Tom Sera

An Inspiration.

“Life is too short, not to be lived”

The thing about writing, is that anytime, the words you are writing feel boring, it needs to be changed. This book is written in admiration of Tom Sera, with the intention to be entertaining, insightful, as well as a testament to a beautiful life.

INTRODUCTION:

“Ever since I can remember, I had the hardest time staying still. It was as though, I always had somewhere to be, something to do, and I always wanted to go fast….I was born to go fast, from the moment I came into this world.

CHAPTER 1:
The year is 1949, it’s a Monday, and another beautiful summer evening in sunny California, the air was hot and dry. My mother was 9 months pregnant at the time. Her water broke in the kitchen, there was water everywhere. It flooded the tiles. Luckily it was already dark out, so my father was home from work.

She yelled out to him, “MIKEY!! MIKEY!!! HURRY! MY WATER JUST BROKE!!!” He rushed to her side, and they were out of the house not a moment later. My mother was screaming hysterically by the time they got to the car and just like that, my parents were off speeding to the hospital.

My Pops was driving, and my mom was in the back seat, sweating bullets. Little beads of sweat were dripping down her face onto the seat, in between her screams. “HURRY”! “HURRY"!

Like I said before, I was born to go fast, and I couldn’t wait to be here.

I have always made the most out of my life. I have lived every moment as best as I could. To be and feel alive. I’ve never been one to hesitate, or wait for anyone, or anything, and my birth was no different.

We were en route to the hospital, speeding down highway 101, the hollywood freeway, in Los Angeles. The best city on the planet, when my mother couldn’t hold me back anymore. I flew right out of her, there on the highway, in the back seat of my father’s *48 *chevy sedan.* That was the way I came into this world. FAST.

I was born at 80 miles per hour, can you believe that?

I’m probably the only baby you’ve ever heard of doing that, huh?

It’s why I was born to race. It’s who I am.

It’s in my nature. We all have a nature. A sense of who we are. As we grow up, get older, see our lives unfold, and the years pass by, you start to realize, that you can change your nature, but to live in it, to be true to yourself, that’s the epitome of power.

as John wooden said “luck is the preparation of hard work” they’ll call you lucky for following your intuition trusting the process, if you’re willing to be consistent. It’s a lot easier to be consistent, when you get a thrill from what you’re doing.

Chapter 2

Our legacies, our lives, they reveal themselves to us throughout our lifetime, as if fate calls out to us. It is up to us, as humans, to recognize what calls out to our soul wholeheartedly, to feel what touches us more than anything else.

My destiny was written in the stars much like yours.

My life was revealed to me one moment at a time.

From a young age, I always stuck up for everyone, my parent’s raised me and my brother’s not to fight. However, if someone was to fight us, or tried to engage with us, we had the green light to stick up for ourselves, and I did.

I never went out looking for trouble, but trouble, had a way of finding me. I was not a big kid by any means, but I still didn’t tolerate any bullying. I was quick witted with a sharp mouth, and I would call out bullies on their shit, and yeah, sometimes they would end up wanting to fight me. I would do whatever it took to win, so I usually did.

I have just never had the ability to tolerate bullshit. Even as a kid.

My first day of kindergarten.

I was at school, and I didn’t like it, so I walked home. It was probably two miles from where we lived at the time, so it wasn’t too far. School was just never my cup of tea. As I got older kids would come from all over just to fight me, because I had earned a reputation for being tough.

I didn’t care to fight, but I was gonna throw down whenever someone came at me. The school part is what I couldn’t stand. I wanted to get away from it so bad, that I dropped out after 8th grade. It was at this point I joined the marines.

Not many 14 year olds do that, or even consider it.

I had been in touch with a recruiter for some time, a number of months actually. Even gave him my birth certificate. He kept telling me I was too young, but I kept telling him, that my birth certificate was two years younger than my actual age, because us Catholics birth certificates start when we’re baptized at the age of 2.

He must’ve known, that I was bullshitting, or just did not care, because he eventually accepted my application.

Chapter 3

My first day of training camp, was the same day as my 15th birthday.
My time in training, was an experience in itself. Here are all these guys already out of high school, actual men. Then there was me, not even 16 years old, just a young buck, I know they must’ve thought I was just some scrawny kid.

