Triumph after tragedy

My Father was a double British Champion and a three times Isle of Man TT winner on a motorcycle he built from scratch. My Mother was his Team Manager and his World.

On 19th September 1999, David Morris (my Father) was killed in a racing accident at the Croft circuit in North Yorkshire. Just six days later, my Mother Alison died of natural causes at our family home in Swanwick, Hampshire.

My older Brother Lee and I decided to pay tribute to our parents by entering a two-Man team to successfully defend our Father’s Isle of Man TT titles. The riders finished first and second in one of the most emotional race victories ever seen in the 100 year history of the TT races.

John McGuinness won the race on the Chrysalis AMDM 750cc machine. He would go on to become the second most successful rider at the Isle of Man TT and the current outright lap record holder.

Everything since has been about moving forward, making them both proud. This is my story.

On 19th September 1999, David Morris clinched his second British Supermono Championship with victory at Croft in North Yorkshire. For Morris and his Chrysalis Racing Team, it was just reward for all their dedication. His Wife and Team Manager Alison was (as always) by his side to celebrate.

Race 2 and Morris was relaxed and ready to show everyone why he was the Champion. Sadly, tragedy struck as Morris was killed instantly following a racing accident. It was a devastating blow for Alison and a tragic end to the series.

I’ll never forget that day. I got the news by phone from a close and courageous friend. It must have been so hard to break that news. I didn’t cry, for I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. For 20 years, I had known that this could happen but somehow never imagined or hoped that it would.

I called my older Brother Lee. He too sounded like he didn’t believe my words. I then travelled to our family home in Swanwick, Hampshire. It seemed so empty, missing a massive part of all that was good about it.

My Mother returned home late on and I did all I could. I held her, conscious of her need for space but desperate to show her how much I loved her.
I went through every imaginable emotion those next few days. I can recall how awful the weather was. I remember sobbing uncontrollably at the door of my Father’s workshop, where he spent so much of his time. ‘This isn’t fair’ I kept saying, over and over again.

Only a matter of days after my Father’s death, family and friends gathered for a meal at the house. We recalled fantastic memories of my Dad. His laughter, his quirky Breakfast habits, strange shapes he carried in his rucksack to work (sneaking bits of Motorcycle into the Engineering shop at British Aerospace). That evening reminded me to stay positive, be grateful for the time that I had, not bitter for time lost.

Tragedy was to strike a second time only six days after my Father’s death. My Mother Alison had suffered greatly from Deep Vein Thrombosis. Following many treatments, it seemed the death of her soul mate would prove too much. On 25th September 1999, she passed away in my arms at our home.

The funeral of David and Alison Morris took place on Monday 27th September 1999. I had been working late the night before to create a special memory of my Mother to be included in the already printed order of service. It seemed like madness to be doing such a thing so soon after the loss of my Father. Just a few days earlier, my Brother and I had been sat with our Mum choosing songs for the service. ‘Saltwater’ by Chicane, reflected Dad’s keenness to latch onto my love of Dance music. It was certain to be an upbeat funeral, unique we thought to reflect the character of our lost.

Ushers told mourners of the tragic death of David’s wife as they entered the church; such was the difficulty of spreading the news. One friend arrived back from holiday to give Alison his support, only to find that she was gone and not able to receive his warmth.

During the days after my Father’s death, my Mother had discussed the possibility of going back to the Isle of Man TT. Dad was already a three times TT winner after successive victories in 1997, 98 and 99. Mum was determined that her soul mate would not be forgotten and proposed that the Chrysalis Racing team would race on.

This wish inspired my Brother and me. We set about the task of reforming the team. Offers of help came from organisations as large as Honda UK, Dunlop Tyres and even inadvertently Vimto Soft Drinks.
Bob McMillan (Honda UK) and Paul Bird (Vimto Honda) permitted the services of John McGuinness. The Morecambe rider had already clinched his first TT victory in 1999. Add to that a British Championship and a points scoring finish in the British GP and the team were already looking good.

Welshman Jason Griffiths was next to sign up. A seasoned campaigner who was yet to clinch his first big TT victory. He had often been the bridesmaid, but no-one would bet against him climbing onto the top step of the podium.

We arranged that my Dad’s existing Chrysalis BMW machine be renamed the Chrysalis AMDM (Alison Morris David Morris) in tribute to its creator and his inspiration. The bike was a work of art, with components machined by the hand of Morris himself.
A replica was commissioned and built for Griffiths and the team moved to the Mallory Park race circuit for a test session. The bikes remained largely untouched the whole day, a testament to David Morris’ ability. Good thing too as both Lee and I hadn’t slept in three days.

The TT itself was the most emotional rollercoaster I have ever experienced. Practice week precedes race week and aside from a TV camera crew, we had Honda, Paul Bird, the Press, all of our closest friends and family as well as thousands of spectators watching our every move. We had been warned following a letter from the organisers prior to the event. It told us that we couldn’t hope to emulate our parent’s success, that perhaps we should reconsider our effort. It only made us more determined.

The race itself looked like a foregone conclusion from the off. McGuinness began reeling in team mate Griffiths immediately from the start. At the beginning of lap 2, McGuinness overhauled Griffiths to lead on the road and on corrected time.

The Pit Stops at the end of the second lap could not have been more dramatic. Personally tending to McGuinness, I and good friend Dave worked hard and diligently to make certain our rider got away again safely. Unfortunately, the Chrysalis machine just would not get going, something we could later attribute to its rider forgetting to switch the ignition kill switch back on.

Following the drama of Pit lane, Griffiths now led on the road with McGuinness still ahead on corrected time. The Morecambe bricklayer gradually caught and passed Welshman Griffiths who tucked in behind McGuinness across the Mountain.

The scene at the end of lap 3 will forever remain my favourite memory of that event. After missing a gear coming out of the final turn, McGuinness was caught on the road by Griffiths and they passed the Start/Finish line side by side. Two Single cylinder machines booming by our pit box was a sight and a sound to behold. We began to dream.

The final lap and my heart sank. The light that signalled our rider was just seconds from victory failed to come on. We stood and waited. McGuinness roared past in triumph, the light had merely failed to function. Griffiths shot by just moments later and the Chrysalis Racing team had secured a remarkable one-two finish in the 2000 Isle of Man Singles TT.

The scene in the Winner’s Enclosure was one of elation and massive relief. We had been through so much and had filled our void with a huge amount of pressure and expectation. For one moment, all the cameras, team members, fans and spectators just seemed to revolve around me in slow motion. I broke down and the last 8 months just spilled from me through tears.

I remember saying at the time: ‘We have been through a lot. But, this was the best way to pay tribute to our parents and take a step into the future’.

My Brother and I continued the Chrysalis Racing Team for a number of years until finances caused us to give up our life away from home. We enjoyed success both at home and abroad, securing fourth place in a major British Championship as well as podium places at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium and Assen, Holland. We even took the long flight to the Macau Grand Prix.

Ultimately, the team was forced to retire from racing. Perhaps it could not continue for long without its founders. But, we had provided a wonderful send off for two exceptional people.

I now live with my beautiful wife of 6 years Caroline and my two fantastic boys James and Alex. Life truly can go forward and there is no doubt that I have become better for my experiences.

Not a day passes where I don’t wish my Dad could be chasing after my 3 year old Alex whilst he zooms along on his bike. I crave that my Mum could be helping James with his love of drawing, something she was so talented at.

However, I am thankful for every minute that I had and so proud of what we achieved. We had been through so much, but I continue to make magnificent strides every single day.

‘Chrysalis Racing Team’ is on Face book.