January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. - The Ford Focus Forum

**Ataru** · 01-01-2007, 10:33 PM

As many of you know, Gary K., one of the most influential Focaljet members in the Road/Rally/Auto-x forum passed away recently. I figured we should honor him with January's FOTM since we did the same for Nazthug a few months back.

http://forums.focaljet.com/team-pit-...as-passed.html

Gary K did as much for the Focus track enthusiast as Nazthug did for the Focus tuners out there. I never talked to Gary K, but remember reading his posts and considered him a definitive source on how to drive the Focus, or any car, on the track.

I'll post some of the pictures of him from the other thread, however, lets remind him up above that we will carry on what he loved to do......

.......push the limits on the track.......in a Ford Focus.

In honor of Gary, please post a picture of you on the track in your Focus....

**Ataru** · 01-01-2007, 10:34 PM

We will miss you Gary......

**Egz** · 01-01-2007, 11:40 PM

You'll be missed Gary.

To add to the collection, here's Gary under the full green:

**mysvtftoy** · 01-01-2007, 11:48 PM

I never knew Gary personally, but he was always responsive and supportive in answering questions and making positive suggestions. I know you kids on the other side of the country that ran with him feel a major loss. He certainly influenced me and I feel a loss -- and I only PM'd with him. An SVTF road course pic in honor of Gary and the Squirt.

**thefrush** · 01-02-2007, 02:15 PM

Without a doubt, an inspiration for me to get on track. RIP

**o2_designs** · 01-02-2007, 02:24 PM

Never really talked to Gary much, but any loss on Focaljet is a loss to the whole community.

**MrPotatoes** · 01-02-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o2_designs

Never really talked to Gary much, but any loss on Focaljet is a loss to the whole community

totally. always makes me a little sad

**MEANSVT** · 01-02-2007, 02:33 PM

RIP

**belacyrf** · 01-02-2007, 02:43 PM

Rest in Peace Gary.

My God Bless your family and loved ones. You were a hard-core track nut and we loved you for it!

Here is a small pic

**2focusd** · 01-02-2007, 03:39 PM

Wow, the amount of sadness that I feel to know that Gary K. is gone is overwhelming

Do we know yet what happened?

-Brian

**hEaT** · 01-02-2007, 04:10 PM

I never knew Gary personally or conversed with him here, but still, I can see how he affected the lives of the people here. RIP.

**DisrupTer911** · 01-02-2007, 04:22 PM

Gary hopefully we'll be able to continue Ruppert Racing in your absence and try and do our best for ya.

Sean, Bri, Joe, Hal, does anyone know what's going to happen to Squirt? I'd love if we could try and keep his racing team alive with his name if it's not already being planned out to keep Gary's memory with everyone.

**bri** · 01-03-2007, 03:08 PM

Awesome Selection, Gary would think you where F’n nuts for picking his beat up little Squirt, but it’s a Fitting Tribute.

I’ll miss you my friend.

**ClintB1321** · 01-03-2007, 05:58 PM

i didn't know him, but we're all family here on jet.RIP

**MichaelXi** · 01-03-2007, 10:15 PM

Gary will be Forever Remembered and Missed.

This pic is from a G2G at VIR where I hung out w/ Gary.

**lapp** · 01-03-2007, 10:28 PM

I have no idea who he is but reading this thread still makes me sad

RIP
what was his name on here?

**seanmc** · 01-03-2007, 10:53 PM

From the same ^ event, where Gary and I played tag for a coupla laps. Probably the most fun I've had on track in a long time:

At Summit Point - the old man's home track, driving it like he'd want me to:

And my favorite souvenir, from the first time the generous-to-a-fault crazy bastard actually let me race his car:

Love ya, GK.

**eshaw** · 01-03-2007, 11:25 PM

It's not a pic of me racing mine, but it is a pic of his car at Summit Point during an EMRA enduro he told me about.

**Ataru** · 01-04-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bri

Awesome Selection, Gary would think you where F’n nuts for picking his beat up little Squirt, but it’s a Fitting Tribute.

I’ll miss you my friend.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/3...e68755.jpg?v=0

FOTM is not always about the show queens. This is a tribute to Gary, hence the reason I wanted everyone to post a photo of them on the track, just like he loved to do.

**DisrupTer911** · 01-04-2007, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapp

I have no idea who he is but reading this thread still makes me sad

RIP
what was his name on here?

you can find him by searchin back for username "garyk"

**Angelus897** · 01-04-2007, 01:34 AM

RIP. Another big loss for our community (seems like there's too much of that these days)

My external HDD broke so these are the only ones I could find.

