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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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To the memory of Paul Mumford:
Paul Mumford Lives ��in the hearts and minds of thousands of car enthusiasts ���. PMUM; as he became known to his automotive friends, began as his E-Mail address. The frequent readers of www.ViperClub.org forums regularly looked for his signature. They knew that there would be entertaining and controversial banter wherever they found the PMUM moniker. It was great entertainment to read his smack talk; the humor; the wit; the verbal tennis he would exchange with people like Ken Adelberg.
Midyear in 2002 I became ineligible to compete in Viper Days. (None of it my fault of coarse.) Paul calls and in a couple minutes we had an agreement. He would drive, Rick Maxell, Nancy Shanno and I would crew. Two races later, you know the story, he won Nashville VOI and the 02 Finals.
PMUM first came into the Viper Nation view in 1999 when at the Viper Days events his street car eclipsed the times of many of the race Vipers. By 2000 he was suspicioned to be one of the biggest cheaters around. They would exclaim: �Nobody could possibly be that much faster than the rest of us, it has to be the car.�
Paul was never found to be cheating; but the voice of his competitors never quit trying. This year in Speed World Challenge; after the second event, two of his competitors complained to SCCA. They were confident that his car was wearing traction and or stability control. They reviewed the video of the Laguna Seca WCGT race and determined that nobody can drive that smooth without help.
Wednesday evening October 1st 2003, the night before his fatal accident Paul spent an hour on the phone. He shared the concerns of his competitors; he wondered why he needed to spend money to defend against these allegations. We discussed sponsorship and the means to fund the 2004 season. He was confident that he could bring Dodge and himself a Season Championship in the Speed TV World Challenge GT series.
Words that help depict Paul�s character to me:
Tenacious, affable, friendly, driven, gifted, loving, fearless, confident yet humble, aloof, loves a gunfight, need to win, honest, caring.
From Erik Messley: �You know; Paul even loaned me his truck to use as long as I needed it, I hated to tell him he had given it up forever.�
When interviewed in August at Road America after starting 22nd and finishing 3rd, Paul was asked by the announcer if it made him uncomfortable going through the �kink� at over 120 mph. Paul responded by saying, �Well not really, you see I used to run here with the Superbikes. To go through the kink on two wheels at 165 mph, that made you pucker.�
Paul had called one day to ask how the broken wrist was coming; which was a result of an accident in that same R.A. race. He said; �yeah I broke that bone before.� going on to name the bone and explain the healing process which in his case took 9 months.� He said �that was the main reason I got out of racing Superbikes, I was beginning to run out of bones to break.�
We lost a gifted man. We will not be in his presence when he reaches full potential, one can only guess what he would have accomplished. God has Blessed you Paul. A friend..... Bob Woodhouse
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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Just realized my avatar picture has pmum's blue acr sitting in my garage at home. I'll tell you one quick story. A few years back we were planning on running the VD race at Road America. The Mopar Nationals was a week before in Columbus,OH. PMUM let me haul the rig to Cols. I was born and raised there and had been to the nat's a bunch of times. I got there the second day of the event but instead of parking me way out in the sticks, they actually gave me a killer spot right up front by the pro cars and midway. I drag raced his coupe the next day and pmum flew in that night. We had dinner that night at Chi-Chi's (don't eat there) with my friend Herb McCandless(Mr.4-speed). Well, if you've ever been there on Brice Rd. during that weekend, you know how crazy it gets with a few thousand Mopars in town. Our hotel parking lot was turned into the burn out contest hq because 5-0 was everywhere on Brice Rd. PMUM had never been around that kind of stuff before, he had the greatest time watching these guys lay the rubber, one after another, non-stop. The next day at the track we met the guys next to us, some Canadiens running a blown/injected Hemi Duster. The thing ran like 8.50's but was an absolute handfull to drive. He thought they were crazy. Gave him a whole new appreciation for drag racing. We left Sunday morning and headed for R/A but he let me make a stop at Indy so I could see some of my old drag bike buddies at the IDBA race at IRP. He'd never been to a drag bike race either. When we got to R/A, he went out and set fast time in the first session. He then let me take the car out for quite a few laps. He always use to give me crap for not holding it wide open long enough. I'll never forget him and I racing the scooters around the pits there too. We'd race up the big hill, of course he gave me a beat down. He was the most generous guy I've ever met. HE made it possible for me to see my family and friends back home. He let me have fun at his expense. He wouldn't let me pay for anything, but that's how he was. I hope I never forget those times in my old age. He always made sure his friends were having a good time. dj
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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I remember meeting (through Dave) Paul just after he bought his first GTS at Neighborhood Service (where Dave worked for so many years). He went out and set the lap record at Willow Springs on his first weekend out in the bone stock car (and was adding racing rubber to it for the next weekend). Those bikers always show up the car guys with more aggressive braking and lines through the turns... which always made me jealous.
