Dave Harris Memorial Track Day
 

It's with mixed emotions that I post this. Dave Harris was a good friend to me, and to many of you, despite not knowing me for a very long time. He would bend over backwards to help anyone and I do mean anyone. He was a 'top bloke' - which if you know anything about Australians, means an awful lot.

I miss him tremendously.

As most of you know, Focused Events and Motorsports Vision teamed up to offer a track evening devoted to the memory of Dave and all the money raised went to Riders for Health. I have some news on that event that you can read and see how things went - it may be of interest to those who supported the event and others.

http://www.riders.org/en/html/archiv....php?story=406

Nice pic Dave, get your head lower to your leading hand and get your body position forward more ... ;) .. yeah I know, you only had 51 horsepower ....

Thanks to all those who supported this event. Nearly £7,500 were raised to support Riders for Health. Thank you very much.

I may be abusing my position somewhat here but I'd just like to add a personal touch to this thread. Dave's organs were donated to those who might benefitted from them and I can say that there are two people who have been dramatically affected by this, in receipt of these organs, and lead a much better quality of life thanks to the generosity of Dave and Annette. I know she wouldn't want me to say anything about this but - Annette's selflessness in such a time of despair has inspired me personally a lot and I am proud just to know her.

It absolutely follows the ethos that Dave lived his life by which was evidenced by the help that he gave all and sundry at the first round of DD at Cadwell, me included, and I am very humbled to know such great people.

Please join me in wishing Annette all the best in her future.

Kindest Regards,

Tony

[Edited on 7-12-2005 by TP]

PS - I'm sorry Dave. I can only hope that my pathetic ramblings above have in some way done justice to your memory.

RIP tiger.

Nice post Tony, perhaps we could make this into an annual event and carry on what has been started. I read the bit about the guy who received the kidneys and a tear came to my eye. My father-in-law has about 15-20 hours of dialysis a week and hopefully, if and when the time comes for him to have a transplant, then there will be someone as caring and generous as Annette and Dave around. I've just checked that I have a donor card.

God bless you Dave.:)

Snooze on big Dave. Going to miss our resident grease monkey next year.

Ali

Thanks Tony:)

AK was absolutely gobsmacked, chuffed & dismayed to receive the Dave Harris Memorial trophy at the DSC dinner.
We are so pleased that there is to be a lasting memorial to Dave within the club, and hope the trackday is to become a permanent event

Annette - you are one in a million, as was Dave.

:)

I was not lucky enough to have met Dave who was obviously a great guy but Tonys great post above reminded me to check my organ donor status. I know I carry the card but Im sure someone here put a post with a link where you can sort it all out on line.

There is a short article in this weeks MCN about the fund raising ride for Dave.

All of Annette's hard work, and the generosity of everyone involved, produced a great result, didn't it? Well done Tony for posting this. An annual event of some kind to raise money for Dave's favourite charity is an excellend idea. I'd be up for that, whatever it might be.

Thanks for posting that Tony, you got me blubbing into my breakfast.

I still miss Dave, but I'm happy to have known him even for the short time we were friends. It just goes to show what a top bloke he was.

Best wishes to Annette too, and see you soon.

Very very best wishes Annette.

Nice post Tp.

Tony, fantastic post mate, just made me think of the few times I met Dave, and what a wonderful man he was. Like you, I'd only just started to know Dave, and still now I feel a hole in the world. I know Dave meant a lot to many people. Annette's amazing strength is possibly one hell of an inspiration to us all. Let alone Dave's outlook on the world.

I'll have a beer tonight for Dave and Annette.

RIP fella.

neil

Dave was definitely the fastest DD racer when fixing other people's bikes...
We miss you mate.

Thanks for that post Tony, I'm happy to have read what I read on RFH website. Annette I wish I could be as strong as you.

Not a lot more to add-I was privileged to know Dave for a couple of years, and like the rest of us still miss him-as TP says Top Bloke.

John

Dave & Annette Harris - Fantastic bloke and an astonishing woman!!

Nice post TP, I was blubbing too :(

Not only did the organs help people here, but 20,000 Africans will benefit from a health worker too!!

Dave has given the gift of life to hundreds of others after the loss of his own.

;)

I miss the coffee he served in the crappy cups at his garage .... how they never made anyone ill I'll never know ....

Dave, hope they've got you a clean mug up there .....

Pietro

A homage to Annette
 

She walks in Beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

Byron

Some of you may know that I'm a bit involved with Riders for Health in general. Anyway, on their forum I'd been posting updates re the Dave Harris trackday and the discussion threads on the DSC.

Anyway, here's a response from Riders today:

Thanks for highlighting this Phill. Although we never met him, it has become clear to everyone at Riders for Health that Dave was both a great racer and a great man. We feel very honoured and humbled that his family and friends were so generous in raising funds for Riders in his memory - they have made an incredible difference to so many people living in impoverished communities in Africa, giving them the hope of a healthier future.

We can't thank everyone - especially Annette - enough for all their hard work. And if it is decided to make the track day into an annual event, it will of course receive the whole-hearted support of all of us here at Riders.

Rachel Harrington
Communications officer

Nice one Phil, well done mate.

So how do we get this show on the road to get it setup on an annual basis because that appears to be the concensus? Provided that Annette agrees of course. I'm happy to be involved, but I guess we'd need to get moving to get track availability etc.