Gene used a welder the way Heifetz used a Stradivarius; what he built, was built very well, something upon which you could rely. Indeed, rest your life upon. I witnessed such a moment when the driveshaft, which ran along the driver's legs and hips, got loose in the 411 streamliner during a World Record attempt. Son Tom got the beast stopped and had a few bruises from the twirling steel beating the life out of a one-inch plate covering it in the cockpit, stretching it and managing to rip slightly like you would a seam in your britches, but the welds held. That, my friends, is a testament of build quality; to have such talent that can provide such strength, such protection to a land speed racing vehicle. A gentle, sincere man, with a ready handshake and smile who loved his wife, his kids, his sport. How wonderfully blessed we were to have known him. -- LSL