by Nick McCabe
Where Are They Now: Doug Henry
Thursday, March 17, 2011 | 4:05 PM
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Over the past six months we have profiled a number of riders in this space, many who had seemingly disappeared from the sport, or had not been in the news for a number of years. This week, we are catching up with Doug Henry, who has not disappeared from the sport and is still very much involved.
Henry is one of the nicest and friendliest in Motocross, and we found him in the Daytona Supercross paddock, and looking for Bevo and the Scott bus. As has been widely reported a few months ago, Doug and his family suffered a devastating fire at their home in Connecticut, and we wanted to check in to see how the rebuilding process was coming along for Doug and his family.
Racer X: Hey Doug, great to see you--clearly you know where the best food is in the pits! But I am guessing that you did not come all the way to Daytona just to eat Bevo’s Meatball sandwiches?
Doug Henry: {laughs} Well, no, I came down to Florida with a group of guys, we wanted to come down and get away from the winter and do some riding. So we have been down here going to different tracks and just hanging out, doing some riding at a bunch of different tracks. But Bevo’s food is always worth the trip!
I am sure everyone asks, but we are now four to five months since that terrible fire-- how are things going with the rebuilding process?
Well, actually there is not much rebuilding yet. Right now we have been working on insurance and our temporary housing. It's actually kind of been a nightmare dealing with our insurance. Everyone said it was going to be hard, but at first it seemed like it was going to be easy, and things were smooth. But now, its turned around and seems like it is going to be a lot more work than we hoped for. Basically, we paid our insurance policy for 11 or 12 years, and we lost everything. We were fully insured, but now we have to defend and explain everything that was insured and make sure every little thing is noted. Its just tough, but we will get through it. Plenty of people have been through it before, but its just hard dealing with all the details.
Henry grabbing the holeshot in 1999 at Broome-Tioga.
Photo: Paul Buckley/www.buckleyphotos.com
I have heard that the process of filing claims after fires is really tough, and wish you the best with that. Where are you guys living right now?
Well, right now we are living between two houses. We have a rental house, as well as an old farmhouse that we owned before the fire. But the farm house is too small for all of us, and the rental doesn’t allow for pets, and we have two dogs and two cats. So, we are just unsettled until we sort out the insurance, and basically just going between the two houses. But the kids are doing well, all things considered. Our daughter Brianna is a freshman and Ian is in the 7th grade.
How is Stacy doing? I know she was dealing with some cancer issues a number of years ago, but she managed to beat it, right?
She is doing well! She has been Cancer free now for four years, and 5 years is the milestone, if you go five years, then they say you are really cancer free. So we just need one more year, and we can move past that one.
Doug, I saw you come walking into the Scott bus here on your crutches, and the steps getting in are super steep and short. You seem to be getting around really well. What is the extent of your back injury, and how much have you recovered?
Well, basically, I Plateaued with nerve feeling coming back, as far as my progression goes. I worked on the injury for two years with the rehab, and I felt like I made good progress. But with all the hours that I spent trying to get my legs to work, I started to feel like I was missing out on other things. So I got to a point where I just said I would deal with what I have. There was only so much I could do, and I didn’t want to spend too much more time and not get the results that I was hoping for, because they say that you get the most back in the first year. But time is going by – and now I am riding, snowmobiling, and am up on my braces, so I am good with that. If they come up with something that could change it, I would go for it, but for now I am ok with what I have and can make it work.
Henry ripping on a snowmobile.
Photo: John Hanson
Are you up on your braces all the time or do you still use a chair?
I use both. For me, I have the choice of being in a chair or up on leg braces. If you are in a chair, you are disabled, but you can get around. But when you are on braces, you are even more disadvantage – because I can't work as well as I can when I am in a chair. I am much more stable in the chair and can move quicker and with more stability. I have not given up the chair, as I can get more done with that, but leg braces are great for events and being around people. So, if I am just hanging around chatting or at an event, I prefer the braces, as I am at peoples eye level and talk to someone. If I am just hanging around, the braces are fine.
So, I use straight leg braces, which are called HKAFO’s, if anyone knows what that means. My legs are locked in the straight position and I unlock them to sit down. I use the forearm crutches, which gives me balance and stability. I have way more balance on the forearm crutches because I can feel a lot more with my hands. I can stay up for about two to three hours on the braces and without any big issues.
So how is the riding going for you? I have seen a number of videos of you and your special bike. I am not sure what to call it – maybe the “Cage Bike”?
{Laughs} Yea you can call it that – but it is working out great! I have been working on it nonstop, and we have got it working really well. I have had a few falls with it, and knock on wood, everything worked just exactly as planned. I have had some friends over who are in chairs as well, and they took it out and it worked good for them as well. I would like to build a fleet of them, but that’s going to be hard because they are really expensive to make. The other thing is that you can’t ride on your own though, you need someone else around. Being disabled, you want to be able to, but the time, help and preparation involved can be frustrating at times.
