Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

.INTHE TAPES .. RouSSeau' ByS~ had the extreme misfortune of witnessing the Rodney Farris accident from the announcer's tower at the Du uoin Mile on July 2. I don't mind elling you that it was the first time I'd ver seen a crash like that, and as I've ad time to sit back and think about it or a couple of weeks I'd like to offer a ew personal reflections on Rodney Far. . By the way, Rodney is going to help First of all, I should make it clear that feel as though I'm not even qualified to ay tribute to Rodney, as I'd only own him for a very short while before u Quoin. I can't really offer an inepth look into his character, nor can I aint you a rosy picture of his life and . es. But I hope that what I do have to ffer is tribute enough, then I can put it way. When accidents like the one involvng Rodney occur, it nevers ceases to ze me the different ways that people ill scramble for answers in order' to ationalize such a los~. Cliched words ragic is the first one that comes to my . d, and one that I was guilty of using my account of the event at Du Quoin are tossed around with wreckless bandon. The "death is part of life," phiphy is passed like a torch. I refuse to look at it that way. Personally, I can't help but keep thinking about all those silly dramatic movies on the silver screen where the players keep flashing back to the day that a horrible event such as Rodney's crash - occurred, and then dwell on it. Therein lies my own dilemma regarding Rodney's death. You see, even though I saw the terrible event that took place on that day in Du Quoin, I haven't relived it since. I have replayed the events in my head a thousand times, yet I can't accurately recall the crash, only the laps preceding it. Because of that, [ must admit that I have felt no true sadness over his loss. I began to think that maybe something.was wrong with me, or that I was some ignorant, pitiless bastard who didn't care about the extent to which these dirt trackers put their lives on the line whenever they race - least of all one that I'd barely gotten the chance to know. Why didn't I feel the same sense of loss and regret that I was certain Rodney's family, fellow competitors and fans were no doubt feeling? My feelings sudde.nly caine into focus only a few days ago while I was once again looking over the photos from the Du Quoin Mile. There are a few shots of the crash on those proofsheets, going to crash and break my leg or something, then I would probably still get on the bike and ride. But if tl)ey told me that I was going to get killed, then I would retire right then and there." That goes without saying, but I believe that Rodney Farris' ideology was much simpler as he swung his leg over his motorcycle for the main event at Du Quoin just like he had so many times in so many places before. Rodney was a racer. His objective was simple: Go out there and win the National or give it hell tryfug. That's what he did, that's what he was doing when he left us, and understanding as best I can about the nature of his injuries, I sincerely believe that that was Rodney Farris' final memory - trying to win. And that is the way I will always remember him. I know that as long as I do, he will always be alive in my heart and in my head. Rodney Farris was living his dream. He didn't want to be an astronaut or a doctor. He wanted to be an excellent dirt track motorcycle racer, but the thing is, that's not what caught and that's what he was. How many people in this world do you think get the my eye. What really got me in touch with my attitude about the entire inciopportunity to live their dreams the dent was what else I saw in almost all way Rodney did? the rest of the photos on the proofs- So I will not mourn for Rodney Farnamely the number 92 Harley-Davidson ris, because I don't think that he would with a very-much-alive Rodney Farris . want me to, and because I believe that it aboard, running at the is not tragic to die front of the pack. On a doing what you love. I will miss him beautiful day. On the How do you want to be mile. In practically though, and I wish to remembered as a racer? every photo, there he extend my sincerest I don't knaw. Haw does anyone was, fighting for the sympathies to Rodlead with his best want to be remembered? As some- ney's family, to Mr. friends, asking no and Mrs. Eddie body that was there that had an quarter and giving Adkins and to Rodnone. It has to be every impact in racing. As someone who ney's friends, fans, dirt track racers dream. and his fellow racers helped the sport. This sport is the And that's when it who have to go on best you have ever seen, you knaw? without him. I can't hit me... The phone rang the In dirt track the people are wonder- tell you how you all should remember other day. It was a ful. They'll do whatever it takes to him, but I'd like to friend from speedway calling for the inside help the ne:dguy. The camaraderie take this opportunity story on what had hapto let him tell you. is what makes it all great. . pened. After I The statement to the explained what I saw, Rodney Farris, 1963-1995 left was Rodney's this fellow - a former apswer to tha t very National Champion same question while said something that got me to thinking. he was being interviewed by Donn Maeda in 1993. It's brief, but I think it He said, "You know, if someone had told me just before a race that I was tells more about him than I ever could.£N m:1J YEARS AGO••. UGUST 4, 1970 im 'Hart grabbed four of the six to victories for verall victories the 250cc and OOcc expert lasses during he south-ofhe-border MX n Ensenada, attling Jim --"''-'''.... awson, Mary ripes, and unbelievably dense louds of Mexican dust...Second-year xpert Jim Rice jumped aboard his BSA twin to put himself only two victo'es away from the record for most ational wins in a season, scoring his ifth national win ahead of Jimmy dom, Larry and Chuck Palmgren, and ene Romero at the Santa Rosa ile... Mike and Steve Bast split the '----_J main-event wins between them at the ever Grand Prix victory in the World fLrrT.9nr"",,,,C=ham p ionshi p Road Racing Orange County Fairgrounds speedway Road Racing Championship Belgian • series, Wayne Rainey track, and Mert Lawwill picked up his GP, rocketing himself to second in the .. ~ " • battled both a wet, fourth Ascot win of the season riding 500cc point standings, only twelve ...~ "" treacherous track and the old H-D 750 sidevalve that had carpoints behind defending World fellow riders Jeanried him to the Ascot oval National the Champion Kenny Roberts... In World Phillipe Ruggia and two years previous. ~~,._.~.ChamPionshiP Motocross racing, Eddie Lawson for his 250cc National Champion Kent fifth win of the season Howerton fought off a young Belat the Belgian 500cc 15 YEARS AGO... gian named Georges Jobe to win Grand Prix, increasing JULY 30, 1980 the United States 250cc MX Grand hi h . h' I d · .s c amplOns Ip ea he American P nx for t h e secon d year ill a row, to 35 points over Kevin Speedway team while Jobe's second-place finish Sch wantz ... Tatsuro showed smiles was enough to earn him the World Arata surprised the on the cover of 15 Championship title. WERA Pro Series crowd years past, having by topping points leader Mike Smith just qualified for the 5YEARS AGO... and third-place finisher Rich Oliver in World Cup Finals the F-USA race at Heartland Park TopeJULY 25, 1990 in Poland. Bobby ka, winning his first major race in the here was little anyone could do to Schwartz, Bruce United States...the Hare Scrambles hero stop Jeff Stanton as he tore his Penhall, Kelly Moran, Dennis of the day was Ed Lojak, but it was way through both motos of the Sigalos and Scott Autrey had more than fifth-place finisher Scott Summers who 12th Annual United States Grand Prix their share of bad luck in Denmark, but rode his XR600 four-stroke to the AMA came away with a score of 32 points, of Motocross at Unadilla, his victory National Hare Scrambles Champisecond only\ to England's 33 points...20marking the eighth straight win of the onship title. £N year-old Randy MamoIa took his firstevent for American riders... In the World 1 T T ~ e It) ~ ..... \D'" C'l >. "E -.. 67

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