Sam
Sam's service was today and there was a huge turn out of people. The snowmobile racing family was well represented with people from all over the Pacific NW coming to celebrate his life. Outside the church was Sam's race sleds and motorcycle and inside the church there was a really nice tribute to him. The Moscow football team came, wearing their football shirts. After Sam's brother Pat gave his tribute to his brother, I don't believe there was a dry eye in the house (including this writer).
I would like to share a memory I have of Sam.
Sam is a championship snocross racer but he was beatable and I did beat him on his practice track one day. I was testing a new Doo 600 liquid and was on the McClam snocross practice track when one thing led to another and before I knew it we were going ski to ski... I would double and he would double, I would go low in a corner and he would go high and try to pass me. He was on my rear bumper like glue. After 3-4 laps I was getting tired so after one more attempt by Sam to pass me in a really rough section, I blocked his pass and declared myself the winner.
I came in off track, my chest all pumped up and I tore my helmet off so I could suck in some more air as I was really winded. I smiled to my wife and said, "I kicked his butt!" To which she said, "Great job tiger you beat an eight year old on a fan cooled snowmobile"
Take care McClam family and rest in peace Sam