My last ride with Femme Fatale : Sutton Chandler I was racing with Sutton at Friday's practice. She and I had discussed some things earlier in the day, as she was trying to regain confidence in Turn 5 under wet conditions. Although, the track was damp, it rained just enough to piss you off..."do I need rain tires, or not...????" Sutton and I ironically ran into each other earlier that morning pricing rain tires. We laughed as it was my first PROV NOV race since she helped me through the Ed Bargy Racing School at Nashville in Sept 08. This morning, we discussed our strategies for the rest of the day because the weather was so 'intermittent.' She expressed concern for T5, and I flat out told her...'You can ride that bike, Fem. Ride the bike! Damn it!" She said, "I know...I know!" we both laughed, joked around, & then we hugged & she thanked me for being there... she said, "Hey! Stop by after practice, we're at the Jolly Roger flag...BamaGirl should be here by then..." (Bamagirl: another fast chic set to get her WERA license this weekend.) Fem is a fierce competitor, and an athlete; so I knew she was ready to get back in the game. After the first session, I was so excited for her, and even myself, as it was going to be a great day/weekend for the "Ladies of Femmoto & WERA!!" Fem and I had been rocking and rolling out there!!! So our second session was going to be even better....we were both excited on the GRID. In Turn 17 on her final lap, I was able to pass her by taking a wider line to overcome slower traffic that she was fixin' to get behind. I had an opening to my right, and it was my only real "chance" to pass FEM. (and to those who know her...this wasn't an easy thing to do....) she was sort of 'stuck' in traffic, while my line carried me past the clump of riders... or so I thought... just when I gave FEM my signature "Hang Loose" wave... She tucked her head and she was not about to have it....(it was freggin' awesome) We were in a 'race' to Turn 1. Maiden America and Femme Fatale!!!! I was so excited... I was screaming under my helmet... "Hell Yeah!!!!" I narrowly narrowly beat her into Turn 1. My strategy into Turn 17 paid off!! But, trust me...I wasn't resting comfortably...for I have had many of times "tucked" and rolling hard on the throttle with Femme Fatale to know she was going to hand my butt to me coming out of Turn 5. So, with this in mind...I took another aggressive line hitting the apex of T5 earlier to swing me out wider to catch as much speed on the exit. ...as I came out of Turn 5, I knew she was on my right tire.... I could 'feel' the chase... My suspension was light as I came up over the hill. I had the normal head shake, and continued to rip as fast as I could to get out in front of her Liter bike. The previous lap I saw the corner worker standing in the shade (tree line) between Turn 5 and 6. I saw the dead bird...and made a mental note of it for the next lap. It totally baffled me...as this is a blind corner from his vantage point. " why is he there ??!?!!?!?!?!?!?! " ...as we exited Turn 5, i knew Fem was going to overtake me. She was a fierce competitor, and I loved-LOVED riding with her... As my front suspension was settling from the hill on T5, and JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO SET IT DOWN FIRMLY to the asphalt...I recalled the mental note from the lap before... and that is when I saw a man dressed in all black take two steps onto the track from the right. There had been about a 2 second gap between me and the rider in front of me. This is where the COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN must have occurred to allow the Corner worker to walk out on a hot track and grab a dead bird. Unfortunately, what I saw next will haunt me forever... but, there was never a chance for another outcome... I saw him take his last two steps directly in front of me.. he stepped left foot first, and then his right... I saw him bend at the waist.... I saw him pick up the bird with his right hand, while he extended his left arm as if he were warning riders he was there. I saw him look up and back into T5... I saw his wire rim glasses, I saw the mole on the left side of his face, I saw his steely-blue eyes get larger, and larger... I saw his mouth drop open... it was the sickest feeling in the world... At the last possible second, I knew I had only ONE SHOT to get this right.... I knew it in my soul. YOU GET ONE SHOT!! I leaned forward and stepped hard on the left peg, while pushing my left clip on. I fought hard to flick it back to set up for T6 and now my rear end was violently searching for consistent pavement to hook up with, and i was partially hanging onto the bike via the gas tank. (pre-high side) I had passed the worker, but had yet to make my turn. I was at my REV limiter & well past the No. 4 marker. I still hadn't settled the bike, so I jammed the rear brake & slid down into the roller coaster, while waiting to get on the throttle to keep the momentum somewhat pushing forward long enough to settle the suspension. ...as I dropped in, I dropped two gears, and let the engine do what my brakes weren't able to do...It was a sick save, but I managed to scrubbed the speed, but barely made the museum turn... I was shaken, but maintained course because I knew Fem was throwing on some heat, and was somewhere behind me. After coming out of the Roller coaster, into the second set of "S" turns...the Red Flag was out. I had no idea what happened at the moment, until a WERA official raced up to my PIT area, he said..."Are you ok? There were two girls involved in that..." I soon realized...there was only one. I was devastated, and know it could be a huge turning point for me and this sport. But, I managed to do the Middleweight Solo 20 on Saturday for my 1st 'real' PROV NOV race. I finished. But, I almost called it quits. So, I truly want to thank Paul, with the STT STAFF shirt, for giving me a few of his crucial seconds to encourage me to get back in the race...and finish. it was evident, I was struggling...especially coming out of T5. I began to question everything, and what I was doing racing...for a $20 trophy. But, I told Fem she could ride her bike, and I knew I could ride mine. Regardless, of the senseless tragedy. On Sunday, I lined up to race the Women's Series after dropping out out of Superstock C. My head wasn't in the game. But, the racing continues... Although my tires (Power One Front/Power Race Rear) were not the best for infamous running water in many of the APEX at Barber, I knew one thing that day....I was going to WIN that RACE. If I had to be on the cords with flames shooting off them...I was going to win this race to honor the women who helped me get started: Ms. Sutton Chandler. and i did. As I took my "victory lap," I was pointing to my PROV NOV shirt that I had PROUDLY displayed on the back... "This one's 4 FEM! God Speed" The corner workers were standing up, leaning out of their control boxes, yelling, screaming, and clapping for me as I went by. They knew I was the "other girl," and it was almost too much emotion to handle. I was so proud, but yet devastated. ...exiting T5 on my club level "Victory Lap" I passed the area where she and I last rode together...it was difficult. extremely difficult... it was my moment with Femme Fatale... Under my helmet, I shared with her my thoughts...and put to rest any possible thoughts on the situation having a differant outcome to change the circumstance. There was nothing she could have done, she was drafting my right tire. I will miss You, Sutton. I will so terribly miss you.... You will always be a part of my journey. Godspeed. Karen Coleman NOV #814
:cry: I am literally crying right now, I dont think I knew any of the people involved directly, but we all share a common bond. And it is extremely sad.
