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OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: John Myers dies in road accident

11 August 1998

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Three-time NHRA Winston and three-time AMA Prostar Pro Stock Bike champion John Myers, 40, of Birmingham, died Sunday afternoon as the result of injuries suffered in a tragic road accident. Widely acknowledged as one of the finest in motorcycle drag racing competition, Myers was the second winningest Pro Stock Motorcycle rider in NHRA history with 33 national event wins.

The accident occurred as Myers was leading a group of friends back to Birmingham after a visit to Talladega on their motorcycles. A small animal apparently darted in front of Myers as he entered a curve, and trying to avoid an accident his bike impacted an Armco guardrail, spilling him over it. Arriving moments later, his friends began immediate first aid, and an ambulance was summoned. Through a combination of ground and air ambulance, John arrived at Carraway Methodist Hospital in less than 45 minutes, but despite heroic medical efforts, died shortly after. Doctors reported that his internal injuries were so severe that had the accident occurred directly in front of the hospital it's "unlikely he would have survived it".

When not competing in 180 miles per hour drag racing competition, Myers was the owner/operator of John Myers Turbo Specialties in Birmingham, an aftermarket turbocharger re-manufacturing facility and automotive repair shop specializing in custom turbocharger installations on exotic cars and motorcycles.

Myers is survived by his wife, Kerry, and his 22-month old daughter, Christina.

The funeral will take place Thursday afternoon at 3:00 PM in the Speedvision Dome at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame adjacent to the Talladega Super Speedway located off Interstate 20 at exit 168 in Talladega. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to the John Myers Memorial Fund (Account #48845175) in his daughter, Christina's name in care of South Trust Bank, P.O. Box 2554, Birmingham, AL 35290 or to John Myers Turbo Specialties at 117-H David Green Road, Birmingham, AL 35244.

An additional nighttime candlelight memorial service will be held at the AMA Prostar event in Indianapolis on August 15 at 7:30 PM.

Additional information can be seen on TNN's NHRA Today and on RPM Tonight shown on ESPN2.

For those of you wishing to fly in for the services, the information you need to provide the airlines is the funeral home name of Southern Heritage in Birmingham Alabama to receive bereavement fares.