Anyone remember TOM from Autobahn Rennsport...?

[melloh]

Sorry to invade your territory here (I'm a e21 and e30 owner), but my previous mechanic Tom from Autobahn Rennsport (Los Angeles, CA) has disappeared. He was an active '02 racer. He was aslo simply a great person.

Last I heard he was in the hospital with lung cancer almost a year ago. A month later, I called and nobody answered the phone at the shop and I moved out of town. He owes me nothing, but I at teh very least owe him gratitude and respect and I'd like to pay up. But, I haven't a clue where to look. So, if anyone knows who I'm talking about, please reply or contact me directly! Even if it's just a story/memory.

Thanks for your time,

Henry

[Arizona 02]

[melloh]

Honestly, I cannot remember his last name (don't think i ever knew it). But, yes he did race his '02 in SCCA, but I'm not sure what class and such.

[super_eurobeat]

[melloh]

[Arizona 02]

year ago or more. Meet Tom Cleave & his friend Kevin McDonald at Phoenix SCCA races during the winter/spring racing seasons back in the mid 1990's. Both came from California to race their BMW 2002, one cars was a green color and dont remember the other cars color.

[melloh]

Well, if anyone has any information on family, friends, or his final resting grounds, please do send it to me (either here or email direct to me at ombudsman13 AT hotmail DOT com).

Also, I'd love to hear stories (racing or personal) stories if you've got them. I know he had some buddies here in Northern California, so if you are them or know of them, gimme a ring and I'd love to 1) learn some more about the making of the man, 2) share stories, and 3) probably give you some business!!! (yeah... I'm searching for a shop. It's not like I want to, I have to.)

It's difficult enough to meet a person as generous and honest he was, let alone a bmw mechanic within driving distance! I'd be happy to find a shop 1/8 as 'cool' as his, and amazed to find a person 1/2 as such. I think we were BOTH hoping that years from now he'd be showing me the ropes in scca racing. Anyway, i'll save the ranting for later. Please do send any info you've got. Thanks much in advance.

Cheers,

Henry
1980 320is (which Tom dislike working on)
1991 318is (which Tom INSISTED I get to replace the e21 - and gave me the "cool car discount" for everything)

[Arizona 02]

only or specialist repair shops that board members can suggest.

[melloh]

[zippyO2]

Linda here... I stepped in at AutoBahn while Tom went through MANY unpleasant, (to put it mildly), health challenges. As some of you may know, Derrick and I held the shop in Inglewood together until the AutoBahn had time to disbanded and moved North to Santa Rosa.

Tom Cleave IS ALIVE AND WELL!!!! For you racers out there, he "maintained his line" and kicked cancer's [Oops!]! Tom and his lovely dog, Beemer, are doing splendidly in the clean air of the Sonoma wine country.

He will be racing his yellow and blue "gray pupon" 2002 on October 27th and 28th 2007 at Button Willow. Mark it in your calendars and hide your daughters! This will be his debut race and I'm sure he would love to see everyone at the track to cheer on #19!!! If you would like to contact him, call weekday work hours at his new shop: GS Tuning - 707.284.2680.

High Beam Salute To All!

Linda O=()()=O

[zippyO2]

Tom Cleave will be racing ITB in his yellow with blue striped 2002 on October 27th and 28th 2007 at Button Willow!!! This will be his debut race (after getting well). I'm sure he would love to see everyone at the track to cheer on #19!!!