In memory of Brian, his family would like to offer you the opportunity to honor him by contributing to a memorial for him to be placed at Laguna Seca.

 I found out through our mutual Full Moon Rally friend Anne Jones/Jordan of Your Passing.
 
You are One hell of a Guy.
Not only did he work endlessly at BAP/GEON foreign car parts in Buffalo, NY.
He supplied Western NY SCCA racers with Monday morning after race/rally weekend parts or Thursday afternoon rush order overnight spares!
He belonged to many car clubs in Buffalo, NY (just a couple STMC & SCCA)
He went to countless races to work, race or spectate at: Watkins Glenn, Mosport Canada, Mid-Ohio, Nelson Ledges and all rallies from Ohio, to Ontario and Quebec.
 
He built, drove, towed, service crewed, raced, rallied, and corner worked or pit crewed anything that raced or rallied or soloed.
We had the Best of times; he was one of our founding Full Moon Rally Team!
We did a lot of drinking and mooning and racing, preferably Molson Golden or Labatts Blue while towing the cars with the The Doors, Jim Morrison blasting from his chevy vans speakers.

We always talked about printing t-shirts with: on the front does drinking cause rallying/racing or does rallying/racing cause drinking
And of course on the back the answer would be: We are carrying on further research!
 
We both had our 15 minutes of fame on ESPN Speedweek the Thursday after a total build up of his 1977 Toyota Celica into a Production Rally car.
We were immortalized by a lone cameraman out in the woods at the 1985 STPR Pro-Rally in Wellsboro, PA.

Where avoiding the “Yellow Hairy Canary Mustang’s” red triangle (just before the water crossing, aka Subaru Splash) we ended up sliding into a large immovable tree right above the fore mentioned car & drivers Head. Ouchhhhhhh! We were so concerned about the depth of the river crossing and ended up 300 feet short of it on stage #1.

The impact making me the co-driver breathless ( I swear I kissed my belly button, so much for a new 5pt harness), was interrupted with concern and hilarity when Brian yelling for his prescription glasses (which were last seen out of the corner of my eye bouncing off the windshield) was blind as a bat. Trying to catch my breath, I informed him the glasses were probably under or behind his seat. Now, I see him release his belts, open the driver’s door and immediately disappear as he stepped out. All I could see was him hanging on to the door armrest with fingernails digging in, you see there was a 10 foot drop off on his side of the car cause we were racing along the side of a steep hill.
 
We had to scrap that Celica, the front bumper was now attached to the engines front pulley dampener. Brian went on to build up a new rally car out of a friend’s 1981 Mazda RX7.
He helped many racers at least 5 or 6 other WNY teams build, race and or rally their cars. Usually volunteering his time to get the parts (from work) repair the car 'till the sunrise the next morning, tow it non-stop to the event, work as service or pit crew the whole weekend (no sleep due to endless parties and BS sessions), load the victorious or destroyed vehicle back onto his trailer and tow it home, only to do it all over again for the next event! Priceless!
 
We both can say we died regretting everything we ever did, but not ever regret anything we never did!
 
Brian gave me a lifetime of Great Memories!
Say Hello to Jim Morrison and Colin McRae for us!

Sorry, I lost touch with you I moved to Orlando, Fl and now I find out you moved to San Francisco. Brian, We shall Toast and send a Full Mooning Salute for You, Our Irish Friend!

From all the Full Moon Team, This is Not the End!
You have Many Eternal Stages and Road Courses to GO!
 
Our Sincere Condolences and Sympathies to Brian's Family, Friends and Fellow racers.
 
Sláinte Brian,
David “Spock” Randall
Orlando, FL
drandall@hotmail.com

 Some photos of Brian Fitzgerald are here:

 http://www.flickr.com/gp/48515116@N00/5k6w8k

Brian was a beloved member of the Communications crew for many years. His
wry, intelligent humor and insights were always welcomed. The last time we
spoke, his thoughts were about racing and he shared stories and memories
about our family. He wanted to be sure that I let everyone know they
should see the doctor as soon as they had a headache that lasted more than
two days. His big heart and soul will be deeply missed.

Tim Linerud

Brian M Fitzgerald, 1953 - 2007

Brian loved racing: the cars, the smell, the noise, the people, working the turns. He loved being a part of SCCA. He thought the view into the valley at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from Turn 7 was one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen. 

Brian's family will be placing a memorial for him at Laguna Seca. The memorial might be participation in the “Steps to the Corkscrew” brick patio program at the Corkscrew with a fitting inscription (he was a brick of a fellow) or something similar.  The final decision of the specific memorial will be done in consultation with SCCA San Francisco, Laguna Seca Raceway and the family.

If you would like to donate to this memorial, please send your check to the following address before February 1, 2008:

Brian Fitzgerald Fund
c/o Steve Fields
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
P.O. Box 2078
Monterey, CA 93942 USA

Make your check payable to “S.C.R.A.M.P” and please mark your check with Brian’s name. 

Brian Fitzgerald, Communicator, passed away on September 15 after a short illness. Brian was with us at the July San Jose Grand Prix, and become ill shortly afterward.

In lieu of a memorial service, Brian's family will be buying a brick for the Laguna corkscrew walkway in his memory.

We will be having a "red candle" for Brian and all the others we have  lost this past season on 10/27/07.  People are encouraged to attend and  bring their memories and stories to share about our lost friends.

Email The Web Team to share your memories on Brian's page.