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sad news Jim Stewart passing

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#1
mellen

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I just received a called from Jim Stewart's sister in-law that Jim passed away this morning. as soon as i heard about services I will let everyone know.


Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting HOLY SHIT........WHAT A RIDE!!!!!!!!
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#2
Bench Racer

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Sorry to hear this, RIP Jim.


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#3
38bfast

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Very very sad news. 


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#4
Tom Sager

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Terrible, way too young.  Sorry to get this news.


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#5
LarryKing

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Jim did a lot for our class in the early days. Sorry to read this.


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#6
Jim Drago

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That is terrible news. Jim did a lot of work for me as well. 

Godspeed Jim


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#7
FTodaro

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Wow that is a shocker, so sad to hear it Jim was a really good stand up guy.


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#8
Preston Pardus

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Thoughts and prayers to Jim's family.


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#9
TommyB

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Geez, talked to him not that long ago as he rebuilt the head on my FP motor.

Never met him face to face but over the phone he sounded too young to leave us this soon.

 

RIP Jim.

 

Tom B.

 

Just as a follow-up.

When I got this cylinder head I was having trouble getting the cams 'timed up" and it was a cold Sunday afternoon in my garage . I had remembered Jim's offer to call him anytime if I was having a problem. Well, reluctantly I called him on a Sunday afternoon at his home and wouldn't you know , with my wife holding the phone on loud speaker he methodically and patiently guided me through the process of getting it right....while all along he could have been drinking a brew watching the game.

Don't know who I'll find to help me with my FP motor in the future but if they're 1/2 the person and professional Jim was I'll consider myself very fortunate. 



#10
FTodaro

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This is a quick story about how dedicated Jim Stewart was to customers. Several years ago we went to Jim Stewart to build a Miata motor for a non-SM class. Jim is in Indy we are in Columbus. the motor had adjustable timing wheels and we were having difficulty with the adjustment. Jim drove from Indy to my home/shop in Columbus to set the timing for us, that was 3 hrs one way. This was a part of his service he provided to his customers.


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Frank
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#11
LarryKing

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Frank, Jim did the same drive, Indy to Cbus, to deliver a head to me so I could make a race the following weekend. He wouldn't accept even gas money.


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#12
Ryan Roberson

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I'm in Indy, and Jim doesn't live far away, but he often stopped by to help/provide confidence/teach me something new/drop off/pick up parts.  I met his wife and daughter on many of those stops.  Heck of a guy.  He was working on slowing down a bit so he could be at home on the weekends/home at night to spend more time with his daughter.  Super sad.

 

Here he is at my shop showing me the right way and the right tool to do a leak down!

 

Jim helping at my shop.

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#13
SaulSpeedwell

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Uncle Saul's Story Time:  Jim Stewart was a friend, a mentor, a partner, and an undeniable asset to this class and sport. 

 

Once upon a time, when SM was a Regional-only class, "we" were trying to keep IRP and Nelson Ledges alive with respect to SCCA Regionals.  SM had 20+, 30+, and sometimes 40+ car fields, back in 2002/2003/2004.  If I recall correctly, we had 76 cars at Road America in 2004 for the "Milwaukee Cup". 

 

Anyway, a gentlemen's (gentleperson's?) agreement was struck, whereby if Indy Region would bring their 10+ SMs to Nelson Ledges, then NEOhio would bring their 10+ SMs to IRP.  Poor Jim … that's when "we" lured him into participating in this dramatic menagerie known as Spec Miata.  Mike "Mr. Excitement" Neal, Shane Benson of AIMTuning, and other ne'er do wells within the Indy area were involved. 

Jim Stewart signed up as a sponsor of this ridiculous contest of 116HP commuter cars, and we raffled off a free cylinder head refresh - which was won by Brian Murdick.  Brian, being Brian, didn't get around to using the gift certificate for 3-5 years, the way I recall it.

 

It wasn't long after being introduced to our fine class, Jim Stewart called me and said:  "You guys are crazy.  I could build you a 140HP motor for half of what you guys are spending on Sunbelts!" (Meaning the "spec" rules based on Showroom Stock required 10s of hours and liberal rules interpretation to make 3HP versus what we could do with basic power-adders like cams, compression, bore, stroke, etc.)

 

Yeah, Jim … I know … I know …  believe me, I know.  And we still know that, right?

 

Jim Stewart was personally my favorite engine builder, and back when I was fast, I proudly ran his name on my car.  Like others have mentioned, he would drive to the track, or my home, in order to make sure I had what I needed.  He, along with Steve Scheifler, got me through "WhistlerGate" after winning the Mid Ohio Nationals in 2009 - similar to "Dargo's" most recent weekend, that would have cost me $1500+ had things gone the wrong way.  I still remember how pissed Jim was that some goofy harmonica was being used to indict his compression measurements.  In the end, Jim Stewart's workmanship was proven correct.