As we were chatting in the waiting room he pulled out a video tape of his wipe out on a GP bike on turn 8/9 at WS. He was going something obscene speed (over 160 mph) when a guy cut him off. After sliding in the dirt at over 150 mph, got up to kick his bike in frustration and realized that he had broken his ankle and wrist. He said that was the end to his bike racing career and when he decided cars were safer.
All I could think was this guy is going to kick some a$$ in the Viper world because he raced all of the great tracks in GP bikes. Little did I know that this was the begining of something big.
Rest in Peace Paul.
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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Godspeed to you paul...prayers with the family...words cannot express enough...
For Immediate Release
SPEED GT DRIVER PAUL MUMFORD KILLED IN PLANE CRASH
TOPEKA, Kan. (Oct. 2, 2003) � Paul Mumford, of Yorba Linda, Calif., a rookie sensation in the SCCA Speed World Challenge GT Championship, was killed Wednesday afternoon in a private plane crash near the Chino, Calif. airport. He was 31.
In only his second SCCA Speed GT Championship start, Mumford drove to an impressive victory at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Sept. 9. He had previously raced at Road America, where he finished third after starting 22nd. Mumford was working toward running a full season in 2004 in his Dodge Viper Competition Coupe.
�We�ve lost one of our brightest young stars; one whom we�d only just met,� said Steve Johnson, SCCA, Inc. and SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO. �Our thoughts and prayers are with Paul�s family and friends.�
Mumford was the pilot of his Piper Saratoga plane. He reportedly took off from the Corona Municipal Airport, heading for Oakland, and reported a cockpit fire. He was attempting an emergency landing at Chino when the plane went down into the dry Santa Ana River.
-30-
For images of Paul Mumford for publication, please visit http://www.world-challenge.com/media/2003/mumford/index.html Images may be reproduced with proper photo credit � 2003 Mark Weber/SCCA.
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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Paul was a great friend and a talent in any car. When he won the Ultimate Street Car Challenge last year he had a professional collage sent to me to thank me for selling him the car. Unbelievable, as I had NOTHING to do with anything, he reworked the car with friends , but he had a sharing spirit with all he knew. I remember for years we all asked why he didn't run Pro and his answer was always that he wanted to just go out with his buddies , drive fast and hang out. With all his skill, his social occasions in life were track time, with the same attitude that many play golf or fish with their contemporaries. He finally took the step this year, and true to form he was the laid back gentleman driver of days gone by,
car loads of his cronies there to assist and cheer him on, a ragtag group from all walks of life with just one goal in mind --- racing for fun!! Mumford's Motley Crew
all possessed the same sheer joy of speed that Paul did, and he was the Mentor for many a successful club driver, track enthusiasts, Viper Days competitor. He shared his secrets, he shared his mistakes, and as a Pied Piper for track time comraderie he was a cut from a previous time. With competition to the point that drivers are looking for a tenth of a second, Paul with the guy that tried to help you find it, even when you were right behind him. He wanted you to be your best and if you pushed him or beat him ( which few ever did ) he reveled in the joy and excitement of upping his game. I remember getting criticism for hammering some curbing at Road America one year, and Paul overheard the conversation , but walked by ,not joining in the debate. He grabbed me later and smiling asked me if I knew the shortest distance between two points, and of course I responded it was obviously a straight line. Correct Pemberton, so keep hammering those berms, as most folks can't drive them and that is how to straighten out some corners. He stated he had watched me on the track, and that I needed to continue being the " Bermeister" , as I was nailing the corners at the same spots he did. I , confess, this little conversation helped me gain alot of confidence, and I egotistically stole his nickname with pride, and decided the Bermeister would kind of be a handle. I am ramblin on, but like so many others I am beyond devastation, and so many need to know that the Viper Community lost our Davey Allison, Dale Earnhardt, Alan Kulwicki, in a manner way before his time. With a 3rd and a 1st in his only two World Challenge Series Races, the World knew a phenomenal talent was about to erupt on a well respected Pro Curcuit. Those of us that knew him well were not even surprised, we almost expected it,and we kept an underlying smirk that his competitors had no idea where the new wunderkid came from. We all knew, he was the friend, the mentor, the amatuer, who was already great to legion of Viper gearheads, and his legend will never die, as he was the David who took on the Goliaths and smote them with consomate skill that not even the experienced pros could deny. Damn, Paul, thanks for all you gave to those around you, thanks for being an ambassador to any who wanted to learn the joys of track experience, and we will all remember you as a blessing to our lives. Paul was not the Greatest, he still is the Greatest Viper driver I ever knew.
