AMA Pro Road Racing Announces Roadracing World Young Gun of the Year Award for 2014 Season

In an announcement out of Daytona Beach the other day, AMA Pro Road Racing announced the return of the Roadracing World Young Gun of the Year Award for the 2014 season. The award honors the youngest of the pro racers in the premier road racing series in America and names the top riders 18 years old or younger who compete and stand out in their respective series throughout the season.

In the shot above taken from the Stu's Shots archives, four riders appear that would have likely at one time or another during their careers been recognized as 'young guns' for their abilities and accolades either earned or 'to be earned' in their respective pro racing careers.

From the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course round of the AMA 250 Grand Prix Championship series event in July-August of 1992, there were four riders who stood out in the series that season that didn't win the title, but were either past or future champions in several major series throughout the world (future 2-Time World Superbike Champion Colin Edwards II won the '92 AMA 250 GP title over this host of fine and talented men.)

(L-R) Rich Oliver is shown on the #97 Wayne Rainey Racing/Otsuka Electronics-sponsored Yamaha TZ250 as the pack gets ready to head out for the series' main event of the weekend at the Camel Super Cycle Weekend presented by Dunlop AMA Pro Road Racing round.

Oliver went on to win five AMA 250 GP Championships to garner the all-time win record of 71 wins at the end of the 2003 season, the series' last before the two-stroke championship was eliminated from the North American road racing championship schedule. Oliver also went on to become undefeated in the 250 series in three seasons, '96-'97, when he won 20-straight races, and in the series' final season of 2003 where he led every lap of the 12-race series swan song. Oliver also claimed a Formula USA Championship and a WERA 250 National Championship to add to his illustrious resume before retiring from the sport to become the owner of the Rich Oliver Mystery School, one of the preeminent riding schools in operation in the United States.

Jimmy Filice, shown on the #1 Commonwealth Racing/Camel/HRC-sponsored Honda RS250, won the previous season's 250 GP Championship while riding for the L.A. Motor Works team, one of three of his championships won in the two-stroke class throughout his career. In winning his final championship during the 2001 season, Filice bested Oliver by just one point to claim the crown in what was a series for the ages as the two battled tooth and nail throughout the year. The 1981 AMA Pro Flat Track Rookie of the Year won a total of 29 National series races throughout his racing career, spread between the AMA Grand National Championship and 250 GP Championship, and was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 2000. Most fans will probably remember Filice's grand win in the 250 World Championship round at Laguna Seca in 1988, riding as a fill-in rider for world championship-winning tuner Erv Kanemoto.

Kenny Roberts, Jr. was Oliver's team mate during the 1992 season, shown on the #25 Wayne Rainey Racing/Otsuka Electronics-backed Yamaha TZ250. KRJR as he is now famously known, as well as being the first-born son of 'The King', Kenny Roberts, Sr, won the 2000 500cc World Championship while riding for the Suzuki team, in the most recent season that Suzuki has been able to win the premier road racing class in the world. Roberts won four races that season and stood on the podium nine times while starting from the front row 13 times throughout the year.

And last, but surely not least, shown just behind Roberts, is the late Randy Renfrow, who won three premier road racing championships before his early and unfortunate demise from this earth in August of 2002. Renfrow is shown on a Ruben McMurter-backed Honda RS250 (partially obscured.)

The very last of the AMA Road Racing Formula One Champions (1986), Renfrow also won the AMA 250 GP Championship in 1983 and the AMA Pro Twins Championship in 1989 on a Commonwealth Honda RS850, built around the all-conquering Honda RS750 that dominated the AMA Flat Track Grand National Championship in the early-late '80s, and headed up by Louisville, KY's Martin Adams, who went on to campaign Renfrow in Honda's return to the AMA Superbike class in 1990. Renfrow won a total of 17 National championship races throughout his career, including a win on a Commonwealth Honda RC31 in the AMA Superbike Series at Willow Springs in 1990 as a member of the Honda factory team. Renfrow was just inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in October of last year.

You can check out AMA Pro Racing's press release below to read more about the upcoming Roadracing World Young Gun of the Year Award.

