It is with great sadness that the Kiwi motorcycling community this week learned of the passing of Mike Ramsey.
Fondly remembered by many for his infectious and cheeky grin, Mike was the founder of the Bel-Ray Cross Country Series which is now approaching its 30th year.
A successful businessman, Mike Ramsey is the original man behind the name of Pukekohe bike dealership MR Motorcycles, he was also a driving force behind Kawasaki New Zealand’s extremely popular Good Times Scrambles.
Mike started MR Motorcycles in 1990 with his wife Kay and, by 1991, he was the No.1 Kawasaki dealer in New Zealand.. In 2002, he went on to sell the business after being awarded the No.1 Kawasaki Dealer plate for 11 of the 13 years he was in business.
Mike worked at Kawasaki Head Office from 2005 until 2007 and spearhead many Team Green initiatives including the much-loved Good Times Scrambles.
Always ready with a beer or rum and coke in his hand at the end of a tough day’s racing, Mike could be relied upon to distil a prickly bone of contention down to a pragmatic and workable compromise or solution.
Cheeky, irrepressible, matter-of-fact, no-nonsense, a man of the people, larger than life and extremely well-liked … that’s the Mike Ramsey we’ll remember. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Mike was loved and respected by so many in the industry and was often at the scene to sort out niggles and problems … he was a guy who made things happen and made us laugh while doing it.
The host Huntly Motorcycle Club says that, without Mike’s foresight and drive, it not have such a great event that they have today.
Cross-country dirt bike racing in New Zealand is all the better for Mike’s long involvement.
Mike was aged only 64 and our thoughts are with his wife Kay and sons Luke and Ricky at this sad time. Ride on Mike, you legend.
© Words and photos by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
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