In Memory of Brian McCarthy, Formula Vee Racer
September 29th, 2016 by Sherry Grantz
Brian McCarthy, the Area 9 National Director, passed away suddenly from cancer on September 25. Brian was an avid Formula Vee racer, and was always the champion of the budget racer. Brian was 72.
Brian was a strong supporter of the club and served as the Area Nine National Director for two terms. If he had an opinion he certainly would voice it, but at the same time he would listen to what the opposition had to say.
Brian is probably most famous for his two heart attacks. Both happened while Brian was behind the wheel of his racecar. The first one ended with an off in turn seven at Thunderhill. The second ended when he self-reported to pit lane at the Road America medical station. After receiving a new stint Brian drove home by himself from Wisconsin.
Brian did not want a service. His sister is going to spread half his ashes on top of a hill in Oregon where he always wanted to build a house and his friend Rob Shaw is going to spread the other half at Turn five at Laguna Seca. Brian introduced Rob and his wife to each other at that turn.
The Formula Vee community will have a gathering in the paddock at the October 21 finale, where everyone in attendance will have one final rum and coke in Brian’s honor. Good bye good friend, your memory will last forever.
September 30, 2016 at 6:52 pm, Bruce Fuchiwaki said:
You left no warning. Good bye friend.
November 03, 2016 at 4:26 am, John Zuccarelli said:
A good friend and a great guy , will miss his monthly calls, and for sure his friendship!
January 17, 2017 at 9:40 pm, Genie Parsons said:
> omgosh. I’m a Cal clubber and as a flagger I recieved a checkered flag from Brian. It hangs proudly in our race room RIP
March 08, 2017 at 12:09 am, Mary stockert said:
So sorry to hear this sad news. Brian was long time patient in our dental practice. Loved hearing his stories! He was a good guy, we will miss him.
Mary
April 02, 2018 at 2:09 pm, Glenn Lange said:
Brian used to trek cross-country to race in different divisions and would always stop to visit our friend Bob Lybarger.
Two years in a row I crewed for Brian at the June Sprints where, when racing was finished, we’d set sail with Captain Morgan at Siebken’s Resort in downtown Elkhart Lake.
Memories of those adventures are a bit fuzzy…which means we must’ve had a great time.
Godspeed, my friend. See you on the other side.