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Larry Huffman

November 13, 1941 - July 1, 2024

In Memory
R. I. P.

Sad to report that "Supermouth" Larry Huffman passed today at the Palm Springs Dessert Regional Hospital. In poor health Larry had been suffering from a heart condition but doctors would not operate as they did not believe he would survive the operation.

Although Larry Facebook page is still operation it is not being monitored so they best way to leave condolences is on the Howie Zechner or Speedway America page.

Rest in peace, you were one of the greatest wordsmiths that ever challenged a microphone.

Will miss, god bless. With the deepest Respect.
Howie Zechner

Larry Huffman

Larry Huffman

Larry Huffman

Larry Huffman

Larry Huffman

Larry Huffman

Larry Huffman

Larry Huffman

Larry Huffman

Hot Shoe Hall of Fame Award

The following is the story that ran in the 2013 Trailblazers banquet program the year Larry was inducted in the Trailblazers Hall of Fame:

Larry Huffman’s passion for motorcycling began when his father paid $50 for a 1948 Whizzer and gave the machine to him as a birthday gift. From that point on Larry almost always had a motorcycle as his favorite form of transportation; however, it was his unique voice and rapid-fire speech that made him famous in racing.

He began his career as a disc jockey, but his love and respect for racing drove him to the tracks begging to announce. He started at the Lion’s Drag Strip in 1968 announcing the cars and bikes for $5 an hour and quickly moved on to the Southern California Speedway circuit. When the Motocross World Championships came to Saddleback Park in 1970, Larry was the voice shouting all those unique European names over the loud-speakers as they raced into motocross history.

Since then, he has announced at nearly every type of motorcycle race, including Supercross, Arenacross, ice racing, drag racing, flat track, roadracing, speedway and hillclimb. He has announced at motorcycle races in nearly every major city in the United States, Canada and Japan.

Larry was the choice to announce at the first Superbowl of Motocross at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1972. And when Supercross came to television, Larry was the man at the mic and is still recognized as the original “Voice of Supercross.” It was announcing Supercross where Larry’s descriptive terminology became catch-phrases mimicked to this day. Who can forget “He’s on him like a dog on a piece of meat!” or “He’s after him like a Krishna on an airport traveler!” Huffman’s voice is so famous that he was asked to announce Supercross events in English to thousands of non-English speaking fans in Japan. “Every now and then I would shout ‘Bonsai!’ And the whole stadium would cheer,” says Larry of the fond memory.

As a television host, Huffman realized that many racers were camera shy and often gave poor interviews. So he developed an in-studio PR course, where they could learn to relax and better serve their fans and sponsors. Companies such as Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki hired Larry to coach their racers into personalities. Graduates of the course include Jeff Ward, Rick Johnson, Mark Barnett, Scott Parker, Wayne Rainey, Kent Howerton and Eddie Lawson.

Larry went on to create and produce the first motorcycle magazine television show to air on a major American network, Motorcycle World with Larry Huffman, which was followed by a radio version of the show. He also co-wrote and co-produced the motion picture On Any Sunday II.

Nicknamed “Supermouth” by the Los Angeles Times for his ability to get the crowds excited at motorcycle races and for being clocked at over 300 words per minute, Larry also has the dubious distinction of having been imitated by comedians in comedy clubs across the United States.

Reprinted from the Trailblazers 69th annual banquet program April 6, 2013.


-Scott Daloisio
Just received the word that Larry "Supermouth" Huffman passed away today. Larry will always be a legend in the motorcycle industry. Rest In Peace, Larry.

-Ryan Evans
So sad to hear the news that longtime announcer Larry “Supermouth” Huffman has passed away. Hearing him announce at Costa Mesa Speedway in my very young years helps make my speedway memories so vivid. His excitement, one-liners, and the “Huffman Hop” will never be matched. Hearing his voice on shows and commercials always made me smile. My condolences to his immediate family and to his worldwide racing family. Rest in Peace Larry and enjoy the races from above.

-Jean Fink
RIP my dear friend. You will be missed.

-Joseph N Robin Godoy
A Legend! Rest in Peace

-Jimmy Gentile
Prayers

-Steven Larsen
RIP Larry Huffman

-Doug Bushey
Oh no! Larry was a cool dude!

-Shelley Dean Sloane
He was so much fun to watch

-Jeff Terry
Godspeed Larry....a California original

-Paul Rees
Saw him soooooo many Friday Nights watching him spacewalk getting crowd hyped up.

