AMA Pro Racing Mourns the Loss of Kevin Crine

February 10, 2006, 3:25pm

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (February 9, 2006) - AMA Pro Racing lost one of its own on Wednesday morning, Feb. 8, when professional motocross racer Kevin Crine was killed in an auto accident near the tiny village of McKendree, Md. He was 32.

Crine was a regular in AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross Championships. His highest career national ranking was 14th in the AMA 250cc Motocross Championship in 1995. Crine also rode as a KTM factory rider in the mid-1990s. In addition, he competed in AMA Arenacross and was a leading rider in the ADAC Cup Supercross Series in Germany.

Crine turned pro in 1992 and competed in the AMA 125 East Supercross and AMA 125 Motocross Championship his rookie season. His career progressed and he earned a national number in 1994 and held a national number through 2002.

Crine reached the pinnacle of his racing career in America in the mid-1990s when he rode for KTM. He finished in the top-20 of the AMA 250 Motocross Championship in both 1995 and 1996. At the Millville (Minn.) National in 1995 Crine earned his first top-10 national finish, scoring ninth overall. He later took his highest career national finish of eighth overall at his home track of Budds Creek (Md.) in 1998 riding for Gauldings Kawasaki.

Crine raced internationally and in 2001 won an International Supercross event held at Arena auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Crine retired from full-time racing after breaking his back in an overseas race in 2002. He recovered and continued to race locally for fun and even qualified for the Budds Creek and High Point Nationals in 2004.

"He just loved racing and the people he met through the sport," said his sister Jennifer. "Even after he retired from racing he couldn't stay away. He liked to ride with the local guys and enjoyed helping teach young riders."

Crine is survived by his wife Stacy and a son Brett.

Viewing will be held at Lee Funeral Home, in Owings, Md., on Sunday, Feb. 12, from 2-4 pm and again at 6-8 pm. The funeral service is scheduled at the same funeral home on Monday, Feb. 13 at 1 pm.

A memorial fund has been set up for Brett. Donations can be sent to the Kevin M. Crine Memorial Fund c/o NASA Federal Credit Union, 500 Prince George's Blvd., Upper Marlboro, MD 20774.