Riders listen during a riders’ meeting at the AMA National Road Race at Road America in 1988. On the top row are Thomas Stevens (leaning forward with black hat and white shirt) and John Kocinski, who were teammates at the time on the Team Nordica Roberts AMA 250 Grand Prix squad. Next to Kocinski is Doug Polen. On the lower row you can see Doug Brauneck on the far left. Next to him is Dale Quarterley. I’m not positive who the others in the photo are. There are a lot of championships are represented in the photo. Kocinski won that year’s AMA 250 Grand Prix Championship, Polen the 600 and 750 Supersport titles and Quarterley the Pro Twins. Brauneck would go on to win the AMA 250GP title in 1990 and Stevens the AMA Superbike Championship in ’91. Doug Polen is being inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame this year.

Riders listen during a riders meeting at the AMA National Road Race at Road America in 1988. On the top row are Thomas Stevens (leaning forward with black hat and white shirt) and John Kocinski, who were teammates at the time on the Team Nordica Roberts AMA 250 Grand Prix squad. Next to Kocinski is Doug Polen. On the lower row you can see Doug Brauneck on the far left. Next to him is Dale Quarterley. (Larry Lawrence photo)
I may be wrong–heck, I’ve got a good excuse if I am since it’s been 23 years–but that sure looks like Tom Kipp’s Dad in the Wiseco hat on the bottom row. From seeing them at IRP WERA events and the AMA Nationals in the day he sure looks familiar. If so, I’m sure you can fill in the details better about him being Mr. Wiseco Pistons, LL.
LikeLike
And… couldn’t that spectacled, moustached guy on far right be Kork Ballington?
LikeLike
No, that’s not Ballington.
LikeLike
Susane Brightbill lower center
LikeLike
Might be Doug Tosten drinking the soda.
LikeLike