Landracing Forum
Misc Forums => Health, Welfare, and Passings => Topic started by: Seldom Seen Slim on February 25, 2015, 09:17:26 AM
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I just heard about it -- that Andy was involved in a motorcycle crash yesterday and has died. Our sympathies to Erin and to everyone that knew and loved Andy.
if you don't remember him all that well -- he and Erin (his wife) were known best for their attempts to create and set records for the fastest two-rider bike. They ran in the 180-185+ range, as I remember, at the Shootout a couple of times. They rode at the BMST and at some SCTA or USFRA events. One time when they were kind of new Andy wanted to ride the bike he had ridden from home (San Francisco) to the salt -- a brand-new SS1000RR BMW. They didn't plan to ride -- showed up without leathers or crew or anything. Andy was a small guy - didn't mind being called "Shorty", in fact -- so was directed to our pit so he could maybe borrow Nancy's leathers. Those were too big for him (especially in selected areas :roll:), but those of Debbie Dross -- wife of Todd, our crew chief -- did fit. He had us tape them up to be a little less baggy, though, so he'd go down the course wearing her black leathers decorated with bright green duct tape. Quite a sight it was.
And when he did back up a record run Todd and Josh and Debbie -- the whole crew - proceeded to do the teardown. Andy and Eric didn't have tools or the technical wherewithall to do that -- and, for that matter, Todd & Co. had never seen one of the bikes, much less touched one or even read much about 'em. They proceeded to tear it down, get it certified, and put it back together so Erin and Andy could ride back to SF. The story has it that they took the "fast" route on the way home -- playing a kind of tag at a buck seventy and more on the highways.
Andy was a great guy. May he rest in peace.
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Awful news, I'm very sorry for Erin and all of Andy's family. Here's the scene you describe Jon. Dean
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This is such sad news to read.
Andy was a really great guy and will be missed by more people than he could know. A true gent, and a real advocate for motorcycling and Bonneville. Dawn and I enjoyed some time with Andy, and Erin, down at mile 0 a couple of years back, and we feel very lucky to have done so.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Erin and their family.
RIP Andy.
John
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that is terrible. Our thoughts go out to Erin and the family.
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RIP, Andy .
condolences to Erin .
really nice guy.
I knew they were a couple, but did not know there was a ring involved.
Bill Franey
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They still are/were newlyweds. They tied the knot a year or so ago. Soon after (I think it was) they toured all over the country -- getting near, but not to, our house even. I remember them going to Europe, and of course, Erin was named the lady motorcyclist of the year just a few months ago. Way too many fond and fun memories to have them come to an end.
By the way - Eric let Nancy and me take turns running her GSXR1000 down the course at one event or another. Great fun - and we all ran about the same speed, proving that none of us was much better than any other on that bike. Andy cheered us on each time, of course.
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That is terrible news. Poor Erin. My condolences to her and all of Andy's family.
I spent two days at BMST mile 0 long course camped out with them last year waiting for the course to open. We spent a lot of time talking about bikes and life. He was a very intelligent and energetic rider.
It is tragic that we will not be seeing him again.
Don
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So sorry to hear this!! I didnt get to know Andy and Erin well. We did swap a few lies I mean stories in the staging lanes. My heart goes out to Erin. RIP Andy.
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http://www.landracing.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=261&page=8
What a hard time, at first Earl, now we lost Andy
Andy worked so hard all the years to became a member of the 200 Club....at last he could work it out in 2013...and since this he went faster and faster
he was a great character....a great sportsman....and he had a big heart.....
over the years I had some funny situations with him...some of them was hilarious...it was in 2013....at the starting line he just felt over with the bike about one yard off the line...
when he was back on his own feet he said....d..amn, this was the first time ever it happened to me....and I said....and you have to get so old for that....we both LOL....he was simple too fast to get his boots from the salt....
Andy, I will miss you, R.I.P.
condolence to Erin, my heart is with you
Ps. the above line....there are the picture from the "two-rider" runs in 2011, here under my photo gallery on Landracing
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Sorry to hear of the loss of Andy.
