VSCDA Grattan bad news

[VelodromeRacer]

For those who race and were not there...

In our group 2 race Saturday at 3pm...10 laps in as I came up unto the straight to the start line, red flag.

At the end of the straight, turn 1, was a TR4 straight into the hillside, no braking or turn attempted with it was Jack Drews, 72, a long time VSCDA driver. They think he may have suffered a heart attack then hit hard...110 mph or so. He did not survive.

I didn't know him but I heard a bunch of great stories about him the rest of the weekend. His son was racing in another car in the race as well. No other cars were involved and racing was cancelled for the day.

Please say some prayers for his family, we as racers are lucky to enjoy this sport.

 

[blkcorvair]

I always hate to hear of things like this.

 

[aeronca65t]

Really sad to hear.
This news has been going around the vintage communtiy and via The Friends of Triumph too.

I was in a club race a few years ago where we lost someone. It really gives you pause........

 

[Twosheds]

Uncle Jack helped many, many Triumph racers.

His memory will be honored at Watkins Glen September 4-8. Triumph is the Featured Marque of the SVRA race and the Friends of Triumph will be gathering there.

This really took the wind out of my sails.

 

[Simon TR4a]

Uncle Jack and his son Tony must be two of the nicest guys in vintage racing; I first met them at Watkins Glen 5 or 6 years ago, my wife and I spent 20 minutes chatting with Tony at Mosport at the end of June.
Jack had developed a few safety improvements for the Triumph vintage racing community and was known for his willingness to share the benefits of his knowledge and experience.

I remember asking him for advice an tuning and getting a detailed email in return,
with a clear distinction made between opinions and facts. The facts he could back up with real numbers, everything else was opinion.

A real gentleman, and a heck of a good driver at that.Reading some of the tributes to him is very tough.
Simon.