 

More recently, Jim and I had plans to win the Runoffs at Indy with an STL Acura.  I wish we had pursued those plans, but the car got totaled before we could qualify.

 

I have an "Aurora V8" Indy box that Jim shipped my first Stewart cylinder head in, and it might be the coolest thing in my garage.  I'll never part with it, and I will always have "JStewart" in my phone, hoping it will ring.

 

RIP Jim Stewart … you were an amazing class act, through and through.  I already miss you.


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#14
Marc Cefalo

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Jim Stewart…Gone way too soon

 

Ealier this week there were posts about the passing of Jim Stewart, owner of Stewart Enigines and a longtime builder in SM.  Granted because it was on the internet it had to be true, no?  I didn’t want to believe it….

 

  For those of you that know me personally, he was the primary engine builder for Planet Miata until the end of 2017 when he decided to change career paths and work for someone else in the V8 world of Hemi’s and LSX engines, instead of on his own.  

 

Over a decade our relationship culminated with hundreds of engines installed and sold throughout the United States.  Track records, wins of all types not just for us but his many loyal customers including the SCCA runoffs in years past.  I personally never felt he got the credit he deserved.  Our class as a whole and the technical advances in SM engines are directly tied to how he built engines.  He helped everyone’s program step up their game.

 

It wasn’t just SM motors. Jim’s wheel house for 4 cyl work was Hondas.  From circle track midget racing with K series engines to IMSA Conti civics, his stuff was what others followed.  

 

It just wasn’t just Mazda or Honda…..For you Pro racers out there, remember the PINK Altima in  the Conti ST class on the straightaways…..yea, that was him and the wick wasn’t even turned up.

 

Jim was a friend, someone I spoke with weekly, visited as much as I could when in Indiana and the salt of the Earth.  He was a very unimposing guy in person.  Not what you expect image wise but he was exact with his work, obsessed with crossing all the t’s and dotting all the I’s.  His previous stints at Cosworth and Toyota Racing Development brought that out.  For Jim, doing the right thing, was always the right thing.

 

Godspeed Jim, I miss you. The racing world lost a quiet soft spoken giant whose work graced many winners circles in this country.


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Marc Cefalo

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#15
Danny Steyn

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Did not know him but knew of him. Heard about what a standup guy he was. Sincere condolences to his family. 


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#16
jdmrrs

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George Weathered shared this with Autobahn members earlier, I think some of you might be interested too:

 

"We lost another friend and all around good guy this past weekend. Jim
Stewart of Stewart Engines was our Miata engine builder for the past 10
years.
A great engine builder and always willing to help us anyway he could.
Jim's wife Melissa Fair-Stewart and their daughter Isabelle are really
struggling financially and could use some support.
Many of my FB friends and Miata racers here at Autobahn Country Club have a
Stewart engine in their car or used his service, so if you can help Melissa
please do. Thanks!"
The gofundme link can be found at-
https://www.facebook...91923797603110/

Thanks

George Weathered
Eurosport Racing
815-727-5577
weathered1@aol.com


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#17
mellen

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James A. Stewart, 44, of Indianapolis, passed away Monday, June 18, 2018, at his residence.
He was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on April 7, 1974, to Gordon and Marion Stewart. He married Melissa (Fair) Stewart on September 13, 2003, and she survives.

James is also survived by his daughter, Isabelle Stewart; his mother; his sister, Katherine Stewart; half sister, Kelly Umpherville; and half-brothers, Ross Stewart, Gregg Stewart, Ross Stewart and Doug Stewart.

James was a professional race car engineer from 1996 to the present. He was well-known throughout the auto racing industry for his race engines.

He was also a gifted piano player. He took great pride in his daughter’s achievements.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 23, 2018, at Shelbyville Community Church, 720 N. 325 E, Shelbyville.

Services will follow at noon at the church, with the Rev. Mary Popplewell officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Isabelle Stewart Education Fund, in care of the funeral home.

Funeral Directors, Greg, Sheila and Stuart Parks are honored to serve the Stewart family.

Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting HOLY SHIT........WHAT A RIDE!!!!!!!!
We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+

#18
Richard Astacio

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wow died at a young age of 44........just another reminder that life is short, enjoy it and live it to the fullest as you never know when your time is up. 

 

Rest in peace....


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#19
Chris D.

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So heartbreaking.....way too young.   RIP Jim.


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#20
SaulSpeedwell

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As one who is not on FaceBlag, I just learned of this GoFundMe link.  Good news:  You don't have to be on FaceBlag to donate!  

https://www.gofundme...-stewart-family


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