Elmer Symons To Be Remembered

January 23, 2007, 6:19am

The Off Road Racing community recently lost one of it closest and dearest friends, Elmer Symons.

Elmer died competing in Stage Four of the 2007 Dakar Rally.

Elmer was born in South Africa and was a National Off Road Champion in his native land, having won the prestigious Roof of Africa Rally. His friendly demeanor, commitment and passion for the sport infected all who knew him. He was a fixture at D-37, Best in the Desert, and AMA National Hare & Hound events. For the past two years he had been living in Georgia, riding GNCC events and preparing for his assault on Dakar.

To compete in Dakar was Elmer's dream, a dream he achieved through the help of many friends, including his brother, Phillip, his sponsor, James Embro, and Malcolm Smith, who took him under his wing when he first arrived in America.

In order to finance his trip to Dakar, Elmer and his brother Phillip, incurred several large loans. Elmer intended to re-pay these loans at the conclusion of the Rally.

To celebrate Elmer's life and the impact he had on the U.S. off-road community, and more importantly, to help off-set the costs and raise money for the Symons family, Malcolm Smith Motorsports is hosting a party in Elmer's memory on Jan 23rd, starting at 7:00 p.m.

All friends are welcome. The party will be held at Malcolm's new shop at: 7599 Indiana Ave, Riverside, CA 92504.

Donations are welcome - please send them to Malcolm Smith Motorsports in care of Elmer Symons.

Donations are also being accepted at the party on Jan 23rd. Elmer Symons was a friend to everyone who met him. Now is the time for the off-road community to return that friendship. Please make your plans to attend the party at Malcolm Smith Motorsports on Jan. 23rd.