AMA Pro Racing Announces Second Season of Roadracing World Young Gun Of The Year Award

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 29, 2014) - AMA Pro Road Racing and Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. have reached an agreement to name the 2014 Roadracing World AMA Pro Racing Young Gun Of The Year.   The Young Gun Of The Year Award is based on Roadracing World's 18 consecutive years of recognizing the best young road racers in North America. The 2014 version of the annual feature recognized 32 riders - 12 of them AMA Pro riders - and was published in the April, 2014 print edition of Roadracing World magazine. One of those riders is likely to be named the 2014 Roadracing World AMA Pro Road Racing Young Gun Of The Year and receive a $2,500 cash award.       Joe Roberts is shown on the #3 M4 Motorcycle Racing Honda CBR600RR during the 2014 Daytona 200, in which he placed in the 11th-place spot at the end of the 57-lap endurance race. Roberts, who won three races in the AMA Pro SuperSport Series during the 2013 season, is an instant contender for the just-announced return of the Roadracing World Young Gun Award for the 2014 season. AMA Pro Road Racing photo by Brian J. Nelson.         To be eligible for the award, riders must have been no older than 18 years old at the start of the 2014 AMA Pro Road Racing season. The award will go to the eligible rider with the most overall points in either the SuperSport or GoPro Daytona SportBike classes and a check will be presented during the 2014 AMA Pro Road Racing Awards Banquet.   "We're happy to work with AMA Pro Racing to name the 2014 Roadracing World AMA Pro Racing Young Gun Of The Year," said Roadracing World founder John Ulrich. "For almost two decades we have recognized the top up-and-coming road racers in the country in our annual Roadracing World Young Guns feature. Many of our Young Guns have gone on to great success with AMA Pro, and this is a great way to work with AMA Pro Racing to acknowledge their aspirations and accomplishments."   AMA Pro Road Racing riders who will be eligible for the coveted award at the conclusion of 2014 include: Garret Gerloff, Ryan Matter, Jake Lewis, Mario Alvarez, Andre Ochs, Max Finders, Erick Sanchez, Mathew McAllister, Christian Crosslin, Hayden Schultz, Kaleb De Keyrel, Richie Escalante, Joe Roberts, Nick McFadden, Eziah Davis, Jason Aquilar, Tucker Lancaster, and Bodhi Edie.   Past Roadracing World Young Guns who have won AMA Pro road races include Corey Alexander, the late Tommy Aquino, J.D. Beach, Cameron Beaubier, Josh Day, Jason DiSalvo, Dustin Dominguez, Danny Eslick, Bobby Fong, Jake Gagne, Nicky Hayden, Roger Hayden, Tommy Hayden, Josh Herrin, Jake Holden, John Hopkins, Elena Myers, Shane Narbonne, Huntley Nash, Tyler Odom, Joey Pascarella, Chris Peris,James Rispoli, Ben Spies, Chris Ulrich and Blake Young. Next Up AMA Pro Road Racing heads to Road America for Round 2 in Elkhart Lake, Wis. May 30-June 1, 2014. For tickets and more information regarding the Subway SuperBike Doubleheader, please visit http://www.roadamerica.com/buy-tickets/superbike-doubleheader-ama-pro-racing.html. How to Watch FansChoice.tv will be the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track events in 2014. The site will also provide coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series. About AMA Pro Road Racing AMA Pro Road Racing is the premier motorcycle road racing series in North America and is universally regarded as one of the most competitive road racing organizations in the world. The series is comprised of four production-based classes: AMA Pro SuperBike, AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro SuperSport and the AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series. Learn more about AMA Pro Road Racing at www.amaproracing.com/rr/.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines.  Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.   For additional information contact:   AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

Former 3-Time AMA Pro Road Racing Champion, the Late Randy Renfrow Among Members Inducted into AMA Hall of Fame in Las Vegas

The late Randy Renfrow was among a special group of motorcyclists and motorcycle racers that were inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame over the weekend in their annual year-end ceremony held this year at the Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas.

Renfrow, a former 3-Time AMA Pro Road Racing Champion, won the final Formula 1 Championship over 2-Time AMA Superbike Champion and future 3-Time 500cc World Champion Wayne Rainey during the 1986 season. 

