Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

AMA Pro Racing’s Ron Barrick, a long-time friend of racer Randy Renfrow, announced in Friday’s riders’ meeting at VIR that Renfrow has been pronounced legally dead and would be taken off life support Friday.

Renfrow was 46.

Randy Renfrow’s AMA racing bio, courtesy AMA Pro Racing:

Randy Renfrow Bio from AMA

Randy Renfrow
Birth date: April 9, 1956
Birthplace: Booneville, Missouri
Residence: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Height: 5′ 4″
Weight: 120 lbs.
Turned pro: 1975

AMA Year-end AMA Ranking

2000: 17th (250GP)
1999: 15th (250GP)
1998: 4th (250GP)
1997: 5th (250GP),
1996: 2nd (250GP), 48th (SB)
1995: 2nd (125GP), 5th (250GP)
1994: 8th (600SS), 81st (750SS)
1993: 40th (SB), 3rd (600SS), 30th (750SS)
1992: 24th (SB), 4th (600SS), 7th (750SS)
1991: —
1990: 2nd (SB), 13th (PT)
1989: 1st (PT)
1988: 5th (SB)
1987: 4th (250GP), 20th (600SS)
1986: 32nd (SB), 1st (F1)
1985: 2nd (F1)
1984: 3rd (F1)
1983: 1st (250GP)
1982: 12th (250GP)
1981: 16th (250GP)

2000 – Legendary race veteran Renfrow returned to take second-place at the AMA 250 Grand Prix race at Brainerd Int’l Raceway, making it his sixth consecutive season with at least one podium finish… Raced with his own privateer team, aboard a Honda.

1999 – Semi-retired veteran Renfrow raced a limited season with Erion Honda… Of the five AMA 250 Grand Prix events Renfrow entered, he took second-place at three – Road America, Mid-Ohio and Pikes Peak.

1998 – Renfrow took podium finishes in the AMA 250 Grand Prix races at New Hampshire Int’l. Raceway and Brainerd Int’l Raceway… Awarded the AMA Sportsman of the Year Award… Member of Track Review Advisory Committee (TRAC)… Rode for Erion Racing… Renfrow announced his retirement from full-time competition at the end of the 1998 season, but will remain involved with TRAC and will enter select races in 1999.

1997 – Leads one of AMA Pro Racing’s longest careers… Finished on the AMA 250 Grand Prix podium six times.

1996 – Was runner-up to Rich Oliver four times in 250cc Grand Prix… Earned six podium finishes in 250cc Grand Prix..Scored his highest AMA 250GP ranking since winning the title in 1983. Rode Dale Quarterley’s Ducati Superbike in the Daytona 200, finishing 13th the second highest finishing Ducati… Signed to ride with Moto Liberty Honda in 1997.

1995 – Three-time AMA National Champion won his first AMA National in five years at Brainerd in the 125 Grand Prix… Finished second in the 125GP Series… Fifth-ranked 250 Grand Prix rider in his return to the series after an eight year absence… Rode to six podium finishes in the 125GP class, including two wins (Brainerd and St. Louis)… Three podium finishes in the 250GP Series (all thirds).

1994 – Six top-10 600 SuperSport finishes on a Honda, his best of the series was fourth at Brainerd.

1993 – Earned three 600 SuperSport finishes including a second at Brainerd… Rode a privateer Ducati Superbike at Road America and finished ninth.

1992 – Had a triumphant return to racing after losing a thumb in a testing accident… Had three 600 SuperSport podium finishes, including a second at Mid-Ohio riding for Two Brothers Racing… Rode a Reuben McMurter-owned Honda Canada RC30 to a sixth place Superbike finish at Road America… Finished third at Texas World in the 750 SuperSport final riding a 600cc Honda.

1991 – Sat out the season with injuries.

1990 – Won his only career Superbike National riding a Commonwealth Honda (the team that is now Smokin’ Joe’s Honda) at Willow Springs… Earned four Superbike podium finishes, ended the season as the second-ranked AMA Superbike rider.

1989 – Won a hard-fought AMA Pro Twins Series, over Dale Quarterley on a Ferracci Ducati, riding a special Commonwealth Honda that utilized Honda’s v-twin dirt track engine.

1988 – Finished fifth in the Superbike Series on a Vance & Hines Suzuki GSXR750, best result was third at Road America.

1987 – Won Memphis and Road Atlanta 250GP races on a Vance & Hines Honda RS250.

1986 – Won the AMA Formula One Championship, in its final season, on a Starfire Honda RS500… Ran his first Superbike race and finished ninth at Laguna Seca on a Starfire Honda.

1985 – Finished second in
Formula One.

1984 – Third-ranked rider in Formula One.

1983 – Won five 250GP races on a Sure-Fire Yamaha on his way to winning the AMA 250 Grand Prix Championship — his first AMA title.

1982 – Finished third in the 250GP final at the October Daytona race.

1981 – Scored his first AMA National points with a fifth at Pocono in 250 Grand Prix.

Personal
A veteran racer, Randy’s primary goal is to not only to race well, running at the top, but to enjoy every moment of it — even under adverse conditions…

Lost a thumb in a Superbike crash, had successful experimental surgery to replace the thumb with one of his toes…

Grand National Champion Gary Nixon was a great inspiration to Randy in the early days of his career…He also cites Wayne Rainey as his contemporary hero…

When asked about personal and career high points, Randy offers three examples: His 1992 finish at Daytona after a year off following an injury; his 1995 125GP victory at Gateway, with his grandmother in attendance; and an emotionally fraught 125 Grand Prix win at Brainerd, inspired by, and dedicated to the memories of Donald Jacks and Rodney Ferris…
Randy enjoys training, country western music and Italian food.