PLN...You will be missed

red C racing

SCCA Touring 2

Paul L. Newman (PLN) takes his final Checkered Flag
September 27, 2008

It is a sad day for the SCCA family as we have lost one of our brothers. Paul Newman or as he was known during SCCA competition, PLN, passed away at his farmhouse in Westport, Conn after a long fought battle with cancer.

Recently, PLN said goodbye to the SCCA at his home track, Lime Rock Park (LRP), with a few last laps in his Red, White and Blue GT-1 Corvette. I'm sure those last few laps were emotional for the four time SCCA National Champion and four decade racing competitor.

PLN liked to sport his age as his car number and as you can see he raced in to his eighties. I had the chance to meet PLN while racing at Road Atlanta in 2007, well lets just say we bumped in to each other ;) Actually, while his crew was backing him up, he inadvertently backed in to the rear of my parked T2 car. His crew apparently was on a different radio channel and therefore he didn't hear the STOP! His Crew Chief invited me back to their paddock area to take care of the damage.

I stopped by later in the day with my car and was instantly greeted by the Crew Chief and he let PLN know I was there. PLN came out and was as gracious and humble as could be. I think he was embarrassed at what had happened and immediately offered to pay for the damage. I told him that it wasn't necessary and that all I would like is for him to autograph the car. He honestly looked a little puzzled, but gladly accepted my sharpie and signed the trunk lid. He continued to insist on paying for the damage and I told him his autograph likely increased the value of my car. He made a comment that the dings and tire rubs were sort of like race car patina. I'm honored to have his comment and autograph as part of mine.

This Friday Marty and I will roll out to Topeka for the 2008 SCCA National Championship Runoffs and I'm sure that PLN's SCCA family will remember and memorialize his contributions.

Check the following pages via the site links at the top of the page for in-car video, more pictures and write-ups from previous races!

Thanks to all of the following sponsors:

AMS Time Attack Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjhMyJq-gGE
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AMS Drag Car Dyno 1130 AWHP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqEFIMBumJs

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