In the shot above, Renfrow on the #5 Commonwealth Honda RC30 leads Doug Chandler on the #10 Muzzy Kawasaki ZX7 during their battle in the AMA Superbike Championship round at Road America in the summer of 1990 as the get ready to head into turn one after reaching close to 160mph on Road America's 3700 foot front straight. Chandler not only went on to win the race in Elkhart Lake, WI. that day, but at the end of the season won his first of what would be three AMA Superbike Championship titles throughout his career.

Renfrow was not only a gifted racer who also won the '83 Formula 2 Championship and the '89 Battle of the Twins Championship, but was also one of the most personable of the racers who was easily approachable in the paddock.  He died tragically of head injuries suffered in a fall down his parents' basement steps in August 2002 while recuperating from an injury.

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Husqvarna, inducts six motorcycling greats

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- October 19, 2013 -- Six legends took their places among motorcycling's best and brightest Friday, Oct. 18, at the 2013 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Husqvarna. The ceremony is part of the American Motorcyclist Association Legends Weekend held at the Green Valley Ranch.

Hosted by actor, motorcyclist and AMA board member Perry King, the event honored the Hall of Fame Class of 2013: AMA Supercross and Motocross Champion Ricky Carmichael; AMA and desert racing champion Danny Hamel; racer, promoter and motorcycle industry icon Norm McDonald; AMA Road Racing Champion Randy Renfrow; and motorcycling fundraisers and Ride For Kids founders Mike and Dianne Traynor.

In addition to the class of 2013, the induction ceremony celebrated the outstanding careers of two existing Hall of Famers as Hall of Fame Legends: Mark Blackwell, a pioneering American motocross racer, six-time AMA championship race team manager and industry executive; and Torsten Hallman, a four-time FIM World Motocross champion who was instrumental in introducing the sport of motocross to America and later founded the Thor brand.

Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame, welcomed a sold-out crowd following a reception hosted by 6D Helmets and the banquet, sponsored by Kawasaki Motors Corporation U.S.A.

"As I look around the room tonight, I am reminded about our goal to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling -- both today, and for generations to come," Heininger said. "It is truly heartwarming that so many magnificent people have joined our effort to promote and protect our motorcycling heritage, and celebrate the members of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. It is their achievements that have brought us here tonight, and because of those achievements, this industry and sport gives praise in recognition of these special men and women."

The 2013 inductees were honored with videos chronicling their careers and moving induction speeches. The presentation of the official Hall of Fame rings was sponsored by Zero Motorcycles. In addition to the honorees, several luminaries from the world of motorcycling participated in the ceremony.

"From unparalleled racing champions, to industry titans, to altruistic philanthropists, the 2013 Hall of Fame Class embodies a visionary spirit that stirs the human soul and ignites the fiery passion that each of us has for motorcycling," King said. "As we have seen tonight, the spark of inspiration can fuel the human spirit beyond our wildest expectations. In that moment are born feats and accomplishments that leave us all in awe, and remind us that nothing is beyond the reach of human ambition."

The crowd also heard from AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and Harley-Davidson design legend Willie G. Davidson, who was representing the company at the event.

"The AMA has always defended motorcycling, and there is no other organization that defends motorcycling on the national level," Davidson said. "You can sum up what the AMA means with one word: freedom. Motorcycling is about freedom. Live to ride! Ride to live!"

Ricky Carmichael

Ricky Carmichael has more combined AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross National wins than any other rider in history. From 1997 to 2006, Carmichael won a championship series title each year.

Known as the Greatest of All Time, Carmichael has re-written the record books in the sport of AMA Motocross. In 2002, Carmichael recorded the first perfect season in AMA motocross history by earning 24 straight moto victories for 12 overall wins in the premier class -- a feat he repeated in 2004. When he retired, he had 150 AMA National wins.

"The first people I want to thank are my parents, for the sacrifices they made so that I could race motorcycles," Carmichael said. "I love this sport, and I love giving back to this sport because I don't think it gets the recognition that it deserves. I also want to thank my sponsors for always sticking with me. Without them, this sport wouldn't be where it is today. Thank you."

