Friday July 23rd 2010
Some sad news to report today, as we just heard that Zoli Berenyi Senior died on July 20th - he was 78 years old.
I first met Zoli back in the early 70’s, when he was a regular at Blackfoot Park in Calgary racing his favorite CZ - and he usually won. - Later I also became friends with his son Zoli Junior, who just like his Dad, became one of the top MX rider’s in Canada.
Zoli was a partner in Scona Cycle, the Honda dealer in Edmonton, until his retirement, but that didn’t stop him racing with success in the Old Timer’s class, often traveling to the USA to compete against many of the other “Greats”
It was while I was working for Yamaha Canada, that I approached Zoli Snr, about the possibility of getting Junior on a Yamaha - He was, after all, working at his Dad’s Honda shop and had been racing the red bikes for quite some time.
I recall that Senior said ” Go ahead, talk to him, - Why not? - Honda isn’t doing anything for the kid” - Of course History will show that Zoli Junior won many Alberta Championships for Yamaha, plus he had some epic battles in National competition.
Zoli Senior was more than a great MX racer, he was a man with a sense of humor, and always said what he thought - He was a legend in Motorcycle sport, and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services will be held on July 27th at 51 Broadway Blvd, in Sherwood Park Alberta. - 10am is the time.
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