There was a test that first week of camp, in combat training. Hand to hand combat, with these q-tip like weapons, it was called a pugil stick, and I was whooping ass. Everybody’s ass was in the class, and that was the point too. Whoever won, was supposed to keep going; competing against the next member of the platoon* . As I was saying, I was whooping ass, everybody’s ass. So much so that there was nobody left in the class, by the time I was done. I beat just about everybody, so my instructor decided to step in and humble me.

Except he didn’t. As soon as we were positioned at the ready, and they said go, I immediately hit him in the crotch, and he dropped to his knees. In combat, there are no rules. I did what I needed to do, in order to win.

My commander, in charge of all the different instructors, decided to go against me after witnessing that. Man oh man, I couldn’t even remember what happened. The last thing I remembered was the word “go” and I woke up in a confusion. I had no idea what hit me. I asked the guys what happened, and they said, “You got knocked the fuck out, that’s what happened”

Even in the marines I couldn’t handle the bullshit, here was another instance where this big guy was giving another dude a hard time at laundry. I stepped up and I’m 5’8, he was probably 6’3, but I never cared or worried about the size of people. When you grow up with a Dad that would hit you with the belt, his fist, or anything else for that matter, then fighting somebody was no big deal. You wait for them to get exhausted and make your move.

As I was saying, I stepped up, and said for him to stop giving the other guy a hard time. In the marine corp, you didn’t have to wait if anyone showed disrespect to somebody, you could handle it right there. There was no judgment, you settled things, because it could cost you your life when you’re deployed. The men in the platoon, these are the guys you’re counting your life on, so everything got settled in the moment. So we fought. That was it. You move on from that, knowing the beef was settled.

The military taught me a lot. more than could ever be mentioned. They trained us to be killers, to be able to take a bullet, and keep going. Made us tough, if we weren't already. I wouldn’t be the man I am today, or lived the life I did if it wasn’t for the Marine core. It taught me discipline. they called us “devil dogs.” Taught me that there is no limit to strength, and the power of your mind. We took day to day abuse, you couldn’t have a foot out of line, without getting the barrel of the gun smashed on your toes.

You followed orders, and you didn't’t question anything. Number one was to do what they told you. Number two keep your shit quiet. Number three keep your eyes forward.

We were trained to be tough. To be able to endure, the unexpected hardships that were to come. We were taught that there are no marine pow’s (prisoners of war). Even if you are captured, you go out fighting taking the enemy with you. If you’re a p-o-w you’re gonna be killed anyways, so you might as well take them with you, this was the thought process behind it. Whatever it would take…no weapon…no problem…chew through their throats, it’s a fight for your life.

I was no angel, that’s why I went to the marine corp, but it really changed me. I learned to be a man, to not burn people, to treat the people in my life differently. A higher form of respect and understanding.

What made me a good marine, made me a tough civilian.

When you’re deployed, you have a lot of time to think, and reflect. You realize, that your parents, really did their best. Did everything they could for you to keep you alive, and grow as a person.

CHAPTER 4

As I got older, I began to only hang around with people I could trust. how did I know I could trust them? I felt it. It was inherent to my soul, I could tell whether or not I felt good about somebody, especially if I was letting them into the inner circle.

Everybody around you in the military, is in uniform. You all are. You get to know people for who they are. When spend time outside of the base, or where you’re stationed, grab drinks with the guys, everyone shows up in their recreational clothes, and could be dressed completely different than you would’ve expected. Everyone comes from a different walk of life, and people you may have never talked to before had you met them outside the military, you’ve got to know this way.

CHAPTER 5 I was born to go fast

My first day of racing. I crashed at the racetrack, I had no idea which way to go, and went the wrong way.

Those years, were something special. The racing days, the relationships I built, the friends I had, we had the best time of our lives.

Everybody wast known as balls, they were nicknames for our crew. J balls, Sour Balls, Harry Balls, Nicki Richi Balls, too many to mention. We were all a part of the balls gang, racing club.

There were plenty of different clubs, and races. A club race is wherever you’re from.

And we were always getting into shit.

One time we stole the ramp off the bed of truck. Shenanigans were always happening, lighting firecrackers in people’s vans, messing up hotel rooms. We were in New Hampshire one time, there was caravan of us in vans, and Danny balls was driving ahead, their van slowed down in front of us, the backdoors opened, and all of a sudden Danny balls was peeing out the window onto the front of my van.

