One of the things I’ve learned over the last few years is what a very small, tight-knit community the world of racing is. Before I ran my first track event, I was worried that I’d be running into a lot snobby Ferrari owners, and arrogant rich guys, and while there are certainly a few (very few, actually) of those unpleasant types to run into, the reality did not meet my expectations. The people I met were mostly like me — people with careers who had enough success to afford a track toy, who shared a love for beautiful fast cars, and a passion for driving them the way they were intended.
I can think of no better example of the great people I met than Ian Prout and Elivan Goulart, President and Vice-President, respectively, of the Sports Car Driving Association (SCDA). I ran my very first track event with them at New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) back in September 2011, got hopelessly addicted, and turned into a regular, making it to about 25 events with them through 2014.
While I suppose I was just another customer, both Ian and Elivan could see that I had caught this bug pretty bad, and they gave me a LOT of encouragement and coaching, and even let me sneak out on track during the instructor’s sessions when they weren’t very crowded, giving me even more time doing what I’ve come to love. In 2014, when I almost pulled the trigger on the racing school at the Last Chance Enduro at Watkins Glen, Ian even offered to co-drive my car in the 4 hour race. He wasn’t jerking my chain, either, we actually had several chats to plan it, but unfortunately, the timing wasn’t right. Although I ended up taking 2015 off, I did found Lunatick Racing LLC, and had worked out a deal with Ian to offer GoPro rentals at SCDA events, in exchange for a discount as a driver. We were even talking about a path to making me an instructor as my skills progressed.
Success in motorsports, at really any level, depends most critically on the people you get to know, and the connections you make, and there is no doubt that were it not for the encouragement and friendship of both Ian and Elivan, I would not be having the fun I am today, just a few months away from finally getting my competition license, and getting to race for real. In my fantasy racing career, I always pictured myself winning my first race, and giving a shout out to both of these guys, without whose help and support I wouldn’t have been standing there holding the checkered flag I dream of one day taking home.
And so, when we all heard that we had lost Ian, to say it was shocking would be a terrible understatement. In just his early 40s, and one of the nicest guys I have run into in this community, it was hard to believe that he was gone. Just a few days before, we had been exchanging emails as I was planning out the season’s events, very much looking forward to hanging out in pit lane to talk racing, as much as being on track. Facebook lit up with responses to the original announcement, and at the two track events I’ve attended thus far, people who knew him (which seems to be just about everyone in the Northeast) were just horrified.
I missed the season opening event with the SCDA this year, and I really wish I could have been there to show my support for Elivan and Co, and help to remember Ian. Elivan has taken over as President, in what has to be a horribly bittersweet “promotion”, and the community that is the SCDA will keep on going, but Ian’s absence will forever be felt, I’m sure. Elivan had some great “Never Without Ian Prout” SCDA stickers made, and I’ve asked for a couple to be set aside for me. I don’t think I will ever set foot on a race track again without remembering Ian, and I’ll try to remember him with smile.
But right now, smiles are kinda hard to come by, the pain of his loss still raw, the memories still fresh of the man we remember. The best thing we can all do is to remember, and never forget, what it was about Ian that made us like the guy so much, and perhaps try to find those qualities in ourselves, and be better people as a result.
Whatever you may believe about life after death, there’s no doubt in my mind that someone’s spirit lives on as long as we remember them, and celebrate them. I won’t forget Ian, and I’m sure that not a single person who knew him will either.
I’ll remember him every time I strap myself into a race car, fire the engine up and feel that rush of adrenalin.
And smile….
RIP, Ian Prout.
Lunatick Racing 