Thanks for Good Memories
08-26-2008 | 11:12 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,353
Likes: 1
From: Waterford, MI
Thanks for Good Memories
As many of you know I came to the NY race so I could enjoy it with my family from Long Island, and most of all my Dad. Like Louie said in another thread the whole weekend was perfect until the last race. Even though this was my family's first race they feel the pain of those touched by the accident and extend their heartfelt sympathy. I somehow feel that as racers Phil and Kevin would love to know that the joy this sport brought to them made an 8l year old man in failing health feel like a kid again. Racers please know that what you do gave me, his daughter, a weekend of memories that will last a life time.
I want to thank every racer and crew member that made this a big event for my Dad, especially thanks to the Geico team for generously offering us a comfortable home base. Scott and Marc thank you for the patience and respect you showed my Dad, it just proved once again what gentlemen and true ambassadors to the sport you are. The same goes for Tom Abrams who not only took the time to explain the workings of his custom Peterbuilt but also let us use his Golf cart so my dad could get around. Thank you to Kitten and Glen who explained the ins and out of the racing classes, to Ann from Wahoo who kept my dad company during the second race while I was at the pier, to Jim Devlin who showed my parents the workings of the classic Comanche,The Caveman, to Jim's wife who kept my Mom company while my Dad explored the pits. Thanks to others like Dave from Cleveland Construction and Gino from Boat Responsibly that shook his hand and spoke to him for a while, to JDByrider's driver that let my Dad talk big rigs. I know he met more of you but the weekend is still a bit of a blur.
I guess his happiness to be at the race site was summed up when he kept telling everyone on Saturday that "normally I have trouble walking 10 feet but today I could walk everywhere"
I know this is a sad time in the racing community but I wanted you to know that you are creating memories for many families that will last a life time, once again thank you to all of you that help make this happen. Donna
I want to thank every racer and crew member that made this a big event for my Dad, especially thanks to the Geico team for generously offering us a comfortable home base. Scott and Marc thank you for the patience and respect you showed my Dad, it just proved once again what gentlemen and true ambassadors to the sport you are. The same goes for Tom Abrams who not only took the time to explain the workings of his custom Peterbuilt but also let us use his Golf cart so my dad could get around. Thank you to Kitten and Glen who explained the ins and out of the racing classes, to Ann from Wahoo who kept my dad company during the second race while I was at the pier, to Jim Devlin who showed my parents the workings of the classic Comanche,The Caveman, to Jim's wife who kept my Mom company while my Dad explored the pits. Thanks to others like Dave from Cleveland Construction and Gino from Boat Responsibly that shook his hand and spoke to him for a while, to JDByrider's driver that let my Dad talk big rigs. I know he met more of you but the weekend is still a bit of a blur.
I guess his happiness to be at the race site was summed up when he kept telling everyone on Saturday that "normally I have trouble walking 10 feet but today I could walk everywhere"
I know this is a sad time in the racing community but I wanted you to know that you are creating memories for many families that will last a life time, once again thank you to all of you that help make this happen. Donna
08-27-2008 | 08:22 AM
#2
Platinum Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 25
As many of you know I came to the NY race so I could enjoy it with my family from Long Island, and most of all my Dad. Like Louie said in another thread the whole weekend was perfect until the last race. Even though this was my family's first race they feel the pain of those touched by the accident and extend their heartfelt sympathy. I somehow feel that as racers Phil and Kevin would love to know that the joy this sport brought to them made an 8l year old man in failing health feel like a kid again. Racers please know that what you do gave me, his daughter, a weekend of memories that will last a life time.
I want to thank every racer and crew member that made this a big event for my Dad, especially thanks to the Geico team for generously offering us a comfortable home base. Scott and Marc thank you for the patience and respect you showed my Dad, it just proved once again what gentlemen and true ambassadors to the sport you are. The same goes for Tom Abrams who not only took the time to explain the workings of his custom Peterbuilt but also let us use his Golf cart so my dad could get around. Thank you to Kitten and Glen who explained the ins and out of the racing classes, to Ann from Wahoo who kept my dad company during the second race while I was at the pier, to Jim Devlin who showed my parents the workings of the classic Comanche,The Caveman, to Jim's wife who kept my Mom company while my Dad explored the pits. Thanks to others like Dave from Cleveland Construction and Gino from Boat Responsibly that shook his hand and spoke to him for a while, to JDByrider's driver that let my Dad talk big rigs. I know he met more of you but the weekend is still a bit of a blur.