My first year of marriage, these guys would call my house, and if my wife answered, they would just hang up. It was just a running prank they did, but it made my wife think that there was another woman calling the house, and that this mystery woman, would hang up whenever my wife answered.

CHAPTER 6

There is something extremely powerful in being able to keep a level head, being able to be in control of your actions, and not react to everything immediately

This is a lesson I’ve come to learn over the years from life experience.

I used to be quick to react. Quick to have my peace disturbed. Anytime you react from a place of anger, you are not in the right headspace. Anytime, you are angry or frustrated, that means you are not in control, and that lack of control, even if minimal, means that you are not your best self.

I was quick tempered, and it brought plenty of trouble into my life.

There was one time, I was driving down the 57 freeway, my son was at the hopital, I was headed there. I had just found out that there was a chance he would not survive. Like I said, I was on the freeway, and there was a maniac driving next to me, he was upset at me too. He motioned for me to pullover and so I did. I popped his window, broke the glass, and pulled him out of his car, socked him, and as we were fighting, he slipped away from me and got hit by a car.

I have always hired an attorney anytime I have had issues with the law.

The other driver had been throwing stuff out of his car and windows, at other drivers on the highway, and was attempting to ram into other vehicles, so the judge dismissed the case.

CHAPTER 7

When I started racing, I admired one man in particular, he was my hero, a living legend. Steve Mclaughlin. In The racing community he was on another level, the first time I met him, I saw him come out of a limo, with 2 playboy bunnies on either side.

As I’ve gotten older I admire more and more, the people that can go through life, and keep a cool steady head, not get angry. I named my son after men like that, Christopher. Cool, calm, and collected, someone that stays in control of their life, and learns to not be affected by the actions of others.

CHAPTER 8

I was 51 when I won my first and last championship.

The thrill of racing. When you zipping more than 120 mph and come around a turn and your knee skims the pavement. Thoughts disappear, tunnel vision, focused. Honed in.

“THE SPEED LIMITS A MOTORCYCLE RACER FOLLOWS ARE HIS OWN “

by SHARON FRUTOS - sports writer

Tom Sera drives around whittier in a 1978 pickup truck, and generally follows the speed limit. But when Tom Sera Rides around, on the only speed limits he follows are his own. Sera , 25, is a professional Formula Two motorcycle racer. He’s finding, however, the formula to professional racing isn’t an easy one. Sera’s d first race was run on turnbull canyon road. I was in junior high school, and took my first motorcycle out for a run.” Sera said, “A guy was riding along the road, and he kept turning around looking at me. “We raced and stopped at the top of the hill,” sera said, . Sera knew he’d won that race, but didn’t realize who he’d beaten. The rider was steve Gerki, a former california motorcycle racing champion. Sera’s interest in racing took the green flag at that point and has grown to a full-time job. The job has few benefits an irregular pay schedule and long hours. Sera raced as an amateur for two years before joining the semi-pro ranks in 1982 . his semi-pro status allowed him to work a regular job, enabling him to support his expensive racing habit. As his riding skills improved, so did his desire to find better competition. Thus his decision to enter the profession circuit.

My Rookie year has been tragic.” Sera said. In march, he traveled to Daytona for an american motorcycle association race. The night before the race, sera had his TZ 250 Yamaha Grand Prix Motorcycle stolen, along with his truck, tools equipment, and parts. The truck was later found, but $16,000, worth of Sera’s livelihood was gone. Sera was unable to even compete fir $500,000 winners purse . He is rebuilding his stock of equipment and his lifestyle. On the pro circuit, his primary sources of income are his sponsors. Sammy Turner (The flying Flea) the super bike champion and dominant force in motorcycle racing from the 1950’s through the 1970’s, is sera’s sponsor and manager. Turner provides Sera with racing gear and strategy that only a racer could. Sammy told me, “don’t ever try to win a race, sera said” “he said ride as a fast and ride as comfortable as you can, and the rest will come.” Turner gives Sera advice on therest as well. “He (Turner) taught me how to rest and relax, “ Sera said. The night before a race Sera uses the Turner method of Mediation. He described in length his process of creating blue sky, and cloud, and erasing any other thoughts from his mind/ Sera then goes through his own race, concentrating on each turn, each bump, every inch of the course he is to run. By the time race day comes. Sera has already gone “the course” so he is able to ride as fast and as comfortable as his coach suggests. The TZ 250 Bike Sera rides has a 15 cc engine, 85 horsepower strong. Sera reaches speeds of 160 mph and averages 105 mph in a race. Sera’s best ride as a professional came at the long beach grand prix this year. The formula two race was on the same course as the formula I cars. Sera finished 15th in a field of 55.