Andy tried for years to enter the Bonneville 200 Club. Sending in petitions several times detailing his achievements at BMST but his records were not accepted because of by-law requirements. He did not complain, just went out and tried harder. 2013 was his year and he was very, very appreciative when I handed him his red hat.
I sat with him just last year at Bakersfield during the March Meet, life is so brief and unexpected.
To Erin, Joanie and I send our prayers and best wishes,
D
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Oh no, no no. . .
The day has gone cloudy and dark all of a sudden. . .
Here a peek at a happier day.
They were both adventurous with a great joy.
Erin - A great big hug to you
Andy - May the Lord bless you and keep you
LandSpeed Louise
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For those of you who may not have known the man under the helmet. . ., I offer this image of a man in his element with his woman, where little else mattered but next run.
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Nancy and I still haven't heard - what happened to Andy? We learned that it was a motorcycle crash - but that's all we know. On the street? Got hit by someone? If you know the sad story -- please let us know. If it's something that isn't ready to be released to the world -- thanks - don't bother to tell us. We'll understand, and still think good things about him.
Nancy and I spent lots of time with Erin and Andy, as has been said here. We ate with them, raced with them, pitted with them -- knew and loved them. As is all too often the case -- Bonneville just won't be the same without him. Rest in peace, Shorty.
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This is sad to read. He was a nice fellow and had an infectious sense of humor. He will be missed.
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I read that it was a single bike accident no one else involved.
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From "Hunter Sills Racing" page on Facebook -
"For those who may be comforted to know a bit about what happened to Andy, we want to share that Andy suffered a fatal health issue while riding a straight, clean, beautiful section of CA route 88 near our home in Kirkwood...a road he loved on the BMW GS he loved. He moved on to his next journey while upright aboard his bike. As riders ourselves we hope that gives you an ounce of comfort from terrible visions that understandably run through our heads.
Andy would want you to remember "it's the journey, not the destination." He made his journey by touching so many people in so many personal and special ways. We will miss him indescribably."
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That does give a little bit of comfort to know it was not a car or truck that caused this.
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Andy Sills was one of the most remarkable men I have ever had the honor to meet. The LSR motorcycle racing family has lost one of it’s most talented and respected athletes.
I first met Andy in 2005 at the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trails. It was my first time working as a volunteer for the BMST. Andy had just made his down run and pulled up to my pop-up at the 5 mile (we only had a 5 mile long course that year). He wanted to know what his speed was in the timed mile (180 something) but he was much more excited to listen to my walkie-talkie as the next rider made her very first pass at Bonneville. That rider was Erin Hunter. When Erin pulled up to my station, Andy was coming out of his racing boots with excitement and pride. I remember Andy asking Erin what she was feeling after her first run at Bonneville , Erin’s reply was “ It felt slow”. I called the tower to get Erin’s speed in the mile and it was over 143mph. Not to bad for a first run. Later in that meet Andy and Erin did one of the only 2 up runs ever allowed at the BMST at over 180 MPH (the second one was Andy and Erin as well).
The last couple of days have truly been some of the saddest days In resent memory. We will all miss Andy so much. My heart is so breaking for Erin and Andy’s family. It also breaks for anyone who was ever lucky enough to meet the remarkable Andy Sills.
God Speed Andy…….Robert, Dalton and Kathye Collier
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For the past six years I have been attending the BUB/BMST trials and I regret that I never had the pleasure of meeting Andy nor Erin, although I was aware of their presence and the happiness that flowed from them to others. I suspect they, like myself, were busy preparing, riding, and greeting everyone whom they met. It gives me comfort to know that his death was due to a health issue and he died - - with his boots on while doing what he loved.
Tom
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Shortly after hearing the news I was at a showing in the UK of the film "Out of Nothing" which includes interviews with Andy and Erin at the BUB meeting (probably '12). The production crew, who were present, knew but I wonder how many others understood why that moment caused a lump in my throat.
Condolences to all who are close to Andy & Erin.