Please watch: youtu.be/x5J8iufDJuM I just read this Facebook timeline entry from a friend, Ray Sommo and I ask that my family and friends read it and then read my letter to Ray. I helped him write his resume and get onto LinkedIn so that he could network with my family and friends in this motorcycle industry as well as into other businesses I have the pleasure of being associated with. Thank you all in advance; This is Ray wrote on his Facebook page 2 hours ago (February 10, 2014) Think of me however you want or do. Im going to tell it like it is before I go check into JAIL tomorrow, just after paying the down payment on a $25,000 bail last night in Bakersfield! Yup last night! Ever since the very first time being arrested about 10 years ago I have been living in absolute HELL!! Its true what they say about once your in the system you cant get out. The judicial system is a crazy system, its all about arresting the same people over & over or people that have a lot of money so that the Government can take it all from them plus make their 50 or 60g or whatever it is these days to house an inmate annually? The jails & prisons make millions on their collect phone calls that hang up or don’t work once the charges go thru. Then they came up with an ingenious plan to let jailers & prisoners buy food & cosmetics in their store called commissary....People send inmates money every day its insane how much stuff one can order!! Everyone eats & fights over eating 24/7 its disgusting! Then they get more charges put on them for fighting & get to take a ride on another great tour to court in heavy metal, (cuffs, chains & shackles) then end up living in there for God knows how long? I lost everything battling my way thru court & doing meaningless time in a cell. My family, friends, homes, credit, money respect just like the majority. Whatever it is I need to let my friends & Facebook friends know how difficult it is to get a life back once you are a felon. Employment, renting a place, or even purchasing a place ever again is slim to none. Dont get me wrong theres a select few that get the support from family & friends that actually get to be a normal married person with all the awesome things God placed on this Earth to enjoy before spending eternity in Heaven. Im determined to be that 1%! Im not done yet or any time soon, but before I close this Ill end it on a cool story from last night. There was probably close to 200 inmates in my dorm all squeezed in of every race trying to be the meanest ugliest bad-ass they can possibly be 99% of the time. Theyre blasted head to toe with ink, some long hair most no hair, no teeth with mustaches & beards that look like they smell horrible. Almost every second is worse than the previous, but when the Beatles came on CBS the entire dorm started singing & lip syncing in unison every lyric. From Marron 5 to McCartney & Ringo who put on a very impressive show! It was kind of cool in a way! See you when God decides. I have thought about Ray Sommo in a positive manner ever since the first day I met him at a motocross event. Where was that, The American Motorcyclist Association Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Nationals in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. It was my first time to race there after making all the area and regional qualifiers in The Pacific Northwest. I was walking around the pits and introduced myself to him and after he said he was from California, I asked him if he would like to attend a $10,000 Pro Purse motocross race on the way back to the west coast the weekend after we were leaving Tennessee. I told him that I was promoting this event in Rock Springs, Wyoming at The Sweetwater County Fair Grounds with a friend of mine. Ray was stoked about the idea and I asked if he would help spread the word to the entire Pro riders there that was heading back to the west coast and would be driving through Wyoming. He said, “Absolutely”, and his friendship with me began that day. That next weekend in Wyoming was incredible. There were 40 Pro’s that signed up for that event and it was a money paying opportunity for the top twenty. There was a great crowd to witness the event. Since Ray was also sponsored by the Apparel company (Oneal) that myself and another Pro that I was helping Tony Graves from Oregon was backed by, I had them all get together with all the awards girls for a photo opportunity (see photos attached). Do you recognize the riders or the girls? I discovered that Ray Sommo has a network of friends and businesses in this motorcycle industry and I would run into him again and again. I ask all who read my words to offer Ray words of encouragement and for those of you who Pray to our Lord Jesus, please keep Ray in your Prayers in his times of downfall. He is a great human being, a man among men that I will stand beside and behind him all the days of his life on this earth. He has my support, I ask you to give him yours. I am privileged to write this letter of recommendation and will give a professional reference for Mr. Ray Sommo. I have been an announcer on four television networks ESPN, ESPN2, Outdoor Life and Spike TV. I have also written for over 15 worldwide magazines that includes Royal Publishing, Cycle News, Motor Sports News, MX America, MX West, Final Lap, Southern Dirt Bike, Arizona MX, Playground, Dirt Bike, Holeshot, Racer X-Illustrated, Solo Moto, and Inside Line, who have printed my stories and photos. I have watched Ray in many motocross events around the world. In fact, I have been involved in The Federal of