Thank you all for the love and
friendship, Dad was truly blessed to know you all.
This really isn't a tribute to
Pat Foster ......... Its a tribute to all the friends that made
Pat Foster.
I grew up at the drag races and
shared a lot of things with dad, we both had our regular family
and our racer family, my biological side witnessed over the the
last few months something very few people experience - to borrow
a line from Jim Hume - "There is drag racers and what we
call " the others".
My dads brother and sisters,
my brothers knew what dad did for a living, but didn't know who
he did it with, personally like I did. I wasn't a bit surprised
by the ARMY of my dads friends that "stepped up". Most
people who are reading this already know what I'm talking about,
Its hard to even explain it to "the others" .
As a kid I was lucky enough to
witness a few heroic thrashes at the drags , I pulled this story
from "National Dragster"
1974 world finals:
During qualifying Saturday
afternoon Shirl Greer kicked the rods out and had a huge fire
, His qualifying mate on the pass, Pat Foster, dived into the
raging inferno to help safety personnel extricate him.
"As they took me away
on the stretcher, I looked at the car and said to myself that
that was the end of that one," Greer recalled. "There
was no way I was gonna get enough points to win the championship."
When Smith and Hall both surprisingly
failed to qualify, the remainder of the Funny Car community came
together -- including Smith and Prudhomme - to give Greer a fighting
chance.
"Some of the guys came
by the hospital that night and told me that if I could drive,
they'd have the car ready for me," Greer said. "When
I got to the track Sunday morning and saw the car all patched
back together, I just couldn't believe it."
1974 world champ - Shirl Greer
I so miss my man, my pop's.......When
my tears fall ........the lessons and words he gave me comfort
me. He is a hard act to follow.
My dads last words to me... leaving
his room I said "goodbye" he shook his head no, and
said " Hey ....... Tiger, there is never a goodbye between
us."
To all my Dad and I's ol pals
and some I just had the pleasure of talking to or meeting ,even
fans that have wrote me with a few words about Pat , I just want
to say love you all.
Cole Foster
a few Patty-isms- from Cole
"I was never the best ............
but not bad!" = driving career
"shitbox" = racecar
"Lets put this shitbox in the trailer, and get the fuck
out here." dad said he invented the word!
"bad actor" = Impressive race car
"hot lash" = trick
"jackoff" = idiot
"Lop" = see "jackoff"
"bitchin" = great
"keep on keep'n on" painted on Setzer car
"What you see ,is what you get" painted on Setzer car
"way good" = "way bitchin"
"Period " = end a sentence
"flat ass" = "that shitbox was flat ass on one"
"on one" = good run
"cave" = shop
"weak suck" = under achiever
"deal" = everything
"Knay" = fuck'n A
"horseshoes and hand grenades" = close
"dolly" = cute girl
"donkeys" = bottom end guy
"who do you drive for" = asking who was on the phone
"Stout"= see "bad actor"
"yahoos" = see "jackoff"
"slide or slid" = "man ,slid right into that deal"
"saybye" = end a call
"Lumpy" = John Lombardo
"Jelly" = Larry Board
"Joe P" = Joe Pisano
"pudd'n" = Tom Prock
"LV " = Linda Vaughn
"Dongoose" = Don Trasin
"Vipe" = Snake
"Waldo" = John Galaspy
"Snoz" = Dale Emery
"Weasel " = Bob Brant
"Wolfy" = Bobby Clober
Cole & Pat in Yokohama, Japan
Pat holding court in Japan.
Japan trip....new friend.
Indy 1971 Foster/Pulde Don Cook forgot to torque
the rods the night before 1st round.
When you're hot, your hot ..... this one was a long
walk back to the pits.
Cole checking out Dad's latest restoration.
Patty & Tom Ivo
Pat and Cole with Ed
Pink at the NHRA Museum in 2007.
We spent '07 Winternationals with The Candies Family.
Amazing people.
Cole's shop in Calif.
Pop and Carl Olson
As far as a service, at dads
request there wont be one. He had his own by getting to talk
to most of his friends, and the ones he didn't get to talk to
knew how he felt. He said, "I do not have any enemies, loose
ends, or unsettled issues. I have been there done that. I've
been good to my friends, and they've been good to me. I did every
thing in my life I wanted to." I didn't argue. lol Cole
I
would like to thank both Dan and Cole for their heartfelt contributions
to their Dad's page. Foster was very proud of his family and
its easy to see why. DE
I have read with sweet melancholy,
all your letters and kind words about a man I knew well. To me,
he was always Pat. I know and have met many of you and have heard
many of your names over the years. Even though we weren't together
for the last year and a half, you don't live with a man like
Pat Foster for 27 years and not still love and care about him.
He was definitely "one of a kind!" He had the kindest,
most generous heart, was an amazingly creative and talented craftsman
and was a great dad. Together we raised the youngest of his three
wonderful boys, JT, who is just now 21. To JT, Pat was just "dad",
and I don't think he ever really knew what he did before becoming
dad. So it was very special for him to read all about his dad's
career and the letters from some of the people who loved and
cared about him.
I thought it might be interesting
for some of you who only knew Pat through drag racing to know
some of the other things Pat did in between racing projects.
When Pat "retired" from drag racing in the late 70's
he dropped out of the scene for awhile but there was a whole
other side to him that emerged when we moved to Carmel, CA. He
opened a shop and started a whole new career in fabricating custom
parts for a unique, new home in Big Sur for friends of ours.
He made custom furniture and wall art out of wood and architectural
features out of metal. He restored the woodwork of an antique
Diamond T flatbed truck. He was an avid golfer and designed and
built a line of golf putters out of black walnut and brass.
After about four years, work
began to dry up and he fell back on what he knew best, drag racing.
We ended up in Dallas, where Pat built cars and racing trailers
for Raymond Beadle. While there, he was involved with several
other "interesting" racing endeavors before our eventual
move back to California to build a dragster and manage a racing
team for Dan Fitzgerald. But after the shop and car was built
and Fitzgerald decided he didn't want to race, Pat ended up running
his construction equipment rental business. He often joked that
he had GOMS (Grumpy Old Man Syndrome) and so dealing with the
public on a daily basis, understandably was not his cup of tea.
With his connections, he landed at Nissan for a few years. When
it looked like Nissan might shut its doors another move was in
order.
We began looking at opportunities
which would get us out of California, when Tom Hanna contacted
Pat out of the blue and we ended up in Wichita, Kansas in 1992.
After a few years, he decided to start his own business and it
was a roller coaster. Before car orders really started coming
in, times were lean so Pat built custom fireplace grates, a pressure
tank for a plastics manufacturing company and automated machinery
for a pet products factory and dozens of other things. He started
doing some repairs for customers of a wheelchair supply company
where he met and made friends with a paraplegic young man who
had him build several custom wheelchairs. Just about the time
he thought this business was never going to take off, he got
busy. Real busy! Between building cars he also did his hemi commercial
and Junkyard Wars.
When Pat got an order for a re-creation,
he wouldn't be able to sleep soundly for days. Starting with
just an idea, he would spend weeks researching and gathering
pictures and information. He would fret and fuss about it until
suddenly in the middle of the night the answers he was fretting
about would come to him in his dreams and he would bolt out of
bed, dress and go directly to his shop in the garage and start
building the car. You wouldn't see him for days. Then after weeks
and months the car would begin to take shape. Just as in drag
racing, there was always a period he called the thrash and the
house was sometimes taken over with people, some of whom had
come to Wichita to do some special part of the car or the lettering.
As they worked 'til the wee hours, there was a constant flow
of words like "Jeeeeezus!" or "What the F…!"
coming from the garage. Then, "piss, mud or flood",
after painstakingly looking after every detail, the car was finished
and it was "way bitchin". Then for days there was a
constant parade up and down the driveway of people, who had come
to see the new creation. Sometimes I would tentatively stick
my head in the garage to see what was going on and would always
see Pat in a deep conversation with someone I'd never seen before
but who seemed to be his best buddy. When I would later ask,
"Who was that?" he would reply, "I was hoping
you knew!" Then finally the day would come when the new
owner picked up the car. Pat would go into a two week depression
over the loss of his "baby". Then it would start all
over.
Pat never lived his life in fear
of losing it, for that would be losing the point of life. Life
was never dull and for him it was always full speed ahead. Mike
Berry who wrote several stories over the years about Pat in the
Wichita Eagle signs his emails "Life is not a journey to
the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and
well-preserved body, but rather, skidding in broadside, thoroughly
worn out and loudly proclaiming... Wow! What a Ride!" A
perfect description of Pat! I'm sure he's telling stories right
now with his hands out to the sides palms up going in all directions.
He will be missed and lovingly remembered!
Leslie Foster
Below are some photos of Patty
that reflect a side most of his fans never knew about. Thanks
to Leslie for her great tribute and for sending along these shots.
Patty working on the
M/T Ford LSR project in 1968.
Just a Dad - Cole, Pat,
J.T. and Dan
Tom Hannas property where Pat
fished most days after work. He was pretty passionate about his
fishing for quite awhile. He approached it just about like he
did racing by analyzing everything from light to water clarity
to temperature to time… and there were a lot of four letter
words flying around as well as lures and hooks.
Pat and Cole shooting hoops at
a Kansas Family Reunion. Probably the only picture ever taken
of Pat in shorts. Pat’s family (grandparents) had a farm
and raised his dad in Baldwin, Kansas where his dad eventually
met his mom. So the Fosters came from Kansas and then we returned
to Kansas…full circle.
Pat napping with JT.
Great dad!
Drag
car builder Foster dies
BY
MIKE BERRY
The
Wichita Eagle
We lost a great car guy this week.
Pat
Foster, who had brought his one-man crusade to save some of the
original ground-pounding front-engined dragsters and early funny
cars to Wichita back in the early '90s, died early Thursday at
a hospital in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.
He had
moved there about a year and a half ago, after recovering from
life-threatening health problems that required multiple surgeries
here. Foster, 68, had put together a new shop and was working
on another historic car when he was again felled by a medical
setback just before Thanksgiving that left him in a coma for
weeks.
He had
rallied back, though, being the tough old bird that he was, and
it looked like he might even be able to get back to work.
But
then came more complications, and he finally made the decision
he was not going to prolong the inevitable.
I had
met Pat in 2000, through freelance photographer Craig Hacker
and I knew within minutes I was going to like this gruff, grizzled,
pony-tailed drag racer as a person.
"Patty,"
as he allowed his friends to call him, let it be known he did
not suffer fools gladly. You never had to ask what he thought
on the subject at hand. He told you, short and sweet, and if
you didn't like it, tough.
I visited
him several times in his tiny one-bay shop at his home east of
Wichita and always came away shaking my head and grinning. I
marveled at the quality of his craftsmanship and the lengths
to which he took his research in making sure the cars he restored
were spot-on.
When
he was meticulously re-creating the famed Beebe & Mulligan
fuel dragster, he said to me, "If I'm going to do this car,
I'm going to do it right." And that's just what he did.
I had
exchanged e-mails with people who knew Pat a lot better than
I did and was aware of his decision to let the end come naturally.
I had sent him a card, but that didn't seem enough.
So when
one of those people told me he had just got off the phone with
Pat and that I should call him, I didn't waste a minute. I started
dialing.
It wasn't
until the next day when I finally heard that gravely voice of
his come on the line. "Foster here," he said. We talked
for a few minutes and he seemed to need to explain why he had
made the call he had. I told him a few years ago, I wouldn't
have understood, but having just turned 60, I did understand
now.
I held
it together pretty well till we signed off. He was one of the
most fascinating characters it's ever been my honor to know.
And
I smiled when a kind lady who had been keeping me posted from
Pat's bedside told me that the tag line that I use on my e-mails
was a pretty apt description of Pat's leaving us. Someone named
Peter Sage had written, "Life is not a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved
body, but rather, skidding in broadside, thoroughly worn out
and loudly proclaiming... Wow! What a Ride!"
Sit
low, Patty Foster, and don't lift.
