From a press release issued by Richie Morris Racing:
This is the hardest press release ever written by Richie Morris Racing LLC. As you will read, the results of an injury sustained during practice in April at Road America, leave no choice for Richie, but to hang up the leathers for good; however, it is very possible you will see Morris at the 2005 races operating as team owner.
First, the injury description: After seeing several specialists, including the knee expert for the Green Bay Packers, it has been determined that the top of Richie’s tibia (the lower bone in your leg that attaches to the knee) actually exploded during impact. The ACL wasn’t even damaged because the bone went first. The unfortunate part of the whole accident is that now a replacement knee is necessary. There is absolutely no cartilage left to cushion the space between the two weight-bearing bones. The news actually gets worse from here. The doctors believe that the tibia has so much damage that when the hardware holding it together is removed, it will not have the strength to support the weight of the artificial knee and femur bearing down upon it. The only solution if the tibia will not hold up is to fuse the knee joint, so please keep Richie in your prayers that a procedure will come about to correct this serious problem.
“I have my left wrist fused now. It isn’t too bad, but a knee would be the worst joint to have fused in your entire body. Hopefully, the tibia will hold up or they will come up with something else,” says Morris.
“I wasn’t too worried about it at first, I have overcome injuries before and I actually went to Loudon in June to try to ride. But I couldn’t even make a lap. Then I was sure I would be ready for Las Vegas. Now every time I go to the doctor the news gets worse. Right now I just want to get healthy enough to operate our horse ranch and hopefully become a successful team owner. It will be hard going to the races and not be on a bike, but I knew the day was coming; I just didn’t want it to end like this. At least I can look back and say the last race I ran, I was on the pole and had a good lead in the race before engine failure. So that makes me feel like I left the sport still competitive. Also when I get depressed about the situation, all I have to do is look at the film of me and Scott Russell at Daytona in 2001. We both are lucky just to be around breathing air after that.
“The team owner deal is being put together as we speak. I want to get an early start so we will be ready to rock in 2005. It will be dependant upon my past sponsors and a new high exposure sponsor. We will be looking at several different aspects of putting a new team together, so anyone with interest or advice feel free to call me. We have a past champion rider in mind and are working on getting the engines prepared as we speak. I can say it will definitely be a Buell team. I have been involved and supportive of Harley Davidson and Buell my entire career and that is something that will not change.
“In closing, announcing my retirement would not be right without thanking the people that made my career possible. I know this is redundant and sometimes boring, but please read them, because they are truly the core of everything. They are my sponsors, race organizations, my racing peers, the press, and of course the fans.
“First and foremost there are my long-time loyal sponsors. It all starts with Bruce and Julie at Daytona Harley-Davidson and Buell, what else can I say, they have been with me 10 years and hopefully will remain as the team moves forward. Then there is Bob at Milwaukee Harley-Davidson and Buell. They are a new sponsor and really got the short end of the stick this past year. I look to make it up to them in 2005 with the new team. Next would be Buell Motorcycle Company, they have been there to advise me and I will need them next year more than ever. Then there is Dick and the gang at the Ocean Deck, another 10-year sponsor. And of course there is Frank (Dad) at Brotz Motorsports. I am sure he didn’t want his daughter to marry another motorcycle racer, given the fact that his son (Clint) races also. But he has been there to help me as he does Clint. As it looks now, our teams will not be combined next year, but I am sure you will see Brotz Motorsports listed as one of my sponsors.
“The remainder of my sponsors follows in no particular order but all equally important and appreciated and I sincerely hope they all stay with me in this next phase of my career. They are Moose at Pirelli tires. I have been with Pirelli for the past several years and they are the greatest, Gary at EBC brakes, Donnie at Suomy helmets, Matt at Vortex sprockets, Claudette at Tucker Rocky representing Tsubaki chains, Brian and the guys at Revolution Performance, Max at Traxxion Dynamics, Wayne at Permatex and finally Randy at Spectro Oils.
“I also would like to thank Dick at Full Spectrum Racing, Tony at Club PCS and Bruce and Susie at BCM. When I wasn’t on a H.D. or Buell, they were my sponsors and a major help.
“The 3 organizations I have raced with need to get a honorable mention, they are Formula USA, AMA and CCS. I would like to especially thank Phil (who everyone knows is a class act), Kevin, Kenny, Pam, Paul, Larry and the rest of the crew with F-USA and CCS. I truly hope they correct the problem with mixing the pros and the club racers during practice, especially the ones with unequal bike speeds. Once again this is not a slam to club racers, merely a safety issue. Maybe my injury, which was caused by this, will prevent a more serious injury or death in the future. I have heard they are changing the practice groups, so I applaude that. I also would like to thank Ron at AMA; he has done things for me that go against the bad rap the AMA receives from time to time.
“Also I would like to thank all of my racing peers and teams for being friends and supporting me through the ups and downs of the racing world.
“Next there is the press, to mention a few there are Richard Chambers announcing at the track, John and Dave at Roadracing World (especially for the Airfence drive) and Henry at Cycle News.
“Also organizations such as the Wegman fund. These are Godsends.
“In closing, (sorry this was so long) I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of the fans. It is unbelievable the amount of e-mails I receive when something happens at the track good or bad. I read each and every one of them and I can’t believe people out there that have shown interest in my career. I will cherish the memories forever!
“Thanks and God Bless.”
Richie
Richie Morris can be reached at [email protected] or (920) 207-3977.