**Nliiitend1** · 01-04-2007, 02:13 AM

A tribute to fallen brethren:

RIP GaryK...

**mr.squatch** · 01-04-2007, 02:23 AM

We'll miss ya buddy, Give em hell till we get there.

g

**rheacer** · 01-04-2007, 09:53 AM

GK, I think, on the wrong side of the curb

Yep, talked to the guy that took the picture and Gary was 2 off. Really enjoyed chasing him around.

Me from the same weekend at VIR.
Good times.

**viney266** · 01-04-2007, 11:22 AM

GREAT thread folks!! I am sure Gary would approve!

01-01-2007, 10:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ataru Team Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Oklahom Posts: 13,519	January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. As many of you know, Gary K., one of the most influential Focaljet members in the Road/Rally/Auto-x forum passed away recently. I figured we should honor him with January's FOTM since we did the same for Nazthug a few months back. http://forums.focaljet.com/team-pit-...as-passed.html Gary K did as much for the Focus track enthusiast as Nazthug did for the Focus tuners out there. I never talked to Gary K, but remember reading his posts and considered him a definitive source on how to drive the Focus, or any car, on the track. I'll post some of the pictures of him from the other thread, however, lets remind him up above that we will carry on what he loved to do...... .......push the limits on the track.......in a Ford Focus. *In honor of Gary, please post a picture of you* on the track in your Focus.... __________________ Owner of SONIC the HEDGEHOG - 2003 Sonic Blue SVT Focus ZX5 [FJ] focaljet - GUIDELINES - GALLERY - [FJ]WALLPAPER - STORE - SPONSORS - SEARCH - Any Questions?** Last edited by Ataru; 01-02-2007 at 10:49 PM.

01-01-2007, 10:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ataru Team Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Oklahom Posts: 13,519	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. We will miss you Gary...... __________________ Owner of SONIC the HEDGEHOG - 2003 Sonic Blue SVT Focus ZX5 [FJ] focaljet - GUIDELINES - GALLERY - [FJ]WALLPAPER - STORE - SPONSORS - SEARCH - Any Questions?

01-01-2007, 11:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Egz Moderwhiner Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Tappahannock, VA Posts: 20,061	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. You'll be missed Gary. To add to the collection, here's Gary under the full green: Last edited by Egz; 01-01-2007 at 11:46 PM.

01-01-2007, 11:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
mysvtftoy Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 3,013	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. I never knew Gary personally, but he was always responsive and supportive in answering questions and making positive suggestions. I know you kids on the other side of the country that ran with him feel a major loss. He certainly influenced me and I feel a loss -- and I only PM'd with him. An SVTF road course pic in honor of Gary and the Squirt. __________________ Local HPDE calendar \| get calendar tweets \| money pit \| in-car cams \| SVT Focus parts4sale

01-02-2007, 02:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
thefrush Just Dri-Fit! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: I LIVE IN SACRAMENTO LOL Posts: 10,938	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. Without a doubt, an inspiration for me to get on track. RIP __________________ ((. When someone asks me the cause of a minor injury, like a scrape on my leg, .)) I like to tell them something extreme happened. Like I got attacked by a bear. ((. They're way more impressed than if I was missing an arm or something. .)) Obviously that bear didn't have crap on me. ((. .)) http://www.papabarter.com/sacstate

01-02-2007, 02:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
o2_designs Resident Wheel-Whore Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: mnfocus.com Posts: 11,153	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. Never really talked to Gary much, but any loss on Focaljet is a loss to the whole community. __________________ TUNED By FSWerks -- Parts by TOUSLEY Ford ~~BOOST CREW, Bottled Fresh since 2006 ~~ Vacuum Crew, Stirring things up since 2008~~

01-02-2007, 02:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
MEANSVT Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rosamond, Ca Posts: 2,550	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. RIP

01-02-2007, 02:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
belacyrf [FJ] Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Where my home is Posts: 17,524	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. Rest in Peace Gary. My God Bless your family and loved ones. You were a hard-core track nut and we loved you for it! Here is a small pic __________________ Current: John Cooper Works Mini Cooper Clubman Former owner of Turbo Miata Former owner of Turbo SVTF Last edited by belacyrf; 01-08-2007 at 02:22 PM.

