We are sorry to report that multiple X-Games gold medalist and frankly BMX God, Dave Mirra has passed away due to an apparent suicide in Greenville, North Carolina. Dave made the transition from pedal power to Subaru Rally Team USA and competed in both Rally America and the earlier years of Red Bull Global Rallycross. Mirra was known as one of the most approachable guys in professional motorsports. As many have probably already said, he seemed like “your average Joe” and was very easy to talk to. I remember spectating at Oregon Trail Rally in 2010 I think it was, at the Fir Mountain stage. Mirra passed the spectator area and soon after we got word he went too fast into a corner and rolled. He walked back to the spectator area and instead of hiding out away from everyone, he joined the throng of fans until the stage was over. He didn’t shy away from signing autographs or chatting it up with whoever had the courage to approach the X-Games star.
Mirra was best known for his X-Games exploits having earned what was a long standing record of 24 medals, including one in Rally. The record held until 2013 when it was surpassed by Bob Burnquist in X-Games Munich. Although not necessarily the most naturally skilled driver, nobody could deny Mirra’s work ethic. He tried hard, maybe sometimes too hard. He had some fantastic crashes for sure, but he always gave it his all. He will be missed.
Mirra is survived by his wife and two children who are in our thoughts and prayers.
I will never forget his performance at the Dirtfish Rally School event in the first year of the GRC. Coming out of the warehouse he clipped the wall on the exit and tore the rear wheel off his Subaru, but that only seemed to make him drive harder, and he did several more laps to finish the race with the car dragging on the undercarriage the whole time. The crowd there went absolutely nuts over his performance, and even tho his ended up finishing 6th, it was the most impressive drive of the day. I don’t even remember who won the event, but I will never forget watching him drive that day.
RIP to a true legend.