FYI Sad News

[bruiser]

Long time autocrosser John MacDonald is not doing well and is in the hospital .Those of you that wish to pay their respect can find him at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester. Anyone wanting to know more can reach me at: Renegademiata.net
         Autocross Chairman
Rob

[bruiser]

John passed away last night. He will be missed.

[madame_toussleau]

Thanks for sharing that Rob... John was a heck of a great guy at all the clubs, helping, teaching, and just enjoying his time with everyone.. Like many, I'll miss him too.

-Barb Seeger

[pzahornasky]

John will be missed. 

In my tortured years as an FMod driver (tortured by the car) he was always willing to lend a hand or offer a ride when mine was down (which was often.)

Few people know this, but John holds (and will probably hold forever) the record for the largest margin of victory at the SCCA Solo Championships with a 12+ second victory in A Mod.

[batchman]

I'm saddened yet relieved to hear this morning's news, thanks Rob.

John touched many many people in our sport, but I did not realize he held an AM title!
He very nearly talked me into his FM car, more than once actually.

Like the "Glen Peteson haircut" margin of victory, I think we need a "John MacDonald rules interpretation" recognition.
When faced with the "must be street registered" requirement at one of the Ford clubs, he put a plate on the FM car.

Couldn't fault him for trying, clearly he just wanted to race.

Best to all,
- Jeff

[blang]

Just for the record, I pinged Rocky Entriken about John Mac's nationals record, the response was:

Subject: Re: Solo Nationals Query

Indeed, that is the overall absolute open-class record:

John T. MacDonald, New England Region, Brabham BT29, won A Modified in 1975
by 10.114 seconds.

It is the widest open-class margin of victory ever (two Ladies class winners
have wider margins). Wide-margin records only apply to classes of five cars
or more. A Mod in 1975 was 23 cars.

The Brabham was a proper and well-prepped Formula B car (forerunner to
Formula Atlantic), which had a lot to do with it. In 1975 there were only
two Modified classes. AM was mostly Formula cars and bigbore doorslammers
(the class included a Tiger and a Mustang). BM was mostly smallbore
dunebuggies and doorslammers. Second in AM was a Formula Vee. 3rd and 4th
homebuilt formula cars, 5th thru 9th were Formula Fords and 10th a Super
Vee. The Tiger was 11th.

MacDonald was 2nd in AM the next year, behind Kim Baker's Super Vee. 1975 in
Salina, Ks., was a standard 2-course National, and each course was about 90
seconds long. 1976 in Columbus, Ohio, was a one-course event, Baker and
McDonald were both at 49 seconds, the only drivers to beat 50 seconds on
that course.

Those were his only Nationals until he came back in 2000-2004 -- got a
trophy 3rd in F Modified in 2002 (Caldwell D13 Formula Vee).

[Scruffy]

Susan and I already miss him. We would talk about once a month in the off season. Glad we got to say goodbye on Saturday. In talking to some other members of his Autocross/Solo family, there will be a collection needed to send John on his way with the dignity he deserves. I or someone else will post about this when it happens.
John was very clear about who he considered to be his real family. His fellow drivers.

[Chang]

Can someone post here the details of the wake/funeral.  I would like to pay my respects. 

[bruiser]

There was no service. Here are the details. There will be a memorial gathering in his honor Feb. 20 at Elks Lodge, 233 Mill Street in Worcester,MA 1-4pm .                                                                            

                                                                                                                            

[blang]

here's more details:

It is with a very sad heart that we inform you of a death of one of
our autocross friends.

This Wednesday, our brother John MacDonald passed away due to
complications after a brief hospital stay. A private cremation
ceremony has taken place.

http://currentobituary.com/ShowObit.aspx?id=74450&member_id=4

Many of us know John as a great friend and elite course designer,
who, for most seasonal weekends over the past decade, could be found
on the runways at Devens, continually coming up with the most devious
courses we'd ever witnessed. He was a perfectionist in the sport, and
also silently prided himself in helping many of us get better at what
we all like to do. He got more out of showing people how to drive
better than actually getting a better run for himself. That was
John...

John also touched our hearts with his ever-present smile, helpful
demeanor, and his "story of the week". Some might recall stories
about water and snow skiing, traveling around the country doing
circuit track racing, past follies and victories at National events,
and it always seemed like there wasn't much that John hadn't
experienced.

We will be celebrating his life at a memorial gathering on February
20th at Elks Lodge, on 233 Mill Street in Worcester, MA, 1-4pm EST.
Details will be forthcoming. Please be sure to reserve that date on
your calendars now.

In addition to helping us celebrate John's life, we are seeking help
with the costs associated with interment arrangements for John. In
lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the John MacDonald Funeral
Trust, via PayPal and check. PayPal donations can be made
(http://paypal.com) to the email address johnmacdonaldfund@gmail.com.
If you would prefer to donate by check, checks can be made out to The
John MacDonald Funeral Trust, and sent to:


The John MacDonald Funeral Trust
c/o Lisa A. Roche, CPA
253 Main Street
Milford, MA 01757

Any small amount would help, and many thanks in advance.

On his death bed, John asked many of us to think kindly of him while
out on the tarmac. We ask that you do. We are planning for a memorial
autocross during the upcoming season, and we look forward to seeing
many of you there, regardless of club affiliation. You may even see
the old Caldwell out there.


Kindest Regards,
Phil & Linda Kogan
Joe Kraetsch (NCR Porsche)
Larry Nicklas (Boston BMW CCA)
Rob MacAlpine (Renegade Miata)
-and- Friends of John MacDonald (various clubs)

[newportroyal]

I'm fiarly new to autocross and have been astonished at the amount of great people I've met at ever club I've run with. 

I went to the 9/19 SCMC event last year, and upon arrival, realized that I knew next to no one at this event. 

By chance I paddocked next to John in his mustang.  It was early and there was about a 90 minute wait until tech opened.  He immediately engaged me in some friendly conversation and was as friendly and kind as anyone I've met at these events, he didn't waste a second and immediately started picking my brain about the setup on my subaru.

He is a great example of the great people who participate in this sport.  Friendly, helpful, and welcoming. 

My condolences to his family and friends.

[madame_toussleau]

I'm fiarly new to autocross and have been astonished at the amount of great people I've met at ever club I've run with. 

I went to the 9/19 SCMC event last year, and upon arrival, realized that I knew next to no one at this event. 

By chance I paddocked next to John in his mustang.  It was early and there was about a 90 minute wait until tech opened.  He immediately engaged me in some friendly conversation and was as friendly and kind as anyone I've met at these events, he didn't waste a second and immediately started picking my brain about the setup on my subaru.

He is a great example of the great people who participate in this sport.  Friendly, helpful, and welcoming. 

My condolences to his family and friends.

Don't be shocked thinking you've seen a ghost if you show up at another SCMC event and see John MacDonald and his dad John who together co-drive that Mustang. 
To clarify any confusion here, there were 3 John Mac's who attended Deven's events, and on some days all 3 were there.

[Scruffy]

Don't be shocked thinking you've seen a ghost if you show up at another SCMC event and see John MacDonald and his dad John who together co-drive that Mustang. 
To clarify any confusion here, there were 3 John Mac's who attended Deven's events, and on some days all 3 were there.

And Father and son are registered for April 3rd at Devens.
See you Saturday.