-Bert Harkins
R I.P. Larry, the great Entertainer.

-Steve Evans
Very very sad news.
When I first came to America in 98 I was wowed by Larry at Costa Mesa. A true great of American Speedway.

-Eddie Castro
My Condolences To KC and Rest of Family and Extended Family around The World Godspeed Larry Super Mouth Huffman!

-Rick Walker
Super mouth. Rest in peace. Definitely the showman of early speedway races I attended he will be remembered

-Carl Tinucci
Both of our Icon's have now passed. Bruce (Flanders) was my favorite and Larry was right beside him. The sport continues and their voices will echo at tracks forever. Rest easy Mr Huffman, you shall be missed.

-Mike Helm
This saddens me greatly! Larry was the best at his craft for more than 40 decades! An icon and someone that was a staple in my teenage life. I will always hear his voice and see his "Huffman Hop" God Speed Larry!!! Give ol' #57 a hug for me!

-Alan Z Man
Will be missed....OC Fairgrounds speedway.... RIP Larry

-Pat Long
Loved going to the races and listening to Larry Huffman! How many racers did he nickname? Loved his quotes! Best of the best!!! R.I.P.

-Dorcey Alan Wingo
It was a pleasure to have known Larry Edgar Huffman. He had an early and lasting influence on Speedway. He will be missed!

-Nancy Mercer
is feeling heartbroken.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Larry Edgar Huffman. My sincere condolences and prayers go out to his family, he will be missed. He was so kind to me and told me to never stop what I’m doing in the Sport of Moto!
I will treasure his words to me forever, RIP Larry Hoffman

-Dariusz Zakrzewski
It is sorry to hear of the passing of Larry Huffman, one of the greatest voices of the American speedway. R.I.P., Larry.

-Ryan Bacarella · ·
Sad to hear the news of Larry Huffman passing. He was a legendary announcer for supercross and speedway racing.

-Billy Meister
Wow, I've known him almost my whole life. Thanks for the memories Larry Edgar Huffman, you'll be missed

-Pam Pinky Bennett
is feeling sad.
So freekin sad.. Supermouth Larry Edgar Huffman passed away today. R.I.P. my friend. He announced Speedway for many years, since I was lil..

-Nancy Dilkey
A Wonderful Man.
May He Rest in Peace. Love and Condolences to his family and many friends

-Steve Bast
Once upon a time, there was a motorsports announcer that was unique and unlike anyone else. Whether it was in 1975 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during rider introductions or in 1976 at the Cathedral of American Speedway, Costa Mesa, during a Heat of fellow legends, Larry Huffman had his A Game on National Night, just like every other night. Rest In Peace, Larry... you will never be forgotten.

-Brad Langston
Ride In Paradise.... The Legend Larry Huffman. Nobody in history will ever replicate this man's energy and announcing skills. The greatest to ever grab a mic 🎤 and rock a Supercross or Speedway Crowd. And nobody is ever going to match that swagger.

-Kymber Harrell Estes
My heart is so broken. One of the best men I’ve ever known was called home today to join the “Best announcers ever club!”
Larry was a dude you could talk to about anything, motorcycles or not. He always had a shoulder to lean on, a hug when you needed it and gave the best advice.
From the time I was a little girl, I used to love watching him. As a grown up, I was so excited to work with him, it was like a dream come true.
We had such a great time in the scorekeepers box! Sometimes he would tell Sandra Hicks and I a joke and then shush us because his 🎤 went live as we were laughing so hard. We would also entertain him with the fun we had together.

The crowd was always entertained by Larryisms like I would walk up the stairs and he would say something like, “We never have to worry about our Kymber drowning, because she brings her own floatation devices.

When Skyla was running around the stands being the 3 year old social butterfly that she was, Larry would put her in check on the mic and Skyla would stop dead in her tracks. He once had her sing the National Anthem and it was the cutest.

While many of us will remember the best of times, I remember one very hard night that his hugs and professionalism got me through. A race that changed many of our lives, August 26, 1995. The scorekeepers have headsets to communicate with the referee and pit steward, Larry would ask for updates on what’s going on downstairs. The night Randy Evans crashed, we all knew at that very moment it was not good.

Larry asked for updates to communicate to the fans, he saw the tears pouring down my face and I can’t even remember what he said to the crowd other than asking for everyone for prayer. This night he taught many of us a huge lesson in patience, understanding, and relaying hard news. He also taught me how to control anger.