REMEMBERING
PAT FOSTER
Patty
Foster was a man’s man – but not in the sense of what
used to be called a male chauvinist pig. Pat was the kind of
guy who'd strap on a welders mask at night, and a firesuit the
next morning. As a race car driver he competed in an era when
some car owners regularly said to their drivers, “No matter
what, don’t lift.” I saw Foster live – and come
close to dying – following this credo. When I asked him,
after he'd climbed out of another inferno in Barry Setzer’s
Vega at the Springnationals in Columbus, why he continued to
drive like that, he just winked, smiled and said “He tells
me to drive it to the lights, but it's my decision whether I
go all the way. Gotta fix this. We're running at Englishtown
Tuesday night!” Foster always went all the way, in every
aspect of his life.
Pat’s
boys are terrific, but in all truth Patty himself was not lucky
in matters of the heart. It was if the gods had said, “You’ll
be a master craftsman, a renowned racer, an envied constructor
and have a wealth of friends, but in this one area, my friend,
things will not always go your way.”
Like
everyone who was lucky enough to know Foster – and he was
one of those last-name-only guys – I have stories that somehow
help define the man.
When
Carol and I were living in then-considered-remote Kagel Canyon
in Southern California there were numerous evenings when we'd
hear the approach of a rumbling Harley. We'd smile, waiting to
see if the motorcycle would turn down our dead end street. We
knew if it did it would be one of three people – Foster,
Peter Bassin, or Dale Pulde. It didn't matter which one it was,
we had the door open and smiles on our faces before the late
arrival had even switched off the engine and kicked down the
stand.
Foster
always regaled us with stories, but behind his smile there was
a razor-sharp mind able to dissect the inner workings of the
NHRA decades before other drivers could see beyond the finish
line. Long before there were chassis specs written in rule books
Foster – who worked with almost all of the sports legendary
builders -- and partner Jim Hume were building cars that were
closer to works of art than they were to everyone else’s
cookie-cutter designs.
In our
younger years all of us did things that were questionable, if
not downright illegal. It was, after all the late 60s and early
70s, and while there will be those who are in denial, the reality
of our little world was that we drank too many beers and smoked
too many hand-rolled cigarettes or inhaled through small, custom-made
metal pipes behind closed doors.
At one
point Foster had a “farm” hidden behind the 8-foot
walls of his San Fernando Valley home, a crop he successfully
took to market after convincing his then junior high school son
that if he and his friends left it alone there'd be plenty for
everyone. Believe me, there was.
Should
I have skipped that little vignette? Are anyone’s sensibilities
offended? Patty’s wouldn't have been. Every time he talked
about that crop he'd help laugh so hard tears would come to his
eyes. Okay, so Patty wasn't a saint, but let's admit it: None
of us are. Only our mothers thought we deserved sainthood, but
as we got older they probably figured we'd be going to hell despite
their best efforts.
My fondest
memory of Foster is the night we sat three feet from the largest
stereo speakers I'd ever seen in his rental house somewhere in
the Carolinas, listening repeatedly to the Stones’ “Can’t
Ya Hear Me Knockin’.” I wondered what the neighbors
might have been thinking until, as Foster re-placed the needle
in the proper groove, I could hear their sound system moving
the walls of their house next door.
Not
too many years ago I got a call from a guy named Don Trasin.
He told me he'd bought the last Jade Grenade front-motored dragster,
and wanted to know everything I could possibly tell him about
it. Sadly for me, that was one car before I became a partner,
but one thing I did know, and that was the one guy I'd trust
to restore that gem -- Pat Foster. I put them in touch with one
another, with the result of Foster’s efforts being the best
looking front-motored Top Fuel car I've ever seen. You can't
miss its gorgeous green colors during its Cacklefest appearances,
or as it sits beneath the spotlights of the Wally Parks Museum
of Drag Racing in Pomona.
As the
years go by I find myself saying good-bye to far too many good
people, and it seems to me that more of the best of them take
that final step into the great void far too early, leaving us
to wonder at their lives, and cherish their memories. I won't
shed a public tear for Patty. He’d’ve kicked my ass
if he thought I'd do something like that, but I, along with countless
others, will miss his smiling face, his insightful comments and
his “When’s-the-next-round” personality.
It doesn't
matter what your ingrained religious beliefs are. What counts
is what you believe inside your heart and soul. I'd like to believe
that somewhere there's something that some might consider a heaven.
But I can't envision that with floating clouds and angels with
wings. For me it's an extension of this life, and I know there's
a drag strip there, one that probably looks like one of those
tracks that have been plowed under. Maybe it's like Irwindale,
or maybe even like U.S. 30, but the surface is glass-smooth and
the tractions always great even if there are oildowns. There
are a bunch of racers getting ready to run right now, and there,
pulling an aluminized mask over his beard is the newest arrival,
the guy they've all been waiting for, Pat Foster.
Jon
Asher
"No
Sad Music for Me"
"Sooner
or later all things must die. Only the sun seems invincible.
And so it becomes each man's responsibility to garner as much
and contribute as much as he can during his indefinite term's
existence upon this earth. Some people are fortunate in being
able to live a lifetime in a few short years. Others linger on
for many years, often failing to realize the rewards they are
attaining. As for me, I have lived many lifetimes during the
years I have relished on this earth. The friends I have known
and the people I have loved (many of them undoubtedly unaware)
have been more rewarding, more gratifying than all other things
combined. To those who are left behind I would like to express
these assurances. We have worked together, fought together, argued,
and defended one another. We have shared our misgivings and sorrows
just as we have shared our satisfactions when a job was well
done. In the many phases of my lifetimes there were many things
for which to be thankful. Fortunately, there have been very few
times when I didn't look forward to the new day. For this I can
only credit the people with whom I was associated. Their tolerance
and their forgiveness of my shortcomings were neither unnoticed
nor unappreciated, although I suspect they too were often unaware.
And now, having lived these many years, I can truthfully say
that I am satisfied. There will always be new goals one would
like to accomplish, but such ambitions only come as a result
of the happiness one feels as a result of past achievements.
For me, there is no real regret in leaving - only an aching concern
about the feelings of those left behind. It would be my wish
that instead of traditional sad-sounding music, my services could
enjoy a happy, happy note. To me it's a celebration, commemorating
the many years I have been fortunate to spend among the greatest
people there are. If I could offer but one bit of advice, it
would be: Look around you at the good people you know - don't
take them for granted as they're most of what makes life worth
living. Enjoy each day, despite its discomforts and shortcomings,
and take a little time to appreciate even the little things that
are good. So join me now in celebration, for I have gained far
more than one man could ever contribute. You, my friends, have
made it all possible. Let the music have a happy note, and be
glad that one's life was as abundantly rewarded as mine has been.
I sincerely hope yours will be even richer, in rewards far beyond
any monetary equal."
Even
though we knew it was coming, its still hard to fathom. Not having
any new stories to hear from Patty, or any of his craftsmanship
to look forward to seeing, makes his loss painful. I'll treasure
the photo below of Patty (albeit minus ponytail) explaining to
Paul Candies and myself how it should be done.....Foster-style.
Thanks
for the memories P.F. Flyer.
Henry
Walther
I'll
always remember some of the stores that Patty would tell. From
the start he would have you crying so hard it hurt, in side.
But if you had to ask him something, About Drag racing. You would
always get a straight answer, I remember when Jim Hume &
Patty had the shop over in Van Nuys and I would stop by to see
what those two were working on. The work that came out of the
shop, Was super. I would always look forward in seeing Pat at
the Reunions. We will always miss that smile and how the HELLARE
YA, with a big old hand shake.
The
last time I seen him and talk to him was at the Hot Rod reunion
back in Ohio, last year. Here's a shot of Brendan and Patty just
before Brendan's big blower deal and the bad fire.
Patty,
I will always miss seeing you and in our next life, I hope to
see you again.
You
old friend, with all my Love - RIP Thumbs Walt Stevens
As we waited for the sad news
that we knew would receive one day, it still doesn't make it
any easier when it finally arrives. I considered Foster a good
friend, we had many discussions about dragsters and we agreed
on many concepts of what a dragster should look like.
His many posts, great sense of
humor and oh the stories he could tell. The Dusty Rhoads story
of him at Lions was one of my favorites.
We'll all miss him terribly.
One of my prized processions
is the award he made for me in 2000 with a replica of the push
bar key that was on TV's single Buick.
Sit low Patty
Lee...
In 1969 I had the opportunity
to work with Pat at Mickey Thompson's shop. He was one of the
very best fabricators I have ever known along with John Buttera
and Nye Frank. He loved drag racing and will be missed forever!
Butch Leal
PEACE BE WITH YOU
PATTY FOSTER
Sy
He will be missed here by many,
we will grieve a man many of us held in hero status and many
of us got to know and to know him is to love the guy. He was
straight forward and no BS and willing to help you out even if
you were a weak suck. Just know though he will be welcomed to
the afterlife by many of his heroes and his peers. His passing
is very heavy in our hearts but at least his pain is over and
when you hear thunder on a stormy night, remember it is Foster
sittin low keepin the bitch lit and keepin an eye on all of us
as he makes pass after pass on the big strip in drag race heaven.....
Gods Speed Patty you are one
awesome and respected man and thank you again for gracing my
car with your touch.....
Tom Morris
When I had Heart surgery a year
and a half ago - Patty kinda talked me through it, (He'd already
gone through it a couple of times himself at that point), and
one of the things he told me was, "keep a handle on things",
"ya ain't just along for the ride" ...
Ya know, we're all gonna get outta here someday - and it's gonna
be too soon for sure ... doing it on your own terms seems like
a 'Keeping a handle on it' type of deal - - Pat's still the guy
in the hat and the silver suit doing the driving...
Foster is in my thoughts Fred
Vosk
I had the pleasure of meeting
Mr. Foster in Columbus last year when he signed my 6 year old
son's helmet. What a great guy, he talked with us for a few minutes,
and even offered to let my son sit in the 'Goose Vette. I'll
never forget the dry-hops in the Vette during the Cacklefest,
it was by far the highlight of the event, even though he said
he was probably going to get yelled at for it.
Thanks Pat.
Scott Frymoyer
The first time I ever went to
the drag's I was 9 year's old on pit side. I hear something that
is so loud, I take off running for the fence, It was Pat Foster
doing a burn-out at O.C.I.R. in the Barry Setzer [red car] Funny
car. At age thirteen I was working there, and at 46 I think about
it like it was yesterday. Thank You Pat Foster for all the good
memories.....
Mike O
RIP Patty!
SUSHI & BLUES TRAVELERS!!
You won't be forgotten!!!
Alan R. Miller
My condolences to Pat's family,
and the entire Drag Racing community.
Bob
I don't think a better Memorial
could have been written. It is obvious how much love and thought
went into to this piece.
Oddly enough the first time I
can remember seeing a Foster project was a sports car. My father
was a sports car racer in the 50's and 60's so my first racing
experiences were at road courses not drag strips. So the Nissan
GTP cars were something to drool over when I was younger. The
962 Porsches, Group 44 Jags, and the Gurney Toyotas were basically
ruling the road until the Nissan showed up. The car just looked
mean!! And, it proved that it was mean by basically taking no
prisoners. To my knowledge the car never lost unless something
bizarre happened. I am one of those people that identify with
the sounds and to me there are some sounds that truly bring shivers.
A Top Fuel Car on a burnout, a Ferrari V-12 screaming by on a
straight, or the Turbo "chirp" of the Nissan downshifting
hard into a corner.
Then I get out of my house and
start expanding my racing base of interests into dirt cars and
ultimately into drag racing. And once again I am awed by the
craftsmanship of Pat Foster. And through this 1320 family I was
lucky enough to meet and talk with Pat on several occasions.
I will always look on those meetings fondly.
God Speed Patty
Donovan
I hate opening up the computer
as it seems every week we lose more friends.
Patty, we miss you dearly.
Prayers are with you and family.
Tell Jungle I said "Hi".
PLUM & DOTTIE
DE - THIS is all any of us can
ever hope for........, thank you!
What a WONDERFUL tribute to a wonderful, wonderful, talented,
loving, caring individual.
