IN
THE
WIND
P40
TIM HART HONORED
L
egendary motocrosser Tim
Hart, who passed away
March 6, 2017, was recently
honored in a gathering of family
and friends San Pedro, Califor-
nia.
The memorial was organized
by his close friends Steve Urgo
(who served as master of cer-
emonies), Greg Smith (owner of
Wheelsmith Maico), and Mike
Follmer (who created a com-
memorative hat, sticker and
pin for the event). Hart's wife,
brother, sister and other family
members were also in atten-
dance.
Urgo gave a moving eulogy,
reminiscing what it was like
growing up with Hart and later,
racing and traveling on the tour
with him. Urgo also read state-
ments from Brad Lackey (Amer-
ica's only 500cc Motocross
World Champion), former Mon-
tesa teammate John DeSoto
(aka, the Flying Hawaiian), and
from Hart's former mechanic,
Jim Mercier (who worked on
Hart's bikes for Mike's Racing
Center and Cooper Motors).
Hart was a SoCal fixture, rac-
ing Lions and Ascot on a weekly
basis, so, it was no surprise that
Donnie Emler (founder of FMF
and builder of the legendary
Penda and Penzap hybrid mo-
torcycles that Hart raced), Doug
Nicol and Chuck Bower were in
attendance, all of whom made
night racing exciting week after
week back in the '70s.
Other moto luminaries includ-
ed former Yamaha teammate
Bruce McDougal, Tommy Croft
(factory Honda team rider), Ray
Lopez (who won the first 125cc
National MX race), Tim and
A celebration of life was held for
legendary motocross rider Tim Hart.
cont. on page 42