Danny Hamel

Danny Hamel accomplished much as an off-road racer: five-time AMA Hare and Hound national champion, multi-time Baja 1000 and 500 overall winner and more. Between 1977 and 1995, Hamel was the only rider ever named both as the AMA Amateur Athlete of the Year and AMA Amateur Sportsman of the Year in the same year.

Hamel died in June 1995 while racing the Baja 500 when a car strayed onto the road that was part of the course and Hamel collided with it. Hamel was represented at the event by Team Kawasaki Manager Mark Johnson and Mike Hodges, Hamel's mechanic.

"To describe Danny as an individual we could use many words: fun loving, intelligent, caring, humble, good teammate and true professional," Johnson said. "I believe that one of Danny's greatest assets of which he and I talked many times about was his relationship with his family. On behalf of the entire Hamel family, Danny's friends, fans and followers, thank you for this award honoring Danny Hamel."

Added Hodges: "I stand center stage giving tribute to Danny with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart but couldn't be prouder. Danny, today is your day to savor as well as the rest of the inductees, for it is your accomplishments that brings us together once again. I love you, brother."

Norm McDonald

Norm McDonald has been an ambassador for motorcycling his entire life as a racer, promoter, teacher, sponsor and advocate for motorcyclists' rights and safety. In 1957 he opened K&N Motorcycles -- a motorcycle shop -- with Ken Johnson. By 1965, they created K&N Engineering and in 1966 the K&N Air Filter was introduced. Over the years McDonald sponsored hundreds of racers, with more than 30 of them going on to the national level.

"What a great honor to be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame with such a special group of people: Ricky, Randy, Danny, Mike and Dianne," McDonald said. "I want to thank the ones that made this possible by putting the package together and getting me nominated: my sons and daughter-in-law, Cindy, and all of the people that voted for me. Thank you." 

 

Hall of Fame Legend Malcolm Smith was hired as a teenager by McDonald, and presented McDonald with his Hall of Fame ring in an emotional tribute.

Randy Renfrow

Randy Renfrow began his pro road racing career in 1981. He won the AMA 250 Grand Prix championship in 1983, the AMA Formula One title in 1986 and the AMA Pro Twins Series championship in 1989.

Renfrow was known for his ability to be competitive on any type of machinery, from diminutive 250 Grand Prix bikes all the way up to AMA Superbikes, and he excelled in nearly every class of professional motorcycle road racing. In all, he won 17 AMA Nationals in four different classes.

Renfrow died in 2002 in a non-racing accident. Renfrow was represented at the event by his brother, Shawn Renfrow, and his mechanic, John Lassak. 

Randy Renfrow is shown in action on his Honda RS500 during an AMA Pro Road Racing Formula 1 race during the mid-'80s.  Renfrow beat Wayne Rainey during the 1986 season to become the final Formula 1 Champion before the class was discontinued.  Photo courtesy of the AMA.




"Every person inducted into the Hall of Fame, regardless of category, has been blessed with a tenacious spirit to achieve their dreams and goals," Shawn Renfrow said. "Randy was no different. He was a determined competitor who never let injuries, obstacles or defeat curb his appetite for racing. But it was not Randy's racing accomplishments that have left an enduring impression on me. It was his genuine love and care that he had for the racing community that I admired most."

"Randy was one of the finest human beings I know," Lassak added. "Not only was he a fierce competitor, he was also a gentle and caring person."

Mike and Dianne Traynor

Mike and Dianne Traynor co-founded the Ride for Kids motorcycle charity program and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. They began the Ride for Kids in 1984 to raise funds for childhood brain tumor research.

With over $70 million raised since 1984, motorcyclists have helped the PBTF become the world's largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. Mike Traynor died in 2009 and Dianne Traynor died in 2012.

The Traynors were represented at the event by their sons.

"Mike and Dianne were proud to call themselves motorcyclists," Sean Traynor said. "Unfortunately, both Mike and Dianne have passed on. But I think it is very fitting that this year, being the 30th anniversary of the Ride for Kids, that they are inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame. On behalf of Mike, Dianne and my brothers, I would like to say thank you. I know that they would have been very proud and humbled tonight to be in such great company. God bless."

Hall of Fame Legend Mark Blackwell

Mark Blackwell, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000, was honored in a special Hall of Fame Legends ceremony, sponsored by Victory Motorcycles. Blackwell was a pioneering racer in American motocross, a six-time AMA championship race team manager and a well-respected executive in the motorcycle industry.