International Motocross (FIM) World of Supercross that I had the pleasure of meeting Ray Sommo again in 1992 during several weeks in Spain, Italy and Switzerland. He was and is a fine ambassador who represented the United States in a professional manner. I interviewed him several times with the best of the best professional motocross riders in the world. In the year 1999, I was asked to become The President and Organizer of the AMA Western and Eastern 4-Stroke Motocross Nationals. During my years of business I have met thousands of professional riders. Ray Sommo was one of the most well respected individuals on the circuit. He is a well-spoken individual and would be a great asset to any company that he chooses to work for. I highly recommend Mr. Ray Sommo in all his future endeavors. Please feel free in contacting me for anything further. Respectfully yours, Don L. Schneider YouTube Introduction: youtube/watch?v=JhqJ_xx-iVs&feature=plcp Facebook: https://facebook/4StrokeNationalsMotocross Facebook Personal: https://facebook/don.schneider LinkedIn: linkedin/donlschneider/ Please see Ray’s resume below and write down his email and send him letters from time to time. Email: RaySommoRacing@yahoo PROFESSION: Professional Motocross Athlete and Motorcycle enthusiast AFFILIATIONS: Currently I own a motocross school for Amateur and Professional athletes. I am a test rider for two printed magazines to include Motocross Action, Racer X Illustrated and for one of the largest Online Internet Web entities, Cycle News SUMMARY: I have been inside the motorcycle industry my whole life. After being born into a family owned motorcycle dealership in which my family has cut their back teeth, eaten, breathed and learned all the wonderful ways of customer service. It has been ingrained inside of my personal being. My father had me spinning wrenches and using screwdrivers at the early age of five. I began racing amateur motocross at the age of ten. At fifteen I won the area and then regional qualifier in California which headed me to my very first National Championship, riding for team Green Kawasaki in the 80cc Expert classification (12-15 year olds) at The American Motorcyclist Association sanctioned Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Championship in the State of Tennessee. Throughout my career I have been fortunate, and at the right place at the right times and have been contracted and sponsored by Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki. I have raced all around the world, what a great experience so far. CORE QUALIFICATIONS: Service information and data input P.D.I. (Pre-Delivery Inspection) Mechanic Parts knowledge and repair/replacement theory Computer Technology EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND: Research and Development: American Honda R&D / Torrance, California September 1986 – December 2006 My job was very unique. I was the main rider to give motorcycle performance feedback to American and Japanese Engineers and Mechanics while helping to develop the pre-Production Honda CR Racing Motocross bikes. Was fortunate to have had this opportunity to work hands on with the #1 Motorcycle Manufacture in the world. I give them credit for learning almost everything there is to know about motorcycle set up and maintenance. During those years, Honda won most every motorcycle manufacture shoot-out test around the world. I also was involved in the Watercraft development department for six of those special years. Parts: Champion Motorcycles / Costa mesa, California April 2007 – January 2008 I learned all parts terminology and how to order them through our vendors. Team Manager: FMF Racing / Rancho Dominguez, California January 2008 – January 2009 During the time frame while working for Performance Motorsports, I worked as a liaison for all amateur and professional motocross riders, by making sure they were equipped with required parts and services pertaining to their contract agreements. Sales/Parts: Performance Motorsports / San Juan Capistrano, California January 2008 - December 2010 Began in the Parts Department and after making a substantial gain for the company, they trained me for Sales. Unfortunately they were forced out of business due to the economy in the area. Motorcycle Test Rider: 1985 – Present Motocross Action Magazine Dirt Bike Magazine Racer X – Illustrated Magazine Cycle News Magazine and Cycle News EDUCATION: 1986: Graduated from Dana Hills High School / Dana Hills, California TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I have had a wonderful life and I am full of energy and compassion for others. I married my High School sweetheart and together we bought a nice home and had a beautiful son. I had worked for American Honda Research and Development Department for 20 years. All the time, racing and testing motorcycles and watercraft all around the globe. I turned Professional in 1985 and have won major Championships in The United States and in Canada. I have also consistently finished inside the top ten in the (AMA) American Motorcyclist Association Supercross and Motocross Series. Thus, earning a living doing something I truly love, PRICELESS! I have made a few bad choices in my later years and have seen the errors in those ways. By learning from those mistakes, I am sure ready to begin my career with your company. I am drug free, sober, willing and healthy. I have a current California Driver’s License with Insurance and reliable transportation. I am immediately available for employment.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 07:59:49 +0000