I'm posting this in the new and old school section.

I heard today that Kelly Burnette who was the track director for Waterford Oaks in Michigan passed away on Saturday.

Kelly was the national starter for the NBL back in the 80's and early 90's.

He won the unsung hero award at the NBL Grands back in 84 for never having riders flip over the gates he dropped. (awarded by BMX Action)

He was voted in by the riders and the ABA at the old Bud's BMX Track in Ft. Wayne Indiana to be the starter of the national when the first lighting systems malfunctioned.

Every big pro knew him by name and felt confident that he would wait for them if they weren't set up and ready when he started the gate.

To me he was a second dad. I think of him often and have visited him numerous times over the years. Many riders found comfort during nervous times in staging hearing his voice dropping the gate.

Kelly will be missed. I hope to see Waterford Oaks do a memorial for him, there has been talk through the years to rename the road leading to the track "Kelly Lane" instead of "BMX Lane" He truly gave to the sport and loved it dearly.

Please post any comments or old memories here. I would really like to print this out for his wife Laurie when I see her this week.

If anyone has the old BMX Action picture of Kelly behind the gate please post it up. I'll be going through my collection to see if I can't find it. It would be an NBL Grands edition from the 80's.

Here is a picture of Kelly dropping the gate at the NBL Grands in the early 80's. Photo was taken out of one of the BMX Action NBL Covered Races.

R.I.P. Kelly

man, I knew what this post was going to be about as soon as I saw the heading. Kelly was the best. His voice resonates in my head whenever I think of loading up in a starting gate. He was to Waterford Oaks what John Kiernan was to Bud's BMX--synonymous with midwest BMX. R.I.P. Kelly.

It was weird today. I called Lawrie to get information on the funeral, instead I got the answering machine. The tape was Kelly saying to leave a message. I teared up at that point.

Kelly traveled all over the world to drop the gate for different sanctioning bodies. He knew so many of the riders by name. It has been hard to see him the past couple of years as his health has not been so hot.

I'll post information on the memorial in the next couple of days I would like to get some old Michigan locals out to pay their respects to an icon in our sport.

Thanks for taking the time to post Scott.

I met Kelly at the beginning of my 2001 (I think) comeback, he was still working there. My first race back was at a Waterford local with about 5 motos so we had time to chat a little. He was a very nice man and was interested in my Waterford experiences in the early 80's. I am sure he dropped the gate for me back then. RIP Mr. Burnett.

When I first started racing the NBL Kelly was one of the people who really made me feel welcome. He was a first class guy and a great starter. All you had to do was start moving forward on the 'P' of peddles set and you were golden. My condolences to the whole family.

Greg

When I came back to the sport the one thing I really missed was kelly's voice at the gate. Todays voice on the cadence just isn't the same. Class act, BMX ambassodor, and all around great guy. He wil be missed.

Kelly, was the best. He really did take time to talk and get to know everybody. When I left Michigan and moved to Texas the first thing I thought about is how much I would miss everyone that ran Waterford and how it wouldn't be the same taking gates without Kelly running them. When I was nervous at a national or big race if Kelly was running the gate it made me feel right at home and gave me confidence. RIP Kelly, you are missed.

Deanna, That is very sad news. I would like to add this note I posted a while back under the topic "Men of the starting gate", I wrote:

"I'll never forget that guy's voice so long as I live - Heck when I die, it will probably be his voice I hear saying "ok, set 'em up, watch The Light"... I should be so lucky!"

God bless you Kelly, you had a lasting affect on a lot of us 'kids' and we truly appreciate it. 'Unsung' hero indeed!

Thank you,
Jim Stinson

Thanks for adding your thoughts Jim. I think his voice will forever stick in all of our heads.

We are planning a memorial race in memory of Kelly on Sept. 16th during the state race at Waterford Oaks. We are also accepting donations to purchase a memorial plaque for the starting hill. It will be cast in Bronze and I think we have finally narrowed it down to saying:

In loving memory of Kelly Burnette
Legendary Gate Starter to the World
Your voice will not be forgotten

I believe it's very fitting for such a great man. Yesterday I took Lawrie out to lunch and went over what we plan on doing for the memorial race. She seems to be doing well but there is no doubt she is missing her partner in life.

If anyone is interested in donating money for his memorial get in touch with me.

RIP Kelly.