Many thanks to EWC members...

[Ralph Z.]

I want to take this opportunity to thank the many people, and I mean many, who helped me with the numerous problems that plagued my car at the EWC race at Grattan this weekend. We spent all day Friday and all day Saturday and qualifying on Sunday before we resolved at least three mechanical and electrical problems with the car. In the end I managed, by some miracle, to run Sunday's race at full power from start to finish.

Leading the pack of volunteers to make it happen is Stever Beeler who helped me out all day Friday and Saturday to get the car running. I never met Steve in person until Friday. A great guy who led the charge to address what became an electriconic ignition problem. Thanks Steve.

Another big thank you to Allen Murray, another guy I never met until this weekend. Allen operates a great race shop and was the guy who encouraged me to continue on Saturday afternoon when I was already packing to go home. Allen's brother and Tom Stillwell were also in the mix to help get this car on the track.

It doesn't stop there. Jim Dietz and his two crew members also dove in to help remove the cylinder head after a small washer was sucked into the engine. By some great miracle, no real damage.

Also thanks to Bruce Lindstrand andn his entire team at Lindstrand Motorsports for their help in diagnosing the problm. What a great bunch of guys and gals. By the way, I never met them until this weekend either.

Thanks to Bill Ehrlinger for stopping by on more than one occassion to help think through the issues. And thanks to Eric Shepard and Andrew Genkinger for their concern and interest.

Thanks too, to my friends Dan and Lorainne Faust who provided spares to help diagnose the problem.

I am absolutely amazed at the number of perfect strangers who are willing to lend a fellow competitor a hand. It's actually heart-warming. This is one of the reasons why I enjoy racing so much...the people. I only hope that I can return the favor.

Warmest regards,

Ralph Zuponcic
Formula Ford #9

[thunderracing91]

It was nice meeting and pitting next to you Ralph. Will you be at blackhawk in july?

Andrew

[Gary Godula]

Ralph,

We are glad that you were there and that everyone got the car thru the weekend. I was concentrating on issues with a couple of FC cars, so I was not aware of everything that you guys were going thru down there, but everytime I stopped by, there was a crowd around your car.

Thank you for letting us live viariously thru your success....gmg

[Ron Tebo]

Ralph - Welcome to EWC.... Road America 2004, the first lap of the first practice I blew a head gasket. Needless to say, with my limited mechanical experience I was loading up for a 700 mile wasted round trip. But like with you, competitors came out of the wood work, saying "you came here to race not go home". The names you metioned were all part of that. They had me all set to go for Sunday morning. And you too have had the good fortune to meet some of the very finest people on earth. I think almost all of us who have competed in this series has a story to tell about "random acts of kindness" These people are the BEST!!! And even better yet, not one driver has ever complained about my driving.

[Allen_W]

Ralph,
I wasn't at Grattan, due to multiple issues (work schedule, screwed up thumb from shunt at BHF, etc.). Reading your note not only made me wish even more that I had been at Grattan, but it made me think: sounds like just another day at the races! Welcome to EWC--Bruce/Cindy, Nick, Bill, Steve, and so many others . . . well, this is just how they do things week in and week out. Great people and great racing. And, as your note makes clear, as typical as what you're describing sounds, it's important not to take it for granted. We are so fortunate to race these cars with these wonderful people! Loved reading your post--and hope to see you at the races . . .
Allen #9 Van Diemen FF