Greg Watters and Black Art Racing lose race bikes in fire

[hayaboosta]

Greg Watters and his wife Marg were fortunate to have a home after a wildfire spread onto their farm and engulfed the workshop that contained his race bike and those of his Black Art Racing teammates.  Another structure and some farming machinery were also lost.  All this just weeks before their anticipated DLRA Speedweek event.  Some may recall the Black Art Racing Team made a combined total of less than a half dozen runs last US salt season because events were shortened or canceled due to weather. While there is jubilation over the obvious safety of life and some property, my heart is heavy attempting to imagine how to wrap my head around the loss of bikes.  The bikes are certainly replaceable, though time now becomes the precious commodity.   Below is a Facebook post from Kim Krebs yesterday morning 2/9. 

Kim Krebs-Fires and Summer.

 The good news is that Greg is OK. This afternoon a fire raced across the region around Gregs place at such an incredible pace. As a member of the CFA, he was fighting the fire elsewhere, when the wind changed direction and he decided home was where he should be. He was able to save his home, but the machinery shed, woolshed (where the bikes are stored) and some of the cropping machinery are lost

 Our race bikes are toast, so this season's DLRA meeting wont include us. Unfortunately the old DLRA timing gear that Greg was repairing to use on the short track is now a molten mess.
 So ... the good news is that no one is hurt ... and besides, the 750 was due for a new frame anyway.

[ADMIN]

So sad to hear, very thankful home is OK. Hope you didn't lose any animals.

You can rebuild everything better than it was before.

[playswithnitro]

Very sorry to read that. You can replace stuff but not people.

[sportbikeryder]

Not the kind of news I wanted to read. Glad everyone is ok.

Call it even on the parts you got from me and let me know what parts you need for the next project. 

[osti33]

Not the kind of news I wanted to read. Glad everyone is ok.

+1

Glad everyone is safe.

Sorry to hear about this Greg. If I can do anything to help parts wise let me know.

[MJ Williams]

This is a terrible shame, these things should not happen, especially to good guys like Greg.
Thank goodness Greg is ok and there was no loss of life.
Nothing but support to Black Art from my end, whatever I can do.

[firemanjim]

Bad news for the Black Art Team, a brush fire fueled by high temps and high winds roared through Greg's farm, destroying Kim's bike, badly damaging Greg's, and took out his shop with dyno, spares, and tools.This approx 2 weeks before they were to race at Lake Gairdner.
Setting up a Paypal to help them rebuild. If you want to help out, buellrydr1@msn.com. thanks.

Thanks, Scott, ya beat me to the punch. I was without words when I heard this! Spoke to Greg yesterday morning and as always he was positive and cheerful, happy to have saved what they did.

[zrxdean]

Terrible news, I'm glad the important stuff is OK, but the loss of the bikes is tough. Hope his insurance will cover the structures and farm equipment that was lost. -Dean

[05calibusa]

Very sorry to hear about the loss of the bikes and other property, but glad to know that Greg, Marg and Kim all are okay.
Bob 

[Landspeed Larry]

Glad everyone is OK and you still have your house. The loss of property is a personal thing; we all put our heart and soul into going fast. Those bikes and records are priceless to you. The records they hold will live a long time. You will be back faster than ever because you are a RACER.  All the best from Steve, Mark & I.       LSL

[Oz Booster]

Thanks everyone
in some ways its a setback and others a clean slate
been a big few days , and next few will be no different , power is from a little generator , enough for a couple of lights and boil the jug, computers are a luxury i have not got much time for , but hopefully we can get back to a more normal life soon


 

[playswithnitro]

Thanks everyone
in some ways its a setback and others a clean slate
been a big few days , and next few will be no different , power is from a little generator , enough for a couple of lights and boil the jug, computers are a luxury i have not got much time for , but hopefully we can get back to a more normal life soon

Your help got my Short Bus up and and running. Without your advice, I'd still be chasing my tail. I owe you and if I can repay that favour, let me know.

[Mike-Nightrider]

Very sorry to read that Greg 

Im glad everyone is safe.

Mike

[firemanjim]

Kim sent ma a couple pics.

[gazza414]

Very sad, as Greg mentioned -- a clean slate to start with.
Just over a week ago we had a  weeks holiday together on our Busa's riding thru the Victorian countryside and at Phillip Island races.

Amazing what damage these fires do ...

[ADMIN]

Shocking carnage!

[gsx-rboy750]

Nooo. Glad you are alright Oz. Where do we send money?

[firemanjim]

Using my Paypal account-----buellrydr1@msn.com thanks.

[gsx-rboy750]

Using my Paypal account-----buellrydr1@msn.com thanks.

10/4. Getting paid tommorrow. Wont be much but something. Gregs been a big help over the years.

[knecum]

Sorry for your loss, as Larry said you'll be back and thank god no one was hurt. My brother's garage burnt down awhile back and he lost everything.  7 bikes.  He's back and so will you!!

[airborneuph]

I just sent him some money to buellrydr1@msn.com..  He's helped me out more than I deserved, I wish him the very best at getting through this.