I was SO blessed to be back in
Spokane to visit "Mr. Everything," as Phil Burgess
so fondly put it; for the past 3 weeks. And, to be there when
Cinders was there, was the icing on the cake!
Hook - you too, are SO blessed
to have the children you 'n Gordie have brought into this World.
I SO wish I could have "right click, save as....."
Patty's sharper than ever mind. Patty did it his way, and I learned
from that.
Cindy, you were right - your
Racing Family is second to none!
I love you all.
Gordie Bonin
GODSPEED PATTY, thank you for who you were for us
Back in April of 2006 when I
needed to make the body panels for the Toy I was looking at doing
something I had never done before and had no idea of what material
to use. In looking at the membership list I figured one guy should
have all of the answers so I took a chance and emailed him for
help. His email to me is copied below, please read it below:
Norb - It's my pleasure to help
you. The alloy of choice for bodies is 3003 H14, it is formable,
half hard heat treat, totally weldable. (gas or heli-arc) In
that era .050 would be used and .060 might be a good choice for
a person without much experience, as it will be more forgiving
and easier to repair mistakes if you know of what I speak. Any
large metal supply should have no trouble providing this alloy
for you. If you need info on suppliers of Dzus buttons, springs,
tabs, springs, tools for dimpling etc. let me know. Now the fun
begins, don't hurry, think it through(patterns, patterns, patterns!!)
and don't be surprised at the amount of scrap you create, you
should see my dumpster in the midst of a complete body, seat,
tank/tanks project! <G> Hope this helps ---- now, Get er'
done!!
Patty
His opening sentence said it
all, "Norb-It's my pleasure to help you." Having never
met Patty, first I was surprised to receive a reply and then
shocked by his opening comment. I did as he instructed, made
patterns and took my time. When finished I thought it looked
pretty good and just like what we had in the 60's, no better
or no worse. Now move forward to Bowling Green that year, I was
doing something and heard a voice call my name. I turned around
to meet an extended hand and a voice that said, "Norb, I'm
Pat Foster and you did a real good job, the car looks great.
We shook hands and talked a minute then he left. I then turned
back to my wife with a tear in my eye, she asked what was wrong
and I explained to her who he was and what he had said. Hearing
those words from Pat made the whole thing of building the Toy
even a greater joy. It isn't every day that a super hero will
take the time to help out one of the common folks. He did and
it was and is greatly appreciated.
Rest in Peace Patty.
Norb Locke
Although I didn't know him personally,
I felt I did these last few months. I would supply Billy Lynch
with daily updates on his status. It was with a heavy heart that
I called Billy today to give him the news. He did get to speak
to him (Patty) on Tuesday for about 15 min. Patty said he liked
the way Billy's car came out but felt it was a "little over
the top". But that's Billy and I guess that was Patty too.
Straight from the hip.
I only met him briefly at the Funny Car Reunion in 04 when he
was the Grand Marshall. He was with a few racers and I timidly
walked up to him and asked for an autograph. One of my Barry
Setzer Vega photos. He obliged and I left. I wish I had something
to say to him but he was busy with pals he hadn't seen in a while.
I thought I'd get a second chance when Billy's car was finished
in November. Patty was supposed to fly in and help put it together.
I asked Billy if I could be there too to record the proceedings.
But it wasn't to be as he was stricken shortly thereafter. I
saw Billy last Saturday and we talked about Patty. Billy said
the man lived and breathed drag racing. Amen to that.
All I can think of now is that Valvoline commercial from a few
years ago. Last segment. Only lasts a few brief seconds, but
it give me the chills nonetheless. The Setzer Vega doing an out
of control burnout sashaying from side to side with smoke pouring
out of the cockpit and wheel wells. Sometimes I wonder when you
guys do this if you know how cool you look. Patty was that cool!
RIP
Ted Pappacena
Hello Don,
Thank you for the wonderful tribute to our hero Pat Foster!
That was bitchin!
How many people on this earth have ever lived such a good life?
I'd say damn few!
Keep it lit!
tom jobe...
RIP Patty I got to meet Pat at
the 2007 U S Nats in Indy. I got to push the Wale & Candies
T/F car in the Crackelfest with Patty. We talked about the old
days of racing ,and how much he really cared about the cars he
restored. He was a neat guy and he will really be missed. Thanks
for the memories Patty.
Dave Huber Louisville, Ky
Pat, RIP Good Man.
While I never knew him I knew about him. He is a great legend
in our beloved sport. He will surely be missed by many. I only
spoke to him once for about 2 minutes. He seemed like a real
cool and truly honest man. That and his talent both building
and driving race cars will always have my respect.
John Olcott
Damn, this is why I have dreaded
coming home and opening my email. I just flat out sucks to loose
another one.
I have only met him a few times in person and I am lucky to have
shook his and hand, thanked him for all he has done for the digs
and us bleacher bums. I recounted how he chewed my ass out on
the board and he laughed and also offered an apology, but I told
him it was cool, how often do you get your ass chewed by one
of your heroes! Emails had gotten crossed up and he misunderstood
what I was saying. We spoke some more about the subject and I
asked a bunch of dumb questions and he was generous enough to
answer them for me. I have nothing but respect and admiration
for the man. I hope he runs into my Dad up there and they have
a few laughs together.
A good man gone too soon.
My deepest and sincerest condolences to his family and his friends
here on the 1320.
Vaya con Dios, Tio Patty
Jesse Chavez
From racing him in the 70s to
admiring the craftsmanship of his incredible restorations to
recent concerns for his health, Pat's life has always influenced
my life.
If I had to sum it up in two sentences:
He was one of the finest drivers I've ever raced against.
He was one of the finest people I've ever known.
Ron Colson
I remember Patty fondly as one
who gave me great incentives with the
restoration of my car. He never differentiated between a Top
Fuel car or a Gasser, as far as he was concerned, they all had
their place in the history of the sport.
When he first saw the rusting
hulk of the "Moody's Garage" gasser, when I brought
to the 2001 CHRR, he told me that it was a very significant piece
of drag racing history. In fact he went to bat against a couple
of folk who were making fun of it's battered and dilapidated
state.
Great guy, he will be sorely
missed. RIP Patty.
Peter Broadribb
I consider myself blessed to
have met and talk with Patty. He always treated very well and
I was privileged to be able to listen to some of those fabulous
stories first hand. Of course if I would see that he posted I
would always go to hear what he had to say.
I had a lot of respect and admiration
for the man for his accomplishments behind the wheel, his skills
as a fabricator but most of as as one hell of a man.
Till we meet again...
Jim Burke
As a kid from the '70s, I grew
up only dreaming about the fabulous funny cars from California.
Then came Barry Setzer's red Vega with Pat Foster as the driver.
Finally, "we" had a bitchin' funny car based in North
Carolina. Naturally, it became my favorite. I have for all these
years keep up with all the cars Pat drove and more recently his
continuing excellent craftsmanship on the cars he has restored.
I have followed with interest the information about Pat's medical
problems. As the information grew less positive, I still hoped
for him to pull trough.
I truly am sorry to hear of his passing. My prayers and thoughts
are with his family, all his friends and fans in the drag racing
world. PF Flyer was a special kind of person and racer.
Jim Mullis
Olive Branch, MS
Thanks Pat. We spoke at Geezers
'07. My wife finally understands my mania with all things "Foster".
Arthur Cimilluca
I got to know Pat through the
California Hot Rod Reunion. An event that was primary created
to allow old racers a place to go to bench race about the old
days and get reacquainted. I went to the CHRR's with the hope
of meeting some of my heroes and perhaps have the opportunity
to tell them (in a personal way) how much I enjoyed their participation
in the show that was golden age drag racing. I certainly had
no thoughts of ever getting to know any of my motorsports heroes
to any great degree, for they were the "stuff" that
made major articles in national publications and Wide World of
Sports episodes. Just to be able to say "thanks" would
have been fulfilling enough for me. But as each year passed,
I found myself getting to know some of the stars of my youth
on a personal level, and one of those people was Pat. My contact
with him was infrequent, but none-the-less unforgettable. His
"broadcast voice" resonated in a way that locked those
conversations in my mind to this day. And the thing that I found
most amazing was, that he recognized my sincere admiration for
what he was a part of and that somehow held his attention longer
than I expected. He was interested in what I thought! We had
some great conversations about how much the history of this sport
really meant to a great deal of people and how we all longed
to see the cars and stars of our youth, perform for us once again.
And I think WE ALL helped to encourage him and move him in the
direction of the recreation and restoration of some of the cars
that we thought we'd never see again.
I think he most definitely understood
how much we all appreciated his work; his energy; his smile;
his laugh. Allot of us worked to make Patty happy--to stay off
his "weak suck" list, and in doing so we somehow moved
in the right direction--a good direction. I don't think he would
have allowed us to move otherwise. Especially when it came to
the history of his beloved sport of drag racing.
I hope we did o.k. for you, Patty.
You certainly did o.k. for us.
RIP, Hero.
Bill Pitts
Don, Great job on this tribute
and my deepest condolences to all that loved Pat Foster. I have
loved Funny Cars since I first saw them as a 10 year old in 1966.
I had built all the models, drew all the pictures, and always
dreamed of becoming a Funny Car driver but never would. Pat Fosters
life reminds me of the saying..."everyone dies, but not
everyone LIVES" I think its safe to say, Pat Foster LIVED!
Mike Durante
That is a very moving tribute
you created to your long time friend and our hero Pat Foster.
There were so many facts, photos and information that I wasn't
aware of in terms of Pat's accomplishments and career path.
I was touched to see a few of
my words in your opening statement to convey Pat's amazing personality
and spirit. After speaking with him only at last year's Indy
I wondered why I never got the chance earlier---but I'm so glad
that I did! Cindy Gibbs' thoughts were also very heartfelt in
a most perfect way.
Until I met Pat last year my
only substantial experience of hearing his voice was during his
acceptance speech at the Calif. Hot Rod Reunion several years
ago. It was one of the best, if not the best, I have ever heard.
He didn't talk off the cuff but took the time to craft a well-written
speech. He thanked those who helped him through his career, told
tales in his unique way and talked about the simple thrill of
being involved in racing. Pat delivered a perfect sermon for
and about hot rodders---it was that good! He was not just a craftsman
with metal but with words, too.
Rest in peace Pat, you were one
of the great ones!
James PS --- I know you were
a bit concerned that Pat was being overlooked last week by the
passing of Al Hoffman. I don't think you have to worry about
that.
You did a great job at WDIFL
and the rest of us will keep his memory alive.
James Ibusuki
This really hurts. One word comes
to my mind when I think of Patty - "CLASS" !!!! RIP
my friend. There is much more I would like to say, but it is
hard to type when you are crying. Norm Weekly
D...
Foster was my hero...
I told him that he was today's John Wayne of the drag racing
world...And I truly believe that...
Mr.C
Your great love and compassion
for our racing family cannot be surpassed !! Thank you for such
a wonderful way to memorialize Patty.
Love to you and yours,
Brett Crowe
The following is the chorus from
the beautiful Hawaiian composition, Aloha 'Oe, a song of farewell
and hope written in 1878 by Hawaii's last reigning monarch, Queen
Lili`uokalani. (It's always sung at memorial services here in
the Islands.)
Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho`i a`e au
Until we meet again
Farewell to you, farewell to
you
The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace,
'Ere I depart
Until we meet again
Aloha 'Oe, Patty, Aloha 'Oe
Bruce Wheeler
Pat was my dear friend and as
you know my sponsor with Standard 1320 Club. Pat and I had many
of conversations on the phone as a member and when he wasn't
a member. We stayed friends from the old Budd's Creek days running
4 abreast. We both had gone through a lot over the years and
had much in common with life's good and bad. I will miss my friend
beyond anyone's belief.
Fredb
Next to my dad, this one is really
tough. I can't remember when/how I met Uncle Patty, but to meet
your childhood hero and then be able to call him a friend, truly
an amazing experience. Memories of sitting at a bar with him
having a drink and listening to a story, or having his wisdom
on life presented to you, having a question on fabrication and
being able to call any time and get a straight answer, being
at the track and having your side hurt from laughing, or just
greeting him with his own trademark phrase, "What the f**k
Foster" (LOL) only for him to turn to you and say, "are
you making fun of me again"..... Man, I'm going to miss
Patty in a big way, as will many, many others.
