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View Full Version : American Honda loses one of its own


xcel
04-15-2009, 01:31 AM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg A somber announcement released by Honda earlier yesterday about a man on a mission. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=200916)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/CRF450X_Tribute_to_Bruce_Ogilvie.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – April 15, 2009

The mighty Honda CRF450X in the desert – The legendary “King of the Baja” bike is a tribute to Bruce Ogilvie’s input and past accomplishments.

Torrance, CA. -- Bruce Ogilvie, a 25-year employee of American Honda passed away on April 13, 2009 after a two-year battle with cancer. Ogilvie fought cancer the same way he raced motorcycles all his life: with everything he had.

Most enthusiasts know Bruce Ogilvie as a master Baja racer—a champion whose personal victories in the San Felipe 250, Baja 500 and Baja 1000 spread out over four decades. The first was a Baja 500 win in 1975, with another victory in the 1000 later that year. Bruce was the only man in history to win the Baja 1000 overall in four different decades, and he posted his last overall win in 2003 at the age of 51. Bruce Ogilvie was as tough as they come.

Bruce O’s talents and accomplishments behind a handlebar are indisputable and well known. But there was another side to Ogilvie that was equally impressive. For more than 20 years, Bruce was in charge of coordinating Honda’s racing efforts in Baja. He led an army of racers and support team members for years while he applied his own personal philosophy to the challenge.

In 1984, Bruce was hired full-time at American Honda. He served in many capacities over the years. In addition to being in charge of everything off-road at Honda—including motorcycle and ATV racing—Bruce was most recently the Senior Test Evaluator for Honda’s Product Evaluation department. In this role, Bruce’s contributions to the direction and development of all Honda’s off-road and motocross products was unparalleled. If you can’t imagine racing or riding anything but your Honda off-road motorcycle or ATV, it is because Bruce Ogilvie helped make it that way.

A Web site in honor of Bruce's life is in the works so people can contribute thoughts, stories and pictures. This tribute will allow all of us the opportunity to share our feelings and life memories we have had with him, and this site can be here forever so we never forget all this great man has done for us.

Godspeed Bruce. You will always be remembered as our leader with that calm, assuring voice in our head guiding us through obstacles you conquered long ago.

Bruce Ogilvie was born on April 4, 1952. He died on April 13, 2009. He is survived by his wife Marcia, his 14-year-old son Nick and nine-year-old daughter Isabella. Bruce's family will have a private service, and because blood transfusions were so important to Bruce’s battle with cancer for the past two years the family has asked for people to donate blood in Bruce’s honor. More information will be available about blood donations soon. Cards can be sent to American Honda, 1919 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501, attention Bruce Ogilvie.

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Bruce, although I never knew you, God Speed to you and yours while blasting down on that lonely desert trail in the heavens.

xcel
07-30-2009, 02:04 PM
Hi All:

___In this month's Red Rider, it was revealed that a Website in memory of Bruce Ogilvie has been established.

Bruce Ogilvie (bruceogilvie.com)

___Friends can make submissions to the site or to Bruce’s family, or just visit and enjoy fond memories of the pioneering sprit from the off-road riding community.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

xcel
08-31-2010, 08:33 PM
Hi All:

Bruce’s story continues even after his passing…

Bruce Ogilvie, legendary desert racer and coordinator of American Honda’s off-road championship efforts for more than 20 years, has been inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Ogilvie passed away April 13, 2009, following an extended illness. A multiple Baja winner and manager of American Honda’s off-road championship efforts for years, Ogilvie will be among the legends of motorcycling honored at the 2010 induction ceremony at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 19.

“So few excel at the highest levels of both competition and management, and Bruce Ogilvie was one of the greatest ever in both arenas,” said Jack Penton, AMA director of operations, chairman of the Hall of Fame off-road committee and a Hall of Famer himself. “Bruce’s selfless nature, unique leadership abilities, incredible skill on a motorcycle and seemingly limitless knowledge regarding motorcycle development made him an asset not only to his employer, American Honda, but to the motorcycling community as a whole. Bruce embodies the spirit of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and we’re proud to have his memory grace its halls.”

While still competing, Ogilvie branched into management. In 1984 he was hired by American Honda, where he coordinated the company’s off-road racing efforts, served as senior test evaluator for the Product Evaluation Department and developed some of the most impressive racing talent of the next generation.

Wayne



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