MIKE HEALEY – 1968-2024

The MXGP Paddock was saddened this morning as news came through that American ex-rider Mike “Gunner” Healey passed away at home in California this week.

Mike won two Motocross Grands Prix, with his nine individual race wins a testament to his raw speed. He was a very close second in the 1991 250cc Motocross World Championship, and third in the 1989 125cc Motocross World Championship.  A wild rider with a rock n’ roll haircut and multiple tattoos at a time when Motocross riders rarely had them, his links to the rock band Guns N Roses gave him the “Gunner” nickname, although he was also known as “Stray Cat” in his native USA, where he made his presence felt on a factory Cagiva before picking up a GP ride with KTM from 1989, until the1991 season.

From there he raced for the factory Suzuki 250cc team in 1992, although he finished the year by racing his 125cc practice bike at the Steel City AMA National, driving cross-country to the race and shocking everybody by winning the second race of the day!

A natural talent with a kind soul that contrasted with his outlandish appearance, he will forever be fondly remembered by fans of the sport from that time as a brilliant rider with amazing speed, and a unique character in the history of Motocross.  RIP Gunner.

Photo Credit : Ray Mayes