In 1997, when I first became aware of PRO Rally, the first thing I wanted

to see was Carl Merrill's Escort Cosworth in action.  My first chance was

at the Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally that year.  Unfortunately, Carl had some

mechanical problems on Friday night and was a DNF for the rest of the

event.  I arrived on Saturday and missed my chance to see him run.  The

next chance I had was at the Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally in 1998.  About a

month ago.



I wanted to introduce myself to Carl, but my experience with top drivers in

other forms of motorsports told me not to expect much.  For my reason to

approach him, I decided to offer him a couple of the Hot Wheels Escort

Rally cars I had brought along to hand out at the Parc Expose.  When I

found him, he was in the middle of a discussion with the National Steward

and someone else I didn't know.  So, I decided to stand about 30 feet in

front of the Escort and take a few pictures of it, hoping he would not be

in the discussion for much longer.



Through my camera lens, I notice him holding up his index finger to the

National Steward as if to say "hold on a minute".  He walked over to his

service van and shortly exited with some posters in his hand.  He then

proceeded to walk towards me.  I put my camera down and turned towards

Carl.  He approached me, hand extended, saying "Hi!  I'm Carl Merrill.  I'm

the driver of that Escort you've been looking at."  He then went on to give

me a poster of his car and ask me about my interest in PRO Rally.



Well, I was dumbstruck.  I couldn't even think straight.  This guy, at the

top of his game, leaves a discussion with the National Steward to give a

fan a poster?  For free?  So, I grab the two Hot Wheels cars I was going to

offer him and said "Have you seen these yet?".  Carl replied, "I'll be!

Where can I get a couple of these?".  I told him he should keep them.  He

told me that his grandkids would get a big kick out of them and shook my

hand again.  He then offered me a couple more posters of his car!  I wished

him luck and he thanked me again.  He turned to head back to the two

gentlemen he had been talking to.



It was at this point I decided to become a competitor next year.  Any sport

that is filled with people like him is something I need to be a bigger part

of.



After hearing of his passing on October 3rd, I was trying to come to terms

with the loss I was feeling.  I only just met him and had been looking

forward to getting to know him better as a fellow competitor in the years

to come.  Why did this affect me so much?  I was trying to explain to my

wife why it felt like a member of my family had passed away.  She replied

to me, "Well, to me it seems like he was a member of your family - your

rally family."



She was right.  Being involved in PRO Rally has really felt like being a

part of a family.  So, before I lose another one of you, I'd like to say

thanks.  Thanks for making me feel so good to be a part of it all.  Thanks

for being a part of my family.



And to Carl, God Speed!  I will miss you and your kindness.  I only hope I

can continue, in some way, the traditions you taught me on that day in

August.  I hope I can repay your kindness to me by never forgetting it.  I

hope I can do the same for someone else some day.



Thanks for listening,



Jim Konkler

rallynut@usa.net