VOLUME ISSUE JULY , P127
In 1974, the AMA ruled that
he was ineligible to win these
championships, and even though
Pierre was likely still the fastest
gun in America, he scored no
AMA points. The sanction was
lifted in 1975, and Pierre, now
with Team Honda, was out to
reclaim the title that he could not
defend. No fingertip, no problem.
For amputees, phantom-limb
syndrome is an actual occurrence,
recognized by the medical com
-
munity. Mixed signals between the
brain and the spinal cord beguile
the body, creating a real physical
sensation that the missing limb is
still very much alive and experienc-
ing intense discomfort. Amputees
believe that their now-separated
leg, arm or hand is being twisted
or tightly squeezed. Burning, throb-
bing pain is commonly reported
by the patient. In the 1866 fictional
short story "The Case of George
Dedlow," Dedlow, a Confederate
soldier, undergoes the amputation
of both legs and experiences such
mental anguish that he eventually
contacts a medium to communi
-
cate with his missing legs in the
spirit world.
The Herman, Nebraska track,
operated by an Omaha dentist
named Dr. Gerald Byrd, had
proven itself worthy during its
1974 test drive, and the track
was awarded three major events
starting in 1975. On June 1,
Herman was the site of an AMA
250cc National, and along with
Pierre Karsmakers, Nebraska
fans would get to see Tony DiS
-
tefano, Billy Grossi, Jimmy Ellis,
Jim Weinert, Marty Smith and
others do battle on the country
hillside. 1975 had started slowly
for Karsmakers, but on this day
in Nebraska, the Flying Dutch
-
man seemed to be whole again.
He battled DiStefano for much of
the moto before turning it up and
pulling away for the moto win,
his first of the season. His Honda
teammate, Marty Smith, would
win the second, and although
DiStefano took the overall vic
-
tory, it was still a very good day
for Pierre and Team Honda.
Civil War folklore spun haunting
tales of soldiers who could not
escape their agony until their lost
limbs had been found and then
properly buried. There are also
examples of amputees who have
requested that all removed parts
be kept and returned for burial
with their original owner. How
does one come to terms with the
puzzlement of this reconnection
between the body and its parts?
How does the brain receive these
long-distance signals without
wires and receptors? An explana
-
tion must exist. It's just difficult to
put a finger on it.
CN
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A year later, when the Herman race was a
National MX, Karsmakers won the first moto,
his first on his new Honda ride.
Tony DiStefano (3)
won the first National
MX held in Herman.
