Mark Morris (of Morris Custom) likes 1911 pistols — and motorcycles. When his friend, whose son was diagnosed with kidney disease, invited Mark to ride in a race/endurance event to benefit the Nephcure Foundation (supports Kidney disease research), Mark jumped at the chance. “Are you kidding,” he told me. “Ride my Ducati for 100 laps at break-neck speeds, all for a great cause? Count me in!” Mark then added his “Morris Touch” by getting people in the shooting industry involved to sponsor him. The first “Seattle 100” as it’s called, was held last year in Seattle, Washington, and raised $13K. This year’s event topped $70K! Mark talked to some of his shooting friends and others in the biz, put stickers on his bike, and went to work.
“I thought,” said Mark, “It would be a great chance for shooters to show we care, in a very public way.” And, as is usually the case, he found shooters everywhere. A TV show, Two Wheel Tuesday on Speed TV is hosted by an amiable fellow named Greg White. The show was on-hand to film the event and when Greg saw what was going on with Mark, it intrigued him. “It turns out Greg, his wife and his father-in-law all shoot IDPA, and Greg’s getting pretty good at it,” laughed Mark. Greg was on-board with Mark’s efforts and was a solid supporter. Greg told Mark he’d probably be surprised if he found out just how many of the other competitors in the game were also shooters. We say, don’t be ashamed to admit it! Mark did, and got plenty of support.
Our American Handgunner hat is off to Mark’s sponsors: Dr. Anthony “Tony” P. Bucolo; Black Hills Ammo; Cylinder & Slide Shop; Mitch Rosen; Blackhawk Industries; Andy Kemp, of Mid-West Training Group; George Latus, who owns the Harley Davidson super store in Portland; Dave Roosevelt of Seattle Ducati; and Josh, with Tiger Shark Racing and Pirelli tires.
Well done, gents. |