Bud and Gigi
McKay have many reasons why they started the Namron
Racing Team.
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The first
reason is for the team's namesake -- Bud's dad Norman McKay;
Mr. Namron himself. If you've read over the HULL's
page, you already know the origin of the team's name. Norman
(or Norm or Mickey) first took Bud to watch the unlimited hydros
at Lake Washington in the mid-1960's. It became the two Normans'
passion that carried out beyond that one special weekend each
year. Norman wasn't just Bud's dad -- they were best buddies.
In fact, that's how Norman Jr. earned his Buddy nickname when
his dad first saw him and said, "There's my little buddy."
Bud's dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2003.
He passed away in a short but heroic battle on Feb. 20, 2003
(obit).
Bud moved in with his dad when Norman was first diagnosed with
cancer, and their late-night talks would end up reminiscing
about the days spent on the beach at Lake Washington. Norman
loved boats and being around the water.
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Norman "Mickey" McKay, AKA Namron
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The
second reason is Gigi's "favorite" uncle Floyd Burks.
Uncle Floyd was Gigi's motorcycle cohort. Uncle Floyd loved life
and lived it to the fullest. If it had power, speed and noise,
Uncle Floyd was all for it. His two loves were flying his single-engine
airplane and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Like Bud and
his "favorite" niece Gigi, he rode for a cause, too.
He was a valued member and supporter of the Iron
Butt Association and worked endlessly to promote the Long
Distance Motorcycle Riding Community. His Fantastic journey accross
America and back-- The Ride
-- is captured on these pages in Floyd's own words. Uncle Floyd
was diagnosed with Brain cancer in 2002 and passed away in August
of 2003. In honor of her uncle, Gigi rode to his funeral in Bend
Ore., on their one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
while 4-months pregnant, in her full leathers, displaying the
same "The Ride" flag her uncle rode with around the
nation. To see a flyer about Uncle and the 1998 Harley-Davidson
Road King Classic Custom he left Gigi, click
here. |
The
third reason is all the family and friends who have been touched by
cancer in their own lives. Gigi's Brazilian Aunt "Tia Ligia"
passed away in 2002 from complications from lung cancer. Monica, Gigi's
baby sister, had a scare with skin cancer from being a long-time tanning
bed user. Gigi's Aunt LaVerl is a survivor of stage 4 breast cancer,
the least survivable stage, and a great example of beating the odds.
Gigi's Aunt Pat just recently had surgery and is undergoing radiation
treatments for her own battle with breast cancer. A friend and crew
member for Namron Racing Team, Marc Cabral,
lost a son and is a survivor of cancer himself. The list goes on and
on as does the race for a cure.
The
fourth reason is Gigi's own battles with cancer. Having survived four
different types of primarys, Gigi says it has changed her outlook
on life forever.
The
rest of the reasons are easy to understand -- the children of Bud
and Gigi McKay:
Jeremy Ingram
Bryn McKay
Tamara Ingram
Shade McKay
Carsey McKay
Harley McKay
Namron
Racing Team's
boat may be powered by a Chevy motor, but the real power plant behind
the team is family and friends.