God Bless You PMUM!
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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The first time I ever heard of this guy "Mumford" was reading posts between him and Ken Adelberg in an adolescent teardown of each other�s driving talent and manliness. It took a bit of time before I met them both and realized they were playing out the banter online for their own amusement and for the entertainment of anyone who happened in on the threads.
It still took a few times of meeting Paul at the track to start to comprehend how really good he was. The first couple times I saw him he was running with Dave Jenkins, just sort of hanging out at the motor home, talking with friends, totally low key. He was not beyond running to Auto Zone for spare parts and I never saw him NOT working on the car when something needed to be done.
At an OTC venue last year, he asked if I'd like to go for a ride. The "YES!" came out with such a childish rush of giddy enthusiasm I was almost embarrassed to hear myself; but I grabbed the nearest ill-fitting helmet and all but jumped through the window lest the opportunity pass by. Just to say it; I've driven somewhat successfully in wheel-to-wheel competition before, and have been involved with racing most my life. I have driven with others and to be honest, never been too impressed despite the driver�s list of accomplishments. I somehow felt Paul would be the exception, and indeed he was. The car was wonderfully balanced, and Paul was fast, smooth and controlled while putting it on the edge on every corner; in my mind I was saying, "He gets it, he REALLY gets it."
The last time I saw Paul was at Laguna Seca last month. My wife and I stopped by his pit Saturday morning before we had to leave to say good-bye and wish him luck. The small horde of "Viper groupies" (Wasserman and crew) was congregated near the car, Eric Messley was airing the tires and my last vision of Paul is his waving goodbye from the workbench inside his trailer, wearing his official Schley Products T-shirt and wrenching on some parts... Pretty much the same scene as the first time I met him.
All of us at StopTech are deeply saddened at the news of his passing, and are proud to have been associated with him not only as a competitor, but more so as a friend. I won�t wish Paul �God Speed�, that he already had�
Rest in Peace Paul, I hope your spirit touches another and I one day cross their path.
Matt Weiss
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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A poem that brings comfort to me...I thought I would share with all you are hurting...
Gone From My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white
sails to the morning breeze and starts
for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until at length
she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky come
to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says;
"There, she is gone!"
"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull
and spar as she was when she left my side
and she is just as able to bear her
load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone
at my side says, "There, she is gone!"
There are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad
shout;
"Here she comes!"
And that is dying.
by Henry Van Dyke
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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Words are missing to express my feelings at the loss of Paul.
Last time I saw him was at Laguna for the SpeedGT race.
On Thursday nite,after the practice, he flew all the way back to LA to pickup some friends,on his return, we all went to have a late dinner,not in a fancy restaurant like most pro drivers will do, but at a Denny's.
What made Paul such a special person was not his incredible talent as a racer but, his personality.
He was friendly, easy-going with absolutly no ego and always had a nice word for everybody.
On Saturday, we were hanging around with him at his trailer and Hans Stuck(spel?) came to introduce himself, Paul told him that he always has been a big fan of him,like I said, he always had something nice to say.
on Sunday on the cool-down lap, he made a point to stop in front of the tent were all his buddies and friends had been watching him and after wawing to us, he did a huge burn-out.
His way of thanking us for being there.
Truly,one of the best is gone and we miss you Paul.
Luc.
00GTS
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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I can't seem to get anything done today and I can't believe how bummed I feel...when I looked at him and his fiancee in the Laguna pictures...it's so sad...my deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.
