"Met Jim in Sebring and was such a nice person and became a good friend. I had him join me and my Wife at Daytona for a Daytona 500 race. I met his wife in Sebring and shared lunch with both of them. Such very nice Couple. Going to miss them both. RIP"
"I was shocked to just now learn about Jim. I thouroughy enjoyed his videos driving the vintage Can-Am cars & my condolencences to his family. I life lived full but taken too soon. Rest in Peace."
"Amazing coach. He will live on forever with the best instructional videos. May he Rest In Peace."
"I'm absolutely shocked. This is absolutely devastating to all of us vintage racers. What a gracious, friendly and brilliantly talented guy. I constantly watch Jim's videos for entertainment or if I need to learn the fast way around any of the tracks he raced. His loss to the racing world is enormous. An irreplaceable guy; Godspeed Jim."
"This is a tragic loss. I thoroughly enjoy watching Jim's cockpit views of classic race cars on YouTube, especially at Road America and especially this year during isolation. My brother talked to Jim for a few minutes at Road America this year and said Jim was the perfect gentleman and one of the nicest persons he ever talked to. Rest in Peace Jim and may God give your family courage and strength in their time of saddness and trial."
"Condolences to Jim's family on this sad occasion.
I met Jim at Sebring in early 1989, at a test day for the Barber/Pro SAAB cars. I recognized his name from the 1988 televised races , and I was a little leary about the big "step-up" to a higher horsepower , turbocharged formula car.
Although he had just the one season in the car, to me he was the experienced "benchmark" guy there.
To my relief, he reassured me that the car wouldn't jump out and bite me, and between sessions, he stopped by to inquire about my progress.
I recall my puzzlement when, after I mentioned that I was a physician and a surgeon, he told me his story of Med School and deciding against completing his final studies.
I was just a few years older than Jim, attending the test day with my wife, 6 months pregnant, and wondering how I was going to be able to finangle my surgical practice, my racing, and a family!
Over the years, as I monitored his success in racing, I thought back to what must have been a difficult decision for him in 1984-85.
Of course I always mentioned to my fellow amateur racers that, yeah, I knew that guy when he was getting started, and I enjoyed crediting him for his generous tutelage at Sebring.
From all the accolades, it sounds like this was a consistent feature of his entire career.
He was a true "Gentleman" racer in the best sense of the phrase, and his record on speed and results speaks for itself.
Again, condolences to his friends and family on your loss.
Sincerely,
Geoff Herald, M.D.
Pittsburgh, Pa"