Tyler Alexander, one of the founding members of McLaren, had died, aged 75. From reading his book Tyler Alexander: A Life and Times with McLaren, he truly was an integral part of the team, doing everything from sweeping the floors to developing the first semi-automatic gearbox for McLaren and the software to make it run. From running the "Battlestations" (McLaren's mobile datacenter in the pits) to machining an emergency replacement part, he was capable of doing it all.
It's clear, in his book, that he thought he should have been doing more, but was gracious in accepting the roles he had in McLaren.
I had the opportunity to meet him once, at the Indianapolis Airport. My daughter had a Mac n Lauren book and was getting some autographs from the team at the check in counter at American Airlines. The team was wonderful, signing the book at the positions they worked in the pitstops. Then one of the men called over to a man standing in the First Class check in line and Mr. Alexander came over, greeted my daughter and myself and signed her book too. On a whim, I asked him to sign my notebook too.
He was a talented photographer and good writer in addition to be a true racer.
