Mike Healey had the ultimate bad boy motocross racer image. Healey, a Californian, was picked up as a factory Suzuki rider at just 14. His career has had sparks of brilliance, with GP wins, Supercross victories, and National wins late in his career against all odds. Most shocking was his 125cc win at the 1992 Steel City National, weighing 190 pounds and beating the likes of McGrath, Emig and Henry on a privateer Suzuki. However, the Guns n Roses sponsored cult hero was always followed by controversy. Healey contributes some of his career ending destructive ways to the pain he suffered from lingering injuries. In an interview with Moto Magazine, Healey said that the pain grew too much to tolerate as his tolerance to painkillers grew. This eventually led to Heroin use, causing his marriage to break down, and his family to fall apart. Healey also served prison time after assaulting a person he claims stole from him. He was charged with murder, assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping. This would not be the end for Healey, as in 2009, whist using pills and methamphetamine, he robbed an elderly woman of her purse. This time, he faced 35 years to life in prison. Instead, the judge sentenced him to two years at Los Angeles called Delancey Street, a full lockdown facility. Since then, Healey has started work and beginning to get back into the sport by teaching youngsters how to ride.
