by Davey Coombs
450 Words: RedBud
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On Monday morning, Davi Millsaps told me his longtime friend Josh Lichtle had passed away at a hospital in Michigan, a day and a half after having some kind of seizure at the end of the first 450 moto. Millsaps and Lichtle had grown up together racing Suzukis for the national amateur support team, and although their careers went in different directions once they turned pro, they remained friends. As kids, Millsaps' number was 118, Lichtle's was 811. Josh may have been from Michigan and Davi from the Southeast, but both were on the amateur national circuit for many years, seeing one another often. They did video shoots together, Suzuki-supported events like the annual RM Cup Challenge, and even won titles together at Loretta Lynn's. But for whatever reason—talent, injuries, breaks both good and bad—their career paths split at some juncture.
Then they crossed together again at RedBud.
Josh Lichtle at RedBud.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
The cruel coincidence from the whole terrible turn of events is that in the race that would ultimately mark the end of Lichtle's life, his old friend Millsaps was the early leader. Josh, a privateer, had gotten caught up in the chain-reaction crash that began with title contender Ryan Villopoto's crash a quarter of the way around the track. The Joe Gibbs Racing-backed Millsaps ended up out front, putting in some of his best laps of the season as he led the two other title contenders—Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey—at the front. Lichtle got up and got going again, doing his best to make an impression on the fans and the industry that had gathered at what was basically his hometown round of the series.
It was shortly into the tenth of sixteen total laps that the riders’ career paths would intersect one last time. That's when Millsaps, now back in third, lapped his friend who had fallen on the start. It was a moment of little importance then, but given the context, it became one of sad relevance.
On the last lap of the race, Lichtle fell again -- the third time in the moto, as he tipped over a couple of laps earlier in front of Racer X photographer Andrew Fredrickson on the second of the two infield off-camber hairpins -- and as he struggled to restart his bike, the leaders went past him again. It soon became obvious to a nearby official that Josh was having difficulty, and immediate medical attention was sought. He was attended to on-site, then quickly transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. The race went on.
Davi Millsaps at RedBud.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Medical reports explaining exactly why Josh Lichtle passed away on Monday morning are not complete, so it's hard to make any assumptions about what caused him to struggle at the end of the moto like that. By the looks of his lap times and progress, he rode hard and well throughout before falling toward the very end. It was a tragic turn of events for his family and friends, Michigan motocross, the track, the series, and the sport as a whole. His was the first death of an athlete in the forty-year history of the AMA Motocross Championship.
Millsaps was devastated by the news, and in passing it on to me, first via Twitter and then on the phone after I called to confirm, he had become the messenger of terrible, unexpected news. Believe me, having played that role before, that's a heavy burden. But then he talked about lessons to learn for all us here, and how he wanted to continue the conversation as soon as it became more clear what happened to Lichtle at RedBud. And that's a message he should be proud to carry in memory of his friend.
Lichtle was 23 years old. Godspeed, Josh.
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Very sorry for the Lichtle Family.
RIP Josh
I am stunned, Josh rode alot at baja also. Im stunned. peace and condolances to his family. So sad.
Just totally heartbreaking. Rest in peace Josh and God Bless his family.
so sorry to hear of Josh passing, we are heart broken. we knew him briefly and he loved this sport as we do. our love to his family
Thats terrible and sad for his family and friends. Ride on man.
Very sad.. Prayers to the family
I remember Josh coming up and hearing his name thru the AM's.. My best to his Family and all of Us during a sad time in our MX community,,Godspeed JL..and blessings to his loved ones...Peace be with you..
Ride In Peace Josh.
Condolenses and prayers to Josh's family, friends and everyone in the moto community affected by this tragedy.
Godspeed Josh.
Rest In Peace Josh. You died doing what you love, much respect. Best wishes to your family
There's been far too much tragedy in our sport this year, it's hard because outsiders just see the tragedies like this one. It's tough, I myself have witnessed tragedy from motocross in my own family, it leaves you numb. Atleast these fellow riders went out doing what they love....RIP
So sad, RIP Josh.
very good read. RIP 811
very good read. RIP 811
All us Michigan motocrossers got to see him race many times at Baja. He was fun to watch. I always learned some different lines on the track watching him race. I will miss him.
Sad, My heart goes out. Someone past away in the first turn of a supercross, that was kept under the hat but this was talked about the next day in conversation so it had to be explained. Anybody know anything about the other guy. Look number 811 on riders gear this weekend. RIP 811.
