snowmobile star fatally injured in automobilebicycle accident
Amsnow
Darcy Ewing of Big Lake, Minnesota, was fatally injured September 21 when an automobile attempting to pass another car veered wide and hit the World Champion snowmobile racer's bicycle. Ewing often rode his bicycle as part of his racing fitness regimen.
The 47-year-old Ewing started snowmobile racing in his teens, competing against the likes of Hall of Fame racer Bob Eastman and Canadians Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve. Highlights of his career include winning the Pro Sprint championship five years in a row. Darcy also competed successfully in Formula One with twin-tracked racers. One of his favorite venues was Beausejour, Manitoba, where he captured the Formula One championship in back-to-back seasons in the late 1980s.
A very successful Formula 3 champion, Ewing is pictured here with USSA president Jerry Korinek, left, and flagman Ted Otto, after claiming victory at the USSA-sanctioned Budweiser Classic in Plymouth, Wisconsin.
"Darcy was a very, very successful racer and always a hard competitor despite racing on a very limited budget," remembered Olav Aaen, president of Aaen Performance. "He was very successful in Formula 3 modified racing. He won the USSA high-points championship and, I believe, won something like 53 races in a row before being beat."
Ewing's Gemini racing sleds carried Aaen Performance and Justice Brothers sponsorship for 20 years in a sport that sees racers change sleds and loyalties faster than a full-mod 800. States Aaen, "He was the most loyal racer to his sponsor and gave sponsors the utmost value."
In addition to racing for Aaen Performance, Ewing was also a test driver. "He was a great test driver. His vast experience and knowledge was very important to us as we developed product."
But, first and foremost, Darcy Ewing was a true family man who enjoyed the company of his loving wife Heidi and five children. "Racing was always a 'family event' for him," recalls Aaen.
Close friend Aaen points out that during his long career as a racer and sportsman, Ewing touched many people, including many fellow racers who he helped along the way. "He helped a lot of racers over the years," Aaen said.
A remembrance vigil will be held from 4-8pm on Thursday, September 26 at Riverside Church in Monticello, MN. Funeral services will be held at Riverside Church on Friday, September 27.