Dale Smith
The last time I saw Pat he had
just been inducted into The Garlits Drag Racing Hall of Fame.He
came over and we started to talk about the "Touring"Funny
Car days. We laughed about Groupies, Crappy racetracks and a
certain night at Rockingham, I treated Pat and Barry Setzer &
crew to a special plate of victory brownies. Yeah,them days were
crazy and Pat was a cornerstone of those crazy touring days.
One heck of a driver and a great person. Hey, Pat, Say "Howdy"
to Arrington, Jungle and Hoffman. God has one heck of a Drag
race team.......................RIP...........Steve Reyes
Thanks so much for the wonderful
tribute you have assembled for our man Foster. We had our last
phone conversation several days before his passing. He was ever
the man with it and I tried but eventually near the last goodbye
I lost it. I attach my last letter to him (below), written and
overnighted the morning before our last phone conversation of
that evening.
To explain; the architectural
work referred to in the letter reveals a little known side of
Pat’s creative portfolio. About 13 years ago we built a
house with many design elements unavailable off the shelf. Pat
worked with the architect on a lot of the unusual and executed
it using several mediums all in his typical attention to detail
fashion. The structure went on to win several meaningful architectural
awards, largely because Pat could build anything the designer
could dream up and added much of his own. It's still highlighted
on the architectural firms website. http://www.ccbg-arch.com/ccbg_main.swf look
for “Hanna Residence” under projects. This project
illustrates a side of Pat few knew.
As a further side note, Bruce
Crower and I took a tour of the Nissan facility when they were
building the GTP cars and back in the skunks den, we found Pat
disassembling one of the Carl Haas Indy Lolas that Michael had
driven. Apparently Nissan had designs on an Indy attempt and
had Pat doing a little “research” on the competitors
design. He covered far more territory than most of us ever realized.
I figure without the health issues,
which he fought valiantly, there were 15 more good years in him.
We are left to forever wonder what those years might have created…..
Tom Hanna
--------------------------------
Dear Pat,
Late word is that you are growing
weary of the medical treadmill. While imminently understandable,
this leaves me sad. There will come a time absolutely for each
of us, no matter who or what we think we are, to stop pushing
that rock up the hill only to have it roll over us on its way
back to the bottom. I have far less fight in me than you and
can never match your endurance, commitment and toughness.
To exit gracefully and with dignity
on one's own terms is probably the last ultimate measure of a
life well lived, fully and always on one's own terms. For this
I very much admire and applaud you.
Every day your craft is before
me from the time I pull in the front gate (which you built) until
I settle in for the evening, your skill and creativity is all
around me in the many architectural details you built and that
I enjoy every day.
At the shop, the tools and equipment
you built are all still there, all well used.
You have educated me technically,
morally and with a richness of humor and wit.
For the gifts you have given
my life, I thank you, I love you and wish you peace and comfort…..
Hanna
I got to work with Pat on the
Wale and Candies car when he lived in Wichita a few years back.
My family and I have a chassis shop and have a retail store.
That is how i first got to know Pat eventually he asked me to
come work with him and of course i said yes who would turn down
an opportunity to work with a legend. The more and more i got
to know pat the more and more i realized how great of a guy he
was. I loved to here all the stories he had about racing and
just life in general. Pat was a great guy and me and my family
will deeply miss him.
RIP Pat and..........be good buddy!
Jimmy Holzman
Pat Foster-hero driver, craftsman,
and most of all our friend. We had the privilege to assist Pat
on some of his projects, and the guidance he gave us on the restoration
of the 1968 Gas Ronda mustang was priceless. Pat also taught
us Kansas folks how to say bitchin.
Rest easy my friend.
Rob, Carol, Chad ,Jimmy ,and Danny Holzman
It is with great sadness that
I learned of Pat Fosters passing, being a huge fan of the man
and the beautiful work he did.
We have recently lost to many
of the greats that built the cars and stars of drag racings "Great
Era" of innovation. I doubt if there will ever be another
time like it. The "Big Show" is a parade of a long
gone time when men like Pat Foster and his peers would and could
lovingly craft such cars as they did.
God bless you Sir and my sincerest
condolences to your family.
Rest in Peace.
John and Jamie Phillips
While I only met Pat once just
to be introduced, I certainly am aware of his achievements. We
raced him several times with the cars I put together for Twig
Zeigler, "Pizza Haven" and Ed Mculloch, Red "Revellution".
He was always tough. As a chassis builder myself, I liked to
look at other builders work. I'm always critical of design, fit,
welding, etc. some being less than quality. Not so with Pat's
work. His cars were as near to perfection as can be humanly possible.And
a great driver to boot. Pretty hard act to follow. My friend,
Jim Hume, worked with him on several occasions and they were
good friends. Jim talked about him frequently. I think Jim will
miss him greatly as will many other folks . Drag racing has lost
one of the premier people that through his efforts helped the
sport tremendously. A pair of shoes that I believe, no one will
be able to fill.
Jack "The Rev" Slawik
Northwest Race Cars
"Patty Faster" has
always been one of my heroes. He did it all. He was a master
constructor and fabricator, a most capable mechanic and a superb
and absolutely fearless driver.
I was one of many who observed Pat's catastrophic crash at Lions
in the RCE / Leland Kolb rear engine car, and I, too, truly believed
we'd lost him. Needless to say, he survived, came back strong,
and continued to focus his life and efforts on his beloved sport.
Pat made several major contributions to my own racing career.
Right at the top of the list was the car he built for Jack Ewell,
Tom Bell and myself in 1969 while working for Woody Gilmore at
Race Car Engineering. This one was Patty's baby from the moment
of conception. He and I worked very closely together to make
this car the jewel that it is.
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When I had the opportunity to salvage this car in the mid-1980's,
I restored it back to its original configuration, and then loaned
it to the Specialty Equipment Market Association for display
in their new office building in Diamond Bar, California. It continues
to hang from a wall in the SEMA reception area to this day, reminding
all visitors of the glory years of drag racing that inspired
SEMA's founding. I still think it's one of the prettiest and
most functional slingshot top fuelers ever built, and working
with Pat during its construction provided me with an opportunity
to experience, first hand, his genius and incredible attention
to detail.
During the past decade, Pat and I had many of opportunity to
spend quality time together at various Hot Rod Reunions and other
events, and I'll never forget his wonderful sense of humor and
honest, forthright approach to racing, race cars and life. I
already miss him more than I ever imagined possible.
RIP my friend.
CARL OLSON
I met Pat Foster about two years
ago in Moscow Idaho. It's about as far away as you can get from
anywhere, other that the location of two major universities,
but as for automotive subculture, it's pretty non existent. I
had heard rumors of Pat's moving to Moscow through some friends
on the west coast (I photograph and write extensively about the
hot rod & Bonneville subcultures) and was actually working
on a book about shops, not garage collections, but real shops
where people create and build real stuff. I was already planning
on doing a chapter on Pat's son Cole, but a friend here in Moscow
said he wanted to introduce me to someone he "thought"
I might be interested in. I went by just as they were getting
ready to send out the Candies & Hughes car. Pat and I had
a chance to talk for a while and I found a kindred spirit. The
more time I spent with Pat, the more I realized what a great
and interesting person he was. I photographed his shop and current
projects extensively and we spent quite a bit of time hanging
out and talking. Never heard the same story twice and realized
that Pat expected in all things, what he thought should be the
best, which I agree with and respected. Realize that I am not
from the drag racing family so I was accepting Pat on a different
automotive level. I've been around it, but it was not an everyday
part of my life.
He became a close friend, riding
buddy and part of my family. He's the one guy I've cruised with
on bikes, before just usually going by myself. I'm going to miss
him more than I can even begin to realize today. And, I'm glad
I had a chance to say goodbye in Coeur d'Alenne before he passed.
I am even more glad that I had a chance to call Pat a friend,
and he was one, he was family. He left with more dignity and
class than most that I know. His sense of humor, his distaste
of mediocrity and his true open mindedness always surprised me.
Patty, I miss you, and I wish you peace.
Peter Vincent
Very good and heartfelt memories
of Patty. I had always thought Patty would have made a great
color commentator for ESPN. He had a good way with words. You
can bet the fun has started. With all the people the racing community
has lost. Can you all imagine what a Gods creation of a race
car would be now? The talent is endless.
Dale Pulde
When I read of his passing this
AM it really saddened me. Definitely one of my heroes growin
up in SoCal. A cool guy and when the Setzer Vega was in town
we were there! I just wish i have lived 1/4 the life PF had lived.
Thanks for he great memories PF Flyer and Godspeed to ya. You
were the greatest Man!!
Big Lar
The first time I talked to Pat
on the phone all he told me was "I don't want you to do
the car -- I don't know who the hell you are". During our
weeks of talking on the phone he kinda softened a little bit,
but he still scared the crap out of me.
When the car (Jade Grenade) finally
got back to Kansas he called to tell me that it was "spot
on" - what the hell did that mean, I'm from PA., not Kansas.
From that point on we talked quite a few times but I finally
got to meet him in person when he came to Maple groves Geezers
at the Grove with Don Trasin last summer and spent most of the
day talking with him.
To be able to work on a project
with Pat---the racer, craftsman, and all around really interesting
guy was a real thrill for me. I'll miss him and his incredible
work. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Bob Barber
The one time I met Foster personally
was at the CHRR when the "Fighting Irish" car was first
shown. The thing that I'll never forget is that he made me feel
like we'd been friends for a long time and in a way, I guess,
we were. I asked him to sign my Beebe & Mulligan shirt, which
he did, and I requested that he personalize it "To the Joker".
He did but as we looked at it, we both realized he had signed
it "To the Jocker". We looked at it,we both laughed,
and Patty says in true Foster fashion, "Who the fuck is
the Jocker".
Rest in peace, my friend.
Dick Kalivoda a.k.a "The Joker" a.k.a. "The Jocker"
Although I lived only 20 miles
away in Newton Kansas, I actually first met Pat over the internet
through being voted into the Standard 1320 group after having
driven out to California to purchase my lifelong dream, a "real"
front engine dragster. What I had purchased was a very used 1963
Don Tuttle chassis FED, the US Mule, an ex BB/GD campaigned in
the '60s by Buddy Bates, which had been transformed into small
block Chevy powered bracket car in the '80s by the 2nd owner
from which I purchased it from. The car needed EVERYTHING, the
chassis was laying on top of a couple of SBC valve covers out
in a pasture, with a pile of various other pieces/parts in the
nearby garage. Loaded everything up and brought it all back to
the Land of Oz and the land of Foster! After a lot of begging
and negotiating and a little more begging Pat agreed to help
me out and worked me into his busy schedule. He was in the final
stages of completing the Jade Grenade when I dropped my "load"
off at his doorstep. Pat and his help at the time Darrell Karst
went to town on my mess. First the frame had a drill-bit like
twist in it that Pat had to work out and square everything back
up. Bottom rails were beat up, holey and rusty, these were replaced.
Numerous X and K bracing and other members were added, kidney
bars, new 5 point cage, torsion tube and arms were all re-fabricated,
completely from the front axle to a very special 1-off "Patty"wheel
and everything between all new, engine midplate and motor mounts,
anti-rotation x-member, seat, etc, etc, etc, the list goes on
and on. My chassis wasn't a mega famous car like a lot of the
"cackle" cars appearing more and more, it is to be
an actual driver at nostalgia events and the like, but Pat didn't
skimp on anything as far as quality goes when it came down to
building something for it. And performance wise, it has turned
out to perform about 500% better than I had ever expected it
to. With an all iron Chevy block and heads, the mild Schnieder
hydraulic liftered cam and crane roller tipped rockers and valve
springs being the only non bowtie internals, I figured maybe
high 9's to low 10 second times. Although it isn't quite finished
yet (needs body), I decided it was done enough to try out. After
a few trial runs I have gone 7.75 at the 1000 ft on a high gear
pass where I lifted and not by choice. This pass was also to
be test the new parachute pass. As I approached the 1000 ft I
was thinking okay go ahead and reach up and grab the chute lever
so's I can be ready to pull it off at the finish line. Well,
remember when you was a kid riding along in the back seat of
the family cruiser at 60 mph and you would stick your hand out
the window and do the airplane wing thing with your hand? That's
what happened to me as I was reaching for the chute lever, a
140 mph wind grabbed my hand, it slaps me in the face which all
freaks me out and I lifted right there and then!!! Pat, you were
the BEST of the best and you will always live on in my heart
and in the dragster, I will cherish it forever.
