Fred Merkel and his former mechanic Mike Velasco were reunited at the 1991 Transatlantic Match Races, where Merkel was on a break from World Superbike and spectating at the event. Velasco was turning wrenches for Freddie Spencer and Two Brothers Honda. Velasco had been Merkel’s mechanic during the time Fred was winning his AMA Superbike titles in the mid-1980s. I don’t know who the young woman is in the photo.

Fred Merkel and his former mechanic Mike Velasco were reunited at the 1991 Transatlantic Match Races, where Merkel was on a break from World Superbike and spectating at the event. Velasco was turning wrenches for Freddie Spencer and Two Brothers Honda. (Larry Lawrence photo)