22 replies to this topic

[Dennis David]

... that our slot car friend Mark Manion passed away today.

 

I don't know if Mark ever posted on Slotblog but he was well known and respected in Northern California as much for his love of music and photography as he was for our little hobby.

 

[Zippity]

A real nice guy.

 

Such sad news

[JimF]

That is a wonderful picture and is great to see. All of us in NorCal knew Mark and it was always a better day at the track when he showed up. He will truly be missed.

[Dennis David]

I will always remember when he brought in what I remember as a power amp for a guitar I think and the joy he had in showing it.

And the couple of times I had the pleasure of racing against him. I always wanted to see him in concert and now I regret not having the pleasure as he was quite an accomplished musician.

[Cheater]

So sad to hear this news.

RIP, Mark.

[Tex]

RIP, Mark... you're in good company.

[Martin]

I am going to miss you, Mark.

 

Thanks so much for the opportunity to race with you, work with you, and special thanks for getting me up to speed in computers back in the day.

 

The Northern California vintage racing program would not have happened without Mark, so I thank Mark for all those good time memories.

 

A honor to have known Mark.

 

Martin.

[Bill from NH]

I never met Mark, but I recall his "Mark's Room" on Frank's SCR site in the pre-Retro days. I also recall seeing some of Mark's scratchbuilds on the VMRA Yahoo site before it went away. I'll have to check, but I might have printed some paper copies of Mark's builds from Yahoo.

RIP Mark, you will be missed.

[mcseitz]

Wow. It was 17 years ago, I know because my wife was pregnant and committed to bed rest with my oldest son, I would sit with her for hours and flip through the internet.

I happened upon the VMRA site and it was like a lightning bolt struck. I lived all the way across the country but wanted to be part of what they had. That is really what got me back into this hobby, first collecting cars as raced by the VMRA gang, then racing at a local track as I'd done as a kid, moving on to club racing with my own 1/32 routed track. Mark had a lot of input to that site. I'd credit him and his group with getting me back into this hobby.

I spoke with him a couple times but never met him. Very sad indeed.

[Jay Guard]

I raced with Mark quite a few times in the Norcal IMCA series in the late '90s and always had a great time dicing with him  He was a very competitive racer and I knew only of his great photographic and slot car talents. I had no idea that he was also a very accomplished musician. I always enjoyed his display of vintage cars at Frank Sarkela's Slot Car Raceway in Rohnert Park, CA.  

He will be missed by all that knew him!

[Dennis David]

Mark also built guitars and high-end amplifiers.

[boxerdog]

I was also saddened to hear of Mark's passing. I met him back in the VMRA days, and he was always a great guy to talk to and to race with. Now I wish I had taken even more time to learn more about his other talents.

 

RIP, my friend.

[MSwiss]

I used to see Mark at the Nats all the time; of course, hanging with Frank Sarkela.

Super-nice guy.

May he rest in peace.

[Guy Spaulding]

So sad to see yet another slot car racers leave us to go home. 

 

Sorry I never met Mark. SoCal can be so far away from NorCal.

 

RIP, Mark.

[Dennis David]

He was Frank's best buddy, no doubt.

[Cheater]

The Celebration of Life Service for Mark Manion will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at 5 PM at The Elk's Lodge, 2195 North McDowell Extension, Petaluma, CA 94954.

 

You are invited to help celebrate the life of a man who gave all of himself to his family, friends, and local music community.

 

 

I really wish I had been able to know Mark...

[Dennis David]

Autographed Retro car produced by Mark's good friend Russ Toy.

[Dennis David]

Mark was given a musical send off by his friends at the Sonoma County Blues Society.

[Dennis David]

There were literally hundreds of people at Mark's service today many speaking about how Mark changed their life. It reminded me of Sano Dave. Most of the people there were his music friends but a few of his slot car friends were there as well including Russ Toy and Frank Sarkela who both got up and said some nice words. There was also music and food was provided at the end.

The thing that struck me most was the number of people who said that they wished that they were more like Mark. I guess that about says all that needs to be said.

[Martin]

Thanks for the picture, Dennis.

 

Amazing turn-out for Mark and that's Norman Greenbaum (with white hair singing) spirit in the sky. Very appropriate lyrics for a moment like this. Have a listen some time.

 

I only knew Mark from a long history of building and racing slot cars and a brief collaboration at a custom fab shop but had not realized his contribution to music. 

 

His legacy will live on. He is now part of that Spirit in the sky. 

[Dennis David]

It's funny how often we only know that part of a person with which we have in common and miss out what sets us apart. Might be something to look into with your current friends.

Still I'm struck by how many of Mark's friends wished that they were more like Mark.

[Geekster]

I just came across this post and I am saddened by this news. If my memory is correct, I used to purchase slot cars from him back around the year 2000. I think he had the eBay ID "sloto." I have one left and will try to post the pics below. 

 

 

[Martin]

Hey Ryan,

 

Yes you are correct Mark's eBay .D was "sloto."

 

He was a prolific builder, he could really bang the out, impressive to me.