RIP Kemal Merkit - Page 9

640 Armageddon · 09-10-2012, 12:59 PM

I have no words.... I met Chris lst year in the 24hr race and he was always smiling and helping people...
He will be missed ...

R.I.P. Chris ...

Bluebull2007 · 09-10-2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brodovitch

Video tribute with footage from the first days of the TransAnatolia

Watching it made it no easier to fathom the loss of a great rider & a great human

Thanks for this link brother.

It was naturally very sad to watch, but I did smile at the last scene of him jogging while another pilot passes him and did a double take at the crazy pilot who had obviously not had a tough enough day. It encapsulated his spirit for me in a funny kind of way. I figure he may have wanted to be remembered in this way.

Donald Duck · 09-10-2012, 10:03 PM

Couple of "well known" stickers from the Kemal's bike...

Infamous FYYFF

ADV

ADV this is #56 bike for Kutlu at 2010 Dakar / Kemal's wingman. Both bikes use to have same sticker scheme.

and my sticker on the tank...

dereli · 09-10-2012, 10:50 PM

Kemal Merkit is my hero..

great man and great rider, desert tiger...

Ride in Peace

Racinace · 09-11-2012, 12:10 AM

No words can ease the pain these two families and their friends are feeling. May they be blessed with the fond memories of their short lives while here on this earth.
May they roost the heavens above with the many that have fallen before them. I'm sure the riding and competition are amazing....

duroturk · 09-11-2012, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brodovitch

Unfortunately quad rider Chris Stamboltzis was injured fatally on 102km of the special today. A front axle broke and he lost control of the quad... I don't know much more, I just spoke with my friend in the race and she couldn't add anything to what I already know... so sad, 3 riders in 3 days

Christos was the importer of Can am quads in Greece, multi-champion in the GPS class and a permanent fixture in the rally and jet ski scene here ... always smiling, joking, and always with a helping hand to everyone

Condolences to his family

Nooooo!

R.I.P.

CBVRacing · 09-11-2012, 03:23 AM

Kemal, Kutlu and I shared the same boat cabin crossing the mediterranean sea in the 2006 Dakar and a bond was created right then.

In the 2007 Dakar I remember heading toward the medical tent getting my hand fixed up and I heard that Kemal had a BIG CRASH, one of those that leaves you wondering. His Bell helmet was next to him, he was bruised all over the face, and the doctors were shaking their head in disbelief. Kemal was there, all smiling sitting in front of me showing me his helmet. I had never seen a helmet that much destroyed in 27 years of racing. Kemal was comforting the doctors that he was good to go, "no problem, i just find other helmet from somebody" he said. He did keep on going. What a legend!

Then in the 2009 Dakar. Kutlu was on the side of the track in one of those hot river bed all by himself which was strange as they had pretty much the same level day-in / day-out. I stopped to give him some of my fuel as we were about to enter some dunes and he said that Kemal was behind with some motorbike issues. Kemal HAD ALWAYS motorbike issues :) and a very willing riding style that made you wonder how the bike and him could possibly stay together! I went on my own merry off-road adventure without GPS going for the straight line across the dunes and landscapes and didn't see them in the bivouac that night. I thought, "oh nooo something happened with the bikes."
The next day we started on that same special backward, there was a lenghty delay as 1/3 of the field stayed in the dunes that previous day, then guess who arrived, both Kemal and Kutlu. They camped out in the dunes lighting a small fire and hugging all night as it was freezing cold. Grabbed their next day road book and took off again, the other way. That was the real deal.

Kemal, you have a lot of friends out there and you will be forever with us. You are the truest never giving up individual that I have come across, and you know what? you never did give up, ever...and no one can take that away from you.

CBV

tehdutchie · 09-12-2012, 06:03 AM

Wouter will be buried this Monday...

Motodisiac · 09-13-2012, 12:27 PM

I'm absolutely shocked to hear the news, RIP Kemal.

