Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
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Sprint Car Racing loses huge contributor with passing of “Carwash” Mike Avilla

Rio Vista, CA – September 20, 2011…The sport of sprint car racing lost one of its biggest friends and supporters on Monday night with the passing of San Jose resident Mike Avilla, most commonly known as “Carwash Mike.”

Avilla was a lifelong sprint car fan and in recent months had been in need of a lung transplant, after effects from chemo therapy from an earlier bout with cancer had caused his lungs to deteriorate.

There arguably wasn’t a bigger and more positive supporter of sprint car racing in the Golden State than “Carwash,” who was one of the main members of the fan group “Hoserville” and recently won the Jason Meyers “biggest fan” contest. He ironically had a tattoo of Meyers’ car, as well as one of Jonathan Allard’s No. 0 on his leg.

Avilla had his favorites on the track, but one time said, “If you ever do a memorial lap for me, please say that all drivers were my favorite and don’t single any one out.”

Those were very true words for a person that supported any and all drivers, no matter if they were a regular main event winner, or a driver that struggled to get out of the b-main. Avilla was also a major supporter of the Dave Bradway Jr.

The following was a post Avilla had made on the Northern California Message Board following the recent Gold Cup Race of Champions in Chico:

“Since some of my friends are not on Facebook and still check the message boards, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped make Gold Cup possible for me this year. I won't mention names, you know who you are. There's no way I could have done it on my own. The help and support I get at the race track means more than you will ever know. For those not on FB, I spent a couple of extra days in Chico courtesy of a 911 call that had me delivered to Enloe Medical Center. I'm home now, seeing my doc tomorrow. Hoping this episode might speed things up for me getting to USC and on the transplant list. I hate to say it, but this was probably my last race for a while. Even with help, it's just getting to be too tough. To the friends I only see at the track, I look forward to seeing you next season. To those I didn't get around to seeing at Gold Cup, I'm sorry I missed you. Thanks again everyone, CarWash Mike.”

Golden State King of the West Sprint Car Series Operations Manager George Hague said, “This is a huge loss for our sport out here and Mike will be dearly missed by all that got to know him. He was an amazing contributor to sprint car racing and even made it out to the races when his health wasn’t the best.”

KWS Director of Communications Gary Thomas shared the same sentiment. “Carwash Mike was one of my best friends throughout the years and I can’t believe he’s gone. I always enjoyed hanging with Mike at the races and we had a ton of fun times that I’ll never forget. The races won’t be the same without him.”

Those that knew “Carwash Mike” know if his fondness for Jagermeister liqueur, so Mike….this Jager Bomb’s for you! You’ll be missed buddy.

Services are pending and for more info contact the KWS office at (707) 374-2222.

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com

Sad news indeed....wow. RIP Mike

I am shocked! Mike was a great guy. I first met him at the '85 Gold Cup.

I bought my first video camera the tuesday before that Gold Cup and it was my first attempt at shooting sprint cars. I didn't do it with a plan to keep hitting all the races for the next 20 years. I just thought it was a good chance to practice shooting something in motion so I could get good shots of my grandkids! 6 people from that week-end wanted to buy a copy of that Gold Cup and Mike was one of them!

Through the years I tried many times to buy it back from him because it was "so bad."

What a guy. He was so easy to like, and always had a great attitude going for him. I will always be in the very large group that remember him kindly

speechless. rest in peace my friend.

...

RIP CARWASH Mike (and every other name those Starbucks Barista's called you!) - I know you are breathing easy and in a good place. Thank you for your friendship over the years. You have been an inspiration to many of us. You will be missed, but not forgotten. Life's lessons you've taught will not be soon lost. (and Shasta will miss your Birks)

God Speed Mike!

RIP Mike.... You will be missed!

