My Hero by Joe McKay For those of you who have been with me the last few years with National Privateer and beyond with County Wheels, you may remember that on numerous occasions I mentioned that one of my hero’s was Roger Reiman. Sadly, during a practice session for the Battle of the Legends final at Daytona, Roger lost his life. The three time Daytona 200 winner was one of the most popular riders at the track, and was still competitive at 58. He never stopped competing over the years following his successes in the 60’s. He managed to race in the twins classes in October each year with CCS and every March during Speed-week and always on a Harley. With the addition of the Classic races during the week, Roger could race CCS on the weekend, the Classic Days during the week, and again in the Twinsports final with the AMA. First place, or last he always had a minute to say hello and it was easy to get a smile out of him. I never walked by him without telling him “to go out and whip those kids.” It was our little joke on the rest of the field. I also knew that he got a kick out of it. I first met Roger and his family at a place in South Daytona called the Anchor Inn in 1984. It was a great place to eat and cheap. Great service too! We (Carol and I along with some friends) were sitting at a round table and I looked over and there was Roger and the gang. I said hello and asked how the food was? He told us “just great.” Then he asked how I liked the track. I told him “it was the best.” He smiled. As we walked out, I told him “good luck out there.” He wished me the same. From that point on I always made it my business to look for him at every Daytona event. I never missed a chance to stop and say hello. From ’85 on as a photographer/writer I always came back from Daytona with a new photo of Roger. One of my best was after he had won a Twins race. I got a great shot of him getting a kiss from his mom. It was one of my favorites. Before I saw him again, I learned that his mom had passed away. I had always made a fuss over her and his dad whenever I saw them on pit road, she was a neat lady and always had a smile on her face. Guess that’s where Roger got it from. As I headed up to the Speedway, I took the photo and the negative and stuffed them into an envelope. I knew I had to give it to him, but wasn’t sure how without saying anything. I finally caught up with Roger as he posed with his bike for some photos by the gas pumps. When he was done signing autographs I handed him the envelope and told him to “open it later.” The next time I saw him he shook my hand harder than usual as I told him “to go out and whip those kids.” The night after I got back from Daytona I was sitting here watching a Panthers hockey game, I remembered I had seen a listing on the “Deuce” (ESPN 2) for Classic Days At Daytona. I quickly turned the channel just as they showed a film clip of Roger getting kissed by his mom after a race. In the next second tears were running down my face. Two people who had touched my life were reunited again. A great mom and her equally great son. In talking to anyone who ever found themselves sharing a corner at a race track with Roger, to the man, they will tell you, he never cut them any slack. He was a “competitor.” For you younger riders the best way to describe Roger would be to give you this piece of advice: “If you can be half the man Roger Reiman was, you will be a champion both on and off the track for the rest of your life.” We have legends in our sport and Roger Reiman was one of them. Three times he won the Daytona 200 on bikes that many of you could not ride today. Next to no suspension, skinny hard tires, and when you got done with the race you were beat up physically as well as mentally. We all joke about being “Manly Men” but when you look at the film clips or if you were around then, you know that the term truly fits all those competitors who raced before us. My hero died doing one of the things he loved most in life. He didn’t suffer and we thank God for that. I feel blessed that Roger was a part of my life and like so many who have gone before him, the memories remain. We live in a tough world and one of the most dangerous sports in the world is a huge part of our lives. When I look out at a grid anywhere in the country, I always think about the chances of one of you not coming back. I know it’s a part of our lives....it’s one of the reasons I always try to make eye contact or stop and say something before you go out. A piece of me always goes with you. For those that have gone on ahead, I carry them on my shoulders. It’s a load I carry but never complain about. For those of you who were fortunate enough to know Roger, I share your loss. I have no doubt in my mind that he is up there at that beautiful race track in the sky, “whipping those kids” and his mom is on pit road cheering him on. He was after all “My Hero.” Godspeed my friend........I’m gonna miss you.