C.R. Axtell 1927-2009     C.R. Axtell passes     Innovator, designer and manufacturer of high performance motorcycle and racecar components leading to many championship successes, C. R. Axtell passed away on August 29th at the age of 82 after a brief illness. Axtell’s early success started in the late 40’s with hot rods at the dry lakes and with roadsters on the tracks. His involvement continued with motorcycles in the late 50’s with BSA, Triumph, Norton, Harley Davidson and Yamaha components that won many races at all levels.     Axtell contributed to the winning success of many top national motorcycle racers from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.  From the late 80’s to the present, he had success with his racecar cams and cylinder heads.  In the late 50’s he pioneered and built his own air flow bench for improving cylinder head performance.  Axtell also had the most trusted measuring stick on the west coast; a dyno he referred to as “Big Red”. Only the people fortunate enough to know him or work with him know the talent Axtell was capable of.  God speed, Ax. John Hately AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Ax was a special guy to me and a friend, he helped me win #1 along with his team Mike Libby and Nick Deligianis. But he did more than that; he taught me many other things that I constantly apply today and I thank him for that. Ax maybe knew or maybe not, he was a mentor to me during our time together. Ax was a True Great Friend. God Bless Gene Romero Ron Wood and C.R. Axtell We have lost a great man: R.I.P. Mr. Axtell Dale Lineaweaver God Speed CR Bultacoslider Sad news indeed, he was one of the GREATS!!! Jim Henry  I never met the man, but his work over the years certainly advanced dirt track racing.   Ross Munro Maple Ridge, BC Canada It was a very sad day when Ax left us. He was so much a part of, and help to, the flat track community for so many years with his expertise, creativity and common sense in developing his many projects that were so successful. I feel very fortunate be able to say that I had over a thirty year relationship with Ax and had some of the best times of my life at his shop. It wasn’t until Ax made me big valve ported heads, his design cams and megaphones that my engines came alive. We spent countless hours on Big Red (the nickname for his dyno) from early afternoon into the evenings. So often afterwards, we would sit down, open a beer or make a cocktail, and review what we learned that day. I learned a lot from Ax that I still use today; he was the maestro, my mentor, and friend. Ron Wood Very sad news indeed! RIP C.R.!! Ben Knight