Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

It is with great sadness I read about Mike Harth passing away. For me, knowing Mike Harth was like knowing one of my heroes. When I started racing in the 1980s, I had posters of Mike Harth hanging in my garage. I still vividly remember the Dutchman Suzuki poster of Mike.

I followed his career and was greatly saddened in the early 1990s when he was seriously injured at a tire test at Charlotte. The fact he recovered was amazing.

In the late 1990s Mike started working with some riders and you could see his competitiveness just bursting out. You could tell it was tough for Mike to not jump on the bikes himself.

It was at this time I began to talk to him at the track, and for me it was nothing less of dream come true to talk to one of my early idols. I enjoyed the fact that I got to talk racing with Mike on the weekends. As anyone who knew Mike, it wouldn’t be long before Mike was back to racing motorcycles. In the late 1990s Mike was racing again! To watch his competitive fire again was something I was very glad to witness first hand. It was my good fortune to be able to see Mike Harth and Ottis Lance rolling up to the track every weekend and share the camaraderie that is a great aspect of this sport and be on the same track racing with him. I felt honored, to say the least.

Mike was without a doubt one of the purest competitors I have ever witnessed. His focus and determination was something to admire not only as a racer, but also as a person. I am glad I got to know one of my heroes. I am very sad that he has been taken away from us so soon. My prayers go out to his family.

Godspeed, Mike. We will miss you.

Marcus McBain
Houston, Texas



See related post:

1/5/2004 Mike Harth, R.I.P.