Posts
100
Joined
5/6/2013
Location
Warrior, AL
US
Fantasy
1154th
Edited Date/Time
12/24/2015 6:06am
Just going through some old photos of my uncle Furman Gray as our family was asked to set up a booth in the near future at The Barber Motor Speedway in Leed's, Al in memory of him
Thought I would share for all to see. Several pics and news clippings have other riders that may interest others.
(Tuscaloosa, Al MX track)
(Indian Creek MX)
(TEAM SOUTH from Ga.)
(Team South) Furman Gray
(Felton, Ga.)
(Felton, Ga. Furman Gray)
(Felton, Ga.)
(Felton Ga. Furman Gray)
(Team South)
(TEAM SOUTH, Ga.)
(Atlanta, Ga.)
"1977 Unadilla 500cc race"
Furman Gray #503 with hole-shot w/ Bob Hannah #2 Marty Smith #9 and many more!!!
http://youtu.be/q_n2m0N3LpQ
Thought I would share for all to see. Several pics and news clippings have other riders that may interest others.
(Tuscaloosa, Al MX track)
(Indian Creek MX)
(TEAM SOUTH from Ga.)
(Team South) Furman Gray
(Felton, Ga.)
(Felton, Ga. Furman Gray)
(Felton, Ga.)
(Felton Ga. Furman Gray)
(Team South)
(TEAM SOUTH, Ga.)
(Atlanta, Ga.)
"1977 Unadilla 500cc race"
Furman Gray #503 with hole-shot w/ Bob Hannah #2 Marty Smith #9 and many more!!!
http://youtu.be/q_n2m0N3LpQ
Those old articles are awesome. I recognize some of the tracks from when I was a kid. Barry Higgins was our local hero back then.
Josh's first time to ride after getting him a used 2009 KX 65...not bad for 15 mins of ride time. http://youtu.be/sarh9cdlhpE
The Shop
522 who is racing with Furman in several of your pics was John Grant from Rome Georgia. He and Furman became pretty good friends while racing the Winter Am series in Florida. John was living in California working for one of the tire companies in their road race division . Unfortunately several years ago he was hit and killed by a car while crossing the street in San Francisco I think.
In the picture where With three riders and a trophy girl that is Mark Barnett Standing to Furman's left. looks like the trophy presentation from one of the Winter Am events.
103 is either Mark Ashworth from South Carolina or Marvin McDaniel from Georgia.
You've been a huge help. So much I never knew about Furman's racing days. My parents would tell a lot, but it was always hard on everyone because of him walking away. He left the track way too early. Can't say I wouldn't of done the same in his situation.
In the pic you spoke of, Furman and the other two all have a silver cup. I have that cup put up somewhere. I need to find it and see what it says. I really miss him and my grandparents. I believe I missed out on my true calling by not racing. I'll never know if I could of been good or not, but I do know it was a burning passion that still is in me today. I like anyone could open a bike up out in the open, I'll never know what it took to rip into a corner and back out or nail a big jump. Never got to try due to respect of my parents. But for some reason I feel it was inside me to this day, and I'm 40 y/o. That's why I like Adam C. on the 250's today. He talks about his passion for racing. I never got the chance. So my dreams have always been looked back on through Furman. I believe I'm the only one in the family next to my son, who loves MX/SX.
The last thing Larry, just learned last night while getting his things in order for that event, is that Furman was just "15" when he raced Anaheim. He was born Dec. 31, 1959 and raced Anaheim according to his pass on Dec. 13, 1975. If my adding a not wrong, he was still just 15. Thanks Larry
Very sad to learn of his passing.
The photos, articles and posts bring back fond memories.
The Youtube footage from Unadilla 1977 is classic !!!!!
Time sure passes fast.
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