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KTMShane699
9/15/2016 9:25am
9/15/2016 9:25am
In another thread, we got to discussing my grandfather and my family history in the sport a little bit. Those parts of the thread got buried among many other directions it was going, but hearing some stories about my grandfather was pretty awesome, so I wanted to start a thread so others who may have missed it might chime in.
My grandfather passed away last year while I was having one of the reconstructive surgeries on my broken leg. It wasn't a surprise. My family has always had a rich history in the sport, and it always amazes me how many people interacted with him and gave them a memorable experience.
My grandfather is George Ellis. My uncle is Jimmy Ellis. And yes, that is the Jimmy Ellis former SX champion. My uncle lives in Australia these days and has gone on to race cars among other things. But my grandfather continued in the sport long after Jimmy's career was over.
In 1991, Kawasaki was the first team to use an 18-wheeler as their transporter. My grandfather was the first one to drive for them and drove for the Factory Kawasaki race team until the early 2000's (2002 or 2003 I believe was his last year). While driving, my grandmother worked for the AMA as one of the officials behind the scenes. My grandparents had experiences on the road that most of us could only dream of. Along the way, they made countless friends. We had their 50th anniversary party close to home one year. The people who came to attend was like a who's who of our sport. Racers, managers, people from the past in the sport. It goes on and on. Along the way, my grandparents were also both awarded the AMA Lifetime Achievement Award in the same year. Before my grandfather passed, he handed the watch he got with the award down to me. It remains one of my favorite things from him, although I don't wear it daily.
Some of my memories with my grandfather were late nights building motors so that I could race. Or trying new things with my bike. The knowledge he had of bikes was amazing. He forgot more than I'll ever know. The times we spent in his shop turning wrenches are memories to cherish.
In the other thread, it seems like there were a number of people who had a little (or a lot) or interaction with my grandfather. I don't think anyone ever had a bad word to say about him. Hearing some of those little stories gave me some time to reflect on just who he was and how much I miss having him around. I figured there has to be other good stories around that I hadn't heard or got missed...and if anyone was willing to share.
I miss you Granddad.
My grandfather passed away last year while I was having one of the reconstructive surgeries on my broken leg. It wasn't a surprise. My family has always had a rich history in the sport, and it always amazes me how many people interacted with him and gave them a memorable experience.
My grandfather is George Ellis. My uncle is Jimmy Ellis. And yes, that is the Jimmy Ellis former SX champion. My uncle lives in Australia these days and has gone on to race cars among other things. But my grandfather continued in the sport long after Jimmy's career was over.
In 1991, Kawasaki was the first team to use an 18-wheeler as their transporter. My grandfather was the first one to drive for them and drove for the Factory Kawasaki race team until the early 2000's (2002 or 2003 I believe was his last year). While driving, my grandmother worked for the AMA as one of the officials behind the scenes. My grandparents had experiences on the road that most of us could only dream of. Along the way, they made countless friends. We had their 50th anniversary party close to home one year. The people who came to attend was like a who's who of our sport. Racers, managers, people from the past in the sport. It goes on and on. Along the way, my grandparents were also both awarded the AMA Lifetime Achievement Award in the same year. Before my grandfather passed, he handed the watch he got with the award down to me. It remains one of my favorite things from him, although I don't wear it daily.
Some of my memories with my grandfather were late nights building motors so that I could race. Or trying new things with my bike. The knowledge he had of bikes was amazing. He forgot more than I'll ever know. The times we spent in his shop turning wrenches are memories to cherish.
In the other thread, it seems like there were a number of people who had a little (or a lot) or interaction with my grandfather. I don't think anyone ever had a bad word to say about him. Hearing some of those little stories gave me some time to reflect on just who he was and how much I miss having him around. I figured there has to be other good stories around that I hadn't heard or got missed...and if anyone was willing to share.
I miss you Granddad.
Imagine the stories your grandfather must have had with such a history in the sport. Driving the Kawasaki transporter must have been like a fly on the wall with the big team they used to have.
I met your grandfather at Southwick several years ago (around 2000 maybe). We just spoke briefly but he seemed like a great man who worked hard and loved what he did.
This is a picture of a picture with your grandfather and my kids.
The Shop
It's funny, whenever they replaced his truck he'd complain non stop for a year what a "piece of shit" the new truck was. It lasted just long enough to fix what he deemed needed fixing and then it became a "great truck."
Thanks for the stories.
Sorry for your loss. RIP George.
Your Grandfather and Uncle are Moto legends.
Captain Cobalt!
When Team meant Team dammit. Not the rag tag band of discombobulated shit we have today.
All good stuff, all good people. Jimmy was supposed to ride the YROC at Glen Helen back in 2002 but had other things come up. Jerseys were already printed so they found another Jimmy to fill in, Jimmy Holley. He autographed one of them and gave to my son.
My mom, Sandy; Jimmy's ex-wife Darlene; Jimmy; my grandmother, Irene; my grandfather, George. The two kids in front are my Aunt Randi and my late Uncle Cory (passed away in a street bike accident ten days after my grandfather).
Newman, I'm sure you know probably more about that era than most given the vintage ties. You're absolutely correct that teams were different and meant something more back then. The way information flowed and was shared was different. The sport was vastly different. In some ways better, in others worse.
This has been a great trip down memory lane.
Pit Row
I've never really talked about my family history in the sport here. It was something that came up in a thread with a comment about a transport driver and I decided now was the time to put it out there. I always simply wanted to be credible on my own. Even when I was racing, only those closest to me knew my family history. I wanted to write my own course. Unfortunately, I never had Jimmy's speed. What I did have though was the opportunity to share some great moments wit my grandfather along the way. Many hours talking shop while spinning wrenches. And along the way I learned more about the inner workings of the sport.
I am beyond fortunate to have the rich racing history in my family. And even more fortunate to have people here that I've never met sharing stories about my family. Lucky is an understatement for me.
He always had a way of remembering people he came across. He knew everyone. It really is a small world.
I also ended up with what I believe was one of his factory Can Ams under unusual circumstances. It was given to me by a guy that knew I raced as part payment for a job I did. This guy had a very shady background and I though it strange that he would have such a nice Can Am race bike that was fairly new as he didn't ride. He said it was given to him. The bike was 125 or 175cc, the piston was seized, and it had some very unusual high quality parts and brackets on it that were not on a stock Can Am and the frame was a little different. I compared it to a picture of Jimmy on one of his factory Can Ams and the parts were identical. Perhaps you can ask your uncle Jimmy if one of their race bikes were ever stolen in Massachusetts around 1975 to 1977 time frame. I always wondered about that bike and I never rode it or did anything with it. I hate thieves, too, by the way!!
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