DUCK BOY · 09-14-2012, 10:01 PM

I just saw the page on Facebook and thought it must be a joke. So sad that the great Kemal is no longer with us. I met him at the 2010 Dakar Rally and he had a bunch of local boys pushing his bike up a hill on day 2. He said it might be the end of his race then but of course at the finish he rolled up next to me at the gas stop and hosed his bike off like nothing had happened. The next day I was out of the rally and his wonderful girlfriend drove me to the local airport to get a ride home.

Truly a great loss to the sport. I'll will miss you Kemal.

K_N_Fodder · 09-14-2012, 10:28 PM

Confused feelings after riding hard all day at the KTM rally in Bend, and then seeing this. What a terrible thing.

dox · 09-14-2012, 10:52 PM

Just found out about this moments ago...

Some years ago, inmate Donald Duck had posted about his friends who were entered in the Dakar. During that Dakar, and year after year since then, I've followed Kemal. That infectious smile in the photos at the bivouac, the stories told here over the years... A true ironman of Malle Moto.

RIP Kemal and Wouter.

Ray of Sunshine · 09-16-2012, 08:59 AM

R.I.P. to both riders, it is always a loss for all of us.

yzglc · 09-16-2012, 10:36 AM

error

rallye · 09-20-2012, 10:50 AM

RIP Kemal, i had the pleasure of meeting knowing ,and riding with Kemal , such an energetic and funny guy . He will be sadly missed . Such a shock to read about his passing ,Another tragic accident in the rally world .Kemal certainly was an example of a man who gets the most out of life .
Sadly he has lost his ,but this reminds me to make the most of every day.
Ride on Kemal!!

09-10-2012, 10:03 PM	#123
Donald Duck QYYQQuacks ! Joined: Apr 2002 Location: Manhattan, NY Oddometer: 849	Couple of "well known" stickers from the Kemal's bike... Infamous FYYFF ADV ADV this is #56 bike for Kutlu at 2010 Dakar / Kemal's wingman. Both bikes use to have same sticker scheme. and my sticker on the tank... __________________ You won't know what you can achieve until you try...

09-11-2012, 12:10 AM	#125
Racinace Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Reno, Nevada Oddometer: 439	Shocked... No words can ease the pain these two families and their friends are feeling. May they be blessed with the fond memories of their short lives while here on this earth. May they roost the heavens above with the many that have fallen before them. I'm sure the riding and competition are amazing.... __________________ 11 Gas Gas 300ec (plated) 09 Kawasaki Concours ABS 2011 44th Baja 1000 (Finisher) 2X 2010 43rd Baja 1000 (Finisher) 305X 2009 42nd Baja 1000 (Finisher) 313X

09-11-2012, 03:23 AM	#127
CBVRacing CBVRacing Joined: Mar 2007 Oddometer: 308	Kemal my friend... Kemal, Kutlu and I shared the same boat cabin crossing the mediterranean sea in the 2006 Dakar and a bond was created right then. In the 2007 Dakar I remember heading toward the medical tent getting my hand fixed up and I heard that Kemal had a BIG CRASH, one of those that leaves you wondering. His Bell helmet was next to him, he was bruised all over the face, and the doctors were shaking their head in disbelief. Kemal was there, all smiling sitting in front of me showing me his helmet. I had never seen a helmet that much destroyed in 27 years of racing. Kemal was comforting the doctors that he was good to go, "no problem, i just find other helmet from somebody" he said. He did keep on going. What a legend! Then in the 2009 Dakar. Kutlu was on the side of the track in one of those hot river bed all by himself which was strange as they had pretty much the same level day-in / day-out. I stopped to give him some of my fuel as we were about to enter some dunes and he said that Kemal was behind with some motorbike issues. Kemal HAD ALWAYS motorbike issues :) and a very willing riding style that made you wonder how the bike and him could possibly stay together! I went on my own merry off-road adventure without GPS going for the straight line across the dunes and landscapes and didn't see them in the bivouac that night. I thought, "oh nooo something happened with the bikes." The next day we started on that same special backward, there was a lenghty delay as 1/3 of the field stayed in the dunes that previous day, then guess who arrived, both Kemal and Kutlu. They camped out in the dunes lighting a small fire and hugging all night as it was freezing cold. Grabbed their next day road book and took off again, the other way. That was the real deal. Kemal, you have a lot of friends out there and you will be forever with us. You are the truest never giving up individual that I have come across, and you know what? you never did give up, ever...and no one can take that away from you. CBV Attached Images __________________ CBV __________________________________________________ _______ Dream Racer (The Film) -- www.dreamracer.tv "It's at the edge of who you are that you learn who you can be..." Facebook