I understand you are helping out a local racer, Marisa Markilon,
Yea, I am. She is local racer from Connecticut. I feel that she is right where I was when I was between my privateer ride and my factory ride. She is really fast and has a great attitude. She has done the major work to get to her current level, and we will just work on some of the final little stuff that she needs. She doesn’t have a ride yet this year, and I want to try to help out as much as possible. I want to get her to become a little more consistent and see if we can get her a ride for all the WMX races. Its running late into the season and looks tough on that end. She wins just about everything up in New England and I just want to help her in whatever way I can to get to that next level.
So what’s next for you? Are you headed home after this race?
Well, we are headed home from here, and might stop at Jimmy Weinerts track, but I want to get back home and see the family. I might do another snowcross event out in Wisconsin, but I am not sure yet. If I do that, that is my focus.
Henry is still very involved in the motocross industry.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
One last question – everyone always wants to know if there is anything they can do to help with the fire. I know its been a while now, but is there anything that you guys can use right now?
We are good. The biggest loss for Stacy and I were pictures and video of the kids. If anyone has any video or pictures of the kids, from the races, or wherever, that would be awesome. We lost all of that history from when they were little. I am not so sentimental about my stuff, but this is important to us.
(editors note: send them to nick@mxsports.com and we will direct you to the right channel).
Well thanks for chatting Doug, safe travels and be well.
Thanks!
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Doug Henry is one of the nicest riders.. The guy has shown what a class act he is, by overcoming several adversities in his life!!
Such a damn shame the insurance is giving him a hard time... Heard many horror stories of my US counterparts.. Mind boggling.
I wish him and his family the very best of luck!!!
Doug Henry has always been a class act. I wish you and Stacy well.
I bet this feature will be ready by more than any other in recent RX history. Good job, Nick!
Yeah Doug is the real deal, a true class act with a great attitude!
wow, doug sure has had some problems, he's handleing it so good always been a great guy,I raced N.E.S.C. all through the 80's and 90's we would all just go nuts and laugh at how fast doug was #69. doug if you read this im transferring many tapes to dvd this year i know i have a good amount of footage of those days i will get it to you.
CLASS GUY FOR SURE. AND ALWAYS WILL BE. HE IS WHAT MAKES MOTO SO GREAT. ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Doug is the BEST. He always was and always will be my favorite. Good Luck to you and your family. Hope you get things straightened out with your insurance company.
Doug is, and always has been a true professional and a gentleman. I had the pleasure of working one winter around him the first year he was involved in snocross. There was no one more committed to his racing, or to the fans. I also had the pleasure of working with a rider that was his friend from that season, and we were invited to his place to test and ride when we were out east for the snocross tour. Thanks for the inspiration Mr. Henry...no nickname needed for you!! By the way, do you still have your little white extended cab pickup???
Check out my video of Doug Henry while he was at Pax Trax in FL for Bike Week http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kk_9MKEy_w
It is great to see doug up and around and being able to use his legs, Doug is amazing and should be a insparation to us all
Doug is a great guy, met him several times at Southwick, always had time for the fans. His life is a true insparation to anyone that knows of him. I believe Hollywood should call on him to do a movie on his life so the world can learn from this man and his family.
A movie about Doug would be great. I've thought that as well. To win the Championship after those two horrendous crashes was a major inspiration. You cannot keep that man down. He's the real deal. :)
Someone should make a movie about Doug Henry
a true amercan hero. i was lucky enough to meet doug. he is still an insperation to me.
DOUGIE LEGEND!! DOUGIE LEGEND!! LONG LIVE DOUGIE LEGEND!!
Doug won a Winter X Games Gold medal a few months ago. Surprised that was left out! Guy is a inspiration.
Dougs win at the Florida GNCC a few years back was an amazing performance. He truly defines heart.
total class act!! Loved watching him ride. More importantly, he is a great father and family man!
Wow! What an inspiration! His positive attitude in life is what made him a champion in the MX world.
Doug is the man! You inspire all of us. Id u are reading this Doug, I've had a lawsuit with our insurance company for over a year now and have yet to settle. They love ur premiums but won't pay when u need them. I'm a former privateer who had cancer and cancer free now for 8years. I wish the best for u and ur fily.
Sorry I meant family, key board is hard To type on sometimes. Anyway Doug deserves all the respect he gets.
God bless Doug & his family. We need more men like U in life!
I can't think of anyone with more heart (RC and Ryno are close) and who inspires more than this man. All of the adversity that he has overcome...and so much of it. Insurance companies can suck my d**k. Yeah, they take your money with a smile, but when it comes time to collect, a bunch of a$$holes. Doug, you truly are the man. Best of luck and wishes.