Gene Krueger
PAT FOSTER On Sunday March 23,
2008, I received an email that originated from Cindy Gibbs. Although
I have never met Cindy, it struck me in a most personal way.
It was a farewell salute to her ( and my,) dear friend Pat Foster.
Well written and honest, it was a moving experience to read it.
Although I had been following Pat's medical progress, and putting
off visiting him, I was terribly upset to read that he had finally
decided to pull the plug. The imminence of his passing hit me
with gale force. As his friend I desperately wanted to be there
to see him, honor him and just hold his hand. I had flight reservations
in an hour.
Tuesday afternoon I was ushered
into his presence and I was surprised and gratified to find him
alert and available both emotionally and intellectually. As I
approached his bedside he grinned and said "Hi Mikey, I'm
really glad you made it." As I took his proffered hand I
was surprised by the strength of his grip. His room was papered
with photos of his family and loved ones, drawings from his grandchildren,
a fine sketch from Kenny Youngblood, model race cars and more.
His sisters were there, his son Dan, his friends Tom and Karen
and they all welcomed me as though I were a family member. It
seemed a little hectic,visitors came and went, final phone calls
were routed through and Foster handled all of it like he handled
his tools, with precise skill and a serious dedication to completing
his tasks. His communications were accomplished with grace and
his ever present dignity.
Wednesday afternoon, I somehow
found myself in the room with him, just the two of us, and we
talked some and I watched him sleep a little.
Through the large window next
to his bed I watched the snowfall slowly covering up the tricycles
and slides and swings in the children's playground next door.
The full of circle of life and it's inherent mysteries were revealed
from front to back. Life seemed perfectly painted in those moments,
from childhood to the final passing.
Loved by many, Pat left us his
racing legacy and his children, two of whom I have the privilege
of knowing. Dan and Cole are every inch the man their father
was and it is one more credit to Pat that after all, his parenting
efforts were so very successful. Parenting, in my experience,
is the greatest trial and error process that one encounters in
life, a sort of living laboratory of continual experimentation.
Pat and I talked about his children on that last day together
and he knew that he had done well. His pride in his family was
immeasurable.
At the end Pat unflinchingly
maintained his composure. His dignity and courage will be a continuing
example to me as it will to many others. I will always think
of Pat as the guy in the old movies who, when forced to face
the firing squad tosses his final cigarette aside and facing
his executioners says with authority, " To Hell with the
blindfold!"
Thanks for you Patty Faster,
knowing you has improved my life. To all of you who loved and
admired Pat, remember his advice in drag racing and in life.
"NEVER LIFT!."
Mike Chase
I'm taking Jon Asher's lead here
and adding some humor to this awesome tribute. These pics are
from a few years back when Foster and Don Trasin were asked to
do one of the popular 'Hemi' commercials. The piece was shot
in Lancaster, CA and Patty did the stunt driving. The car is
the Jade Grenade, wrapped in a peel off coating to make it generic.
The make up gals made him shave off his signature beard; they
added color to his eyebrows and glued on sideburns. We laughed
at him for two days...as you can see, he is UNRECOGNIZABLE!
Here's the link to watch the commercial....LOL, I've never seen
so much rubber fly! It absolutely CRACKS me up every time I see
it. Patty was black from head to toe and it must have taken us
hours to clean everything up!
Great, GREAT memories here...I'm laughing through my tears, which
feels SO good right about now
Cindy Gibbs
Foster Dodge Commercial
- Yea, its a Hemi!
I will miss Pat's stories and
support. Pat came by our house a lot but he was careful if he
knew I was traveling for my job to not come by the night I got
home. When he was invited to his first potluck dinner at our
house he showed up a few hours early to drop off his contribution.
Pat handed me a lovely piece of salmon and was beginning to tell
me how to prepare it. He learned that potluck meant more than
bringing a contribution but it meant preparing a contribution.
He jumped in and cooked his salmon and had a great time talking
with our close friends.
I will miss Pat. He was someone
who understood accomplishment and the importance of supporting
even small steps. I was able to race a 32 roadster at Bonneville
summer 2007. My rookie run was 115 mph, which was the fastest
rookie run for that car and the next day when the carburetors
were changed the car went faster. But Pat's first reaction was
to give me a hug and tell me "I am proud of you." He
understood the difference between driving 115 mph on a dirt road
and racing a car at 115 mph and knew it was a big deal. I appreciate
a man named Patty Faster giving me that kind of support. Pat
loved to talk about his life and his stories, but he also reveled
in your's. We will all miss you Pat; as I drive your yellow truck
around with my gardening supplies I will think of you often.
Kimberly Vincent (math professor
and wife of Photographer Peter Vincent)"
It pains me to read another one
lost. I already dread next week's news! Without adding to or
taking away anything that anybody else has already stated so
eloquently, "I'd like to recall a fond memory I have".
In Irvine, Ca, at OCIR, I believe Pat was in the Chicago Patrol
and I've never seen anything like it before or since, an unforgettable
scene. After the burnout, but before staging the car, during
the dry hop session, Pat was striking the throttle and gripping
the brake lever, pulling it back quickly, so that the tires grew
quickly, tossing the car into the air and with the tires shrinking
just as quickly, the car would crash back to the ground. He must
have sensed the crowd was loving it as the roar was almost as
loud as the car itself. Countless times, Pat caused the car to
jump straight up a couple of feet just to come dancing back down
to the earth in grand style. After several more of these hops,
he finally let the car jump and lurch forward about three times
to stage the car. It was glorious! That was the only time I witnessed
that kind of showmanship in a funny car and I still recall it
as though it was yesterday. Just one more unique item to help
give a snapshot of a great funny car driver, builder and an admirable
man. And to read what others have written how a real man dies
with dignity and honor is unfathomable!
R.I.P. Pat
A humble funny car fan from the Newport Beach area,
Eric Widmer
The ol’man and me
Working for Foster in his shop
really was not work at all. It was more like attending the Foster
University of fine arts. On any given day I could receive a lesson
in anything from metallurgy to grammar. Depending on the progress
of the current project my tasks would remain fluid. If Patty
needed a part made he would discuss it in depth to be sure I
understood what he was wanting. And after Hours of working on
said part when I would give him what I thought he wanted the
all too common phrase would be blurted out " what the fuck"!!
But once he took the part and ran it across the disc sander he
then would profoundly say "BITCHIN. When it was time to
explain to him something I was thinking there would be interruptions
from Patty correcting my grammar and repeating the word a minimum
of three times to assure himself I knew the proper word to use
in that statement. I always felt better educated when driving
home than when I drove to work. And as in any schooling atmosphere
there was homework. Patty would send parts home with me to make,
repair or disassemble. Which most of the time I didn't care for
since that meant I was not going to Fosters the next day. From
time to time I would send him an e-mail to give him an update
on the progress, And he would reply in true professor style correcting
my spelling and then answering any and all questions I had regarding
the part. One day I was summoned to haul a frame home to be painted.
Patty asks how I intended on doing it since I had driven my work
car to the shop. I informed him it was not a problem I would
tie it upside down on the roof and run a rope through the trunk
and close the trunk lid. To this Patty simply shook his head
and walked off muttering something about Jesus’ this fucking
farm kid!
But all went well and the frame
got painted and he said "BITCHIN".
Then there were the nighttime
stories that would go on way into the night and his wife would
have to come out peek around the door and say Pat it's midnight.
The stories would be worth the wait to hear, which would include
such colorful personalities as "Jungle" " Tharp"
"Beadle" "shoe" he had stories on all. One
night Patty told me the "Woody story"! This story was
to explain the difference in angle that existed on the front
spindles on Woody’s chassis. AS Pat put it there was no
scientific reason behind it Woody was too lazy to change the
jig and correct it. And then there were "Nights of PINK"
Now those Nights would last the longest his stories would involve
arms waving , a more than usual "what the fuck"!!!
When the ol’man would stop
in for a visit his first stop was the kitchen. My wife being
of good German decent ALWAYS has cookies, cakes, and the such
on the counter. Now Patty had a problem with his blood sugar,
But as he put it what he ate at my house didn't count because
I lived in a different county than his doctor! Never did figure
that one out! absolutely the BEST days of my life were spent
with my friend Pat. After following his every move and project
dating back to 1966 given the chance to work with him is something
only a few can relate with. With this I say odious amigo, RIP
my dear friend, mentor and hero !
"SIT LOW PF FLYER"
Darrell Karst
More Foster from Darrell:
One afternoon while working on
the "Goose" funny car I was making a couple brackets.
Patty came over to have a look at what I had made and said trim
this one down to here and this one down the there, make the lines
straight from hole to hole with the same amount of material around
the holes. He then went on to tell me that extra metal was useless,
that he wanted the edge of the bracket to be the same dimension
the radius of the hole if it had a ¼ inch bolt hole make
the bracket 1/8 bigger than the outside dimension of the hole
pattern. If it was a 3/8" bolt hole 3/16" and so on.
He said IF your doing it for weight put rocks in your pocket
their easier to remove! There is no reason to haul all the shit
to the other end of the track with you. He was BIG on only what
was necessary to make it work. Latter he told me of the "cement
filled helmet"!
While running the Super shops
car it was a tad on the light side but it hauled ass and that
was what was important. So to make weight he had 2 bell helmets
one he wore during the run and one that went into the drivers
seat when he got to the other end! He would get out of the car
grab the cement filled helmet from the tow truck put it in the
seat then put his fire suit on top the helmet. Worked BITCHEN
as Patty said, "All that extra shit hanging on the car just
gets me crazy"!!
Of course The story was much
longer when Patty told it !!!
Darrell
As a guy who came in on the back
end of the boomer age, I caught up with Drag Racing in 1972.
That year, the hot class was fuel funny cars and the baddest
of the bad was Pat Foster in the Barry Setzer Vega. Photos and
stories of Pat and that car left an indelible impression on me.
The sight of it still stirs the heart strings when I think back
to the magical years when I first fell in love with the sport.
How much I regarded Foster back in the day didn't occur to me
until one of my sisters said something just a year or so ago.
In discussing how I'm still hanging in there with my drag racing
hobby, she recalled, “I still remember you talking about
Pat Foster and the Barry Setzer Vega.” This woman, who doesn't
know anything else about drag racing except what she'd overheard
from me 35 years ago in our childhood, laid the entire phrase
on me, word for word. I was taken aback. She didn't remember
me talking about Garlits, about the Snake, about the Mongoose,
about Shirley, none of ‘em. But she remembered me talking
about Foster and that badass cinnamon red Vega.
In later years along came the
internet and the Standard 1320 Group, where I was privileged
to join and which contained so many heroes of mine, including
the MAN, Pat Foster. Through correspondence online, I thrilled
at his stories, which he kindly offered to let me post on my
website. Then, at either the CHRR or NHRR, I got to meet Pat
and found him to be a unique combination of no nonsense practicality
and kindness. This photo of Pat and my son Jason from the inaugural
NHRR at Bowling Green is of course, precious to me. I was not
much older than Jason when I first started following Pat and
now here he was, taking Jason aside to show him the sparkling
new Jade Grenade and to pose for a photo. I've had a lot of thrills
in Drag Racing, but getting to know Pat Foster and then introducing
my son to my childhood hero ranks right up there.
Here is a link to all the stories
Pat shared with us over the years. They are a riot… enjoy.
http://tinyurl.com/29udfa
Bill Pratt
As usual, your writeup is "spot
on". Here's a few photos of Pat at the Big Go last Sept.
