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Elmer Symons Memorial Fund  Motorcycling Loses a Friend...
IRS Media, the SOBOBA Trail Ride Team, and the off-road motorcycling
world recently lost one of its very special people; Elmer Symons. Elmer died from injuries as he was competing in the rigorous
2007 Dakar Rally. Competing in the rally, which is universally accepted as the most difficult off-road competition in the
world, was the Elmer’s lifelong goal. Elmer was born in South Africa 29-years ago and had earned multiple championships
in his country including the rugged Roof of Africa Rally. Approximately five years ago Elmer came to the United States were
he quickly became a student and house guest of Malcolm Smith. Elmer also accompanied Malcolm in pre-running and leading several
SOBOBA Trail Rides. Known for his infectious smile
and bubbling, accent-rich voice, Elmer gained friends and support quickly in the United States. Elmer paid his Dakar-dues
by twice serving as a technician for the US Red Bull KTM team. In order to finance his Dakar expenses, Elmer and his brother Phillip,
incurred several large loans. Elmer intended to repay these loans after the rally, but that opportunity is now lost. To help
reduce the debit and raise money for the Symons family, Malcolm Smith Motorsports hosted a party in Elmer's memory in January
that raised over $9,000. However, there is still debit that must be resolved and donations are still welcome and needed. Donations can be sent directly to Malcolm Smith Motorsports (attn. Elmer Symons Memorial c/o Malcolm Smith Motorsports, 7599 Indiana Ave, Riverside, CA 92504). Other information on Elmer and further donations can be found at www.elmee.com.
Avery remembers Elmer... I got to know Elmer Symons during one the best periods of my life. But with his passing I’m
now certain he was an important portion of why I was enjoying my life so much at that time. Many of us were introduced to Elmer during one of Malcolm Smith’s six-day Baja rides.
I was working with Wayne Martin doing support for the riders and Malcolm, as is his talent, had met Elmer and had recognized
something personally special beyond his South African Off-road Motorcycle Championship title. Once under Malcolm’s wing
Elmer moved from just a “guy with promise” status to “family”. Wayne and I dubbed Elmer; “the squirrel” in response to his ability to hide snacks
in every nook and cranny of our Baja chase truck. His quirks, coupled with his limitless energy and thickly accented, bouncing
voice endeared Elmer to us like a little brother. It did not matter we only understood one word out of five, the voice that
left Elmer’s perpetually smiling lips was magical and we loved it and we loved him too. Elmer was also magical on a motorcycle. Naturally blessed, of course, Elmer was also seasoned
by years of riding in a country were you occasionally have to dodge an elephant or lion. Elmer probably used fewer front tires
than anyone in racing, preferring to wheelie over any terrain. As my poor skills had me struggling up a goat trail, Elmer
would float by on the rear wheel, laughing and encouraging me on with his musical voice. Elmer worked for me for a time in Service at Malcolm’s retail store in Riverside. He
was gifted as a mechanic too, but some birds do better outside of cages, so he did other things and soon found a home with
Scot Hardin’s and Joe Barker’s KTM Dakar team. There, Elmer served
a Dakar apprenticeship, and I wondered if the people in the paddock knew that one of the fastest riders there was spinning
wrenches. This year he got the call and got to ride the big race. He must have been having fun because
that is what Elmer always did. He’ll be a special addition to heaven’s great race team. I’ll miss the decorations
he applied to my motorcycle when I got married. I wanted to mountain bike with him when he got back from Dakar, and I just
miss seeing him. But I’ll never, ever forget his magical voice and the spirit that lived behind it. Keep smiling and riding, Elmer. We’ll see you soon. |
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