VINTAGE AUTO RACING ASSOCIATION

J Wilkins · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Glendale, CA.

Hey all-
Just got back from the Hospital - Great news ! Joe is doing great and will be out of the Hospital in couple days- He is in great shape and Spirits - If you know Joe as I do he is all ready to get back to work on them Spitfires!!! Wink

He was very Lucky and appreciates all the Support received from Family and Friends -
Best wishes Joe from Carlye and I Smile

_________________
John Wilkins
'66 Spitfire #892 DP
'71 240z #24 CP
Verified 2.4L as the GCR states-

Jerry Bernhiemer · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject: Joe's update

After getting up after falling of the chair after reading this post, I called John Kouba and told him .......Joe stopped by Saturday morning to drop some parts off at Johns shop.....and from there to go to his sons school to do volunteer work at the school carnival. John is going to visit him this evening at the hospital....and will give all of our best to Joe.

Thanks for the positive update John W. and Tom.

Tom Mullaney · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Montecito, CA

Saw Joe this afternoon, and he is doing unbelievably well for a guy with a bullet that went thru his chest and into a bone on the backside.

He suffered a collapsed lung, but they have cleaned the blood out and it sounds like he is going to recover full function there. He is having a bit of trouble raising and rotating his right arm but - sorry FP boys - he is going to be able to shift no problema.

My guess is he is going to lose about 10 lbs from this ordeal and then come back and turn an FP 2:04 at Buttonwillow very soon.

He was very, very appreciative of all the support from his VARA friends, but did note he desperately needs a Jack in the Box Oreo Cookie milkshake. Anyone near Holy Cross Hospital in Granada Hills, pls bring him one!
_________________
Tom Mullaney

1965 Lotus Elan #03 (CP)
1967 Triumph Spitfire (FP)
1969 Lotus Elan (In Escrow - $26,000)

"Bibamus. Moriendum est!"

Cheryl Jones · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 2

Wow. Just catching up on this thread... wow. So glad you're okay, Joe! Best wishes are with you and your family as you recover. Very happy to hear that you're doing well and have kept your sense of humor throughout. Take it easy and completely recover before you come back out and race. But, we'll all look forward to seeing you soon!

Murray Chalmers · Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 9

Wow! We just returned from a month on the road and are shocked about the new of Joe's situation. Joe, Karen and I are so glad that you are on the mend and and will be back at them soon. The idiots cannot keep a good guy down.
George, Our prayers are with you as well. We will keep you in our prayers and just know that your surgery will come out well. See you soon.
_________________
Murray Chalmers
Deja Vu Racing

J Wilkins · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Glendale, CA.

Joe is going to be moved to a different Hospital today- INFO will be posted when we know where-
He is doing great and they are figuring another day or two before they
release him-
_________________
John Wilkins
'66 Spitfire #892 DP
'71 240z #24 CP
Verified 2.4L as the GCR states-

Rick Larner · Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 5

Howdy Joe,
Kathy and I were shocked to hear of the shooting, soooo glad you're on the road to recovery! Very very lucky!

Bob Scollard wanted me to pass along his best wishes also, at first he thought I was joking! We look forward to seeing you at the track!!

I am still trying to get on the track with the Alpine to beat Bob before he learns how to drive the Spit you sold him! The Spit made it no sweat through the SOVREN school and races! Another success story, thanks again.

Take care, again soooo glad you're in recovery!!!
Rick Larner
#61

Susan · Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 1

Thank you for all of the nice postings. My brother, Joe, is doing well, or, as he tells everyone, “excellent”! If you know Joe, then it is a given that he is very anxious to get out of the hospital! He has been moved to Kaiser Hospital in Woodland Hills, Room 4108B. Thanks for the prayers, visits and phone calls!

Gary R. Shuman · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

Just an update on Joe. I saw him again today. Brought him lunch. He's up and around, and doing great. He might be going home tomorrow, but most likely Friday. Very Happy

Get well buddy, we need you back!

____________________

Gary Shuman
1963 Triumph Spitfire #69 FP

Mitch Schwartzburg · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 44 Location: Mission Viejo, CA

Joe,
I was absolutely floored last night when I heard about your situation from Kim M.

Johnny Yanez and I were just talking about you on Monday when we were starting the re-assembly of the Datsun 1600.

Nancy and I have you in our thoughts and wish you a very speedy recovery. Talk to you soon.
_________________
Mitch
HP #33 Fiat 850 Spider

Andy Davis · Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Winnetka

Joe, Our church is safer than yours......Just heard about your injury from Tony Casteneda. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
I'm off to the Indy tomorrow, stay out of trouble till I get back if you can.
Andy and Kathy Davis

Minkoff · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 33

Wow just read this thread. At a Church festival? Joe, take care and I am glad this turned out in your favor.
I am glad they caught the guy.

neal · Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 5

Get well soon Joe

steven feig · Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 1

holly carp, jeri and I hope you are doing well, get well soon we need you racing in july, terry baker send his best also

Joseph P Siam · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 21 Location: Chatsworth Ca 91311

Hi All I got out of the hospital this afternoon. I want to thank everyone for the phone calls emails and the visitors. It means a lot to us. You all are the best.
Thanks Joe
_________________
Team owner
Chequered Flag Racing
Racing VARAs Fastest FP SPITFIRE
Soon to be racing a CP 1 Lotus Elan
WWW.chequeredflagracing.net