Anyone who may have known the cool old fella from Nor Cal who sets up the scaffolds and takes pictures for like 50 yrs??? I believe his name was Ray? He introduced himself to me Thursday morning at around 7 am...Gave me a few real cool pointers of where to park to see the most cool stuff... eat, hang out etc. Well we pulled up and his buddy was taking down the scaffolding and a sherriff was there. We thought they were being told to move or something, but unfortunately we were told he passed today on the salt, Not sure if it was a Heart Attack or a Heat Stroke but he had not missed a speedweek in 50 yrs. Not one. He parked his camper across from the gas station in that empty lot when heading into the flats. I may have only spoke to him for an hour or so but I have to tell you he was the first cat I met there and was WAY COOL. God Bless buddy...You went on the salt God Speed my friend. And Thank you for the picture you took of my Father and I...I couldn't ask for more except to maybe have a beer with you Rest in Peace....
Did he have a truck (truck, suburban, somehting bigger than a car) with the name Ray the Rat on the side? I hope not. Still regrettable that the gentleman you met passed.
We were set up next to him the first time I went out there in 2002. Nice guy, loved taking pictures out there. I guess if you have to go, you might as well go doing something you love. Prayers to his family.
I don't think it was Ray the Rat. He's posting photos over on landracing. He did report of a massive heart attack.
That is very unfortunate. Sorry to hear about this. Like others have said, he was lucky to go doing what he loved. Godspeed.
Sad for sure. Always tragic when anyone of our Rodding group passes away; twice as sad when it's at an event. My thoughts and prayers to his family & friends. Jonnie King
I was just talking to my wife this morning about how we all grow up and wait till the day we get to do something and by the time we get there,nothing is the same as it was when we started wanting it.I always wanted to go to Bonneville and have not made it yet but it will never be the same as what was going on then and even though it would still be cool,its not what I wanted to see.This guy passing is another change and a sad loss.
Hope it wasn't Ray the Rat. He is a friend of mine, and he has the www.chevyasylum.com website. He is on the HAMB, and posts the updates on the Triet streamliner construction from time to time. I believe he is also the official photographer for www.landracing.com, the racer's website.
Ray the Rat posted this. RayTheRat Hero Member Online Age: 63 Location: Taylorsville, Ut Posts: 1244 Photo Rat Re: On the Scene at SpeedWeek 2011 « Reply #25 on: August 12, 2011, 10:15:32 PM » One quick photo and an update. The photo was inspired by Freud's shot of the Pierson coupe shot years ago. His was much better than this, but I'll take what I can get. Note from Land's End Lynda: The Red Garter has at least 15 rooms availabe every night. There's no minumum stay and the price (may vary depending on the room) is $131/night thru Monday nite, then drops to the regular rate. Now ya know. A sad note to close on. The Code 3 incident this morning was a fatal. Massive heart attack and was gone immediately...no suffering. I hope I don't have to report anything more like this.
Ray the Rat posted this, From Landracing Fourm. " RayTheRat Hero Member Online Age: 63 Location: Taylorsville, Ut Posts: 1244 Photo Rat Re: On the Scene at SpeedWeek 2011 « Reply #25 on: August 12, 2011, 10:15:32 PM » One quick photo and an update. The photo was inspired by Freud's shot of the Pierson coupe shot years ago. His was much better than this, but I'll take what I can get. Note from Land's End Lynda: The Red Garter has at least 15 rooms availabe every night. There's no minumum stay and the price (may vary depending on the room) is $131/night thru Monday nite, then drops to the regular rate. Now ya know. A sad note to close on. The Code 3 incident this morning was a fatal. Massive heart attack and was gone immediately...no suffering. I hope I don't have to report anything more like this."
Guys like this make Bonneville what it is, they go there year after year, to take pictures, serve as course stewards, inspectors, etc...just because they love speedweek.....sorry to hear of his passing.
If I could pick a place to leave this earth, Bonneville sure would be a consideration. It's one of the most peaceful places I've ever been. With the big sky, and starry nights, you feel very close to God there. And now Ray, I'm sure you are. Via con Dias. My prayers to family, and friends.
The passing of Ray is sad, but yet inspirational at the same time. 50 years unbroken says a lot about his passion...the kind of passion that exists everywhere at this most hallowed ground. When it really gets down to the nitty-gritty of it, Bonneville is a place for bonding and renewing. We do it with our crazy fellow man and with our crazy machines, making and remembering each year's memories and renewing old friendships and making new ones. Each of us has our own important thing at the point in our lives, and if you are a gearhead and you "get it", it is immaterial whether its the car or the person behind the car: they are both in their correct position that is right for each individual. A place such as Bonneville brings it all home. I didnt know Ray, but I know where his "point" was...all you have to do is look at his unbroken 50 year attendance record....God Speed, Ray.
There is some confusion on this story. Ray the Rat was reporting the fatal code 3 in his post of Aug. 13 http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,10179.15.html
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