I met B. Bostrom today - Ducati.ms

pchmotoho · Apr 22nd, 2008, 10:31 pm

Riding through So. Cal today I did a double take on what looked like a familiar face and sure as heck it was Ben Bostrom just hanging out. I introudced myself, told him I was a big fan of his and told him that I also owned one of his B. Bos replicas (#117).

The guy could not have been nicer. We talked for about 15 minutes, I got a picture with him and he asked for my address and said he would send me a couple T-Shirts. I heard that this guy was a class act and that is exactly what he is and then some.

AZ_Scott · Apr 22nd, 2008, 10:38 pm

Good thing you weren't a lapper!

crawl · Apr 22nd, 2008, 11:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_Scott

Good thing you weren't a lapper!

Ha, I just watched that tonight on the Tivo. Herron thanked the guy on the cool down lap...

Very cool story, I've always thought the Bostroms seemed like nice guys, good to see it's not just for TV.

08hyper · Apr 22nd, 2008, 11:54 pm

Just hanging out where?

AZ_Scott · Apr 22nd, 2008, 11:55 pm

Nah, Ben was actually pretty gracious about the incident this weekend, but I have seen him go off on lappers pretty hard at times when it really wasn't called for.

An example was a few years ago at Barber, in turn 5, when I believe he was chasing Kurtis Roberts and Miguel, and he tried a banzai move underneath a couple of lappers, all while trying to make the pass for the lead at the same time. As I recall, he took himself, the lapper,and Miguel all out. Later, he ranted on about the lapper getting in the way!

Ben's a nice guy, and I've met him and talked to him on many occasions, and he's always come across as pretty down to earth. That's why it really amazed me when he lashed out like that at Barber, and a couple other times as well. Heat of the moment, I guess?

Anyway, there are far more serious offenders out there...

**cassos** · Apr 23rd, 2008, 12:21 am

I met Ben a couple of years back at the MotoGP of Laguna Seca when he was racing Ducati for AMA, the guy always has a smile and takes time to talk to people. If you are in the bay area, you can meet them at the Leo Vince's Grape Crushers Run

h2onoo · Apr 25th, 2008, 12:02 am

I met Eric Bostrom at Laguna Seca a few years ago. He and his girlfriend(?) were sitting on the big hill while Ben was racing World Superbike. They sat down almost right next to my wife and I and we struck up a conversation. He was as nice a guy as you'd ever hope to meet and very approachable. We took a couple pics which, sadly, I can't find now. Great guy, very friendly, class act.

About 10 years ago, I had a special pit pass by Fast By Ferracci. A friend and I were at Sears Point and on Saturday night, Eraldo Ferracci cooked a big spaghetti dinner for the attendees. My friend and I loaded up our plates and headed down the hill, eating dinner on the grassy hillside and admiring the magnificent evening and view of the track. You can imagine our surprise when Matt Maladin sat down next to us. We ate dinner together and talked in short about racing and the race weekend. My friend and I were somewhat in awe of having a threesome dinner with Maladin. He was simply awesome. Never came accross as a star. Just ate spaghetti and talked about generic stuff. I'll never forget it.

In 1998 or so, my fiance and I were attending the World Superbike race at Laguna Seca. As we were walking into our hotel, a car screeched to a halt nearly taking down a couple pedestrians, including my wife! It was none other than Carl Fogerty. He was a total asshole, never apologizing or even suggesting he was at fault. James Whitham from Superbike magazine was in the room below us with his girlfriend and mum. He was great - a real hoot and very entertaining over the weekend. He was racing in the 600 supersport class.

Last week I was in Vegas at a conference. I flew home on Sunday. In the airport, I noticed a familiar face in a wheelchair. It was none other than Wayne Rainey. Wayne was on my flight back to San Jose, CA and he and his wife sat in the row just ahead of me. I never bothered him for an autograph but I noticed he was reading a book called Riding Rockets, which looked to be about an astronaut and his travels...

MC

sal90 · Apr 25th, 2008, 8:29 pm

Saturday night, April 19th after the races at Barber, I went with my wife, 3 year old and a few friends to Shogun. There was already 2 people sitting at our table. I sit down and look at the young couple beside me. It was Josh Herrin and his girlfriend. That kid is awsome too. I asked him what he thought about Ben's claim to win every race this year. He kind of giggled and said "that's not gonna happen". He told my son to come to his trailer on Sunday and he would sign a pair of race gloves for him. I've now got some sweet alpinestars. Too bad there so damn small. Maybe being so cool was his good luck charm.