Foster Photos From 2007 Indy
That story you told about Pat
having to take an emergency phone call in the announcers tower
as Pat was about to do his burnout, Pat's wife wanting to know
where the hell the car keys were, that has to be one of the best
Patty stories ever.
Keep up the good work,
Brian Harney, Frankfort, Kentucky
When we took the F4 to Bowling
Green in 2004, I hadn't talked to Pat
Foster since the Barry Setzer days(73). I ran into him at the
Holiday
Inn. He treated me like we were long lost brothers. I didn't
even want
to go to the race track. I just wanted to stay and listen to
Pat's
stories. He could've written a book.
R.I.P. Pat.
Jim Fox
My Memories of Pat Foster
By Jeff Courtie
I first met Pat Foster in 1966
or 67 at Tom Larkin's House in North Hollywood, we were hanging
out in the garage working on Tom's Top Fueler, when a 1955 or
56 light green Ford pickup comes up the street and into the cul-de-sac
were Tom lived. Out comes Pat on his way home from Woody Gilmore's
(Race Car Engineering) Tom introduced me to him, I knew right
away that he was a special guy real articulate and knowledgeable
not like the usual type of guys hanging around the drag strip
crowd. I was just a punk kid then, but Pat made me feel like
I was one of them.
A couple of years later when
I was building my first Funny Car I called Woody Gilmore to see
if he would SEMA stamp my homemade chassis for me, he said sure
bring it down so I can look it over. When I got to Woody's, to
my surprise Woody and Pat both came out to look over my chassis,
I'm sure they would have done some things differently but both
Pat and Woody said it was bitchin and that really made my day.
When I got the 1970 Mustang done
Pat came up to me at OCIR and looked over the finished car and
said great job, even though his cars were light years away from
mine chassis wise. He was that kind of guy always ready to give
you a pat on the back and give you encouragement.
On my next car my 1972 Cuda F/C
again back to Woody's for the SEMA stamp, and again both Pat
& Woody walked out into the parking lot and looked it over,
said bitchin and again they made my day.
Over the years we both were around
pretty much the same group of guys as we both lived in the San
Fernando Valley. We often competed against each other on the
track. Pat was almost always in the better car and beat me a
lot, (he had a lot of success in the seventies in funny cars
as we all know) he never gloated of bragged about it or got cocky
about winning he was a gentleman about that and knew it could
go either way in Drag Racing. (I know he was very proud of his
accomplishments on the track)
Another couple of good memories,
one is the time we both worked at Start's Race Cars at night
during the winter of 1975. Jamie had a lot of Funny Cars to build
that year, 4 or 5 maybe more? both Pat and I welded up cars for
Jamie at night. Pat for extra money, and me to work off updating
my car at Jamie's shop.
One thing I remember most about
Pat, at the start of every night Pat would spend about 20 minutes
grinding 15 to 20 tungsten's on the Burr-king to get them just
right. He was a perfectionist in every way. He taught me a lot
in those weeks, and of course his great stories to boot. Another
memory that stands out was when I worked at Ed Pinks a lot of
us would go to the Sundance Saloon in Calabasas Tuesday nights
for jam sessions Pat would show up when he could. A lot of the
studio musicians in town and rock stars showed up to play old
country standards with a electric flavor we all sat on the bar
drinking beer, Great times, Pat loved that.
I quit racing in 1978 and kind
of lost touch with Pat as he hung it up a couple of years later,
and moved on to work at Toyota. When I went to the first Hot
Rod Reunion in 1991 as I pulled into the Double Tree Friday Night
who was the first guy I see, Pat, we caught up on old times and
reconnected, that's when he told me he was moving to Wichita
to work for Tom Hanna. I think one of Pat's proudest moments
was his recreation of the Beebe & Mulligan Top Fueler. When
I saw it in bare steel and aluminum it was a work of art and
I told him so, (Pat's attention to detail is astounding) Pat
said that he thought a lot about John and what he would think
of it while he was building it, and tried very hard to be true
to the original (that was very important to Pat). I told him
John would be very proud of what you did to keep his memory alive.
As each year passed I always
looked forward to seeing Pat at the CHRR and his latest creation.
The last time I talked to him in length was when he delivered
the Frank Pedregon Coupe to Pomona, he gave me a big hug and
hand shake and as he always did went all over the car pointing
out each custom piece he had fabricated. To me personally I have
lost one of my heroes and friends, I'm glad we got to see each
other over the years, and will miss him a lot.
To those of you who have one
of his cars you have a piece of history and a glimpse back into
the golden age of Drag Racing, we have lost a great racer, craftsman,
friend and historian of the sport.
Unbelievable … I have spent
over 30 minutes reading all the wonderful comments about our
friend Pat Foster! Reading the comments about the good ole’
days of “match racing” around the country brought back
many great (and not so great) memories. It's been 9 years since
my late husband, Tripp Shumake, passed away and yet my children
and I have kept track of all our dear friends from days gone
by. Tripp admired Pat and his driving ability and I admired how
he treated everyone as if they were his best friend.
The truth be known … many
of us women in drag racing had a “crush” on Pat Foster!
His boyish looks and his flirting ways … who could resist
being around this awesome man. I remember the last conversation
Pat and I had was right after Tripp was killed. He and I talked
for so long and had some wonderful memories. I always wanted
to make it to Bakersfield just so I could see him again. Yes,
we are loosing some of the best drag racers ever and it's sad
as I am sure we are all still “young at heart”, but
our bodies are telling us something else!
God Speed Pat Foster … I
know you and Tripp and Al and Wally and Leroy and Loper and the
gang are all together right now talking about their last great
pass and what might have been!
Susie Shumake-Anderson
This is a picture taken from
my video camera, I made into a photo, It's from NHRR 2005. I
got to meet Pat & Steve there, I'm from Ohio so I've seen
them race many times at Indy & Columbus. And have always
looked up to them for being excellent at what they did. And to
get my picture taken with them was a big thrill for me..Because
they took the time to be nice to me. I didn't know them well,
But enough to say they were my friends. And I will miss them
very much.. And they will be missed by all who knew them...God
be with them..
Freddie Young
I will never forget the first
time I saw the Setzer Vega at Beeline Dragway in the early 70’s.
I was about my second year at Arcadia High School in Phoenix,
Arizona, and Pat Foster was already a hero to me. I had several
pictures of the car from Hot Rod and Car Craft on my bedroom
walls; you couldn't see the paint, everything was covered with
Funny Cars and Altereds.
I can't remember just how many
times I saw Pat racing the car at match races, but it was always
one of my favorites, and ran extremely strong. I remember shedding
a tear seeing the tribute last weekend on ESPN2 drag racing;
Pat and Al Hoffman. The world needs more heroes like them…RIP
gentlemen.
Sonic Mike Stephens
I was at Bakersfield when Dave
West and Pat was unloading the Beebe & Mulligan fueler for
it's first public appearance. To me it was a piece of art. I
went up to Pat and introduced myself to him. He shook my hand
and asked "How in the hell do you build them tiny models,
Rice "?. I 'm being asked this by Pat Foster, Holy Shit
! Since then he has taught me about the real world of race car
building. The good and the bad. I know he will be looking over
my shoulder while I build my Cackle Car replica saying "
What the Fuck Rice "! We only got to know Pat for a few
years and he made it seem like a life time. We have lost a life
time friend.
Fans and Friends, Roger &
Julie Lee
I was lucky enough to meet Pat
Foster through my time spent with
Sy, Tom, and Tim Steed while they ran the King & Marshall
car. But
looking back the first time I saw Pat was while he was touring
with
the Setzer car at New England Dragway in 1972. I remember clear
as day when he opened up the enclosed ramp truck the color of
red that car was. I had read all the stories of what a killer
car that was, but the
biggest thing I remember is that, that truck body had from floor
to
ceiling as many cases of Coors beer that I or anyone else East
had
ever seen.
After many years of reading about
Pat, I was introduced to him by the
K&M guys at Bowling green 2004. The first thing that struck
me was he
treated me as if he had known me for years. We had a few other
conversations over the weekend regarding the Jade Grenade and
a few of the other projects he had done or about to do. That
weekend I was able to be a part of some shenanigans aimed at
Pat.
On Friday afternoon at about
5-6 Pm Pat and Don Trasin had decided to head back to their hotel.
So Trasin is going through his normal
routine on checking, double checking, and triple checking every
door
on the trailer and motor home (also changing his t-shirt for
the
seventh time of the day-the over and under for Trasin shirt changes
is 10 a day LOL). But after about 15 minutes Foster says to Don
- hey
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU LEAVING THE FOLDING CHAIRS UNDER THE MOTORHOME
INSTEAD OF LOCKING THEM UP IN THE STORAGE AREA. Pat and Don have
a brief conversation and Pat does that hands up WTF and walks
over to our trailer grumbling. Trasin follows him over to get
ready to leave and give SY the key to Don's golfcart. This is
where I got to see Fosters humor for the first time. Pat is still
ribbing Don about the chairs, Trasin says who cares their only
worth 5$ anyways. Pat says that if the chair are stolen- then
pulls out a 5$ bill from his wallet and says I'm I supposed to
sit on this all F-EN weekend. He just killed us. By the way chairs
where left under the motorhome, the New England guys took them
and all of us were waiting the next morning when they noticed
the chairs gone it did not take them long to find out where they
went because of the laughter coming from us. A time I will never
forget and someone I wish I could see at the next
reunion. Patty we will miss you.
Todd Berube
It is so rare when someone comes
into your life that leaves such an impact on you like Pat did
me, as well as so many others in his lifetime. I would especially
like to thank Paul Candies for all the support (what a class
guy and true friend) Cindy Gibbs, Tom Hanna and everyone else
that supported Pat through his toughest time. Pat always talked
about his sons Cole, Dan, and JT and was very proud of them all.
They are all a chip off the ole block, trust me. I am very proud
to say that Pat was one of my dearest friends and we had so many
great times together. I met him when he moved to Kansas to work
for Tom Hanna, he hired me when he started on the mongoose funnycar
build. I worked for him on the Mongoose car, Benny Osborne’s
car, Surfers car, Pedregon’s car, Whale and Candies car
& etc…until he moved to Moscow, Idaho. We stayed in
touch weekly to keep up with what was new with each other, and
of course he would always ask when I was on my way to Moscow
to work on the latest project, but I couldn't leave Wichita at
that time. I consider myself as one of the luckiest guys ever
to work for such a great man and mentor. Pat demanded perfection
and never settled for less, and talk about a walking bullshit
filter…he was it! lol. He was one of the toughest men I
have ever seen in my life, yet one of the most loving and kind
gentlemen there ever was. I must say he taught me so much, not
to mention I have really expanded my vocabulary since I met him
(lol). I have so many stories to tell about Pat and those of
you that knew him well can only imagine (lol). I’ll never
forget the time we pulled into Quik Trip and he went in to get
a pack of Camel smokes. I pulled up about 4 cars to the left
of the front door and when he came out, he got into another truck
that was a few cars down from me while the guy was still sitting
in it, and then he realized he was in the wrong truck. When he
looked over and saw me a few trucks down, I was laughing my ass
off.
He was always there for me no
matter what, and understood because he had been there. He called
me a couple days before he passed to say our good-byes, and he
gave me the greatest compliment a man could give to another by
saying I was like a son to him and that he loved me. He was not
only a great friend but like a father to me as well, always looking
out for me. We burned the midnight oil many times to meet a ridiculous
delivery time. I have met so many great people through Pat over
the years and feel truly blessed for that. Many people don’t
know that he was quite a cook as well, he was always bringing
me something out to the shop to try. I am going to miss that
smile and rough ole voice of his and hearing him say (are you
shittin me?) or calling someone a weak suck, etc., going fishing,
or riding his Triumph….my heart aches for Cole, Dan, JT
and the rest of his family that always stayed by his side. I
know how it feels to lose your parents, it is never easy. Pat’s
sister, Linda always kept me up to date since he fell ill and
is one of the kindest ladies I have ever met. Pat was a lucky
man to have such great siblings in Burch, Kay and Linda. They
are truly what family is all about. My prayers go out to the
entire Foster family, I love you all and you should be proud.