I'm stunned, angry, saddened and just about every negative emotion I can feel all at once. It's going to take me quite a while to come to grips with the reality of this since I recently spent time with him at Gold Cup. I'll just have to keep reminding myself that I was fortunate to have known him and that I should make every effort to follow his example of a life that was well lived and touched countless people in ways they'll never forget. God speed Mike. - John Luther

Fair winds and following seas my friend.

I think the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Race needs the B Main or a heat race named in Mike's honor.

Goodbye Mike.

Jim Dale

Jonathan Allard statement on Carwash Mike passing

Jonathan Allard and Williams Motorsports are saddened to hear about the passing of sprint car super fan Carwash Mike Avilla.

“Mike was just a great guy and person and was an ambassador for our sport,” said Allard. “He was someone I looked up to when the chips were down to show me the positives in life. This is a huge loss for all of us out here and we are thinking about him today.”

Carwash Mike also had a tatoo of the number 0 on his leg in support of Jonathan and the Zero Heroes.

A memorial service is planned for next Tuesday September 27.

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com

I am in disbelief over this, spoke to Mike Sunday evening, and never in a million years expected to see this news today. By far the nicest, most genuine person I have ever met, and when talking with him I always referred to him as " my most favorite person ever "

RIP Mike, you will not be forgotten ever!

Not allowing an amazing woman to be herself
is like owning a Porsche and never taking
it out of 1st gear!

RIP in Mike, you may be gone but we will never forget you. You were the sweetest man, we will miss you forever. Love you Carwash.

Linda John and Evan

I cannot discribe my feeling right now

God speed my friend

ROB

Carwash and Rich in Lincoln, Nebraska 2002

They were originally going to go to Husets with me after Knoxville,but cancelled out because "It was gonna rain" It did rain,shortly after the features were over! I made plans to meet them at Thunderhill Speedway in Mayetta Kansas the day after and give them a ride to Lincoln after the races. So I get to Thunderhill the next day and they had cancelled despite being a nice sunny day. This was years before I had a cell phone,so how do I get in touch with them. Despite not wanting to wait around all day (For all I knew they might have already been there and gone) I had given them my word that I would give them a ride,so I stuck around,and later on they showed up. The POS van I had at the time was a POS,and no back seats. Rich just said stop at Wal Mart and we'll get a lawn chair,and I'll ride in the back. I think Carwash thought it might be his last day on earth that day,so he hopped in the passenger seat and fell asleep!

Some of you might remember this trip from many years ago,as they were calling from the motel to Ca. to find someone with the internet to find a couple races for me to go to on the way home.

It was a fun time for me,to finally catch up with friends from the other side of the Country way back when.

RIP Mike.....

..Sad news indeed. One of the "OP"s from waaay back in the day. Godspeed Mike.

**

I just can't believe he is gone! I just came home from work and read this and I am just soo soo sad right now. He was such an awesome person! Carwash was such a huge part of racing in our area and he would do just about everything to help someone out. He was always soo nice to me and just someone I looked up to and really respected for everything he has gone through! He was always there for me especially when my mom passed away of Cancer just last August. Life is soo unfair sometimes. Carwash - you will always be missed and I am soo sorry I didn't have the chance to talk to you more. RIP and you will never be forgotten!

Looking forward to the new Golden State King of the 
West series schedule! 

Winged sprintcars = the fastest and most exciting 
racecars on dirt! 

This was so not the news I needed or wanted to hear right now. This came on the heels of losing my beloved maine coon Little Buddy Sunday night. Carwash was one you COULD NOT HELP BUT LIKE AND LOVE!!

Words simply cannot express how I am feeling right now.

RIP Carwash, gone but NEVER FORGOTTEN!!!

The old 'Tree' style where you could see all the posts. Good times!

I was completely shocked to hear about this this morning, and my thoughts are with you all in this time of devastating sorrow.

Since I can't make it Chico, I'll just have to rock the teal and black at the hockey rink Saturday, complete with goofy helmet hat that I think Mike would have wholeheartedly approved.

PS: Who has the pics of the Jason Meyer ink?