Chuck Most Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 He passed away April 30, but just caught it in today's paper. Elon Jack 'E.J.' Potter Age 71, of Ithaca, MI passed away Monday, April 30, 2012 at Rosewood Adult Foster Care, Gratiot County, MI. Elon was born in Alma, Michigan on April 24, 1941, the son of Howard and Sheila (Huxley) Potter. E.J. graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1959. With his extremely vast knowledge and love of machinery, E.J. could be described as a self-made mechanical engineer. A true machine innovator, inventor, and racing legend, E.J. was probably best known, across this country and abroad, for his series of home made Chevy V-8 drag bikes. As an exhibitionist drag strip performer, he was commonly known as the "MICHIGAN MADMAN", during the rise of his career in the 1960's and into the early 1970's. It was at that time, he made several historic runs on his bikes, which he called "Widowmaker" and "Bloody Mary". E.J. became a record setter with his machines, including a 1973 entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. Following his drag racing adventures, he then became involved in the tractor pulling arena. Here, he soon became a leader in the sport, with his talents and abilities and love for the Allison aircraft engine. Many others came to him for advice, maintenance, repairs and sales of their aircraft tractor engines and jet engines. He won countless awards for his successful runs, including "World Champion" title two years in a row. E.J. was self taught in all areas of interest, with a constant desire to learn more. His favorite way to learn was usually trial and error. In later years, he further developed and marketed his earlier creation, the snow melter machine, which he named "Michigan Melters". E.J. was inducted into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, for holding his many racing and tractor pulling records. He is survived by son Jack and Deborah Potter of Howell, MI, daughter Alison (Potter) and David Tiihonen of Howell, MI, grandchildren; William, Jennifer, Jacob and Emily and 3 sisters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Handley Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Wow, second motorsports legend to pass, I'm afraid to see who's going to go next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Badwrench Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 He is the third to pass because bill grumpy jenkins passed a few weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Brian Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 After doing some reading on Mr. Potter he was an amazing man. He was the kind of genius that is frowned upon in todays college obsessed society, a man who actually knew how to do things and used his hands and aquired mechanical knowledge to build great hings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Morgan Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 R.I.P. E.J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imatt88 Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RatRod Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 On top of everything else, he obviously had NO FEAR!!! RIP E.J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1930fordpickup Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Yes we have lost another Legend ! RIP Mr. Potter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggon Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 His bikes were legendry, I loved his pullers But the Allison Plymouth was my Favorite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldscool Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 After doing some reading on Mr. Potter he was an amazing man. He was the kind of genius that is frowned upon in todays college obsessed society, a man who actually knew how to do things and used his hands and aquired mechanical knowledge to build great hings. Amen to that brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony T Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Godspeed...the "MICHIGAN MADMAN"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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