Ray the Rat

[racer]

Had the pleasure of meeting Ray in 2009 while sitting in Impound..

We had a great time shooting the bull, then Ray shot a photo or two and peeled out.

Thank You Ray The Rat for the memories...........R I P .......

[Bob Drury]

  Well here we are however many days later and my heart still feels like lead ballast.
  Most all of us have lost family members and friends over the years and it is never easy.  What makes the loss of Ray so pronounced is that most of us only knew Ray enough to recognize him when we saw him, yet He was such a well known part of our sport and did so much to further it's promotion that He had become in a very short time bigger than life in the LSR community.
  Not wanting to start or jump on a bandwagon during this period of mourning, I still cannot stop from thinking how We might honor Ray and also preserve his LSR history of work.
  One thought might be to contact His family at a more appropriate time about  their making his entire catalog available to the Public through this site or even the Save the Salt organization with a portion of the sales going to the LSR community.
  I don't have a clue how it could be done, but I would bet that if given a chance, Ray would be, as usual, all over it (and perhaps He already is)!
                                                                                  With much respect, Bob.

[superleggera]

Although I only ever talked with Ray a few minutes at a time at various Bonneville SpeedWeek's -- usually it was me telling him "thanks for the pictures!" and passing greenbacks his way for gasoline money given all the events he attended.  I found it remarkable in that he was able to share his passion for all things Bonneville with unknown tens of thousands of people across the planet (via his pictures); pre/post salt condition and weather status updates; as well as being involved with efforts ala Target550, this forum and his numerous friends throughout the land speed racing community.

I always think it is better to live life doing what you love -- and Ray was one of those type of folks given his demonstrated actions and passion for the salt flats.  RIP Ray.

Freud -- glad to hear about the Target550 streamliner scattering of his ashes plan -- that sounds rather fitting given Ray's love of the place and is a truly fitting memorial.

[Frankie7799]

As I was out at the drag races this weekend I saw many cars with In Memory of X Racer decals and folks with t-shirts In Memory of. Maybe someone with the resources could do up an In Memory of Ray the Rat decal or shirt for Speedweek, WoS and WFs. Sales of said decals and shirts could go to the Save the Salt fund. Thoughts?

[Seldom Seen Slim]

We've done things for racers that have gone to the great race track in the sky, so to speak, on Salt Talks shirts and other landracing.com items - such as the badges for Willie Buchta soon after he died.  I haven't spoken up yet about doing something like that on this year's ST shirt - because I want to let the shock mitigate before jumping into production - only to find that there might be more, or better, that can be done.  Suffice it to say that landracing.com will remain aware of the thoughts of racers about Ray Buck.  He did the art on the shirts for us, he's done many photos for us, he's done much.  He won't be forgotten by this website or this Forum.

[Glen]

I think it's a great idea, SCTA club members have honored their lost ones with decals for many year. This is something to think about, lets get a few more ideas.

[Freud]

bump

[zzcruzin]

What ever idea that takes place to honor Rays memory, I am sure a whole lot of people will step up. I know i will. We owe it to Ray for all he did. After all, if i was not for him and Pork pie, we would not have all these photo's to look back on over the years.
And yes Freud,,,,,,,,,i am hoping to be there for his final ride. Mark.

[Freud]

Thank You, Santa.

FREUD for RtR

[fredvance]

Wow what a shock. I have been out of touch for a little over a week. What sad news!! Ray was a great guy, and really good photographer. I will miss him. RIP Ray.

[RZ350]

That is sad news.

I loved his pics, and sense of humor...

[AJR192]

Ray's legacy of wonderful images should be sought out for prominent display in the new museum. It would be a fitting and lasting tribute for him, and a way for all to see how magnificent his photographer's eye really was....

[Glen]

Ray the Rat wall of speed   I love it.

[Freud]

This came from his son, Colin, today.

FREUD

[Peter Jack]

Thanks Glenn. The obituary said it well. 

Pete