Thomas Lee Christenson

Thomas Lee Christenson

1943-2023

The legendary T.C. Christenson passed away on September 21, 2023, with his family by his side. A lifelong resident of Kenosha, he was born on February 1, 1943, to parents Harry and Marian (Ruffalo) Christenson, and was the owner of Sunset Motors in Kenosha for 54 years.

T.C. was a world-famous motorcycle drag racer who won four consecutive world titles from 1972 to 1975 while riding the Norton “Hogslayer” bike. The bike earned its name by repeatedly beating the dominant Harley-Davidson drag bikes at the time. The Hogslayer set numerous records, and with T.C. riding it was the fastest drag bike on the planet for most of the early to mid-1970s.

In 2005, T.C. was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and the Hogslayer is now housed in the British National Motorcycle Museum in England. Fans can watch the incredible story in the documentary, “Hogslayer: The Unapproachable Legend,” which was originally released in 2011 at the Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee and then re-released in October 2022 for its homecoming at the Rhode Theatre in Kenosha. The Hogslayer even has a song about it.

Besides going fast on motorcycles or driving Corvettes, he could be found out and about anywhere something cool was happening or parked along the lakefront in his motorhome. And no matter where he was, he would always run into people who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Harrison; daughters: Marissa (Matt) Miner and Caitlin (Peter) Kroening; three grandchildren: Margot, Clay and Bridgette; and many nieces and nephews. T.C. was preceded in death by his parents; son Tommy; and brother Ronald.

At this time family has not planned memorial services, the website will be updated as information on services becomes available.

Casey Family Options Funerals and Cremations

Stephen P. Casey, Funeral Director and Owner

(262)653-0667

www.CaseyFamilyOption.com

Thoughts for Thomas Lee Christenson;

  • Kathy Aretz says:

    It was always great to see TC at his shop for the Run to the Sun meeting and ride, or at the BBC Rally. He always had great stories to tell. The documentary of his ridding career The Hogslayer was very insightful into the great riders life. I will miss him and his stories. Keep ridding in the sky TC 🏍️

  • Naomi Levin says:

    A crushing blow to me, I spent many a day in his shop – and on travels. Friends since 1983… I loved him dearly and will miss him more than words can express.

  • Gregg Spino says:

    Much of my mis-spent youth was at Sunset Motors. As a young guy with a motorcycle,
    there was a certain allure in hanging out with
    TC and “real” bike guys. They just didn’t come any cooler than TC. He’s been a
    nearly lifelong friend Sorely missed, but
    never forgotten!! We’ll always remember him as one of our ” hometown heroes”

  • Brett Causey says:

    Was proud to call him a friend. I’ve had serious health issues for the past few years and he always encouraged me to keep going.
    I’ll miss our conversations.
    Godspeed my friend

  • Bob Scott says:

    TC was the funnest coolest buddy I’ve ever known. As always, I hope to see him again. He’ll have to fill us in on what we’ve missed, besides him.

  • Sam Gerolmo says:

    Tommy was my oldest living friend we played pinball in the 1950s together, he sold me and turned me onto moto guzzi motorcycles. I bought a motoguzzi v-7 sport in 1971 and have been riding motorcycle guzzis ever since, he visited me many times in Florida, we’ve been to bike week many times. We would always burn one together I took him to see boys and toys a couple weeks ago on the lake front, I was one of the last people to see him alive, may God bless you and keep you till we see eachother again, Sammy G.

      • Mark Lassen says:

        Hi Brenda, our deepest sympathy on your loss. I don’t know if you remember us, we were friends of TC’s way back in the day. We are now living in CA and just found out about this. We’ve thought of him often through the years. May you find peace and strength at this time.
        Mark and Barb

  • Kevin Conrad says:

    I worked in his shop in kenosha when I was a young man. I learned some incredible things from TC and my time there shaped me forever. Rest in peace TC.

  • Mark Lassen says:

    Remember great times hanging with TC at the shop and supporting him at the races. Trip to Bowling Green KY where he won the championship. Great friend. Living in CA now and just found out the sad news. Get on that Norton and keep riding my friend.

  • Michael Herbach says:

    I was sorry to learn about T C’s passing; we shared a lot of enjoyable moments. Early Drag racing was first conducted on the only road that passed through the closed Bong Base. Later T C, John and I attending races in Cailfornia then driving cross country in the yellow van to Florida the next week. I will truly miss him; he was one of a kind.
    Rest in Peace my Friend, Herbach

  • Gabe Ricchio says:

    My Heart Stopped then I found out TC passed away. He was one of My Great Friends, I met TC back in the late 60s, when he worked on my 71 Norton back in 72 when I bought then Bike. He still had The Hogstayer so we put it in the back of the van and went to Union Grove to make a test run and I got to start the Hogslayer with my Norton I still have that Norton My You Rest in Meace My Friend.

  • Steve Aretz says:

    An interesting guy to say the least. I loved searching him out at the rallies at Eagle Cave just to get him going to tell stories about everything and anything. A funny personal guy who you just loved to be around. R.I.P.

  • Michael Blitgen says:

    One of the greatest events of my life was owning a Norton and from that, meeting and becoming friends with you, TC. I’ll treasure our friendship forever. Until we meet again❤️

  • Nicholas Savas says:

    I just found out about TC. I’m just a fan of his that never got to see him race. I got a lot of pleasure reading about him in the magazines. I used to tell people about his double engine dragster. He will never be forgotten. Fairwell TC see you on the other side.

  • Joshua Aiello says:

    I was very blessed to have known TC for most of life he was also a great friend of my late father’s I remember going to meet him at a local restaurant that he used to frequent I am very to have gotten a copy of his cd that he had made about the hogslayer and also a copy of one of the writeups that was either in the magazines or the local paper I would also see him at many car shows and other gatherings. May he rest in peace. Ride on Brother.

  • Jered Tillman says:

    I met TC & got to touch the Hogslayer when I was a kid. My Uncle John (Luska) took me to his shop, after showing him a book that I bought at the school book fair, with The Hogslayer on the cover … which he instantly recognized. That’s when he asked if I wanted to go see it, to which I said, “YES!!!” TC autographed the book for me, but being an 8 y/o I didn’t realize the value of the autograph at the time & sadly, lost the book.

    Rest In Peace, TC … you are Kenosha’s hometown hero.

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