Racing News - Health and Welfare
1/19/12:
Jay Roach, 74, of J&S East Valley Garage in Montecito, CA passed away very suddenly on Tuesday in his sleep of an apparent heart attack. No services have been announced at this time, but there will be an informal “get together” this Saturday, January 21st at Jay’s shop between 10am and 4pm, to talk about cars, racing, and good old times. Jay had many friends from all over the racing world and will be missed. The shop is located at 1610 East Valley Road in Montecito.
1/18/12:
Hi All, Just wanted to let everyone know that Vintage side car racer and High Desert Racers’ Vice President Tom Foley, had heart surgery on Monday morning. He is doing VERY well, and should be home and better than ever very soon. Cards and such can be sent to P.O. Box 291505 Phelan, CA. 92329. Luckily, they found the problem while doing some tests, and got it fixed before a heart attack could happen.
Ed Fenn
1/10/2012:
It is with a sad heart we announce this. We received the following note from
Cheri Howard. Cheri has been our long time timing slip stand supervisor,
Doug Howard has been a starter at Bonneville for many years and
of course we all know Charissa who has been singing our National Anthem at
Speed Week since she was a toddler.
Chris, their son and brother, lost his wife and new born son this past week. Chris
has been working with his mom on timing slips for a number of years and, as
is the entire family, a huge factor in the success of our salt events.
Cheri's note below tells it all. If anyone would like to
contribute, the address is in the text of Cheri's note. God
Speed to Mom and Baby and our condolences to the entire Howard family.
Mike Waters
Betsy came down with an acute case of strep-pneumonia on Wednesday morning,
and due to her immune disorder (IPT) she was unable to fight it. Her temp
went over 105 degrees and her blood pressure dropped so drastically that
when they were able to stabilize her in order to do an emergency C Section,
the baby was without oxygen for longer than 12 minutes and was born brain
dead. (She was 8 months pregnant.)
Chris was in Tacoma training for a new job and was trying to get home to her
after he received the call that she was not doing well. We were able to
stop him in Portland which is where they were flying both momma and baby.
Baby was on life support and made it to Portland but Betsy coded on the
plane and they turned around to try and save her.
Unfortunately they were not able to revive her. Chris was able to hold his
son, Christopher Douglas, and he died in his arms.
The kids did not have insurance, due to Betsy being a student and Chris just
starting a new job, so a fund has been started here to help raise funds for
funeral and medical costs. If anyone would like to help contribute, it can
be mailed to Klamath Union High School, Howard Memorial Fund, 1300 Monclaire
St., Klamath Falls, OR 97601. (This is where I work). Checks can be made
out directly to Chris Howard, or to the Betsy Howard Memorial Fund.
Please know that we are very appreciative of all the prayers and any help
that anyone can give to Chris and Zoe!
Cheri Howard
1/9/2012:
Julian Doty, long time SCTA member and Bonneville 49'er, has been diagnosed with several inoperable pelvic and kidney tumors. He is hoping to visit City of Hope next week to review possible treatment options.
He is in good spirits with some assiciated pain
12/22/11:
Memorial / Celebration of Life for Burke LeSage
I am trying to get the word out to as many folks as possible.... Please help in any way you can. If you have a web site, know of a web site, know friends and/or associates of his and you have a way of contacting them.... please assist me and the family.
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 1:00 PM
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
1101 West McKinley Avenue, Bldg 3A
Pomona, California 91768
If you have photos, or anything you'd like to share... please bring anything and everything.
Larry and I are assisting the family and organizing the program. If you have any questions feel free to contact me
Anne Lindsley
The Gear Grinders
malindsley@aol.com
909-240-0868 (cell)
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12/5/11:
Dave Kober, one of our long time Course Stewards at Bonneville has passed away. Dave was one of nicest guys you would ever meet and always had his pal (His Dog) with him doing his course duties. He could be counted on whenever and wherever he was needed and put in many days (sun up to sun down) doing his duties on the salt. God Speed Dave.
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11/18/11:
Ron Cohn underwent hip replacement surgery on Tuesday the 15th and is expected to be home Friday the 18th. He scheduled his surgery around the Nov. El Mirage meet so he could make sure the communications of the meet went flawlessly like he always does. He's open to calls at home his number is: 818-786-1575.
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11/7/11:
Burke LeSage passed away on Monday, Nov 7th from a sudden and very serious stroke. He was 76 years old. Burke was extremely active in all phases of the automotive industry his entire adult life. He was a landspeed racer, an expert on all aspects of automobile racing and was inducted into the Bonneville 200 Mile Per Hour Club in 1963 driving Ron Benham’s blown 180 cu in 4 cylinder Pontiac Tempest belly tank to 213 mph. He was inducted into SEMA’s Hall of Fame in 2005. Information about a public celebration of his life will be forthcoming.
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10/31/11:
It is with deepest regret that I inform you that one of our Team McLeish brothers passed away today. Steve Van Cleave died doing what he loved best -pushing the envelope and having fun. Janet called to say he had landed from one of his 4000+ dives and was walking when he had a heart attack. Steve was an original daredevil, sky diver, base jumper, motorcycle racer, rock climber, water skier, you name it, Steve did it, and with a big smile. Mere mortals can only hope to be Steve. Steve would help anybody, anytime, anywhere; all with that slow drawl and willing heart. Today his heart gave out. He went as we all should go, fast. What a friend. Please keep the Van Cleave & McLeish Family in your prayers. Details of Steve’s memorial to follow.
