Freddie Spencer and his mechanic Mike Velasco look over the rear Michelin tire of the Two Brothers Racing Honda RC30 Superbike, possibly during a red flag break, at the Miami Grand Prix, the 1991 season finale AMA Superbike race on the downtown streets of Miami. Earlier in the season Spencer had problems with his tires wearing out before the race was over. Everything must have been good with the tire on this day – Spencer went on to win the race. Spencer was sliding the RC30 all over the treacherous Miami street circuit and Scott Russell couldn’t catch him, no matter how hard he tried. He oh did Russell try. He needed to pass Spencer to win that year’s championship, but instead had to settle for second. The championship went to Thomas Stevens. This photo is from the Greg Sickmeier Collection.
Freddie Spencer and his mechanic Mike Velasco look over the rear Michelin tire of the Two Brothers Racing Honda RC30 Superbike, possibly during a red flag break, at the Miami Grand Prix, the 1991 season finale AMA Superbike race on the downtown streets of Miami. Spencer went on to win the race. (Greg Sickmeier Photo)
Rider Files 
I raced at both Miami events. The temps were reasonable in 1991 when the event was in October or November. It was the week after the WERA GNF, and I had blown up my #1 motor. Running my #2 motor I finished without note. The good news is my wife was there, and had just confirmed that the first born was in the oven…
In 1990 it was in July, and the temps were brutal. That event was of course the scene of the famous “stolen purse” incident. That weekend I managed to finish 3rd in Pro-Twins GP2. They made me keep my leathers on for the podium, I was delirious. Did keep it together enough to kiss the trophy girl.
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Great remembrances of the races Mike. Thanks
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I announced the event, I had a multi function stopwatch and was giving lap times and gaps
through the field. Some network guy burst into my booth and demanded where was the times
coming from. This was before transponders, I showed him my watch.
Later some kind of scoring snafu and stoppage, brought on this photo op
what a brake for the guys with crews and extra wheels . During the down time
I complemented corner workers for
the great job cleaning the marbles of the pavement, off the track that the bikes had pulled up.
The track guy was instantly, in my face
{You haven’t seen pavement marble under a 650 hp,Trans Am Cars This is nothing!
This is like Disneyworld, no garbage is ever seen},. A lesson from the promoter.
Things were different then? Or not.
Richchambers
Hollyweird
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Richard,
I guess some people can’t take it when you don’t speak glowingly of every little thing about their track. Of course fans always appreciate being told facts. That’s why they enjoy your calls.
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I had the “pleasure” of helping Mike bumpstart his Guzzi in the pits, I was in t-shirt and shorts and pitting for Bruce Nield, the heat in July was no joke. Also duly noted that both Mike and Richard responded to this post and both have now sadly crossed the dunlop bridge, RIP chaps.
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