01-02-2007, 03:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
2focusd [FJ] Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Uniontown, PA Posts: 15,364	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. Wow, the amount of sadness that I feel to know that Gary K. is gone is overwhelming Do we know yet what happened? -Brian __________________ Godspeed, Colin McRae, may you live on forever as the reason countless people fell in love with the Ford Focus (myself included). 1968-2007 '08 Carbon Grey Metallic Hyundai Tuscani GT V6 Early '00 ZX3 - E-spec in progress (Rattletrap) - Gone but not forgotten!

01-02-2007, 04:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
hEaT I <3 UC^3 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 7,444	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. I never knew Gary personally or conversed with him here, but still, I can see how he affected the lives of the people here. RIP. __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

01-02-2007, 04:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
DisrupTer911 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey Posts: 15,205	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. Gary hopefully we'll be able to continue Ruppert Racing in your absence and try and do our best for ya. Sean, Bri, Joe, Hal, does anyone know what's going to happen to Squirt? I'd love if we could try and keep his racing team alive with his name if it's not already being planned out to keep Gary's memory with everyone. __________________ 2009 Ice White R-Design Volvo C30 : Strictly \| Focused myFlickr : Canon : Sigma : Tamron : Induro : Domke [FJ] \| Sponsors \| Store \| Guidelines \| Ext. How-To \| Int. How-To \| Mid-Atlantic \| [FJ]

01-03-2007, 03:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
bri Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,196	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. Awesome Selection, Gary would think you where F’n nuts for picking his beat up little Squirt, but it’s a Fitting Tribute. I’ll miss you my friend. __________________ Viva La Squirt We’ll miss you Old Man Last edited by bri; 01-11-2007 at 10:53 AM.

01-03-2007, 05:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
ClintB1321 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Culver City, CA Posts: 5,364	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. i didn't know him, but we're all family here on jet.RIP __________________ Boost Camel Racing...when you don't care how rice you look in the name of speed :)

01-03-2007, 10:15 PM	#15 (permalink)
MichaelXi Michael's Eye... Get It? Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Venus Via Knoxville, TN Posts: 25,327	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. Gary will be Forever Remembered and Missed. This pic is from a G2G at VIR where I hung out w/ Gary.

01-03-2007, 10:28 PM	#16 (permalink)
lapp TEAM Sponsor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ventura County California Posts: 1,133	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. I have no idea who he is but reading this thread still makes me sad RIP what was his name on here? __________________ NASA Spec Focus Series

01-04-2007, 02:13 AM	#22 (permalink)
Nliiitend1 Educating Mazda Owners One Thread at a Time Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: 32224 Posts: 5,051	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. A tribute to fallen brethren: RIP GaryK... __________________ Former: Modified Liquid Grey S2: 5-speed Modified 2001 White ZX3: 5-speed Current: 2008 MS3 GT w/ no options 2006 Suzuki SV650N

01-03-2007, 10:53 PM	#17 (permalink)
seanmc Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mount Airy, MD Posts: 2,053	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. From the same ^ event, where Gary and I played tag for a coupla laps. Probably the most fun I've had on track in a long time: At Summit Point - the old man's home track, driving it like he'd want me to: And my favorite souvenir, from the first time the generous-to-a-fault crazy bastard actually let me race his car: Love ya, GK.

01-03-2007, 11:25 PM	#18 (permalink)
eshaw TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Parkersburg, WV Posts: 610	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. It's not a pic of me racing mine, but it is a pic of his car at Summit Point during an EMRA enduro he told me about. Last edited by eshaw; 01-04-2007 at 11:37 AM.

01-04-2007, 01:34 AM	#21 (permalink)
Angelus897 TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 411	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. RIP. Another big loss for our community (seems like there's too much of that these days) My external HDD broke so these are the only ones I could find. __________________ 2004 Impreza WRX Sedan

01-04-2007, 02:23 AM	#23 (permalink)
mr.squatch Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: oklahoma Posts: 1,624	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. We'll miss ya buddy, Give em hell till we get there. g

01-04-2007, 09:53 AM	#24 (permalink)
rheacer Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Rhea County-get it? RHEAcer... Posts: 4,285	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. GK, I think, on the wrong side of the curb Yep, talked to the guy that took the picture and Gary was 2 off. Really enjoyed chasing him around. Me from the same weekend at VIR. Good times. __________________ "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Yogi Berra www.rheacermotorsports.com JohnB, I have your hat. Last edited by rheacer; 01-09-2007 at 02:02 PM.

01-04-2007, 11:22 AM	#25 (permalink)
viney266 TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 118	Re: January FOTM: Honoring a Racer - Gary K. GREAT thread folks!! I am sure Gary would approve!

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