Blackwell won the American 500cc motocross champion in 1971 and started off the 1972 season with a win at the Daytona motocross. After his racing career, Blackwell managed the Suzuki Race Team to six AMA championships, did product development for a number of MX-related companies, and then went on to work in management for Suzuki, Husqvarna and Victory.

"Thanks to the AMA and the Heritage Foundation Board for this prestigious honor, and for raising the bar in terms of the class of this event -- you have raised the bar every year and we are certainly a long way from the tent in the AMA parking lot 13 years ago," Blackwell said. "And a very special thanks to the sponsors who have stepped up to help make this a great event and hopefully, a big inspiration for the future leaders of our sport and industry."

Hall of Fame Legend Torsten Hallman

Torsten Hallman, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000, was also honored as in Hall of Fame Legend ceremony sponsored by Bike Week Radio. Hallman was a four-time World Motocross Champion when he came to the United States in the late-1960s as part of the effort to popularize both the Husqvarna motorcycle brand and the sport of motocross. Hallman's incredible talent on a motocross bike was a revelation to American fans and racers.

Hallman's talents were not limited to the track. He also was a savvy businessman and founded a riding apparel company: Thor. The company's early designs and innovations heavily influenced the look and function of motocross riding gear for decades to follow. Today, Thor is one of the biggest names in motocross apparel.

Hallman was unable to attend due to last-minute direction from his doctor. His prepared comments were read by King.

"I am very pleased and honored to receive this Hall of Fame Legends Award!" Hallman wrote. "I am extremely thankful! It means a lot to me and it brings back some great memories. I am greatly honored to share this special moment with my wife and many of my old friends."

The evening concluded with a roll call for the dozens of attending Hall of Famers to join the class of 2013 on the stage. The moving tribute earned a standing ovation from the packed room that lasted for several minutes.

The AMA Legends Weekend continues on Saturday, Oct. 19, with the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dave Mungenast Memorial Legends Reception, where the Class of 2013 and other members of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame will be honored and interviewed on-stage in a relaxed setting, allowing fans and friends to get up close and personal with motorcycling's biggest legends.

About the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation

Founded in 1990 by the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, the goal of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. Located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, the Museum's three major exhibition halls feature the machines and memorabilia of those who have contributed notably to the sport. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering.

 

More information can be found at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.  

Contact: Grant Parsons
Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1199
E-mail: gparsons@ama-cycle.org


    

Remembering Randy Renfrow, Former 3-Time AMA Road Racing Champion

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1983 AMA 250 GP Champion Randy Renfrow comes into turn 6 at Mid Ohio during a practice session in July of 1998 for the AMA 250 GP event. Riding for Erion Racing on the Honda RS250, Renfrow was sponsored by Erion/American Honda/Dunlop while contesting the class that year. He scored his first points in AMA 250 GP competition in 1981.
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Randy Renfrow talks with team manager Rueben McMurter (and the '88 Canadian Superbike Champion) of the Honda Canada effort that put together a ride for Renfrow at Mid Ohio in the summer of '92. Sponsored by Honda Canada/Dunlop/Shoei/Castrol/RK Chain, the RC30 sits just to the outside of the garage (r-side of shot) that Randy contested the AMA Superbike class in, and the Two Brothers Racing Honda CB600F that sits in the garage that he used to contest the AMA 600 Supersport race in for that weekend, where he finished on the podium behind eventual winner Larry Swarzbach.
McMurter, besides being a former Candian Superbike Champion, also contested the AMA Superbike Series as well as the World Superbike Championship in it's early years of the late '80s/early '90s.
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AMA 600 Supersport final race action at Mid Ohio on August 2, 1992 shows eventual (and first time) winner Larry Swarzbach on the #7 Vance and Hines/Dunlop/Ohlins/Bates/Bell-sponsored Yamaha 600 leading Randy Renfrow on the Two Brothers Racing/Dunlop/Shoei #76 Honda 600 midway through the 600 final.
This was one of Renfrow's first races back (if not THE first) after suffering the right hand crash damage at Willow in late 1990. He finished on the podium that day.
Schwarzbach went on to win his first, and unfortunately his only AMA 600 Supersport race that day. A little over an hour after this shot was taken, Larry was involved in a multi-bike crash just past this point on the front stretch in the AMA Superbike final. He was air lifted out and died of his injuries just two days later. Schwarzbach was a fine rider and great young man who, had he survived, would most likely have had a hand in re-writing the record books as we know them in AMA Road Racing action in the '90s.
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Randy Renfrow on the #5 Commonwealth Racing/Shoei/Dunlop/Keihin-sponsored Honda RC30 leads eventual event AND championship winner Doug Chandler on his famous #10 Team Muzzy Kawasaki/Wiseco/NGK/California Superbike School-sponsored ZX7 in early AMA Superbike final action at Road America in June of 1990. Chandler went on to win the day's final over Renfrow, and also beat him for his first of three AMA Superbike Championships later in the year. Renfrow would win his first and only AMA Superbike final at Willow Springs later in the year while riding the wicked RC30.

