Motorcycle drag racing has lost another great one to the heavens. Gary Larsen, longtime motorsports photographer and journalist passed away peacefully last week with his family by his side. Originally from Grand Island, which is in the Buffalo, New York area, Gary was a fixture in both the hot rodding automotive scene and the motorcycle drag racing scene. It was Gary and his wife Colleen who brought a friend named Dana to a party. Dana would go on to become Mrs. Paul Gast not long after!
Having enough of the snow and winters, the Larsens with their beautiful daughter packed it in and moved to Florida in the mid eighties. Gary relied on his electrician and building maintenance skills to make ends meet while always keeping an eye on the motorcycle drag racing scene. With the Internet in its infancy, back when websites were very rare, Gary created Stripbike.com, a website dedicated to motorcycle drag racing. He was right there in the very beginning of motorcycle racing websites.
Gary, along with his Uncle, Dwight Drum, became a fixture at Southeastern Prostar events as well as covering NHRA national events. “The Stripbike Guys” as they were fondly know in the pit area produced some great content via Dwight’s signature interviews coupled with Gary’s outstanding camera skills.
A very proud US Military Veteran, Gary was drafted into the Air Force and his outstanding marksmanship skills earned him a front lines position during the Vietnam War.
If you knew Gary, he bled Kawasaki Green and if it did not have a Bowtie on it, he would rather walk! RIP Gary, you will be missed!! 10/12/1946 – 09/11/2024
Gary is survived by his daughter Devon Dargan, son-in-law Jamel Dargan, and grandsons: Remy Dargan and Key Dargan.
