We received word that AHRMA roadracer Fred Willink passed away on Friday, December 12. He will certainly be missed, and our thoughts are with his friends and family. From the December, 2014 issue of AHRMA MAG:
“It was great to have long-time AHRMA roadracer Fred Willink make the trip from California to join us at Barber and Daytona. Despite a long battle with cancer and failing health, Willink was able to race each day, and secure his first-ever Thruxton TransAtlantic Challenge win at Daytona; he has shown us all how to be a true friend and competitor.”
Godspeed, Fred
Fred and I, on his 1990 FZR1000, won the 1992, 4 Hour AFM Open Class at Sears Point.
I ran into him at the 2014 AFM/AMA Event at Sears Point. He stopped by my pits, told me of his cancer fight, and his boys. He is so proud of them.
What a great guy!
Godspeed my friend, see you on the podium!
Much Love!!!
i first met Fred back in 2009 at a Thruxton Race. I Incorrectly entered my BMW in the TransAtlantic Race-I assumed Germany was a conterpart to the English response to the American onslaught of Harley/Davidson and as true Sporstmans class a racing class, someone named Wick, said “What are you doing here” I answered” I am here to race” He responded,” You are not really supposed to be in this class< but join us anyway". When Fred went by my doing Mach 10. I knew I was in the right crowd, that was AHRMA . Thanks Fred, I will miss you. May you dance with the Lions and run silent, run low, Pete.
Freds family will have a party in his honor at the event in Sonoma. More to follow.
I spent some time with Fred at Barber this year and he honored me by sharing his health situation. This was classic Fred, cut straight to it. We shared our thoughts and said our goodbyes.
It was this very approach to life and racing that made Fred a standout in the paddock and on the track. He leaves for me a hole in racing that will never be filled.
My condolences go out to his family and all that can call him their friend.
Dick Greenway
Fred loved the sport of road racing, as well as the life in the pits, he truly will be missed. He brought a real sense of professonalism to AHRMA,
God Speed Fred ,
Fred exemplified so much of the good in AHRMA. A true Gentleman Racer and a Good Man. It won’t be the same without Fred but he won’t soon be forgotten.