I'm sure Messley, Pemberton, Woodhouse, Skip and the McCanns are hurting too...I guess I was living vicariously through Paul and he meant more to me than I ever consciously realized...he was living the dream of a club racer moving toward a paid ride(if he wanted it???)...he was someone I looked up to, listened to and tried to learn from...I never raced with him and the only thing I really knew about him technically is that he always "beyond threshold" braked everywhere...you got a real taste of his ability to out brake even a Pro like Randy Pobst in to that turn that ensured his 1st WC win.
With Paul, we (Viper nation) had something to cheer about again. I 'd been counting the days to watching the live timing at Road Atlanta when (I like to believe) he would have podiumed again and silenced the few non-believers that said "that was more the car than driver" in response to his Laguna domination.
the racing world was just learning what we all knew...it WAS the driver!!!
mr
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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There cannot be a bigger loss in the Viper world than this. PMUM was putting the Viper on the map by destroying factory sponsored cars and professional racers with his own trailered private Viper. Can't even think straight as this is such a huge blow to all of us here.
He has touched so many of us.
Rest in peace PMUM and I wish only the best for his family and friends.
My dad never posts on these boards and he wanted me to express his condolences to all of those that are suffering due to this loss. A very, very sad day in the Viper community.
--------------------
Nathan Rose
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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The Viper community lost perhaps its very best spokesperson who spoke with his skills and his heart. I fondly remember when he was a regular poster on these boards and some of the absolutely hilarious stuff he wrote. Brilliant guy with a quick wit who would talk smack with the best of them yet always lent a kind word to those that needed them. I have been numb just thinking about this all day.
Our prayers go out to the Mumford family and friends. Godspeed Paul Mumford, you inspired us all.
Chris
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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I'm so incredibly sad.
I spent the day with Erik and the Schleys and will never forget the empty looks, like the fire went out.
I'll never forget how Paul touched our lives and those of so many others in such a good way.
I'll never forget Paul getting out of the right seat of my RT/10 after living through 2 of my spins at the CA Speedway saying "why do they do this to me? I'm never riding with anyone again." (He always did though.)
I'll never forget him congratulating me on my first win in an RSR saying I did a great job (even though the only other car I raced against had mechanical trouble and all I had to do was finish)
I'll never forget the smile he always had....the one that clearly showed his contentment. You could just feel how happy he was. Always.
I am so sad and I already miss him.
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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When I first got interested in Vipers about 3 years back, I visited Woodhouse. Had never seen a Viper close enough to touch, but had been reading the forum for a month or two. Mumford was always on the board, and he was one witty person.
Strolling through the group of Vipers on the Woodhouse lot was one with a sticker on it saying "Paul Mumford." The wife and I were so impressed --- we felt we were in the presence of celebrity. Even talked to Bill about the name, wondering what kind of guy he was and how neat it was to know he bought his cars from Bill. It all seems so unreal now.
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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I have not been on this board for quite some time. Paul, Tenney, Chris (KidGTS)and I used to run good spirited smack (non stop). We were known as "The Usual Suspects". Soon to follow was the young man from Texas (BP). Although I have since sold both of my Vipers and moved on I remained a close friend of Paul's. I had dinner with him just last week when he flew into Arizona. We laughed like high school kids, talked about his future plans, and updated each other on whatever we had missed in the last couple of weeks. I cannot begin to tell you how I feel as there is an emptiness in my life that feels as though it may never be filled....
Anybody that has had the pleasure of calling Paul a friend would have nothing but endless accolades for him. Paul was one of the most gifted, likeable guys on the planet and he will be missed. Paul never �placed a wheel wrong� on the track or in life. There are people you want in your life and there are those that you need in your life. You�ll find that all of us that knew Paul would agree that he was somebody we needed in our lives. My sincerest condolences go out to his family for their terrible loss.
There is no way to replace Paul, and he will always be on my mind. God bless him.
Brett Mayes
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jbisanz
Registered: February 2006
Location: Bartonville, IL
Posts: 4,516
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I met Paul once @ Viper Days and would watch him run incredible laps times, but never really got to know the man personally. I know Brett Mayes from speaking to him from time to time and would have a good laugh when those guys would go at it on these boards with their outrageous banter. But, after reading through your messages, I feel that I've been cheated somehow from not knowing someone of such excellence. Actually, reading what is written here makes me want to be just like Paul, liked and admired by all. I guess the only comfort we can have in a time like this is to believe Paul's in a better place and his legacy is for us to strive to be better people. Our thoughts are with Paul's family and friends.
Larry Macedo and Family
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