It was 4:45 or thereabouts, and my wife and I were hanging around the starting line at the 341 Challenge event. Most of the drivers had stopped for the day and a few were just finishing after relegating to not getting any quicker. Alex had just showed back up for one last run of the day, and so he pulled off next to where we were standing, turned off the car, and came over just to shoot the breeze before filming an endorsement commercial for HRE. He was winding down for the day but figured that he would make one last run to attempt to break the straight-away top speed record for the event and mentioned that he was shooting for a speed over 151-mph. I was checking out his driver side front tire as it was shiny on the outside portion of the tread, and he mentioned that it was rubbing badly on the fender liner. I mentioned to him that his shop should have installed 35 series tires to keep the profile lower and he was surprised that they had not, he had assumed that they had installed 35's because that's what he requested. He shrugged it off and said that he would have them changed later. I asked him how the car had been running and he said pretty good other than a niggling fuel pump problem. What really gives me pause is that he asked me and my wife if either one of us wanted to take a ride with him on his last run, and because we had not signed the waivers for the day we could not, otherwise I would have jumped at the chance. He then asked if anyone else wanted to go and nobody jumped at the offer. I found out later that just before returning to the start line, while leaving the hotel parking lot at the top he asked my friend Ryan if he wanted to take one last ride and my buddy told him he was expected for a previously arranged meeting. So the tragedy could have been twice as bad but as luck or fate or whatever else you call it, would have it, it wasn't. I was actually filming some random video with my stupid little Ipod Nano and I have him leaving the start line on his fateful last run. What a tragedy... Alex was such a nice and helpful person, the world will be a different place without him and he will be missed by many. I often told him that he was living my dream... we agreed that money was but a means to and ends of buying more cars and he would interject that it was nice to be able to help others too. What an example to us all. My thoughts and prayers go out to his fiance and his parents...God Bless.

 

May he Rest In Peace... Our thoughts and prayers are with him & him family

 

.........

 

Alex was a very unique individual. I'm sure there will be many stories to come, but I think I speak for everyone when I say thanks for sharing yours.

Rip Alex.

 

thanks for posting ............ i didnt' know alex but im sorry to hear this about him. did you see the wreck. what exactly happened if you don't mind me asking?

 

I mind...these threads are for showing respect for Alex and his family and friends not disecting what may have gone wrong...the official announcement is posted at the top of every forum and truth be known I don't think anyone knows exactly what happened...it is way too early for the type of discussion you would like to have and please be respectful of that

 

Alex was a very polarizing figure. Hate him or love him, he was always having fun and living the dream that most of us could only wish for when it came to cars. He died doing something he loved. We should all be so lucky to pass doing something we love. RIP Alex.

 

I personally think this thread should be DELETED... WRONG TIME, WRONG PLACE!!!

 

He will be missed greatly now he's in heaven with god. Rip

 

Many of u haven't seen my name around for a number of years, hell since I crashed my 993TT from Protomotive in 2005 at 180mph in Marin county on the 580. I am here with Alex's wonderful fiancé his soon to be step son and direct family and a few very close friends. The sad truth is that yes we have lost a person many people did and do not understand. I have read many speculations on this and other forums about Alex and his life. I will not set any record straight, if you are reading this post and following the story about Alex than you MUST of had a time that you enjoyed with him. Every second of his life was an adventure, I did 2 Gumball 3000 events with alex 1 of which we did in this Porsche. How ever any of you out there that read this yesterday man who gave the wold a piece of himself is no longer here wife us. There has undoubtedly been a time when u were intrigued by one or many of his stories and or posts or videos. I have been with this man as a friend my life in his hands and his life in mine. Driving is what we do and extreme is how we live. Please no matter what your personal opinions of him or the extreme lifestyle we live, please do not slander a man who at one time or another u all have been intrigued by. Please, this is best for his family and his last respect. Many people do t approve of the way we may act or drive, but remember who is to say you are any bet tee either. As a human being Alex would give u the shirt off his back to thoses in need. There are others that would beg to differ but remember, the reason u may have a negative story about this man ALL started from a good story or situation. So again please, let's all remember Alex as the man who at any given time could steal away your attention and make you say OMG!!! We do things people can not accept because they don't have the ***** to do. I have slept and been asleep more than once with Alex doing over 200mph. And he has with me behind the wheel. Some many say I am stupid, I say no u really just didn't know him. So my friend, my Gumball partner, my stogie conosure, I love u man. You will be honored for the man u are. I will always live the life I have lived and died for. You are and will be greatly missed by many!!!!! "It is not a tragedy to die doing what you love" my friend I hope you are in a better place and now the universe is your race track. Untill we drive again my friend, let the tires smoke and the peddle through the floor. Rest in peace Alex. Birdman will for ever fly high for you! Rest in peace my friend.

 

I know this is a repost on my part I just think people should read and respect him and his family. After viewing the car and the scene today I can tell u as a pro driver myself speculations are far from what we really may never know.What and how it happened will be rumored about for time to come I'm sure but that is not what is important. Remembering a friend and supporting his family is what is so please keep opnions and speculations to a minimal. Keep a positive vibe and think before u respond, this could of happened to any of us. At this time the best thing to do is give positive words to the ones he touched and left behind.

 

respect , great post bro.

 

Hate when I hear things like this.. God bless. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

 

Great post guys. Though I only met him 2x, you're right: he was polarizing.

 

I've never met him in person, but he offered to drive 800 miles to test drive a turbo for me while I was deployed overseas, Alex would not accept anything for his time or gas money, just happy to help another enthusiast. He is definitely one of the most interesting personalities in the autosport community, he will be missed. My condolences to his close friends and family.