Dear Guys,

As most of you know, Steve is unable to get to his computer at this time, soooo, as his mother I am emailing you on his behalf.

He was overwhelmed by the generosity of his fellow racers and sincerely thanks you all for all you have done for him.

At this time we are looking at the 10th (Thurs) for his surgery and he hopes to be able to see you all soon so he can tell you in person  how much he appreciates you.

And.........as his Mom, I think you are a great bunch of guys.

Again,

Thank you !!!

 

Neita Snow

(817) 820-8143

OK, everyone out of the vans and straighten up we're having a riders meeting.  I don't know how many laps "life's race" is gonna be, just stay WFO till you see the checkered flag.  The reason for this riders meeting is for one of our family that had a DNF, Michael Crowley.  When DeVaughn, who also got a DNF, and I came along most of you guys and gals were in you're 20's full of piss and vinegar and in general were wild as hell and a complete blast.  Most of you were motocross racers.  The years have passed, families made, new businesses, new friends and new experiences.  You play golf, have parties, do things with the family.  Well look around this room.  You're sitting with the only people in the world who know what beast is hidden down deep within you.  The fellow motocrossers who sat on the line with you.  They are probably the only ones who know what kind of balls you've got, what kind of heart you have, and what bravery you have pushed yourself to.  Michael Crowley was a motocrosser, that's sort of a simplified statement in this situation so I'll explain.  A man that motocrosses is a different breed than any other racer.  Unlike NASCAR racers, for instance, who compete from inside their steel cage, with seat belts, all inside a vehicle that will absorb most of the impacts while racing.  The motocross racer sits on the outside, on his fire breathing machine, willing to absorb any impacts or get offs first hand, that's a given.  He's usually a laid-back, fun loving character, cuttin' up in the pits with the guys he's fixin' to do battle with.  He chats with his mechanic or buddy as they roll his bike to the starting line.  The transformation begins.  He lines up on the line, inches apart from the man on both sides, there's forty of them, all with one intent, to be first into the corner at the end of the straight away.  They stomp the dirt to the gate to get the best traction.  The bikes fire to life, the bullshit stops.  They blow out the bikes, check last minute details, no more Mr. Nice Guy, they become a ball of nervous energy adjusting their goggles and adjust to the sweet spot on the seat for the start, blipping the throttle as the beast comes to life.  The last thirty seconds the transformation is complete, the engine revving to a point so that when the gate drops the rear wheel will turn into a dirt spewing blur.  Look down the line at the eyes blazing from those goggles, it reminds me of the guy in the movies changing into the Incredible Hulk.  Then tension is electric, clutch hand like a finger on a trigger ready for launch.  The roar of the forty bikes is deafening, the tension going through the roof, each man knows that forty bikes running wide open aren't going to fit into that turn, someone's gonna get creamed and if you fall the rest of the pack is gonna use you for traction and it's not gonna be you.  The gate drops, the roar turns into a scream, the beast is released.  You have tunnel vision, heart pumping 100% adrenaline, sheer determination and balls like a water buffalo.  Bikes on both sides bangin' you, dirt spewing and you make the sensible decision, "Hell with everything I ain't shuttin' off".  Thus was born the badge you will always carry.  WFO.  All the racers in this room have faced this situation many, many times and often against each other.  That's why we're family.  Michael Crowley was one of the best, natural talent, he rode smooth as Jodie's head.  Jack and Barbara Crowley did something right, they raised three men of this caliber, Michael, Kyle and Keller.  So let's raise a toast to Michael, a man we respected and loved like a brother, not to mention he made us laugh our asses off more than anyone can imagine.  I may not be here in person, but you're all in my heart forever.  You're the best people I've ever known.  I love you all.  WFO.   Dale Edgeworth
 

Bobby Pickard called and wanted to let all the 1970's  Texas motocross community know that the memorial service for Michael Crowley is at Angelos BBQ on White Settlement Rd. in Fort Worth this Thursday from 4pm till we get done talking about Michael, sharing stories about motocross in the 70's and anything else. Several racers from that era will be there including some TLC members Jody Foust and Tim Riddle, along with Phil Snipes, David Bowles, Joe Busby, Mike Shelby and others. The Crowley family understands that the time and date may not be  convienient but encourage all  to come and share in the memory of Michael Crowley.

 Please put the word out to all others who knew Michael.  Also, you can go to the Star Telegram web site and click on the obituaries for last Sunday, March 18th and post a comment in the guest book or go to  www. tvrc.org  web site and e-mail your thoughts to post.    

In memory of Mike Crowley who has meet Wyman Priddy at the Last Finish Line       

On Tuesday, Keller Crowley wrote :

My brother Michael passed away today.  I would like to let the old racing group know. I would like to have a get together some time in the next few weeks. Kyle and I would like everyone to know that Michael loved his motorcycle racing days and we would like nothing better then to have you share any stories as well as your prayers. 

Keller Crowley,

                                                                        God Bless 

                                          Michael Crowley     Feb. 20 1956 - March 13th, 2007

I remember Mike Crowley as one of those fast guys from Fort Worth that I chased around the motocross tracks. Mike was a member of team TLC and a very good rider. My fondest [and most painful] memory of Mike was at Whitney. On this particular Sunday, I seemed to have the 327 Bultaco in high gear. I was chasing Mike, who was chasing Jody Foust, who was chasing Wyman Priddy. They all pulled away from me in the straights but I would catch up in the tight creek bed areas. Well, there was this one place jumping  down into the creek bed that I was having to slow down a bit behind Mike. So, in my mind, I decided to gas it coming up out of the creek and pass Mike in the air jumping back down into the creek bed. Well, I got a little over excited and pulled up on the bars too much on my down hill air pass attempt. I flew to the bottom of the creek bed, too vertical, and slammed down hard, losing control and running into a huge tree with my left foot. I saw my left boot as it crossed over to the right side of my body which followed it to the ground. The impact cracked my left big toe in two places vertically, not across. I spent several weeks dipping my foot into scalding hot water then immediately into  a bucket of ice to get the swelling down so I could get back to racing. My toe has never been the same. It does not bend and has a big knot at the joint. Every time I look at it, I have this memory. I don't think I ever tried to pass Mike Crowley again. Mike was a super smooth fast rider and a good sportsman.  Rest In Peace Mike. 

   Mike Shelby,  #25 Bultaco