently. He is smiling at the nurses that he has had more than once and appears frightened by staff and visitors as it appeared he didn't recognize or know them. PT had him sitting up in there chair for 10 min one day, 30 min the next and 1 hour the next. As of Tuesday, October 31st, Halloween, Bobby was medically stable and released by his physician to be flown back to Colorado Springs (which was arranged & fell through at last minute) or be transferred back to Select Rehab in Columbus. Yesterday, 11/8 Bobby was transferred back to Select Speciality Hospital - Columbus, Ohio, for continued extensive rehab. He is coming along more and more each day since my visitation of 10/20. My family and friends are working deligently to get him back to his hometown of Colorado Springs. I told him his son made HONOR ROLL for the first 6 weeks of school as he did for the entire 2nd grade lst year and he SMILED! - YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS HAVE MOVED HIM THIS FAR in WHAT APPEARS TO BE A TOTAL POSITIVE DIRECTION OF RECOVERY. MANY THANKS & KEEP SPEEDWAY ALIVE AS THAT IS WHAT "Bouncin" Bobby Richards WOULD WANT ONE TO DO FOR HIM. - Rhonda L. Richards on behalf of his son, "Bouncin" Billy Wade Richards

John Cook update!!

On October 31, 2006 John Cook underwent further surgery on his back.
His condition had deteriorated in the past month because the clips that were holding the rods he had in his back had detached from the vertibrae. The rods spanned 7 vertibrae. These included the one central vertibra which was shattered and reconstructed back in July, with a cage holding it together, plus 3 vertibrae below the shattered one, plus 3 above. The 3 below had screws attaching the rods which were screwed into holes drilled in the lower vertibrae and the rods were held to the upper 3 vertibrae with clips. It was deemed that the pain John was suffering was from the detached upper ends of the rods moving about and tearing up the flesh in his back.
During Tuesday's surgery the rods and all associated hardware were completely removed. This will give him substatially more movement in his back than if they had been left in and re-attached. It is hoped that John can now get back on the road to recovery. He remained in hospital for 3 days after the surgery, to reduce the risk of infection.
He has been encouraged to exercise, but to take it easy, and under no circumstances do anything that might damage his back. For example, riding a stationary exercise bike is fine, but a real bicycle is out of the question, in case he were to fall off.
Any persons or organizations wishing to aid in John's recovery can contribute to:John Cook Recovery Fund
c/o Safe Credit Union
PO Box 1057
North Highlands, CA 95660
(or any Safe Credit Union).
I am sure everyone wants to join me in wishing John a speedy recovery.
- Gary Roberts - groberts@iee.org

Richards update!!

Hello. My name is Sheryl Bass. My sister is Rhonda Richards, ex-wife of Bobby, and mother to my adorable nephew, Billy. She asked that I update everyone on her and Billy's behalf. She has been in Ohio with Bobby since last Saturday (her 2nd trip). Over the past week, Bobby's condition has improved in that he looks good, responds well to commands (especially from Rhonda), no more fever, no more infection, no more drugs, etc. His therapists even had him sitting on the side of the bed and in a certain type of chair the last several days. His doctor has given him the ok healthwise to fly back home to Colorado springs. He will be departing Riverside hospital in Columbus, Ohio on Monday, November 6th, and will go straight to a rehab facility. The docs have indicated it will be a good 6 months of intense rehab before they will even know what the result of his brain injury will bring. We are all keeping our fingers crossed, obviously, for the very best outcome!! FYI: the rehab facility is called Select Specialty Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Pikes Peak Blvd. (not sure of address or phone number at this time...more info. will follow). for anyone who would like to donate in some way to help with bobby's medical expenses, please send payments to: Bank of America, TX5-568-01-01, 9245 Highway 6 South, Houston, Texas, 77083>>made payable to the Robert S. Richards Medical Fund>>Account #005865686172. Thanks so very much to everyone for their kindness, thoughtfulness, and prayers. They are all more graciously appreciated than you will ever know. thank you, Sheryl