He truly made a huge difference in my life and I thank him for
that. We were all very fortunate to be touched in some way or
another by Pat. RIP Pat, I'll turn up the Stevie Ray Vaughn and
burn one for ya! I Love you, Patty.
Sincerely, your friend…..
Mike Lee
I can't say that Foster was by
any means a close friend - but I visited his shop a few times
when he was located in Wichita - his place was only about 2 miles
from my house, and I used to sneak out of the office a half hour
early so I could stop by and bench race before he quit for the
evening.
The first time I was there, the
chassis of the Jade Grenade had just arrived earlier in the day,
and I walked into the shop about 4:15 or so. He already had the
frame rails sitting on top of his super-duper jig, but he needed
an extra hand to get the front end up onto the clamps so he could
straighten it - it was maybe an inch or so out of skew. Of course,
being the helpful guy I am, I grabbed hold at the right place
and pulled it into alignment so Foster could clamp it down. I
guess that means I had a small part in the Jade Grenade restoration.
Last time I saw him, about 2
1/2 years ago, was in the Dillons' grocery store parking lot
late one afternoon, with his son who was my son's age. We spoke
very briefly…but he knew me.
Patty was one heck of a story
teller, in addition to being a really great craftsman - I'll
miss him.
They just don't make 'em like that any more. My 'Foster Slingshotz'
T-shirt goes in the permanent keepsake pile...
Mark Johnson
Other than seeing him in the
pits I never met Foster. I've had many discussions with him online
and he was a legend with a detailed memory among many other things.
There may be no equal to his craftsmanship and showmanship. I
sent him a Setzer Vega a number of years ago to sign which he
graciously did. He wrote "Tommy, "Keep er' lit."
Pat Foster." The sad part is, however, we all lose fire
at times. He will always be one of my heroes because of his accomplishments
and particularly his humbleness.
Tommy McNeely
The day M/T died I sat in Pat's
office while he gave me one of his many philosophy lessons, this
time it was about death and loosing friends to death. Something
he had a hard time with that day was that he didn't want to go
to the funeral and was worried that people would think he was
a prick for not showing. I told him he should go but he explained
to me in one of those explanations of his that never leaves you
" I just never could see the point in having a big party
for some fucking dead guy in a box. If you want to have a party
for a guy do it while he's alive!!!!! What the fuck!!!"
I somehow found this kind of funny and we ended up laughing about
it. After that when ever one of us would get in a shity situation
we could call each other up and say Remember that party you were
going to have for me? now might be the time ol buddy.I also would
like to say I don't think Pats boys can ever know how proud he
was of them. As an example when Cole was first starting to get
good at building the customs Pat gave me a picture of one of
Cole's earliest works and said, "Hang on to that picture
forever, someday that kid of mine will be the best fucking car
builder in history and you'll have the earliest picture of anything
he ever did"
Thanks for all the lessons Pat everyday was that party
Pat Knopp
We we so inspired by the Setzer
car that we painted ours just like it, (1973 Ron Leaf Vega).
Once during a qualifying run Pink had the car on kill and told
Pat to hit the bottles and chutes at the first line no mater
what cause it was going to blow. Pat drove it out the back door
on fire. H&H built us one of their finest pieces in 1980
and maybe their last. Truly a work of art chromed, polished and
anodized almost too perfect to race. Back then funny cars could
weigh 1950 lbs. After a run we would get weighed and be within
10 lbs. usually what we kept in the weight bar just to play it
safe. The car would carry the left front and go straight as an
arrow and would often forgive my lack of talent. I kept the body
pole all these years and often examine the craft of even such
a trivial part. It's like owning a fine work of art. Thanks Pat.
Frank Mancuso
I had only known Patty for 8-9
years ,but it left a life time impression on me.I never had the
honor of racing with him. I met him through Tom Hanna; we were
instant friends drag race warriors from different times!
I will miss his 2 hour marathon phone calls and driving 6 hours
out of my way on the way to Indy - just to have lunch and to
check out the latest project. It was the highlight of my trip.
I build street rods, and would
send photos of different projects, I will always remember his
thoughts on a project, if he said that is very nice (cut it off
and start over !) if he said a guy could....it was better but
... (cut it off and start over!) BUT... If you got "that
is just lovely" or a simple "Bichin!" - you were
spot-on!
You worked extra hard to not
get on the weaksuck list I grew to like Patty more for who he
was - than what he did, I knew he did it all, but somewhere between
modest and humble he was my friend.
I was at the NHRA hot rod reunion at Bowling Green a couple of
years back, and while we were putting a motor in for the final
round of Top Fuel, a crowd gathered to watch us thrash for the
final round.
Pat Foster, Tom Hanna and Steve
Carbone were in the front of the crowd. They were just watching
and smiling. Later I was told that we were the closest thing
to what was and what is now, and believe me coming from anyone
of those guys was a true compliment!
Pat would call weekly and give me his want list and his philosophy
on restoration, food,hot rods, drag racing, parenting, and of
course I would prod him to get a story and Patty was the master
story teller. Each story topped the last.
I never felt shortchanged ...
When I went up to Idaho to see my friend for the last time, he
was concerned to make sure I was o.k. and he took the time to
explain that this was a good wise decision and he was comfortable
with it. He was in no pain and what made it so hard was his mind
was sharp, but his body was shot.
He had lived 200 years in his
68 on this earth and never cut a corner on any of it. He was
a mans man and the original Badass!
Patty taught me about dignity,
quality, perseverance, love and class. He was fiercely proud
of his boys. I had the chance to share some stories and laughs
with Cole. We instantly hit it off. You see a lot of Patty shinning
through in Cole.
He went out on his own terms
driving that bitch through the lights with all 8 lit! -in charge
till the end!
In the end I felt fortunate enough to look my friend Patty in
those blue eyes, hold his hand and I told him it was all right
we were proud of him and I loved him I kissed him on his head
and left -he smiled at me like a puppy I will always remember
that.
Every time we light off a motor
I will forever miss the man they call Patty...Father, driver,
master craftsman, and my friend the guy they call Mr.Everything!
"In a night of shinning stars Patty will be the brightest."
Brendan Murry
The proper words to say goodbye
to someone like Foster just don't come easy. I had the pleasure
of shooting photos of Patty racing for 40 years, including many
of the shots posted on this tribute page. To try and add to the
wonderful tributes posted so far would be futile. He truly was
a man's man who pulled his last chute with class.
RIP my friend.
John Ewald
Always surrounded by friends and admirers...in the
seat of a race car...that was Foster.
Patty and I were close. He was
a father figure, a mentor, and a hero to me. Patty was indeed
bigger than life to me for a number of reasons, but mainly, he
was one of those very few people you meet in your life that were
'the real deal.' It's obvious when you meet someone like that;
you know it when you see it. I met Patty through Tom Jobe (another
‘real deal’) and instantly took a liking to him. Our
relationship was not unlike father and son. When I was just starting
to drive, he was always just a phone call away for me to bounce
ideas off of and, mostly, to just shut up and listen to and maybe
learn a few things from. We talked on the phone maybe once every
other week or so from the first day I met him over 10 years ago
until last week when I flew up to Idaho to say goodbye for the
last time.
Pat Foster was a bad ass (in
the best of ways, too). He could build 'em, tune 'em, and literally
drive the wheels off of any car he got in. He was a driver's
driver, and his exploits are legendary (and I don't use that
term loosely). His ability to nonchalantly tell you one of the
best 'hero driver' stories you ever heard always endeared him
to me and anybody lucky enough to be in earshot of his deep booming
voice. To hear his patented "What the fuck" or "I
ain't no weak suck!" was just 'heaven' on the ears ...
Here's one of my favorite Patty
stories. I wish I would've recorded it for all the particulars
of time, place, etc., but it doesn't matter anyway.
Foster was wrenching on his Funny
Car one night at a match race at some back East track. A fan
comes up to him a little nervously and asks if he would mind
signing his autograph on a butterfly steering wheel he was clutching
in his hands. Foster says, 'Sure, can I hold on to it and sign
it when I get back from this run?' ' Sure! Thanks! says the fan.
This whole deal goes down without anybody knowing about it. Well,
Pat is now in his Funny Car on the starting line, his car sounding
‘bad to the bone’ (as Patty would say) and he's just
completed his dry hops. He moves in to pre-stage his car. The
top light goes on.
Everybody, including his owner,
is on the line watching with that nervous tension that develops
right before YOUR car gets ready to haul ass down the track.
All of a sudden, the team sees what looks to be a steering wheel
fall out the window and onto the track! As their collective minds
compute what just happened and think, 'Oh my God; how's he gonna
steer that thing?' Patty bumps her in and stages the car. The
light comes down, and he's off! Straight down the track, flames
over the roof, not missing a beat. The team just stands there
looking at each other dumbfounded as to what just happened. It
wasn't until they picked Foster up at the top end that they learned
of that fan's steering wheel being in the cockpit with him.
On my last visit with Patty,
we talked about all things and sometimes we just watched TV together
without saying a word. Even on the verge of death, he was the
baddest [expletive] around! He was comfortable with his choice
and he was matter of fact as only Pat Foster could be about his
life and impending death. I was able to tell him I will miss
him, I love him, I've learned from him, and I will always remember
him. I also told him how universally loved he is (not just for
drag racing/hot rod stuff). He told me how much he cares for
me and how proud he is of me. As he put it, he doesn't ‘get
buttered up to too many people --you have to EARN it’ --
and said I was one of them, which makes me immensely proud. After
our visit, I came to the conclusion that Pat Foster was a driver.
He didn't get driven. He, and he alone, had his own foot on the
throttle of his life and when he stepped off, he was through
the lights. He backdoored that bitch, too!
Adam Sorokin
Since I learned of Patty's passing,
I've given him lots of thought. Been reading the eulogies here.
Laughed a lot, and with a heavy heart, cried some too. We worked
together at Ed Pink's in the early '70's, and again at Blue Max
in the early '80's. A lot has been said on this site that doesn't
need to be repeated here, so I won't. But, we enjoyed a brotherly
love of each other and respect of our chosen trade, albeit his
much broader than mine.
The last I saw of Pat was the
reunion in Columbus last year. When I approached him, that irrepressible
smile greeted me and a warmth (on that very hot day) came over
me that was very calming. The affect he always had on people.
We talked for a long time on numerous occassions that week-end.
Even though I hadn't spoke to him in about 5 years (it was whenever
he did the Junkyard Wars TV show) it was, as many others have
noted, as if it had been 5 days.
One story I'd like to tell was
when we were going to the Sundance Saloon (as Jeff Courtie mentioned,
Hi Jeff), myself, Foster and John Glaspey arrived early and went
across the street to the mexican restaurant to prepare for the
evenings drinking, and a very pretty young waitress there caught
Pat's eye. Her name, Leslie, and he couldn't stop thinking about
her the rest of the night. He would look me right in the eye
with that serious look, smile and say that he was going to go
back over there. The rest is, as they say, history.
When Pat and Leslie and the two
golden retrievers came to Dallas to work for Raymond Beadle,
Patty told me about his sports car days. One story was about
how he began to understand suspension on road course cars, by
watching his dogs handle the ride to work in the back of his
pickup. How they crouched under acceleration, braking and turning.
He was never a moment without thinking about racing.
Cole, I think you were too young
to remember me when your dad and I worked at Pink's, but a couple
more of his quotes were "She's bitchin'." (in reference
to a car), and, "Oh, ya!" whenever he agreed or fully
understood what you were saying.
To all the family, my sincerest
condolences and heart felt sympathy. The physical absence is
the hardest part, but I know he lives on within us all.
And Patty like I told you in
Columbus, "See 'ya soon brother."
Phil Ditmars
HEY DRAG RACING KATS AND KITTENS!!!
I THOUGHT I'D DO A LITTLE TRIBUTE FOR PATTY.
I'VE ENCLOSED A DRAG TOON WITH PAT FOSTER IN THE BARRY
SETZER VEGA FUNNY CAR AND A COOL YOU TUBE LINK OF
PATTY IN THE VEGA.