This is so sad. 5 years ago I was walking out my front door heading to a 12 hr nightshift, my old college fraternity brother (teacher) was going by the house on his harley with a friend and beeped, I thought man, I wish I could hop on my softail and join them, they were heading to Hooters bike night, I was going into a hot, dirty factory. I pull out in my 06 Taco, head 5 miles down the road.......1st responders were already there. A S-15 went left of center, killing my frat brother & severely injuring the other rider. I contemplated what I had wished for just 30 minutes prior and cried the whole shift. Davi, I feel your pain. To the family: Many of us armchair pro's would have given anything in the world to have 1 successful amateur season & made the big events. Josh was living the dream all us broken down B riders dreamed of. Josh died happy doing what he loved, what thousands uf us only dreamed of, that says so much. I volunteered as an EMT for 6 years, many things that I saw correlate with this youtube video & stories ER nurses & doctors told me. EVERYONE NEEDS TO WATCH THIS VIDEO!!! Pay attention to the last 4 minutes & what he says. RIP Josh! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNEDOTDnY-o
I race a YZ450 in the vet classes and I've had the #810 since 1975. I was kinda proud to see Josh using the same number on the same bike at Red Bud. Godspeed Josh.
My prayers go out to Josh Lichtle's family and friends.
In 1975, Jim West fell at a race in the Trans-AMA series, actually dying at a hospital. Like Josh, he was 23 years old when he went to that big motocross track in the sky.
RIP.
Chinky Godby, a WV racer life ended at Highpoint in the early 80s. He was a good friend also.
Sincere thoughts to his family and friends, to Davi and all the MX community who is directly touched by Josh's passing. God Speed Brother!
Jim West was first. It was a Trans-AM race in the seventies. Not to take away anything from Josh. Both suck.
I went to a funeral for one of Bulldog's life members. On his funeral program was a saying about running life wide opened and skidding into the grave sideways all used up. Josh was a long ways from being used up. But as Evel Knievel said- "It is better to have tried and failed, than not to have the guts to try at all!" That is what life and racing is all about- Picking ourselves up and trying again. I wasn't friends with Josh, but I think many of us who weren't know "who" he is! CHEERS to Josh for having the guts to try!!!
While it's of little consequence, hopefully Josh's family will see that he touched many peoples' lives and will be remembered by scores of people for doing what he loved which, is the way a lot of us would like to be remembered.
Godspeed, brother.
Such a sad turn of events. Thoughts and prayers going out to family and friends...RIP Josh.
Very Sad.. I watched the whole thing happen. He tried to get his bike to start over and over again. He must have kicked it over 50 times, until he could not do it anymore.
I say that stinkin' FOUR STROKE took him beyond the point of exhaustion when he had to kick it 50 times. That four stroke is what killed him! BAN THE FOUR STROKE! Damned manufacturers, trying to make a bunch of money off of us in top-end parts, meanwhile killing Josh Lichtle. Damned FIM and AMA, knuckling under to the eco-freaks and forcing us to ride four strokes. I hate four strokes more than ever now.
RIP, LICHTLE. GOD SPEED
I would like to extend my sincere condolences and prayers to Josh and his family and friends. He most certainly touched and enhanced so many lives over the years. I was attending the race for the first time in 35 years. 810 was the first # that I was assigned as a pro in '74. Godspeed Josh, You will be sorely missed by so many.
WHOA JAIRTIME! Wrong place man!
I met Josh a few times at the track. He was a true talent, and never seemed to be satisfied with his performance. He was always looking for more from himself. God's Speed Josh, and prayers to all who had the pleasure of meeting and knowing him.
To Jairtime's comment - wrong place to be venting about politics.
Four strokes are super hard to start after you crash. Two strokes start in one or two kicks. Each time you kick a four stroke, it's like plunging your leg into wet concrete. It's exhausting as hell! After falling three times in one moto, think of all the kicking he had to do. That took him past the breaking point! The people who have forced motocrossers in America to ride four strokes have caused people to lose championships due to not being able to start them quickly, lose races, and even lose their lives!
Here's how I see it:
- The manufacturers want to sell more parts for more profit.
- The FIM caved in to the eco-freaks, forcing four strokes on everybody.
- The AMA caved in to the FIM, forcing Americans to ride four strokes.
- Motocrossers lose races, championships and their lives because four strokes are extremely hard to start after you fall down.
Nobody ever died trying to start a two stroke.
i,m so sad to hear about josh he was great young man and racer he was my friend i always had lots of fun with him at starting line . now he,s in gods hands and some day we will get to ride with him again i pray for god to bless his family and friends with under standding for soon we will see him again life,s crazy but faith in god will help the nma starter
The best race I've seen to this day was Josh Lichtle and Millsaps at Loretta's in 2003. They were dicin it so hard. I also remember being at the E-town practice track a few years ago when he was there rippin. So nasty, it's a damn shame. Godspeed.