TSP 513

      On September 4, 2009, Pine Tree Trail Riders lost a dear friend forever. Taylor Smith-Petersen, passed away after a brief but hard fought battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Beverly of Raymond, and long time friends too numerous to mention.

     Most recently Taylor was Vice President of PTTR, but he had been trail boss for years even though he was typically lost in the trails. If you ever had the opportunity to trail ride with Taylor, he started each ride with these three rules of engagement: Rule #1) always wait for the guy behind you, Rule #2) always wait for the guy behind you, and lastly Rule #3) refer to Rule #1…and so on. Even though he himself never seemed to grasp the concept of the rules he encouraged us to follow. Taylor was very involved in the ice racing benefit for Camp Sunshine, along with good friend David Hoar. Camp Sunshine is located on Sebago Lake and is for terminally ill children and their families. He took great pride in that event. Taylor was a lifetime AMA member, and an accomplished enduro, flat track, motocross, and ice racer.

    But most of all, Taylor was a friend to all of us. He was always eager to help a fellow rider with a few words of encouragement, or to tell you what you were doing wrong. Eager to help you set up your bike, turn that ice screw just one more time for the perfect angle, or suggest you stand up or sit down over the rocks and roots. Aim at the stump! We have lost a dear friend, a true asset to our club, and in the dirt bike community in the State of Maine. Taylor will be sadly missed but never forgotten. Always wait for the guy behind you….PTTR. TSP 513.

From Beverly in a Thank You card to PTTR:

My sincerest heartfelt thanks to all of Taylor's friends in Pine Tree Trail Riders, and for the commemorative brick donation to Camp Sunshine. I know he is smiling at this special tribute to him as he so enjoyed helping to organize the ice racing for this benefit. I hope you will always remember how much all of you meant to him!