24 replies to this topic

[dbednarz]

It comes with great sadness to report the passing of Harry Manning this morning.
 

Harry raced in the SCCA for over 20 years, winning an SCCA Runoffs championship in 2003 in Showroom Stock B, several Runoffs podiums, as well as many, many,  SCCA National Events in SSB and Spec Miata. He has been, and will continue to be a role model to me, on and off the race track.
 

Harry was active in local government, elected three times and currently held a seat as a village trustee of his hometown.

 

His wife Mary, son John, daughter Wendy, and two grandchildren will miss him greatly.  Harry lost a very short battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

It won't be the same without #92.

[FTodaro]

So sad to hear, Harry raced in last years SCCA National at Mid Ohio and "beat my butt" this is such a shock. He will be missed.

[screaming monkey]

This has been a terrible off season. RIP 92

[Danny Steyn]

So sorry to hear this. Harry was racing with us till just a year ago. Cannot beleive this has come so suddenly. RIP Harry.

 

Seriously, you have to suck the marrow out of every day.

[john mueller]

Harry was a client of Weekend-Racer, a straight shooter & one heck of a nice guy.  A loss for our community.

[chris haldeman]

Good bye Harry!!! You were the real deal and I'm confident you are in a better place!!

[Charlie James]

Godspeed Harry! You raced it hard whether it was for 1st or 15th, you made people earn it!

Praying for his family and loved ones.

[LarryKing]

I had the pleasure of paddocking next to Harry a couple times. Great guy and a legend in club racing. Very sad news.

[Bench Racer]

A week ago I viewed Harry's Miata for sale by Advanced and felt sad because Harry didn't race any longer.

 

 

This adds a whole new meaning to sad.

 

 

Thank you for the trinkets along the way.

 

 

RIP friend Harry.

[Blake Thompson]

Oh man, I missed this thread.  I posted my own, but there were a couple of newspaper articles about Harry today:

 

http://mountpleasant...g-has-past-away

 

http://journaltimes....1a4bcf887a.html

 

If
you knew Harry on the track he was an intimidating dude, but off the
track he helped me an awful lot.  A really cool guy and I know with
nationals he knew many of the guys across the country.  I think he told
me once he had 1500 laps at Mid Ohio.  If you knew Harry then you
probably knew his wife Mary and what an awesome lady she is, ASIDE from
the fact that she happily supported him at the track - which is more
than any of us should ask of our partners   I hope you keep her in your thoughts.

 

I'm
pretty crushed, I will always remember his old toothy grin crouched
over that battered old showroom stock car that he converted to one
fiercely fast Spec Miata.  If you didn't know Harry lived in the town of
Mount Pleasant which meanders through my own and he served on the
village board for many years.

[pat slattery]

Very Very sad.  Of all the people we have raced with they were the best.    Shawn and I became very good friends with Harry, and Rusty.  They were as nice and helpful of people that anyone could ask for. They were not big budget racers, did most of the work himself and was very knowledgeable.  Harry was fierce on the track but was also fair and He will be missed.  I can't say how much he will be missed.

 

Pat

[Tom Sager]

Will just share a little on Harry.  I could write all day about him.  

 

Back in the late 90's Harry was one of the kings in SSB which was a VERY competitive and well attended class back then.  The Miata was the car of choice for most but there was one guy, David Daughtery, who drove a Nissan 240 in that class.  He and harry had an incredible rivalry for years and it was fun to watch as an outsider.  They would take turns beating each other, they grew not to like each other and at times it got a little ugly on the track.  They were as different as their cars.  Harry was more reserved and more calculating.  Daughtery was the more flamboyant one.  Harry would usually paddock on pavement and close to the action.  Daughtery would paddock as far away as possible in the grass and carried a lawnmower in his trailer.  He'd mow himself a paddock spot.  Harry was always careful about his stuff and his information.  Daughtery would let strangers drive his car.  Daughtery has won I believe 7 SCCA Runoffs titles.  Harry won 1 but I think Harry pushed David to win a couple of those.  Daughtery was once heard saying, "I'm not going to Road America because I can't beat Harry up there". They had some amazing battles over the years, one in which they finished 1-2 and both cars came of the track with hardly a straight body panel.  The really went at it.  All angst aside and the contrast in styles, they had a lot of respect for each other and it was one of the battles that the rest of us would look forward to during a race weekend back then.   

[Blake Thompson]

Great story.  I loved Harry's logbook of all the stuff that I can't imagine why the hell anyone would write down, but it sure seemed to work for him.

[Speedycrw]

Enjoyed a lot of racing time with Harry.....I will miss the team of Harry and Rusty.  Godspeed Harry....

[Jim Drago]

I raced with Harry since 06. Like many have said, tough as nails on the track. He never gave an inch, often took two or three, or at least made sure you didn't get them.  If you beat Harry, you earned it.  A real gentleman outside the car. He has been racing more than many of us combined. Godspeed to Harry and prayers and best wishes for his family during this hard time

Jim

[davew]

It always amazed me how this mild mannered guy could be such a fierce competitor on the track. We will all miss you

[KRS]

Harry was the instructor at driving school for Aaron and me. He made a huge first impression. I will never forget him getting pissed at me for not turning hard enough into the corners so he grabbed the steering wheel to show me what he meant. He was a great guy and we wish his family the time to heal and time to reflect.

[Blake Thompson]

Checkout this article I found in the local newspaper from 1995 about Harry.  I learned that Nick Esayian is from my home town too:

 

http://journaltimes....35058bd1d2.html

[davew]

I have the #92 Spec Miata here. If anyone is looking for a proven fast car, that needs a little TLC in the bodywork department, give me a call. I am sure his family would appreciate a quick sale.

 

Dave

[FTodaro]

I have posted a very short clip of the SCCA Double National at Mid Ohio last June. Tom Sager is in front  I think we are racing for 6th or 7th Harry is behind me. we are going into the braking zone at the end of back straight after i get to the first brake cone Harry moves inside to make a classic pass on me, and makes it stick. I did not give him lots of room either and he makes a text book pass.

 

You can see him coming in the rear mirror.

 

Perfect.

 

 

http://youtu.be/pq1hdXgBEz0