Sera is currently following the camel pro circuit racing next at Pocono Raceway in Mt. Pocono, Pa., June 25-26. He raced at sears point Raceway in sonoma recently and placed sixth, even though his cutch lever broke at the start of the race.

Sera spends 15-16 hours of testing time on his bike to every hour of actual race time, and spends even more time in the maintenance of his equipment.

And money? Sera moved back into his parents tome in whittier in order to save rent money, and hopes to win some purse money so he may repay and reinvest more into his sport.

Until sera wins more races meaning purse money, he’ll be dependent on his on the names he wears on his riding leathers. he’s not complaining though just riding as fast as he can. “ - Whittier Daily News June 14 1983

Wednesday March 31, 1982 - Whittier Daily News - “Former Whittier High School Student Tom Sera will be one of 25 riders in the special 250cc Motorcycle race preceding the formula one cars sunday at the long beach Grand Prix. The field will include many southern californians who will be piloting bikes that can top 155 mph. In addition to get fast lap, the riders will use their legs as “rudders” actually touching the pavement to maintain a point if balance. The Winner will Earn $1,250 of the $5,000 prize money.”

Here’s a photo of Tom with his knee touching the ground on a turn.

Tom. The Inspiration.

There are people we meet along the way, that touch our lives in ways we could’ve never imagined. For some reason Fate calls us to cross paths with these individuals.

Encouraging us down a road, we never expected. It’s life unfolding before our eyes with opportunities.

Sometimes the clarity is revealed after the fact.

In order to see it unfold you need to be able to act.

Tom was and continues to be a source of inspiration for me.

The moment I met him is a moment I will never forget.

I pulled up to the car wash, got out of my car and prepared to vacuum. When Tom pulled up next to me.he was in a souped up toyota racing automobile (car). He had the window down, and he told me he liked my tattoos. I said thanks, and he asked if I wanted to see his “cock.” I hesitated for a second, but we were in public so I was wondering what this stranger was up to, so I said sure. He proceeded to get out of his car, and walk over to me, he pulled up his pant leg as high as he could and there it was, his “cock.” A rooster tattoo. I laughed so hard, he had me going in the first half.

That was the first time I met Tom.

He asked me what I do for a living, I told him I’m a writer, and somehow it came to be that I would write his story, do something I’ve never done before. Sometimes strangers see something in us that we don’t see ourselves, and that belief can encourage us to accomplish more than we ever imagined. so I was blessed with the opportunity and pleasure of getting to know Tom. He taught me to forgive yourself, move forward, be better than before, the power of being in control of your mind. Standing up for what’s right, not being willing to tolerate any shit, and staying true to yourself but being willing to grow an change for the better, not be so stubborn and inflexible, that you’re not willing to compromise. People are important and the way we treat one another and our relationships, loved ones, those close to us, matters.

Here’s some photos of a racing program for the ontario motor speedway, the 1980 annual ND golden state road race series

Whittier Daily News - Tuesday September 11, 1984

“Tom Sera of Whittier will be competing this weekend in the American Motorcyclist Association’s National Motorcycle Road Race at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosemond California.The Race which will be three day event (14,15,16) will feature some of the top rider’s in the country. Stockton’s Fred merkel, The top rider in the nation will be there to defend his title. He will ride a factory honda. Also competing is Sam McDonald , who hails from tulsa, Oklahoma. McDonald will also be a factory Honda Rider. This will be Sera’s 3rd time at competing at willow springs. In 98 he finished 13th, in 1982, he fi moved up to 6th place. Sera will be attempting move up even more , and he’s set his sight on the victory circle this year. Sera has many sponsorships, including Willow Springs Raceway. Others include Arai Helmets, Champion Spark Plugs, and the Sammy Tanner Distributing Company.The Three Day event will get underway on the `4th, with practice and time qualifications taking place on that friday morning . On saturday, heat races will take place, and on sunday the main event will take place, and on sunday the main event will take place at noon.”

Sponsorship From Arai