Remembering Chris Earlywine
- Updated: August 3, 2007
By Joe Tolle
We come with heavy hearts as ATV Scene test rider and personal friend, Chris Earlywine passed away Friday afternoon of an apparent heart attack or aneurysm. “I shook his hand early. He was laughing, joking and happy as he always is. Now he’s gone. It’s a shame”, said WPSA announcer, Mark Straubinger.
Chris left us while doing his favorite thing, riding his quad. He rolled to a stop while slouched over the left side of the quad during Friday’s WPSA ATV Powersports Tour practice at Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg, VA.
Earlywine was treated on site by the WPSA medical crew, as well as Dr. Joe Ragon of the 88Live to Ride Mobil Medical Unit, and was then transported via ambulance from the track to South Side Medical Center, where he passed with is loving wife Nikki by his side. Earlywine was only 39 years old.
Chris also helped ATV Scene with several project quads over the last few years. With several years of GNCC professional racing to his credit and his extremely likable personality, ATV Scene couldn’t’t have asked for a more qualified and friendlier person to work with. “People like Chris are the glue that makes the ATV community as close as it is,” says ATV Scene’s Joe Tolle. “Chris cared very much for his family, this sport and the people in it. I’m going to miss him.”
“Our hearts go out to Chris’ wife, Nikki, son Caleb, and the rest of the Earlywine family,” said PowerSports Entertainment president Scott O’Malley. “The ATV world certainly lost one of its staunchest supporters and fiercest competitors. Chris will truly be missed.”
Chris was all about helping others. Ironically just two weeks ago Chris and Nikki held a fund raiser auction for Bobby Sharp, who recently passed of Leukemia. Chris, Nikki and auctioneer Mark Straubinger raised over $12k so Bobby’s children Hannah and Noah could continue racing the entire WPSA season.
Our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy are with the Earlywine family friends.
Godspeed Chris Earlywine