Remembering Mike Rieger

[Jamie]

Today marks the one year anniversary of Mike Rieger's death due to an on-road car accident in Loveland. He was 21 years old and lived in Fort Collins. Mike last autocrossed with us during the 2004 Summer Series, where he placed 4th for the season in STS. You probably remember his gold '87 BMW 325is with white decals.

Mike worked T&S and was always smiling and happy. We had a great time. I miss him a lot and miss seeing his decaled-up BMW on the roads in Fort Collins!

If you have a fun memory of Mike and want to share, please post. A lot of us would really appreciate it today.

Rest in peace, Mike. We truly miss you.

[S Abshire]

Mike was a great competitor and friend. I always enjoyed the conversations we had in grid. He was always willing to laugh. Even when his BMW was dented at Divisionals while at the hotel on Saturday night, he took it in stride and called it an aerodynamic advantage. We will miss you Mike.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid164/p0c56416316f3ea6aebd63651895b7b40/f476be5b.jpg

[MrPickles]

I remember working with Mike at Nationals of 2004. He had a whobbly wheel, so we took the wheel off and checked the wheel barings and other stuff. After riding around we found that somehow he bent the rim. I asked him if he went off course (cuz ya'll know about Forbes field being the smoothest surface)...he replied .. "Didn't go off course, unless you would count the spin I had on my 2nd run"

Mike will be missed

[LoCore]

Besides his ever present smile, one of my favorite memories with Mike was at the 2004 Divisionals at PPIR. We enjoyed a great day of competition, bouncing back and forth, with Mike taking the weekend by the slimmest of margins.

He seemed to be most at home at the track however; it was easy to see when running into him at Second Creek. With SCR Performance opening, it really seemed that he was on track to doing some special things, both career and competition-wise.

I still have the Loveland paper at my desk at work with the story of Mike's accident. I use it as a reminder for two things: remember why we do the motorsport thing (it's to plaster an ever-present smile on our face!), and to always be extra careful on the most dangerous courses of all--our public roads.

The local motorsport community has introduced me to many new friends, including Mike. He is missed, but the smiles and enthusiasm he brought to motorsport is something that I'll always keep.

Thanks Mike.

[Captain_Solo]

It's already been a year? Wow.

I remember talking to Mike a few times at BMW events in 04. He was a great guy and his car was so distinctive. I'll never forget nationals 04, where he and I represented the rocky mountain region in STX. He put the e30 M3s to shame with his e30 325 on the wet second day. Last time I saw him was at Long John silver's with Charles B. before he drove home from Topeka. We miss you Mike.

[Scott Napier]

The memorial drive that Mark put together last year was a fantastic tribute, and I will never forget it...