Now I have the same tears pouring down my face. These tears are sad and happy, yet thankful. Our friend is no longer in pain and we were all blessed to have been a part of his journey.

Larry was blessed to has had a life many will never have a chance to live. These last few years have been challenging and I don’t think anyone could have made it through but the man tougher than a $2 steak! A Larryism.

We’ve definitely lost one of the good ones.

Godspeed dear friend, it was an honor to be one of the girls on your left for so many years. You will be missed! There will never be another Larry Huffman!

KC, you are so special, and all of our love and prayers are with you now.

-Timothy Gleason
My God, I worked with Larry at the Grant Boys doing there advertising for a number of years. He was such a character to be around. So much energy and a spirit unequaled. We even did some commercial for a skiing shopping Anaheim together.

He was a dear friend and I'm only sorry that I didn't see him over the few years. I loved him for his kindness, his ability to take over the crowds at every event he was a part of. In my opinion he was a true legend and promoted Motorcross to a point it is today.
I love you Larry, and I will see you in heaven for sure!

-Jean Fink
Yesterday, July 1 we lost one of the best announcers on the circuit. Larry Huffman was there at the start of Speedway Motorcycle Racing and helped the sport grow with his colorful nicknames and flamboyant style. RIP my dear friend Larry. So happy you had KC in your life to take such good care of you. You two were and are so very loved by me. Condolences to all your family. Love always. Jean

-Dave Sheets
This guy. Would give you a nick name that would stick and make you famous. And his puns and one off comments were better than Chick Hearn.
He’s on him like a dog on a 2.00 dollar steak…
This is it for the blood the beer and ?…
It takes time to prepare quality food, but here at Costa Mesa Speedway we get it out to you in seconds. R.I.P. 🏁 wham Bam and thank you mam.

-Tom Hamilton
Memories of Larry Edgar Huffman
The news that long-time friend and beloved announcer Larry Huffman had died on July 1 hit me like a ton of bricks. I read Bruce Penhall's post on Facebook and was devastated. Selfishly, I felt like a part of my youth had also died.
At 6:09 pm Monday, my phone rang. It was KC Huffman and she wanted to be sure that I heard the news. I immediately thought, "What do I say to this woman who has just lost her husband? How can I comfort her?" Instantly, I knew that she had called to comfort me . . . to remind me of the great times and the memories that I shared with the legendary announcer who was known as "Super Mouth". K.C. and I shared stories about a man who both loved and admired for nearly an hour on the phone. I shared this story with K.C. and I thought I would share it with those who were entertained by Super Mouth over the years. Larry and I had a great, working relationship. He would call me at the LA Times whenever he was announcing a major event and knew someone would be competing in the race that would make a good story. He knew a good story. So, we always agreed to meet at the Rusty Pelican in Newport Beach and I would interview a racer for an upcoming event.
Larry loved the clam chowder at the Rusty Pelican and while I was interviewing this particular racer, I looked across the table and Larry was freaking out. I stopped the interview and asked Larry, "What's wrong?" He pointed to the spoonful of chowder that he was about to eat and there was a small sliver of glass in the soup. I called over the waitress, he showed her the sliver of glass and the waitress immediately called over the manager.
The manager was a 25-year-old or so, well-tanned, good looking young man who recognized Larry immediately as the announcer at Costa Mesa speedway. Without hesitation, he said, "My God, we nearly killed Super Mouth". Our meals were comped, Larry Edgar Huffman signed autographs for the waitress and manager and he continued to bring me some great racing stories. I think I speak for everyone who knew Larry Huffman. He will be missed but we will always cherish some great memories.

-Tom Hamilton
Remembering Larry Edgar Huffman
You've heard the expression, "Everyone enjoys 20 seconds of fame in life?" Well, Larry made me famous during an episode of ABC's television show, "Fantasy Island." The plot was simple: A race car driver had suffered a horrific crash and lost his confidence behind the wheel, so he came to Fantasy Island to try and regain his once-successful racing form. Super Mouth was hired to announce a re-created race for the show and the directors suggested that Larry make up the names of the drivers in the field. On Fantasy Island, I became "the famous English racing champion, Tommy Hamilton." Needless to say, I didn't win the re-created race, but I had my 20 seconds of fame thanks to Larry Huffman.

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