Reno Karimian (in leathers) talks with fellow racer Johnny Rock Page before the start of the 2009 Daytona Superbike race. Reno was a leading Willow Springs racer who hit the pro circuit on his own. He found it to be tough and expensive and is back to the club ranks. Page is still racing in Superbike. Interestingly Johnny and Reno finished right next to each other in the final 2009 AMA Superbike standings with only a single point separating them. Both scored points in four races. The two represent hard-working, underdog privateer racers trying to make it in the highly competitive national series.

Reno Karimian (left) talks with fellow racer Johnny Rock Page before the start of the 2009 Daytona Superbike race. (Larry Lawrence photo)