Griz Robinson, long-time owner of Pueblo bike shop, The Chop Shop, and top fuel Harley drag bike pilot, died early Wednesday morning, May 20, 2009, from injuries he suffered in a crash in Pueblo on May 12, 2009.

Gregory Robinson, or "Griz", as he was known, was 56 years old.

Robinson was test riding a customer motorcycle he had been working on when Pueblo police say a pick-up truck driven by a 15-year-old boy with no license pulled out in front of Robinson at the intersection of East Eighth Street and Glendale Avenue in Pueblo.

Robinson suffered severe head injuries in the crash according to reports. After spending the night of May 12 at Pueblo's Parkview Medical Center, Robinson was flown to St. Anthony's Medical center in Denver on May 13, where he was treated in the neurology intensive care unit.

Funeral and memorial arrangements have not yet been made. Scooter News will post those details when and if they are made public.

Griz Robinson was a well-known fixture in the Colorado motorcycle community. He operated his shop, The Chop Shop for many years, and was always known for doing excellent work.

Additionally, Robinson raced top fuel Harley drag bikes for 25 years on the AHDRA circuit. Griz was the first Colorado racer to break the 200 mile-per-hour mark in the 1/4-mile, hitting 202mph on April 2, 2004, at the Firebird Raceway in Phoenix during the AHDRA races at Arizona Bike Week. At the Sturgis Dragway later that year, Griz won it all.

Griz upped his quarter-mile mark to 211mph in 6.78 seconds in 2006. For the uninitiated, that's damned fast.

2006 was arguably Griz's best season. In addition to his blistering quarter-mile run, he hit 180mph in 4.1 seconds in the 1/8 mile. He finished 15th nationally and 4th in the Western division that year, and was always a strong competitor on the track.

He finished strong again in 2007, while 2008 saw him plagued by mechanical problems throughout the season.

Griz is survived by his wife and family, Denise, Denise, Gracie and Lesley Robinson, as well a huge contingent of friends, race fans, customers and acquaintances.