From"Carl Fisher" DateThu, 8 Oct 1998 094511 -0400 Subject[R] Carl Merrill memories I believe the first time I met Carl it was at Rallye Auto Charlevoix in Quebec, it must've been in 1990. It was only my second National event. With my humble Dodge Omni parked amid a field of many nicer cars, and the majestic surroundings of the Manoir Richleau and the St. Lawrence River, and not understanding a word of the French that was babbling all around me, I was really starting to feel like maybe I didn't belong there. I was gawking at a beautifully-painted 323 GTX when a voice behind me said, "you like it?", or something like that. I turned around, and there was a ruddy man wearing a Donald Duck hat like you might buy for a child at Disney World. The sight caught me off guard. I don't remember my words, but I'm sure I said I liked the car. He said it was his, and that he'd be running it that weekend. I was a little confused, this clownish fellow on one hand, and the perfectly-prepared rally car on the other. I told him that I would be driving too, and he was immediately interested and wanted to know what car I had. I was almost embarrassed to say. I didn't know who he was, but my budget was obviously insignificant compared to his. I pointed it out to him anyway, and he didn't smirk or sneer; in fact I think he even said it was a nice car, or encouraging words to that effect. In talking some more, I confessed that I was nervous and feeling out of place there. He told me not to be, that it was a great rally, that he'd run it before, and that I'd have a great time. He said, "the Canadians always put on excellent events." I've always remembered that quote, and it helped put me at ease. I later found out that he was one of the front-runners at the event, though I don't remember now how he did (I just know I was dead last). But I had a great time anyway, and I really appreciated that he took the time out of his day to steady a newbie's wobbly knees. I remember talking with Carl at STPR a few years ago, when he first brought his rally truck along (no one entered it, though). I was asking him about it, and he said his idea was to develop an affordable rally car based on American parts that would be competitive with the fancy European machines. I questioned him, saying that there was so much custom-fabrication involved that it could hardly be affordable. But he said it was his plan, once the truck was sorted out, to make the plans and the tooling available (for either cheap or free) to others who wanted to build something like it. He thought that copies could probably be made for around $25k each - not too bad for 4WD and 300+hp. It was such an unusual concept - and so like Carl - to pay for the development of such a super-truck, and then to help others get the same thing he had. I remember Carl as a man who was always giving what he had, be it time or money or both, to help others. His quick wit, easy laugh, and almost childlike mischievous streak drew you towards him (unless his water gun was pointed at you! -), like a good friend or member of the family. To me, he was both.