Our Tribute to PLN

We took the G-99 and Doc Hudson up to the Petit LeMans
over the weekend so that the fans there could say goodbye to Paul.

The G-99 drove one lap around the track
before the start of the race as a tribute to Paul.

Brock, Paul's best friend, flew in to drive the car.

We were all touched by the fans' reactions to seeing the cars there.

Then, we took Doc Hudson to the Talladega Superspeedway.

Mark, Paul's engineer and our very good friend, got to do one lap of the speedway just before the drivers were told to "start your engines"!
Bret lucked out and got to ride shotgun.

An incredible weekend for us all...
one we will never forget...
for a man we will never forget.
Love you Paul

Paul Newman Week - Moroso Test 2004

Just before the Daytona 24,
we took the Porsche Fabcar to Moroso for a test.

Paul getting ready to take her out
on a day that just happened to be his 79th birthday!

Make a wish!!

Then, out came the silly string...
which happened to be a birthday tradition for us at the time.

Now, how many people do you know
who can say they silly stringed Paul Newman?

Great day, good friends, and a lot of laughs!

Now lets eat some cake!

So long for now Paul, we will miss you!

I'd like to share with you some Paul Newman Quotes:

"I'd like to be remembered as a guy who tried — tried to be part of his times, tried to help people communicate with one another, tried to find some decency in his own life, tried to extend himself as a human being. Someone who isn't complacent, who doesn't cop out."

"I had no natural gift to be anything — not an athlete, not an actor, not a writer, not a director, a painter of garden porches — not anything. So I've worked really hard, because nothing ever came easily to me."

"I don't think there's anything exceptional or noble in being philanthropic. It's the other attitude that confuses me."

"I never ask my wife about my flaws. Instead I try to get her to ignore them and concentrate on my sense of humor."

"Paul likes to test himself. That's what makes Paul run. He's got a lot of courage, a highly underrated element in people's lives these days."
Joanne Woodward

Paul Newman Week - 2004 Daytona 24

Porsche Fabcar
Kyle Petty, Gunnar, Paul & Brock

"He was dedicated to giving back to those less fortunate,
and with each child we see, we honor his spirit and vision.
Undoubtedly he has touched millions of lives."
Kyle Petty
co-founder of the Victory Junction Gang Camp

Paul's craft was acting. His passion was racing. His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all. Paul had an abiding belief in the role that luck plays in one's life, and its randomness. He was quick to acknowledge the good fortune he had in his own life, beginning with being born in America, and was acutely aware of how unlucky so many others were. True to his character, he quietly devoted himself to helping offset this imbalance. An exceptional example is the legacy of Newman's Own. What started as something of a joke in the basement of his home, turned into a highly-respected, multi-million-dollar-a-year food company. And true to form, he shared this good fortune by donating all the profits and royalties he earned to thousands of charities around the world, a total which now exceeds $250 million."
Robert Forrester, vice chairman
Newman's Own Foundation

"Paul was a very fine actor and a really good race driver.
But mostly, he personified humanity -
always taking care of those who were less fortunate.
For me, this will be his legacy."
David Letterman

Kevin & Paul
We feel honored to have known him at all.

Paul Newman Week - 2001 Daytona 24

Porsche GT-1
Wayne Jackson, Gunnar, Brock and Paul

Paul is probably sharing some of his racing wisdom with Gunnar...
"Newman's first law:
It is useless to put on your brakes when you're upside down".

Unfortunately, we had big problems with oil leaking
and had to withdraw the car before Paul got to drive.
The risk of fire was just too great.

In racing, the fastest person wins.
It is very simple.
Paul Newman

Paul Newman Week - 2000 Daytona 24

In honor of our friend and fellow racer, Paul Newman,
I am going to designate the last week of September
"Paul Newman Week".

Gunnar and Paul

In response to hearing of Paul's passing, Gunnar said:
"I probably wouldn't be racing today if it wasn't for Paul Newman. The first time I got in the car that year, he was faster than I was. Even recently, he was still incredibly quick and could get around Lime Rock (his home track) better than anyone. He has been such a huge influence on my career and has been a close friend of our family for a long time."

Paul, Michael Brockman, Gunnar & Kevin
Porsche 996 GT3

"I've never had any physical grace," Paul insists. "I've done all kinds of sports, boxing, skiing, tennis - everything - and I have no physical grace. The only time I've ever felt graceful doing anything was when I was in a car."

Paul and Gunnar being interviewed,
via video, by Jane Clayson of the Early Show.
Referring to Gunnar, Paul said,
"He brings wisdom and speed,
and I bring treachery and bad intention."

These two made it into the Guinness World Records 2001
as the Oldest (75) and Youngest (17) Racing Drivers.

back to the old grind

Bill has been working on the G-99 dash this week.

Munch is lending a paw.

looking good!

Andy, Bret and Kevin have been working on the 904.

Andy is getting ready to install the headlight backing plate.

ready to install

one more thing to check off the list

Bret is sizing up the plexiglass headlight cover.

installing the headlight

Kevin is ready to install the tail lights

lights are ready

nice!

P O R S C H E
hey...where's the "P"

Andy and Kevin have also been working on the 962 roof.

Kevin is working on the support.

Happy, as he always is...

now fit on the car, the bodywork continues...

using that finger spreader again

Bruce says, "I might have my own blogspot now,
but that doesn't mean that I'm not around
to help my best friend, Kevin".

One more shot before I call it a day.

just a few more utah shots

Mark, Kevin, Andy, Christian, and Bret waiting on the pit wall.

Gunnar worked hard all weekend
to get the newly installed Motec working properly.

High altitude and cooler temperatures were a challenge for the team.

Kevin was on a bike...
1st time in "I can't remember how many" years.
He was really liking it too!

The crew cleaned up real good...
Bret, Andy, Jesea, Gunnar, Mark, Sharon & Kevin