Renfrow was also later that year injured while testing the Louisville-based Commonwealth Honda (which later morphed into Camel /Smokin Joe's Honda and then American Honda) at Willow. The crash saw Renfrow lose his right thumb and a portion of his right index finger when his hand was lodged under the bars in the crash. Miguel Duhamel was picked up right before the '91 Daytona 200 as a fill-in rider for Randy and went on to win the race, his first of five wins at the famous tri-oval in Florida. After several surgeries, one of which involved grafting his big toe onto his right hand to use as a thumb, Renfrow returned to racing.

On top of his '83 AMA 250 GP Championship, Renfrow also won the final AMA Formula One Championship in '86 (beating none other then Wayne Rainey in the process), as well as the '89 AMA Pro Twins Championship (riding a Honda RS750 flat tracker-based one-off) for Martin Adams and his Commonwealth Honda team, beating Dale Quarterley who was riding a Ferracci Ducati in the class that year.

This is one of my all-time favorite race pics I have taken over the years, and feel absolutely blessed to have a framed 20x30 copy hanging on my living room wall that was autographed by Randy, as well as Doug. The inscription from Randy: "To Mike: Great times, Thanks, Randy Renfrow #1 83/86/89." Priceless.

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Randy Renfrow was a racer's racer and a fan's dream. The man won three AMA Road Racing Championships throughout his career, bounced back from some pretty devastating crashes and injuries to return to prominence in the sport, and was one of the easiest guys to talk to in and about the paddock over the years. With his wealth of racing knowledge and skill, coupled with his outgoing personality, he was a joy to talk to and with, let alone to watch on the track in action.

Unfortunately for us mere mortals, we DO lose some of our heroes in life along the line, especially when some of those heroes ride 180 MPH+ two-wheeled rockets. And we find out that those heroes are also, mere mortals.

Thus was the case just over eight years ago, when Randy died of injuries sustained in a fall at his parents' home while trying to heal from a crash at Daytona earlier in the year. I remember the day so clearly (like when you remember where you were when Kennedy was shot, the planes hit the towers, etc.) that I still feel the sadness and emptiness that overcame me of hearing of the news of this great man's passing. I'm sure all of you can remember a time when one of your racing heroes, or life's heroes, passed away or left this world for a better place (for lack of a better description) so you know the feeling like I do and have. But life does go on. And thanks to our recollections, memories, pictures and stories we share with our friends and family, we can remember those people that left a mark on us throughout our life.

Randy Renfrow left me with a lot of memories, most of which I can smile and laugh with and at, as I think of the diminutive guy from Virginia who could wield a racing motorcycle like a stealth rocket. And who had that smile that would always make you feel like you belong--whether you did or didn't.

Here's to Randy Renfrow, for the smiles, the miles of speed, action, savvy and bravado that he brought to the track and to the seat when he flung his leg over a bike. And to making the racers, sponsors and fans feel like more then just another number. You will forever be remembered.......

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Randy Renfrow remembered thanks to SuperBikePlanet.com and the pen of Evan Williams:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2002-Aug/vir02renfrowremember.htm

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These are some fan perspectives on the late Randy Renfrow from SuperBikePlanet.com:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2002-Aug/020813a.htm

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