That was great Karen, I'm proud of you. It was very difficult for us to ride at Tally this weekend knowing what had happened at Barber and knowing everyone that was involved. I just got home from the "Celebration" gathering for Sutton. It was done just as she had wished and pulling into the Chapel and seeing all of the Race Bikes there with "In Memory of 976" on them was quite awesome and touching. God Speed Sutton and Mr. Holly. Prayers still going out to Russell and all of the families involved. Rodney
Glad to hear you were able to come out OK MadeInAmerica (well relatively) I was out in that group on a Blue/Black/White RC and was also surprised to see a worker on the track coming out of five. Me and another rider were fortunate though and he left to the right side (thus he was on the wrong side). I got the Red after coming down the front straight in turn #1 and did see two bikes off to the left when I came back around to #7. Not sure about much else as I focused on the poor corner worker to be sure to not add to the travesty (I had no idea of his state then). Thank you for your post and TERRIBLY sorry for your loss. There is much speculation about this and a lot was incorrect (like the rumor of being before turn #5) To be honest I never saw the bird and was puzzled as I saw something orange in his had when we came up on him and figured knee puck (could have been anything and unrelated). My hat off to you for riding. With the rain and no rain tires I was already wondering about the day and then the accident rattled me so I just parked things. I cannot even imagine how hard it was for you being more personally involved. But everyone try to focus on what really matters, the loss of two great people (thankfully not more). I am sure both FBF and Barber will be reviewing things to see if any lessons can come from this to improve safety as both are great groups that really do prize safety. In the meantime everyone consider that today (and all future days) is a great time to prize those you love as they can be gone in a blink.
Thank you so much Karen. Sutton would be so proud of you for winning the race, and so am I. I do take comfort knowing that it was you that was with her on that last lap, both of you grinning from ear to ear having the time of your lives. Needless to say I've had a lot to deal with in my head since Friday, one being whether to continue my dream of racing. After learning of Sutton's death on Friday I knew there was no way I could get on that track on Saturday, so I sat home, cried, grieved and done some heavy soul searching. I had no idea you were even at the track on Friday, much less how close I came to losing two of my best friends at the same time. This whole weekend has been like a nightmare I couldnt wake up from. Like you though, I know if she thought for one minute we would stop riding because of this, she would give us a swift kick in the rear and say, put on your big girl panties and get back out there..life sucks sometimes, now get over it. I have a trackday at Barber on June 13th to get back in the saddle and see what happens. Hopefully soon afterwards I will be able to get my license and continue this dream we ladies of Femmoto/Wera have..and there will be an angel riding every lap with us..WERA #976
Thanks Karen....... And way to go to you and PJ... You guys are awesome..... We all need to cherish the times we spend and have together doing the things we all like to do.. At the track or off... Life is simply too short..
Karen, that is a moving write up. I can't hold back the tears. Good job holding to the conviction to keep going. Prayers go to all those involved :'(
As you can see by my post date, Im reading this well after the fact and just learning of the accident. Im truely saddened by the loss of a fellow rider and corner worker. My prayers go out to Sutton's and Holly's families. Karen thank you for such a moving write up. Through your words, you have allowed others to know Sutton enabling her spirit to carried on. Dan
I did not have the pleasure of knowing Sutton very well but do remember the positive impact she had on me. It was August'ish of 2007 and I was at Tally for my first track day - ever. I had only owned my bike for a few months......and I was scared to death. As we rolled through the paddock that Sunday morning - passing all the seasoned riders and prep'd bikes my stomach was in knots. I pulled into one of the last spots on the right - in front of the dec. right turn. This couple next to us welcomed us to the track and helped us unload / setup our pit. We talked for a while asking tons of questions and expressing our concerns / fears.....they were awesome. She and her husband were riding "I" so we did not have a lot of time to talk during the day but what time we did talk she continued to ask us how things were going and making recommendations on what to do. They made my first track experience awesome and I will never forget them for that. That was the only time I met Sutton and her husband as life got in the way of track days for a while. It is truly a tragedy to experience the loss of anyone involved in the sport. Godspeed to Sutton - her husband and family are in my prayers.