The AMA Pro Hillclimb community lost one of its own this weekend as rider Shawn Farnsworth passed away. Farnsworth was injured in a crash during the final round of the season in Oregonia, Ohio. He was airlifted to a Miami Vally Hospital in Dayton, but sadly, Farnsworth succumbed to his injuries.
Farnsworth raced for Tom Reiser's Harley-Davidson this year. He is a third-generation hillclimber and was well known, well liked, and well respected in the community. In 2009, Farnsowrth was givin the AMA Pro Hillclimb Unlimited Class Rookie of the Year award. The following year his fellow PHA members voted him Sportsman of the Year.
"The hillclimb community isn't just a group of racers, we consider ourselves a family," said a representative for the Professional Hillclimbers Association. "We are all deeply saddened by the loss of a great competitor, friend and family member."
Farnsworth is survived by his wife of 15 years, Yarrow, their two young sons, Sheldon and Roman, and his brother, Michael.
"Shawn's loss is not just a loss for our family and for New England Hillclimbing, but for the sport as a whole," said Shawn's older brother Michael Farnsworth to Cycle News."He meant so much to so many people. He was friends with everyone from the top pros to the guy coming out to try his first hillclimb. He was a great guy who just wanted to help people get into the sport."
