10 replies to this topic

[racinggeek]

Besides being the answer to the trivia question, "Who won the last-ever (original version) Can-Am race?" Scooter Patrick was a two-time SCCA national champion, drove for Carroll Shelby and James Garner and was one of the top sports car racers on the West Coast of the U.S. Until reading this story from Racer.com on his passing, I didn't know Patrick regained his SCCA competition license in 2012 -- as the story notes, 55 years after he first earned his license. RIP.

[raceannouncer2003]

Sorry to hear this.  Here are a couple of photos from 2011 Rennsport at Laguna Seca:

 

 

...with his old Porsche 906

 

 

...with George Follmer

 

He had lots of stories.

 

Vince H.

Edited by raceannouncer2003, 30 September 2016 - 05:58.

[Manfred Cubenoggin]

Awww...  

 

I saw Scooter drive several times at Mosport.  A good talent for sure.  RIP.

[JacnGille]

 

 

He had lots of stories.

 

 

What race driver doesn't.

 

Sad News.

[E1pix]

Yeah, that is sad news. Another Hero gone.

I witnessed Scooter's win at 14, and being so nice to me as a kid, truth be told I was hoping the Shadows would falter so Scooter could win one in that beautiful, radiant blue and gold McLaren M20. All seemed to come good in the Underdog Wars that day, and I'll never forget it.

If I'm correct, I believe his U.S. Racing teammate John Cordts registered a best-ever 2nd in a M8F.

RIP Mr. Patrick, and Thank You. :-(

[Michael Ferner]

RIP, Scooter

[ReWind]

I suppose there is a story how Merlin Goodwin Patrick became „Scooter“ Patrick. Can anyone enlighten us?

[2F-001]

I'd missed this news entirely - and just learned of his passing from a friend in California.
With Tony A's death too, it's a said time for such stalwarts of North American racing.

[Jack-the-Lad]

There was a documentary from the 70s, I think, called The Racing Scene, that featured James Garner and may have been produced by him.

There was a funny scene from the Baja 500. I'll try to describe it......

A racing modified Ford Bronco in full screen, on the side of the road. No people, just the race truck.....

1st disembodied voice from the other side of the truck: "Hey, Jimmy, this tire isn't as bad as we thought."

2nd disembodied voice off camera: "Yeah? How's that, Scooter?"

1st disembodied voice: "It's only flat on one side!"

[JacnGille]

1st disembodied voice: "It's only flat on one side!"
 

Ain't they all??????? 

[911]

I suppose there is a story how Merlin Goodwin Patrick became „Scooter“ Patrick. Can anyone enlighten us?

 

According to an article I read, he was called Scooter because he would scoot away from the opposition as soon as the green flag would drop in his early club racing days.