TAKE CARE AND ENJOY!
PATTY....THIS ONE'S FOR YOU BUDDY.
YOUR CARTOON DRAG PAL...JEFF
I had never met Pat back in the
day, but I sure knew who he was and all about him. He seemed
to be larger than life and the kind of guy that all of us wannabe
drag racers wished we could be. Pat did it all, drove, built,
tested, toured, and talked the talk.
When I met Pat in 1999 he was
exactly as I had envisioned him when we were both much younger.
He treated me like I was another of his drag racing friends that
he had known for years. I was impressed with his wisdom and story
telling and was honored that he agreed to recreate the Beebe
& Mulligan car. We were both clear from the start that it
would be dead-on or not at all. From that experience I got to
know Pat as more than just a drag racer, craftsman, and legendary
shoe. He had a way of expressing himself that was articulate
yet direct and no bullshit. His knowledge of things beyond drag
racing really gave me some insight to what Pat was all about.
He was quick to give credit to others and appreciated all the
people along the way that had influenced him and his work.
I'll always remember Pat as a
father, husband, mentor, teacher, craftsmen, artist, innovator,
spokesman, storyteller, racer, legend, but most of all, a friend.
Dave West
I was never fortunate enough
to meet Pat Foster, but I did begin my love affair with drag
racing in the mid-1970's, when "Patty" was still driving
those crazy beasts, nitro funny cars. I first watched them on
TV, then went to a local 1/8th mile track to see Snake and Segrini
match race under the lights - and that blew my doors off!
Soon after that I bought the Vallco Pro Drag Racing game - as
you know, this was back when kids used their imaginations rather
than playing electronic games - and ran "Fuel Coupe"
match races, national events, and any other kind of race I could
think of - all on a cardboard game board using little plastic
representations of cars. God, I loved doing that, and who do
you think was one of my favorite drivers? Well, "Patty"
Foster, of course! Although I can't recall anymore which car
he drove which year (I understand even he had a hard time remembering
them all), and I may even have been forced to make up my own
"Pat Foster" card for him, I know he raced often in
my game, as he was so cool. In fact, I think one of the things
that attracted my youthful mind was the sound of his name - PAT
FOSTER. It just flat sounded cool. No nickname (that I knew),
no "Jungle" or "Orange Baron" or "Snake"
or "Mongoose" - just Pat Foster. As far as I was concerned,
it was just a great name.
Now, having grown up, I realize that it was a great name - and
not just because it sounded cool to a young teenager in his impressionable
years. "Patty" Foster was a cool name because "Patty"
Foster was such a cool guy. I soon learned that he not only drove
the beasts, but he fabricated many (if not all) of the parts,
and he also did a lot of the mechanical work (again, if not all
of it). And he was obviously fearless - or at least he seemed
that way to me. So here was a guy who did it all, from building
the car to putting the tune-up in it to hauling that mother down
the track, tire smoke, shake, piston smoke, and even fire be
damned! What an unbelievable guy he must have been. If only I
had ever had the chance to meet him.
Still, although I never did meet him, I feel as if I know much
about the man, and much of what I have learned has come from
this awesome tribute (thanks!). I have known one or two folks
like "Patty" in my time, though not associated with
racing - just people who tell it like it is, no B.S., and if
you don't like it, too bad - and yet they still have that outstanding
sense of humor and love of life that "Patty" so obviously
had. I am thankful that I got to know about the man, even though
I never got to know the man. This tribute, as well as the things
I have read that he has written in the past, and other articles
and stories about him, have inspired me, and I thank "Patty"
for that.
To his family I send my condolences, remembering that he went
out on his own terms, which is more than many folks get the chance
to do. I know it is cliché by now, but I have to say it...
SIT LOW, PATTY, AND NEVER LIFT!
John Murnan II
Cole is one of my dearest friends,
and these past few months have been torture to know what my friend
has been going through. He loved his dad, idolized him &
with good reason.
I don't pay attention to much
in regards to the internet, but with Cole in town these last
few days, I noticed each night he would find comfort in the words
that have been posted here.
I thank you all as I think you
have been a better support to him than myself. I am clumsy in
handling Pat's death & don't know what Cole needs from me,
someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, or should I just be
a coward and avoid the subject. I stayed up most of the night
reading comments & learning more & more about how widely
Pat was appreciated.
Yesterday Cole found a picture
of Lil' John Buttera & his pops among others in a book I
have & showed the book to Willie G., who was at Lil' funeral
& it seems everyone has such comforting words to offer Cole,
& I stand dumb founded with out a single word of comfort
that isn't just the same stuff he must hear everyday.
As I scrolled down the photos
posted I found a few where Pat was wearing one of my silly shirts
that said 'we cost more and take longer'. I remember talking
to him on the phone & him saying "Hey kid I need more
of those shirts, I wear it all the time... I wish I would of
thought of that phrase!" I really thought he was patronizing
me, because how could this ruler give a shit about me. He wasn't
and I cried when a saw those pictures. I wish Cole hadn't been
a sleep and seen my tears as I really don't know what he needs.
Maybe had he seen those embarrassing drops fall from my eyes,
they would do more than the words I can't express.
All I know is, Cole is a champ,
just like his ol' man and has been a pillar of strength &
and a great example to me during this trial in his life.
I love Cole. I miss Pat. This internet tribute thing is a worth
while deal, and I think all of you are really neat for sharing
your feeling.
My best regards, Jeff Decker
Pat and I were married for over
10 years and had two boys, Cole and Danny. We were so young in
a day and age that kept us even younger. We had our children
right away and I was a stay at home mom. We never discussed Pats
racing, he just did it!
He always held a job and did racing on the side. He worked for
Dick Landy, when Dick had his dyno tune shop. Ed Pink, Frank
Huszar and the Spar brothers to name a few. When he had a car
project he could be found in the garages of Ronnie Scrima, John
Lombardo or Rocky Child's
The San Fernando drag strip was the first time I saw him drive,
and yes it was me who called the track and said it was an emergency
and to get him on the phone. After all I couldn't find the car
keys. How was I to know he was in the dragster ready to go down
the track?
The boys and I had a great summer in Chicago around 1970 when
he was driving for the "Greek" Chris Karamesines. I
had never been out of Van Nuys, Ca so this was a trip of a lifetime
for me. We drove our VW Bug with the two boys in the back and
I took everything I could fit in the car. We drove straight through
as Pat had a deadline, so we never got a motel, and just pulled
over when we were tired. It was the first time I knew about drafting
behind trucks. That trip and the summer at Barry Setzer's in
North Carolina had wonderful memories for us.
With Pats move to Idaho, we talked more than we ever had in a
long time. As my sons have said he had no regrets in his life
and he told me the same. Cole asked his dad and me to write something
for a book that will be published soon, and Pat sent me what
he wrote right away. Talk about a hard act to follow! It was
days; maybe weeks to come up with something that I knew would
pale in comparison to what he wrote. But when I finally finished
and sent it to him I got an e-mail back that said. "Carolynn,
if doing this piece for Cole seemed difficult and laborious then
stand proud, as it reads like a labor of love! " Well done,
Bravo!---Patrick....I was elated!!
Cole, Danny and all the Foster family have been role models to
me. They were by his side every step of the way through his final
journey. Kay, Pat's sister told me you just do it, it's like
you don't think about it, it just comes natural, and that's what
they did. They were just there! I said my last goodbyes on the
phone like so many of you. I told him we had great kids, and
he said "We did good!" He told me his granddaughter
was there. I had no idea Danny was bringing 9 year old Savannah,
but she insisted, so she came. Pat told me he didn't know exactly
the date or time he would go, but this is what he wanted to do.
I told him I loved him, and he said I love you too.
Carolynn Foster-Novak
Patty Foster family.
My heartfelt thanks goes out
to a man who invented the words "detailed to perfection"!
I am truly sorry to hear about
your families loss with the recent passing of Mr. Pat Foster.
We tend to take things for granted
as we move through life and each year at the CHRR I listen to
the names called off in memoriam and say to myself how can this
be?
God works in mysterious ways
and he only calls up the best! Pat is one of those people.
My father in law and I attend
this incredible race each year (CHRR) and we have more fun at
the hotel on Friday night just seeing what shows up for the 9:40
P.M. mini-cacklefest.
Of course on many occasions we
saw Pat explaining details in regards to one of his incredible
restorations.
My father in law owns a beautiful
piece of So-Cal history and we had always hoped to approach Pat
with some questions regarding old photos,restoration parts etc.
Our car was raced in 1970 as "The Gas House Gang" by
Walt Rhodes and is a 183" wheelbase SPE car with the original
Tom Hanna full mag body on the car. The only changes were the
roll cage which is now being modified back to a single hoop design
like it originally appeared with.
I will cut this short and say
once again that our sport has lost a " real person"
with a super kean eye for doing things the right way. Pats creations
were truly "Beach Cars" and the restoration world is
now looking for someone to pick up the torch! It will be a long
hunt!
Please let me know if any of
the T-shirts are still available and if not, are there plans
to print some more? I am sure they would be a sell-out at the
next CHRR!
Sincerely,
Chris Roberts
Joe Iverson
Mark Roberts
Ron Saylors
The "Gas House Gang Two"
I was friends with JT Foster
for almost half my life, we went to Elementary and Middle school
together, and I visited him on weekends up until the end of High
School. I remember meeting Pat for the first time and being somewhat
intimidated by how tough and serious he looked. In my Junior
year, he took time out of his day to help me create a mobile
for my Junior Art Magnet Project, showing me how to use a band-saw
and attach all the metal pieces. Leslie and Pat were like another
set of parents to me and helped my family through tough times
while I was growing up. I will always be in their debt and will
never forget the impact they have had on my life.
Pat, you will be sorely missed.
Joshua Harper
I finally got to meet THE Pat
Foster when the Beebe & Mulligan recreation first appeared
in the raw at Bakersfield. He treated me like he had known me
for years. 2006 rolls around and I decided to start building
my Cackle Car that I had been stashing money away for 10 years.
Deep down Pat respected craftmanship and he was amazed at some
of the dragster models I had built. Respect was mutual.
So we came to can agreement that
he would build the chassis for the Jim Brissette 1964 1/2 Woody
Fueler for me. The DEAL was that I had to do all the "LEG"
work and get all the era correct parts for the rest of the car
to complete it. The parts search was on and after a year and
a half I was ready, but Pat had to finish the Billy Lynch Dragster
first. My turn was coming up real quick along with 3 other dragsters
builds Pat was setting up.
Then Thanksgiving came around
and the news of his sickness. The dragster didn't matter. Pat
Foster life mattered. I had emailed Cole quite a few times hope
for the best, but it wasn't to be a full recovery. When I heard
Pat made his final round decision, I just stopped. The day came
when he met up again with Zook. I pondered what to do over the
next few weeks. Sell all the parts or go for it ? Go For It !
I give the project to a chassis
builder who wanted to build this car for me, but after two months
of waiting and watching other people's racecars getting worked
on, I brought all my parts home with all the tubing I had bought
and now WTF. One evening I was thinking about a conversation
Pat and I had and he told me "Even though you don't know
how to weld, you can do everything else to build this car".
On July 5th 2008, the spirit
of a teacher and mentor, Pat Foster was the driving force and
the starting of my replica of a Woody car. A 1 to 1 scale model
replica with real parts. Pat told me to use the KISS method and
along came a story from his book of tales in one of our many
past telephone calls.
It is almost midnight, 12-31-08
and the whole car is preassembled. I am still working on the
10,000 5 minute jobs that Pat said I would have to do till the
day it is finished and is fired up for the first time. I look
at the dragster I just built and I hear you Patty, "WTF
change it or Are you Shittin me ?!?! So get off my case Patty,
and I am making it right. I miss him, but he is rolling with
me. Thanks Pat.
Roger "Riceman"
Lee
Video Clip
of Patty in the Setzer Vega at OCIR
If you
have some thoughts or a story about "Patty Faster",
please send them and they will be added above. Foster
Tribute E-mail
Just
some of Pat's incredible work:
Foster
ProFab
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