The news story from Vancouver earlier this week said, simply, that a stunt motorcycle rider had been killed on the set of a movie. As is the case with most news stories, though, the story behind the story is really what’s interesting.
The woman who died was Joi (SJ) Harris, a pro motorcycle road racer who was well-known in the motorcycle community.
According to SportBikes Inc., the native of Brooklyn, N.Y., earned her racing licence in 2013. She was, according to the magazine, the first African American woman to be licensed and she recorded several podium finishes at the national level.
She had just started to work as a stunt woman and the Vancouver production was her first job.
“There was no mistake that her name was Joi because that is what she was to me and the multitude of others whose lives she touched,” said SportBikes publisher and editor-in-chief Allan Lane. “She had such a great smile and truly had the swagger to match her Brooklyn accent. She was full of promise and potential. I’m saddened that she’s gone.”
As are we all.
On a cheerier note, Dave Drimmie, communications officer for Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, sends word that George Morin, Canada’s first Superbike National Champion, has been named Grand Marshal for this weekend’s MOPAR Canadian Superbike Championship races.
The best motorcycle road racers will be in action at the Bowmanville-area circuit, led by perennial champion Jordan Szoke, who will be racing on the track and demonstrating his prowess on motorcycles by presenting the Jordan Szoke Extreme Show.
Morin, who was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2015, enjoyed a wonderful career that saw him win his first national championship in 1979. An all-rounder, he did something in 1977 that has never been matched: at Saint-Félicien, Que., one time, he won championships in three classes -Expert Open Production (on a Kawasaki Kz1000), 400cc production (on a Yamaha) and 125cc (on a Honda).
He retired in 1982 with eight national titles. He then became a team manager for Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki and helped riders like Michel Mercier, Jeff Gaynor, Miguel Duhamel and Steve Crevier to win their own championships.
“It’s a great privilege to be named the Grand Marshal,” said Morin, in a release. “It will be nice to share this moment with friends and family. I am looking forward to watching such talented racers like Jordan Szoke and challengers compete for the championship."
Szoke, meantime, will be out to win his third consecutive Pro championship, and 12th altogether, in addition to presenting his thrill show. Other championships will be awarded in Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike, Magneti Marelli Amateur Superbike, Shoei Helmets Amateur Sport Bike and the Kawasaki Ninja 300 Racing Series.
For more information, go to the track’s website.
There will be plenty of racing going on at the various race tracks in the Greater Toronto Area — Sunset, Peterborough, Merrittville, Flamboro — and even some not-far New York tracks like Oswego Speedway. They all have websites, so take a look. There might be something on there that you’ll like.
Meantime, NASCAR will be at Bristol and the IndyCar Series will be at Pocono. Schmidt Peterson Motorsports announced Wednesday afternoon that Sebastian Saavedra will partner James Hinchcliffe for the next two races in place of Mikhail Aleshin. Saavedra was in that car for the Honda Indy Toronto.
Friday, 7 p.m. TSN2, NASCAR Ixfinity Series, Bristol Motor Speedway
Saturday, 7 p.m., NBC/TSN3/5, NASCAR Monster Energy Cup race, Bristol
Sunday, 2 p.m., FOX Sports Racing, NHRA drag racing, Brainerd, Minn.
Sunday, 2 p.m., SN1/360, Verizon IndyCar Series, Pocono, Pa.