AZSteele
12-19-2018, 02:31 PM
Hey folks, brand new to this forum, some may know me from other forums.
My name is Jim (Steele) Cooney, been a desert rat for the past 20+ of my 60 years on this crazy world.
Started out like I'm sure many of us did back in the seventies riding dirt bikes. Eventually led to my 1st professional sponsorship which led to me being picked up by Husqvarna in '74. Race professionally for a little over 3 years and then bam, left leg broke in 4 pieces and knee destroyed. After 5 surgeries and almost 2 years of physical rehab I got back on the bike but I'd lost my edge. Lost by sponsorships also.
So I spent the past 30 some years working for a living. Heavy equipment operator for 33 years, both as a Union and non Union employee and the past 11 years as a business owner. I'm selling my business after the 1st of the year and retiring. Plan on getting back into racing. Already spoke to 2 of my sponsors and both are willing to give me a shot again. As soon as I'm ready tell rent me track time at Firebird and evaluate how crazy I still am.
Got the itch by going the King of the Hammers last year. Bought myself '18 X3 Xrc Turbo R almost 3 months ago.
Dam I thought owning Harley's was expensive, I've spent over 10 grand in the last 3 months and haven't even begun to do any performance, shock therapy or frame upgrades.
Bottom line even stock this car is the most fun I've ever had with my clothes on. And I've certainly missed having a project car to gear on.
I escaped from work yesterday and about a 1/2 dozen of us took the trip from Lake Pleasant up the Hill to Crown King. Good times. I have a short 3 minute video of the trip that I can share but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to because I'm a "newbie".
Anyways, looking forward to meeting you guys on the trail. After the 1st the year my schedule be pretty much wide open if I'm not gearing on the machine.
My name is Jim (Steele) Cooney, been a desert rat for the past 20+ of my 60 years on this crazy world.
Started out like I'm sure many of us did back in the seventies riding dirt bikes. Eventually led to my 1st professional sponsorship which led to me being picked up by Husqvarna in '74. Race professionally for a little over 3 years and then bam, left leg broke in 4 pieces and knee destroyed. After 5 surgeries and almost 2 years of physical rehab I got back on the bike but I'd lost my edge. Lost by sponsorships also.
So I spent the past 30 some years working for a living. Heavy equipment operator for 33 years, both as a Union and non Union employee and the past 11 years as a business owner. I'm selling my business after the 1st of the year and retiring. Plan on getting back into racing. Already spoke to 2 of my sponsors and both are willing to give me a shot again. As soon as I'm ready tell rent me track time at Firebird and evaluate how crazy I still am.
Got the itch by going the King of the Hammers last year. Bought myself '18 X3 Xrc Turbo R almost 3 months ago.
Dam I thought owning Harley's was expensive, I've spent over 10 grand in the last 3 months and haven't even begun to do any performance, shock therapy or frame upgrades.
Bottom line even stock this car is the most fun I've ever had with my clothes on. And I've certainly missed having a project car to gear on.
I escaped from work yesterday and about a 1/2 dozen of us took the trip from Lake Pleasant up the Hill to Crown King. Good times. I have a short 3 minute video of the trip that I can share but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to because I'm a "newbie".
Anyways, looking forward to meeting you guys on the trail. After the 1st the year my schedule be pretty much wide open if I'm not gearing on the machine.