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10/31/11:
Steven Brissette, 29, passed away on Sunday morning October 23rd. Steven was the son of Rob Brissette and Grandson to Bob Brissette, long time members of the Rod Riders. The family participated at El Mirage as well as Bonneville with their B gas lakester. Viewing and funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9th from 4pm to 8pm at the Vista Chapel, Allen Brothers Mortuary, located at 1315 South Santa Fe Avenue in Vista, California.
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10/26/11:
Dave Thomas, 57 years old, of Acton, Ca, passed away on Saturday October 22nd, 2011.
Dave was a member of the SCTA, Sidewinders, and had raced for many years at El Mirage and Bonneville. He is survived by his brother and sister, Gary & Cindy Thomas.
He will be missed by all that knew him.
The service will be held on Wednesday October 26th, 2011 at:
| Chapel of the Valley Mortuary 1755 E. Ave R, Palmdale, CA (661) 947-7118 Viewing is from 1 pm – 3 pm Service is from 3 pm – 4 pm Fellowship to follow from 4 pm – 6 pm Gary Thomas can be reach at (818) 808-9492 |
View Larger Map |
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10/4/11:
Julian Doty - False rumors.
Julian is not dying in the hospital.
He was diagnosed with 3 tumors on his kidneys from a cat scan, and will undergo a biopsy this week. He is home now in no pain! We will keep you posted.
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09/26/11:
Ed Farrell is a Laker member, and runs a Firebird with a Jimmy in line 6 with a 12 port head. His partner Ernie Mnoian turned 176mph with it at Speed Week last Aug.
A couple of weeks ago, Ed's oncologist said the latest treatments do not appear to be working so the treatments have been discontinued and Ed is now on Hospice.
In the meantime, Ed received some photos of a racing motor on display that he had donated to the Speedway Museum in Lincoln, NE. A friend of Ed's, Chester Osgood, had spent many years and a lot of money building the motor, and then passed away without leaving any instructions about what to do with it. His family gave it to Ed a couple of years ago thinking he may want to use it in his land speed Firebird. When Ed developed brain cancer, he decided not to use the motor himself, but contacted the Speedway Museum to see if they wanted it.
Ed really wanted to see the motor on display in person, as well as the rest of the museum containing many race cars, motors, and other car related memorabilia. Because of the brain cancer, we couldn't fly to Lincoln so we decided to take a train (40 hours). Shortly before reaching Lincoln, Ed began to have some abdominal pain so the paramedics met us at the Lincoln train station and took him to the hospital. He had developed diverticulitis and was put on I.V. antibiotics for two days. Surgery would have corrected the problem, but the doctors felt that surgery would be too risky for Ed. He felt better after being in the hospital two days and was ready for the trip home. We decided driving home would be better than a return train trip, so Stacy & Brent flew to Lincoln, rented a big minivan, and drove us home -- but we stopped at the Speedway Museum first. Ed thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Below are a few pictures of Ed at the museum. Bill Smith is the owner of the museum and raced roadsters in the sixties. Dave Selway is a long time friend and also a car nut. He and his wife, Sara, accompanied us on the trip.
So far, Ed is pain free and in fairly good spirits. He sleeps a lot because of all the medications he takes. If you live close and would like to stop by for a short visit, I'm sure Ed would be happy to see you. Afternoons seem to be his best awake time (maybe because the morning meds have begun to wear off).
Forwarded by Jim Snyder
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09/16/11:
Douglas M. King, 5/6/37 - 9/16/11
At approx. 3 AM Friday morning , SCTA member (Ardun) Doug King passed away after his battle with cancer. Doug, a member of the Super Fours, was active for many years in both Land Speed Racing and Drag Racing. He was an El Mirage and Boneville 200 MPH Club member and set many records. His specialty was the "Ardun" engine, with which he was very sucessful .
He is survived by his wife Mary Lou and 4 sons.
There will be a memorial luncheon at his shop for family and friends on October 1 at noon:
25385 Palomares Rd.
Castro Valley, Ca. 94552
510-537-3909
The Family has requested, in lieu of flowers, donations to the El Mirage Ladies Aux - C/O
SCTA Office
Box 10
Orosi, CA 93647
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07/20/11:
Charles “Bubba” Scott Jr, 44 years old, of Covington Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, July 6th. Bubba and his father, Charles “Boogie” Scott were participants for many years at Bonneville, running their C Gas Modified Roadster. Charles has lost his best friend, beloved son, Crew Chief, cook and companion. He will be missed.
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07/19/11:
Edwin "Ed" Meade Mabry passed away on Friday May 13th, 2011 in Haltom City.
Ed was born August 26, 1932 in Gary Oklahoma and was a retired Bell Helicopter engineering manager, machinist, welder, race car and bike designer and fabricator. Ed's motorcycles have set over 15 different world Land Speed records at Bonneville, Utah. He was inducted to the Texas Drag racing Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame in 2004.
Ed's masterpiece, number 601, holds class records exceeding 238, 224, and 213 mph and the highest unofficial one-way speed of over 261 mph at three-quarter throttle! It is the fastest "pushrod" motorcycle in the world.
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07/18/11:
Manuel Flores (age 78) passed away peacefully last Sun (July 17), surrounded by his family and friends. He had been sick for sometime.
Manuel was an accomplished car builder and teamed up with many noted racers to run successful teams, both at El Mirage, Bonneville and NHRA to name a few. He was on Craig Breedlove's crew in the 1960s, had teamed up with Al Teague and also built a Jr Fuel and Top Gas car.
The Flores and Young team also built and ran Top Gas and ran the NHRA Circuit with a Top Alcohol Dragster. Manuel also teamed up with Bentley, Moreno and Young to run the #76 Roadster in the Fuel Roadster class at El Mirage. He personally built 3 El Mirage cars, one of which is still currently running. His current interest was the C/GRMR which he was running with Jim Valentine at El Mirage.