There was a question ask to the top riders a few years ago in one of the major MX magazines: "What rider do you think is the best and you admire the most?" The G.O.A.T answered: "Doug Henry, because he can win in any type of motorcycle racing." I'm lucky to live close to Doug and have had the honor of meeting him and riding at his home over the years. I can think of only "positive energy, humbleness, and an amazing talent" when I hear his name. What a inspiration!!
Doug truly is the greatest champion ever. Total dedication, total effort, and total heart. I had the pleasure of meeting Doug after a NETRA hare scramble in 2005. He waxed the entire AA field and won by over two minutes..... While riding the last lap with a rear flat! I was racing the B class and he lapped me twice, each time completely wide open on a YZ-250. Most amazing thing I've ever seen.
Doug is awesome and an inspiration to all. Dowdy is also an awesome person
If there was ever a guy who would NOT be trying to jack the insurance company it is Doug Henry. They should just give him everything he is asking for because you damn well he would not ask for it if he did not already have it.
When I think of the heroes of Motocross, Doug is always on the list
Thank you (so far) to everyone for leaving their unrelated agendas off these Comments. He deserves what ever respect we can give him.
Doug Henry is a fine human being. I'm 15 years older than him and look up to him as a hero. And I don't believe in having too many heros in my life
This guy is awesome. Theres no way Id be able to go through all those unfortunant events and still be in good sprits.He must follow some sort of faith. Thats all that could get me through. I also remember that Yamaha gave Doug one of the two original yzf400. He onece mentioned that it was keptin his basment. I wonder if it was lost also. Of course that would be minor compared to all the family stuff.
Anybody who knows moto-x knows about Doug and what he's been through. An inspiration to everybody no matter what their personal situation may be. Ride On Doug!!!
Did you know Elvis taught Doug how to triple?!
YZ400M.......Burned? Can someone confirm this please.
I will find out about the 400m, I think Doug told my Bro it is at the AMA museum. My Bro and I have know Doug for years, I raced with him in the C class, and The B class, then he quite his job, went to FL for the winter and when he came back there was no staying with him again. I have rode at his house many times and My bro and I have made parts for his Super Moto bikes, His Snowmobile and made parts for hand controls on his bulldozer and excavator. We made parts that were on his X-Games winning Super Moto bike and his Snowmobile this year and last year. he was at our shop a few days before he left for the X-games.
The YZ400 factory bike was not lost to the fire. It was (and maybe still is) in the AMA Museum in Ohio.
hangtown 1991 friends and I were walk thru the pits when we come upon new england plates on a chevy astrovan with a rain soaked matress leaning against the van,,I say to my friends,,this is a privateer whom has zero chance today,,well he won that day as well as dowdy,,a few nationals later they both were factory supported riders. I became a big fan and still remain fans of both riders...and to this day he remains a warrior...father of the four stroke among many other titles/championships
hangtown 1991 friends and I were walk thru the pits when we come upon new england plates on a chevy astrovan with a rain soaked matress leaning against the van,,I say to my friends,,this is a privateer whom has zero chance today,,well he won that day as well as dowdy,,a few nationals later they both were factory supported riders. I became a big fan and still remain fans of both riders...and to this day he remains a warrior...father of the four stroke among many other titles/championships
sorry for the double post,,,hate this H/P
A racer's racer...my all time favorite. Wishing you and your family all the best doug...
BillC...I didn't know that about you man...respect. When you see Doug tell him the RacerX community thinks he is the best...
My all time favorite rider hands down. Doug Henry is the man! #19 Forever
Doug you are a true legend mate, I dunno how many times one person can take being knocked over until they decide not to get back up again, but mate you are an inspiration, I hope to some day meet you.
@ The What?... Will do and thanks.
The Henrys are my heros!
I'm glad to see that Doug did so well for himself and the great sport of MotoX.
I went to high school with Doug (Emmett O'Brien RVTS) class of '87. Doug was always a free spirit so I'm not surprised that he so loved and respected by so many. I remember that he rode dirt bikes alot back in the day, but I never thought he would take the motoX world by storm. Great job man! I was deeply saddened when I heard of his injuries sustained while doing what he loves. But also uplifted when I see what a remarkable recovery he has made. Not 100%, but as long as his quality of life is good, the rest will follow. I also hope he settles the insurance issue soon. They can be real pr**ks when they have to pay. Doug I wish you all the best to you and your family. You are surely an inspiration to many, me included. Too bad E.O.B. reunion committee spent all our money. Sure would be nice to see ya again Doug. Maybe their overseeing your insurance claim? Just a thought.
Peter (Chet) Loverci
I have a tremendous amount of respect for Doug & Stacy. Having to deal with the adversity they both have (and are) is so humbling. I find it so easy to relate, as my brother and Doug have virtually the same injury, and degree of paralysis from bike injuries. The Henry's have my sincere regard and I wish them strength during these trying times.
"Damn Insurance Companies..."