San Francisco Region - SCCA 
In Memory Of Jim Kilpatrick

Jim's Candle

On August 9, 1996, General Jim Kilpatrick, U.S.A.F. (Ret), driver of car #7 EP Porsche, had a stroke, which caused his death a number of hours later. He was getting prepared to qualify for his EP National race at Sears Point Raceway when he was taken ill.

Jim had his wife Emojene and their daughter Cathy at his side when he passed away.

Emmy has asked that we convey her thanks for the love and support that she received this weekend and continues to receive this week. Jim has been cremated and the scattering of his ashes will be handled by the California Air National Guard, of which he is a former commander.

Memorial services will be held August 24th, at 9AM at the People's Church in the Fresno area. The People's Church is located on the corner of Cedar and Herndon Ave in Fresno. In honor of Jim's military service, there will be a "missing man" flyover and a special tribute is planned using a P-51 Mustang, Jim's steed of glory from his military past.

It is likely that a gathering will follow, however details are not available at this time.

Received from The Crawford Family, 0810 hrs, 8/13/96

I have a photo of Jim coming out of turn 10 in the rain at Sears, with a great spray coming off the wheels.

Jim was a great competitor and a first class fellow - I always was glad to see him at the track. If I had known about his military experience, I'm sure I would have buttonholed him at more than some length about his experiences...

His car, btw, is a 57 speedster, which he used exclusively for racing since 1961 - two years before I was born. Needless to say, he knew how to drive that stately old girl. He was smooth as silk on the track, and I once saw him win an EP national on 3 cylinders (spark plug blew out - a not-uncommon thing on 356 motors). Off track, he always had a smile and a pat on the back for everyone.

JZ

A sad day for those of us who raced in Production against the General. My condolences.

jlp

Lois and I attended the service and we were so glad to see Emogene and Kathleen and the many many friends that gathered. Many from SCCA, the Crawfords, Chuck Forge, the Prentices, John Hughes and Kathie Reisinger, and oh they don't all come to my poor mind. There was a fly-over of F16s with the "missing slot", a heart felt reception and on and on. Yes, I have memories of Jim. Certainly that red # 7 bathtub at so many races. Mostly though I tend to think of him as I knew him. A quiet and strong man. Little given to the "political" matters he was still one that would say, "Fill me in on this situation" - whatever it was. After you did a core dump he'd just thank you. We saw him everywhere, Portland, Seattle, Cal Club and all our races. Good for a morning cup of coffee, a good drink in the evening, a sense of liking for all. God, I really will miss him in a way but I have this feeling that it will also be like always, if I look up from working on the car he will be walking by, giving me that smile he used for all but that I knew was reserved for just me. I think Jim is going to be there for me so long as I'm around.

Last Wednesday (8/21) the Region BoD retired #7 in group # 4 in memory of Jim. So now, no one will be able to use that # at our races, with group 4.

"GENTLEMAN JIM, EPO #7" You always denied being much of a gentleman,but I know that you were, perhaps more so than many of the other racers at our tracks. We raced in the same group, but in different classes for a long time. Fender to fender, and grin to grin, you never gave an inch, but you never, ever took anything extra. If I wanted to pass, I'd have to earn it. After the race, it was always a big grin and a handshake, like the true gentleman and true sportsman you were. You've left a big void in our racing community, and you will be sorely missed, my Friend.

First, a quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
	Were a star quenched on high,
	for ages would its light,
	still traveling downward from the sky,
	shine on our mortal sight.
	So when a great man dies,
	for years beyond our ken,
	the light he leaves behind him lies
	upon the paths of men.
      

If I could, I would, buckle myself in one more time into the red Speedster that has been so loyal over all these years... For there is no better feeling than to be secured into a race car. If I could, I would, take one more lap to check all the apexes and braking points and recall all of the great and challenging race tracks I've raced and enjoyed so much. If I could, I would, take the checkered flag one more time as I always knew the cardinal rule of racing ant that was to always...always race to the checkered flag...and "then let off"... If I could, I would, but, I was not aware of the last braking point marker, I would after passing the start=finish stand, swing my red Speedster race car near the pit wall to thank my crew and Emmie for without them I would not have enjoyed life to the fullest. And of course, if I could, I would, salute the corner workers for the last time as I have, as all drivers have, a very special respect and relationship with them. I have seen many "missing man" fly by formations over the years and didn't realize that this last one would be for me... But I have always felt it had the most dignity and respect for a pilot flying on into the heavens.

SCCA - San Francisco Region

To each of you, Tech, Flagging, Timing & Scoring, Emergency crew, Grid, Personnel, Paddock, drivers and crews, How do we begin to thank you for all the love and respesct shown to Jim and I during our many years of racing. We made so many friends through the years and when Jim left us so suddenly you were all there for me. The flowers, cards, calls and expressions of sympathy gave my daughter Kathy and I comfort in our time of sorrow. Thank you all,

"A gentle giant"

As a former tech inspector and now a driver, I will always miss General Jim's pleasant smile. He was a man of few words yet he spoke volumes. I did not know him very well personally, but I did enjoy watching him at the wheel of his racer. He was so smooth. I am pleased that I had the opportunity to know and watch a true gentleman at play. You will be missed by myself and many others. God Speed General Jim.

Email The Web Team to pass along your memory of Jim. We'll see that it makes it way to the family.