Ray the Rat

[wheelrdealer]

I am very sad to hear the news. Ray helped me on my first trip to the salt and gave me a lot of inside advice that helped a lot. He took some really great photos of my team and the car, and yes I happily paid him for each shot. It is amazing how Ray caught so many cool moments that will forever document my fulfillment of a 40 year old dream. There is no way I would have the quality photos shot through a master's eye with out Ray. He liked to update me on his projects via email both the ones he was working on the ones the Monte Carlo, like all of us, the projects in his head that he wanted to do some day. He will truly be missed.

I will take some time this weekend to review his photos on this site and the Chevy asylum site to get a fresh perspective on his skillful photography.

God Speed Ray the Rat and may you rest in peace.

Bill

[Rex Schimmer]

I had to read Freud's first post twice to believe it!! Rest in peace Ray, you will be missed.

Rex

[manta22]

I'm so sad to hear about Ray. His photographs and the stories about "Ray the Rat" will live on, though. Godspeed.

Neil  Tucson, AZ

[Darcane]

Oh, that's not what I wanted to hear at all today.

I met Ray years ago when I found a Corvette for sale near his town.  Even though we had only talked on an e-mail list, he went out of his way to check out the car for me, offered me a room to stay in overnight, and wouldn't even let me buy him dinner.  He was just a real stand up guy, and I attribute my interest in LSR to him.  You'll be missed, Ray.

Thanks for letting us know, Freud

[JonAmo]

Ray will be missed.   

Ray and I had many conversations over the years all about the salt and photography. He shot many great shots of the Team Amo motorcycles and the Amo-Steele Streamliner.

Ray had a hot rodder mentality to him, however his expertise was not welding, shaping aluminum or building engines;  his art in hot rodding was behind the camera. This is a unique talent that will never be forgotten as his work is captured in the digital age...

He will be missed by all of our family; sisters and brothers in the land speed world...

Thank you Ray for all the dedication and passion you put into our lives.

Jon Amo

[zzcruzin]

Very sad to hear the news of a great guy with a camera. I use to look forward to running in to Ray at Bonneville during my 8 years as a team member. He always had that Ray grin, especially  when he called me Santy Clause. Saw him at the last GNRS and i am so glad i did.  A very special person and he will be missed. Mark.

[manta22]

I'll miss Ray's tag "Shot from Canons" on his photos.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[charlie101]

So sorry to hear this. I have enjoyed and looked forward to his photographs in this forum and on Target 550 a lot. I will miss them. Condoleanses to his family and friends.

[Milwaukee Midget]

I'll miss Ray's tag "Shot from Canons" on his photos.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Kate worked in a high end camera shop for years - she'd heard 'em all before, but that one still makes her smile.

I will always think of Ray when I hear that one.

[Tom Shannon]

Rayman always went out of his way to bring us all the photos and runs during  bville events, even trying to find that certain racer info. we asked about. First met Ray at USFRA mtg. yrs. ago , then we enjoyed seeing each other at Utahs new road race track when it opened.
He worked tirelessly attending many Utah Car Cruises as evidenced on his chevyasylum.com site.
God Speed Rayman and thank you for your friendship.

[lvsalt]

RIP  Ray,   you will be missed.

[Freud]

We have him to THANK for all of the posts on Target550.com

He was my salvation. I relied on him totally. He won't be

replaced. I'll just need to find someone that can carry on.

We still have a lot to accomplish and he won't have to stand in the

sun to watch us.

The same passion will be within the man behind the camera that

takes his spot. He too "Shoots from Canons."..........It will be Pork Pie.

Our family stays together. I know Ray would approve.

FREUD

[SabreTooth]

Very sorry to hear of Ray's passing. I have enjoyed his photographs and running commentaries from events.

God speed on the big white dyno in the sky.

Jim

[Stan Back]

I just saw this.

I saw Ray Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Northwest Reunion.  He didn't look good.  He always gave more than he should have.

I think Bob Drury hit the nail on the head.

I'm so grateful for the help Ray'd given me over the years in shooting covers for the SpeedWeek program cover.

I'll certainly miss him.  To me, he was just one hell of a sweet guy.

[hotrod]

I just saw the news on face book.


I will really miss Ray out on the salt!
Not much more to say right now -- stunned.

Larry