john gates passes

during a test and tune running their cifca funny car after a burnout, at barona speedway,during the backup john gates collapsed on the track. he was transported to the nearest medical facility. he never came to since leaving the track. john was 62 and will be dearly missed by anyone who knew him and his family. alway willing to help fellow racers in need, he truly loved drag racing and the first year with cifca won 1 race and his son, eric will get rookie of the year for 2008. there will be a spagetti dinner at ontario,ca on thursday for those who want to go rsvp at scannon@sceda.com or 760-249-4999. john did not want a memorial, but a get together for friend to remember him. vinces spaghetti 1206 w holt blvd,ontario ca 91762 is the address of the dinner. in lieu of flowers it is requested that donations be made to his wife for funeral costs. kathy gates 8552 big rock road santee,ca 92071. here are some sites to post a memorial of john, he knew a lot of people and will be missed by all. http://www.cifcaracing.net http://www.baronadrags.com http://www.headerflames.com/forum/view_topic.php?id=1993&forum_id=2

 

If you would like I can put a condolence in the next DRAWing Newsletter. I will have to condense the paragraph. I will put in there who he was, his accomplishments/family and where one can send condolences/donations. Just give me the green light and I will do it. So sorry for the Loss!!!
DRAW Board Member/Newsletter Coordinator.

 

John and Eric are class acts. I was stunned when I heard the news.

When the good Lord decides it's time for me to come home, I hope I'm doing something I love.

God bless John...and his family.

Randy

 

THoughts and prayers going out to the Gates family.

 

Very sorry to hear of John's passing. My best to his family and friends.

Dave

 

John was a very quite guy, always with a smile. He and Eric did the best they could with what they could gather. I was happy to help out with getting their car put together as I know this was their dream together. It was good to see the good results of the beginning of their racing efforts.
This dream went back to the "69-71" era in Minnesota with John helping on a nitro F/C that I helped build. Only last week, Eric emailed me a link on Draglist's 70's F/C's of him standing beside that car when he was about 6 or 7, a picture I'm sure John took.
I'm sure John was very proud of finishing this new Father/Son car.
RIP my friend.