Blair Morgan

Infobox Celebrity


image_size = 150px
name = Blair Morgan
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birth_date = Birth date and age|1975|10|9|mf=y
birth_place = Prince Albert, SK CAN
death_date =
death_place =
occupation = Motocross and Snocross Racer
major_titles =
networth =
website =
race team = Free Agent
race teams = Arctic Cat (1997-2000) Ski-Doo (2001-2008)

Blair Morgan (born October 9, 1975 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) is a multi-time CMRC Canadian National championship-winning motocross racer who currently races for Ski-Doo Racing. He is also a multi-time World Snocross snowmobile champion and a 5-times X-Games gold medalist. Blair is a fan-favorite in the sport for his sheer speed and determination. He has made several comebacks from devastating injuries, and is crediting with pioneering the modern snocross riding style, drawing comparisons to Jeremy McGrath of supercross for his innovation.

Motocross

Blair started racing in his early teens in his home province of Saskatchewan. He progressed through to the ranks of Pro, and made his debut on the Canadian National scene in 1993. After several seasons of working his way up the rankings behind riders like Carl Vaillancourt and Marco Dube, Morgan came into his own in 1997 and decimated the Nationals as a member of Two Wheel Kawasaki. He won the 250 title the next year, but lost the overall crown to Dube. He would regain the number one plate in 1999. 2000 marked a year of significant growth for the Canadian Nationals, and Morgan switched to the Blackfoot Honda team. Injury held him to a #7 ranking for the year, but he would rebound in style in 2001 by battling Jean Sebastien Roy throughout the year. Morgan scored more wins, but the title went to the Quebecer. Morgan won the four-stroke class at the US Open of Supercross that fall, the first win for the Honda CRF450R. 2002 was another season of terrific battles between the two teammates, but again Morgan ended up with the #2 plate. Blair started his own Yamaha team for 2003, but a horrific accident at Nanaimo, BC, ruined his season. A series of nagging injuries from both motocross and snocross held back Blair's pure speed for the next few years. Finally, in 2006, Morgan returned to form with Blackfoot Honda and scored mulitple podiums to finish the year 3rd overall behind Dusty Klatt and Roy. On September 21, 2008 Blair had a bad crash at the Montreal supercross and is currently in the beginning stages of recovery.He suffered a broken back which severed his spinal cord. The Canadian Motocross Des Nations Team dedicated this years MXDN race to Blair.

nocross

Blair started racing snocross for Arctic Cat full-time in 1997. His stand-up, high-flying and aggressive motocross style revolutionized the sport, and it would be a long time before Morgan would face much challenge. He claimed the majority of the race wins and championships for the next several seasons. 2001 would see Blair switch to Ski-Doo and continue his winning ways. He never defeated Tucker Hibbert for both titles in 2002 before his 2003 motocross injuries derailed further title hopes. He would bounce back to win again in 2004, and get injured again in 2005. Through it all, Morgan always comes through at the X-Games, finding a way to win almost every year. For the 2007 and 2008 X-Games, Morgan has struggled and hasn't been able to take the title since 2006. In June of 2008, it was reported that Morgan was "looking for a new ride", therefore, making him a free agent. It is reported by the official Blair Morgan website that Morgan will be racing for Ski-Doo again for the 2008-2009 season.

Career titles

*1999 CMRC National Motocross Champion
*1997 CMRC National Motocross Champion
*1998 CMRC 250 National Champion
*5 X-Games Gold Medals (Snocross)
*Multi-time Snocross World Championships and race wins

Childhood

Blair was born in Prince Albert Saskatchewan. He was raised on a farm outside the city of Prince Albert. His father Gwyn owns and operates a hog farm with Blair's older brother Grant. Blair's mother June is a housewife and mother of 4 children, of whom Blair is the youngest. As a child, he developed a keen love of outdoor sports. However, it was not until he was thirteen that his parents allowed him to pursue his passion competitively. It was clear that he had a natural ability from that point on and a strong competitive drive.

Injury

On September 20th,2008. Blair severed his spine while practicing on a course that was to be his last before switching to sno-cross.

Teri Morgan Blair’s wife Left a message on the official website stating. "As most of you know Blair has suffered a substantial injury due to a crash while practicing for Montreal Supercross at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal. During Saturday afternoon practice in Montreal, Blair sustained substantial injuries to his middle back. A surgery was performed and went well, however it was soon discovered that as a result of the vertebrae separating from each other on impact, Blair’s spinal cord was severed, leaving him with paralysis from his middle back down. He was taken off the ventilator soon after surgery and has been progressing well since. This afternoon (September 22, 2008) he was moved out of ICU to the orthopaedic floor and arrangements are now being made for his transfer closer to home. He is resting now and he is focused on recovering and working closely with the physiotherapists. I know as most of you do as well, Blair is a fighter and this incidence will not keep him down for long.

Special thanks to everyone for their well wishes, just so you know there are so many people rooting for Blair and we really appreciate it so much."

External links

* [http://www.auto123.com/en/racing-news/moto/update-on-motocross-rider-blair-morgans-condition?artid=101512 Update on motocross rider Blair Morgan's condition]
* [http://www.auto123.com/en/racing-news/moto/the-latest-news-about-blair-morgans-condition?artid=101605 The latest news about Blair Morgan's condition]