I received a call at about 8:30 this morning from Jan Shomo that Richard, her husband, passed away early this morning. Many of you probably didn't know him, but those who did know him know that when he was around, you knew it, and that he always had a smile on his face.
For those of you who didn't know Richard, he spent a chunk of time involved in rallies in the Mid-East (I believe it was back in the 80s when he was on military station over there.) He was only involved in rallying (primarily in the North-East) for a short time before he began the fight that eventually took him from us.
His wife Jan (who also happened to be his navigator) told me this morning that there isn't going to be a service, but that he is going to be cremated. She also asked me to help fulfill his wish to have his ashes spread at an event, which is something I have graciously accepted to do (though with a very heavy heart.) So at some North-Eastern event in the future we will have a small ceremony for all of those who wish to pay their respects to Richard.
Matt Kennedy
www.3StoogesRacing.com
Richard finished 10th in NE Region G2 in his first year in ProRally completing three events. Jan finished 9th in Region. Of their four starts in 1998, they had only one mechanical DNF at Charlevoix in Quebec. Richard and Jan plan to compete in six national and regional events this year.
Richard served as chief safety and emergenecy services officer for FIA sponsored events in the Middle East in 1992-94 (national and international). Richard says, "I met a number of rally folks and eventually found a car and co-driver". When asked how Jan got into ProRally, she says, "I lost my mind for a minute". Jan also says, "I never got car sick".
Richard and Jan compete in a 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2-wd, prepped for Production class.
MLCRT's sponsors include: Brattleboro Roofing and Sheet Metal and Southeastern Vermont Career Education Center.
Richard and Jan can be reached at: windswpt@mindspring.com
Phone: 802-257-0320