I guess his happiness to be at the race site was summed up when he kept telling everyone on Saturday that "normally I have trouble walking 10 feet but today I could walk everywhere" I know this is a sad time in the racing community but I wanted you to know that you are creating memories for many families that will last a life time, once again thank you to all of you that help make this happen. Donna
I want to thank every racer and crew member that made this a big event for my Dad, especially thanks to the Geico team for generously offering us a comfortable home base. Scott and Marc thank you for the patience and respect you showed my Dad, it just proved once again what gentlemen and true ambassadors to the sport you are. The same goes for Tom Abrams who not only took the time to explain the workings of his custom Peterbuilt but also let us use his Golf cart so my dad could get around. Thank you to Kitten and Glen who explained the ins and out of the racing classes, to Ann from Wahoo who kept my dad company during the second race while I was at the pier, to Jim Devlin who showed my parents the workings of the classic Comanche,The Caveman, to Jim's wife who kept my Mom company while my Dad explored the pits. Thanks to others like Dave from Cleveland Construction and Gino from Boat Responsibly that shook his hand and spoke to him for a while, to JDByrider's driver that let my Dad talk big rigs. I know he met more of you but the weekend is still a bit of a blur.
I guess his happiness to be at the race site was summed up when he kept telling everyone on Saturday that "normally I have trouble walking 10 feet but today I could walk everywhere"
I know this is a sad time in the racing community but I wanted you to know that you are creating memories for many families that will last a life time, once again thank you to all of you that help make this happen. DonnaI completely agree with you, we need to thank all thoughs who race, their crews and sponsors and those who volunteer to make this possible for all of us to enjoy. There is really nothing we can say or do that will change what had happened and it has affected everyone whether you knew Phil DeJana or Kevin Graff. We are all very sad to lose two great guy's, who loved to race for not only their enjoyment but for the enjoyment of all of us who watch and followed Offshore Racing. I pray for the families and friends of Phil and Kevin to one day realize that they were living their dream and their memories will live on for not only the family but for everyone who knew them or didn't. RIP, Phil DeJana and Kevin Graff of the Areo Express Race Team.
08-27-2008 | 09:43 AM
#4
VIP Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,173
Likes: 1
From: JERSEY,
Donna, great seeing you again. It's been a long time. As you know, our teams are just a bunch of everyday people who love to race and meet the fans. Were a bunch of hams!
__________________
P4-13 Team THE JERSEY BOYZ OFFSHORE POWERBOAT RACING, OPA/ SBI/APBA/UIM. PRESIDENT: THE JERSEY BOYZ , VICE-PRESIDENT: OPA RACING, THE GREAT SOUTH BAY RACING ASSOCIATION. WAZZUP RACING ENGINES
P4-13 Team THE JERSEY BOYZ OFFSHORE POWERBOAT RACING, OPA/ SBI/APBA/UIM. PRESIDENT: THE JERSEY BOYZ , VICE-PRESIDENT: OPA RACING, THE GREAT SOUTH BAY RACING ASSOCIATION. WAZZUP RACING ENGINES
08-27-2008 | 10:19 AM
#6
Neno the mind boggler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,080
Likes: 320
From: toledo oh
Donna it was a nice surprise seeing you in Patchogue, I looked across the table at the Geico tent an said "hey . . .that looks like Donna . . that IS Donna" It was also nice talking to you father over lunch i could see he was having a great time at the event. Hope to see you again soon, will you be at the Kellys Island run this weekend?
It was also nice talking to you father over lunch i could see he was having a great time at the event. Hope to see you again soon, will you be at the Kellys Island run this weekend?
__________________
Throttles- Cleveland Construction 377 Talon
08 OPA Class 1 National Champion
08 Class 1 Geico Triple Crown Champion
08 OPA High Points Champion
10 OPA Class 1 National Champion ( happy now Ed! )
Throttles- Cleveland Construction 377 Talon
08 OPA Class 1 National Champion
08 Class 1 Geico Triple Crown Champion
08 OPA High Points Champion
10 OPA Class 1 National Champion ( happy now Ed! )
08-27-2008 | 11:52 AM
#8
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,353
Likes: 1
From: Waterford, MI
Donna it was a nice surprise seeing you in Patchogue, I looked across the table at the Geico tent an said "hey . . .that looks like Donna . . that IS Donna" It was also nice talking to you father over lunch i could see he was having a great time at the event. Hope to see you again soon, will you be at the Kellys Island run this weekend?
It was also nice talking to you father over lunch i could see he was having a great time at the event. Hope to see you again soon, will you be at the Kellys Island run this weekend?It was good to meet up with old and new friends, thanks again
08-27-2008 | 01:28 PM
#9
Trim it Up!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,009
Likes: 0
From: F l o r i d a
This is a nice post. It was nice hanging out together and your father is a sweet man. How nice your mom was content to sit in the tent and wait.
I am sorry your dad lost his camera full of great pictures! ....MAYBE SOMEONE ON HERE FOUND ITand thought it was theirs?.....Did you check the WHM golf cart?
I am sorry your dad lost his camera full of great pictures! ....MAYBE SOMEONE ON HERE FOUND ITand thought it was theirs?.....Did you check the WHM golf cart?
08-27-2008 | 02:37 PM
#10
Registered
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 3
From: Waterford,MI
Hey Dave, sorry for hijacking Donna's thread, but if you're going to Kelly's, could you sell us one of those 57 stickers . I would like to have it for the fall poker run. Thanks everyone for showing Donna's dad such a good time. Wish I could've been there. Ian
