It is with profound sadness that we report that a beloved member of our paddock, Ross Olson, has passed away.
Olson, who was just 20 years old and from Minnesota, parlayed his early years as a snowmobile enthusiast and racer into a still-blossoming career in motorcycle product development and racing. A staff member of Krämer Motorcycles USA, Olson played a major role in the Krämer APX-350 MA project, as well as in the successful launch of this year’s Parts Unlimited Talent Cup By Motul. All the teams, and especially the young riders, in Talent Cup admired Olson and, for them, the loss of Olson is particularly difficult.
Joe Karvonen, founder of Krämer Motorcycles USA, was very close to Olson, and he played a major role in Olson’s career path as a motorcycle technician, as well as his development as a racer.
“I have known Ross since he was 12 years old,” Karvonen said. “He started racing and working with us at Kramer Motorcycles USA when he was 16. In all of my time in the motorcycle industry, I have never worked with a more dedicated and motivated person, especially at his age. He learned so fast and always wanted to do the best he could for Krämer and our customers.
“Ross was truly someone special. To my wife and me, he was more than an employee. He was part of our family, and losing him is the hardest thing we have been through. I cannot thank everyone enough for being a positive influence on Ross, helping to make him the great man that he was. We and so many others will greatly miss him.”
Godspeed, Ross Olson.
