Garry Gale Franz Birth date: 12.Aug.1951 Birth Place: unknown, United States Death date: 06.Jul.1974 Death Place: Benton Harbor, Berrien County, MI, United States Nationality: United States Gender: male Age at death: 22 Event date: 06.Jul.1974 Series: unknown Race: [feature race] Event type: race Country: United States (Michigan) Venue: Millburg Speedway Variant: 3/8-mile dirt oval (1946-1952, 1962-1974-?) Role: rider Vehicle type: motorcycle Vehicle sub-type: sports bike (no further details yet available) Vehicle brand/model: unknown Vehicle number: ?? Notes: Motorcycle racer and former state snowmobile champion Garry Franz, 22-year-old of Eau Claire, Michigan, was killed in a collision of five motorcycles, during a short-track meeting at Millburg Speedway. A field of 12 bikes started the feature race, before an estimate 1,500 spectators, at 16h30 on Saturday, 06 July 1974. Entering turn 1 on the opening lap, one of the riders lost control of his motorcycle and triggered a multiple pile-up, involving four other competitors. Garry Franz collided with another bike ahead of his and crashed into the four foot high outside wall. Franz was hurled over the wall and about 25 feet over a retainer fence, falling on the hood of a car parked outside the track, before landing against another parked car. Garry Franz was rushed by Action ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Death was attributed to internal injuries from a crushed chest. Located on Territorial Road, east of Millburg in Berrien County, Michigan, the Millburg Speedway hosted motorcycle races since 1962. It had been in operation as a stock car race course between 1946 and 1960. This was reportedly the first fatality in 12 years of motorcycle racing at the track. The other riders who were hurt in the accident were Jay Ridgeway, 17, Melvin Selvig, 21, Wayne Statton, 18, and Mike Boaz, 21. They were treated at Mercy Hospital and released. After the mishap, the race was immediately stopped, but the remainder of the day's racing schedule continued. Described as an avid racing enthusiast, Garry Franz raced motorcycles for six years. As a snowmobile racer, he competed in the Michigan International Snowmobile Association series, capturing the 1972-73 points championship, when he won ten of 12 races in the 300 cm3 super stock class and finished second in the other two events. Garry Franz was employed as a carpenter with Holland Construction Company in Eau Claire. He was survived by his parents, Eldon and Shirley Franz; a brother, Larry; a sister, Sherry. Burial was at Shanghai Memorial Cemetery in Pipestone Township, Eau Claire, Berrien County, Michigan.