09-12-2012, 06:03 AM	#128
tehdutchie Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Amsterdam or on Twitter @antal Oddometer: 1,360	Wouter will be buried this Monday... __________________ => http://www.eatdirt.nl/blog <=

09-13-2012, 12:27 PM	#129
Motodisiac Moto Terrorist Joined: Jan 2006 Location: City Of Angels Oddometer: 3,408	I'm absolutely shocked to hear the news, RIP Kemal. __________________ Beach Moto - my baby and your connection for quality motorcycle gear Rev'it Gear for ADV Riders - the thread that started it all Ducati Multistrada 1200 S - Adventure, Commuting, Track, Fun CRF450X - Dirt Toy

09-10-2012, 12:59 PM	#121
640 Armageddon Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Greece Oddometer: 440	I have no words.... I met Chris lst year in the 24hr race and he was always smiling and helping people... He will be missed ... R.I.P. Chris ...

09-10-2012, 10:50 PM	#124
dereli bmw R60/2 Joined: Nov 2009 Oddometer: 2	Kemal Merkit is my hero.. great man and great rider, desert tiger... Ride in Peace

09-14-2012, 10:01 PM	#130
DUCK BOY WWW.ROADTOTHERALLY.COM Joined: Mar 2007 Location: West Vancouver, BC Oddometer: 42	I just saw the page on Facebook and thought it must be a joke. So sad that the great Kemal is no longer with us. I met him at the 2010 Dakar Rally and he had a bunch of local boys pushing his bike up a hill on day 2. He said it might be the end of his race then but of course at the finish he rolled up next to me at the gas stop and hosed his bike off like nothing had happened. The next day I was out of the rally and his wonderful girlfriend drove me to the local airport to get a ride home. Truly a great loss to the sport. I'll will miss you Kemal. __________________ Rick Hatswell www.roadtotherally.com

09-14-2012, 10:28 PM	#131
K_N_Fodder Weekend Warrior Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Back in Bend! Oddometer: 812	Confused feelings after riding hard all day at the KTM rally in Bend, and then seeing this. What a terrible thing.

09-14-2012, 10:52 PM	#132
dox How much for the ape? Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Athens, OH Oddometer: 2,599	Just found out about this moments ago... Some years ago, inmate Donald Duck had posted about his friends who were entered in the Dakar. During that Dakar, and year after year since then, I've followed Kemal. That infectious smile in the photos at the bivouac, the stories told here over the years... A true ironman of Malle Moto. RIP Kemal and Wouter. __________________ ║▌║█║▌│║▌║▌█ dox screwed with this post 09-15-2012 at 08:35 AM

09-16-2012, 08:59 AM	#133
Ray of Sunshine Queer but Accepting Joined: Feb 2004 Location: 42deg 32' N 73deg 46' W Oddometer: 16,703	R.I.P. to both riders, it is always a loss for all of us. __________________ For the love of Baldy, would someone please buy my bikes? For the next several days I will be telling a true abdenture from my own life. It seems harrowing, and will involve a sighting of Richard Gere, but I want to share this for many reasons.

09-16-2012, 10:36 AM	#134
yzglc Adventurer Joined: Dec 2008 Location: İzmir / TR Oddometer: 13	error

09-20-2012, 10:50 AM	#135
rallye Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: PERTH Oddometer: 435	RIP Kemal RIP Kemal, i had the pleasure of meeting knowing ,and riding with Kemal , such an energetic and funny guy . He will be sadly missed . Such a shock to read about his passing ,Another tragic accident in the rally world .Kemal certainly was an example of a man who gets the most out of life . Sadly he has lost his ,but this reminds me to make the most of every day. Ride on Kemal!!

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