[Fot] Jack Drews Died This Afternoon at Grattan

[BillDentin at aol.com]

In a message dated 08/16/2008 5:25:46 PM Central Daylight Time, 
kaskas at cox.net writes:


> We have lost a treasured friend and great tuner of racing equipment. Jack 
> had a world of friends  who each have a story and thought about this 
> wonderful fellow. To our friend Jack, lost now but never forgotten, a true 
> sportsman and grand family man.  Let us all hope that his passing now will 
> allow him to continue racing onwards in another theatre.
> 

Amici...

I also was racing my 56 TR3 in that SPRINT RACE at GRATTAN on Saturday 
afternoon.  Uncle Jack had just passed (lapped) me early in Lap Ten.  I did not see 
the accident, but as I approached the flag bridge, I saw them grabbing for 
flags.  As I approached Turn ONE, I saw Jack's gorgeous blue and white TR4 
standing straight up in the air, resting on the boot.  The crash had just happened.  
The car had gone over a significant curb, through a gravel trap, and hit an 
earth berm at full bore.  After the initial impact, it must have launched 
straight up in the air and come back down on its boot.  Corner ONE had still not 
gone YELLOW, but they were reaching for the flags.  I made it through ONE and 
got a RED FLAG from Corner TWO.  

My wife Shirley was standing with Frances Drews watching the race from the 
deck above the garages on the front straight.  From that distance it is pretty 
hard to see clearly what happened.  But they knew there was a big crash, and 
they knew it was Jack.  

I don't care to say much more about the accident, because it was terrible.  
The wheel base on Jack's car appears to be 10-12" shorter than it used to be.  
Jack was my dear friend.  I hate to say it, but I do not think his serious 
injuries were the kind no one would want to live through.  Kas suggests Jack is 
now racing in another theater.  It's a metaphor, but a great thought I share.  

Anyone who knew Jack really close, knows he was very, very religious.  We all 
knew him as a TRIUMPH GURU, but Jack was multifaceted.  He was the Choir 
Leader at his church.  The VSCDA often has a short, informal non-denominational 
service on Sunday mornings at race events.  Jack Drews always attended those 
services, and would often lead them.  There was one held yesterday at GRATTAN as 
well.  Jack was not able to lead it, but I'll bet he was there in spirit.  
Many gave their feelings about the tragedy.  There was a common thread.  
Consensus was that Jack had a heart attack, or maybe fainted, doing something he loved 
to do...he was racing.  No need to feel bad for Jack.  He is doing just fine! 
 Feel bad for those of us left behind.  For Frances, for Tony, his daughters, 
grandchildren, and the rest of us.  It is our great loss.

JACK DREWS...First in Class, First Overall, every day, in every way.

Bill Dentinger
  


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