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John Cukras, 1948-2020

Started by kuni123456 , Nov 30 2020 10:26 PM

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#1 kuni123456

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Posted 30 November 2020 - 10:26 PM

I just received a call from John Cukras' daughter and he passed away this morning. 


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#2 John Gorski

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Posted 30 November 2020 - 10:40 PM

John Cukras, a legend from 1960s and '70s Pro racing. One of slot car racing's best.
 
RIP. Johnny the Jet. 1f3c1.png
 
img_3750ab.jpg
 
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#3 MSwiss

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Posted 30 November 2020 - 10:48 PM

Oh wow.

What sad news.

One of the all-time greats.

May he Rest in Peace.
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#4 Tim Neja

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Posted 30 November 2020 - 10:50 PM

One of the "Retro Founders" and a true slot racing legend. Mr HO also – quite well known in the HO racing community. He also raced at Lions Drag Strip back in the '60s in a blown rail. Helped with the SCRRA in it's infancy.

 

He will be missed. RIP, John 'The Jet' Cukras.


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She's real fine, my 409!!!

#5 slotcarone

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Posted 30 November 2020 - 11:15 PM

One of mine and every '60s slot racer's idols for sure.

 

RIP, John.


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#6 Bryan Warmack

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Posted 30 November 2020 - 11:27 PM

I received a very sad phone call just hours ago from his daughter to inform me that 1960s slot car legend and my good friend passed away yesterday. John had lung cancer surgery earlier this month and never really recovered from some serious affects which left him a lot of pain. 
 
He is in a better place... Rest in peace, my friend.
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#7 bbr

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Posted 30 November 2020 - 11:29 PM

Got to know John racing HO in the '80s. At that time I did not know how famous he was.
 
One of the greatest slot car racers ever.
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#8 Martin

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Posted 30 November 2020 - 11:31 PM

This is really sad to hear. I hope his family knows how well respected he was in our sport. 

 

He will be missed but will not be forgotten. RIP, John Cukras.

 

Please send condolences to his family.


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#9 eshorer

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Posted 30 November 2020 - 11:41 PM

John was such a larger-than-life hero for many of us growing up and racing in the '60s. As a kid he made it possible for me to do better with a motor here, tires there...

 

 I'm glad I was able to get to know him as an adult in Buena Park these last bunch of years. Truly a legend in our little world.

 

My condolences to his family and friends. 

 

Eddie

 

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#10 Tim Neja

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Posted 30 November 2020 - 11:48 PM

You will be missed, John. RIP to "The Jet" Cukras!! 

 

Prayers for your family and friends. Via con Dios...


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She's real fine, my 409!!!

#11 Marco Carvalho

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 12:06 AM

So sad to hear that. My condolences to his family and all his close friends.

 

129114991_2899071300380634_7837100799089654313_n.jpg

 


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#12 Tim Wilkins

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 12:30 AM

Very sad news. John was so approachable for being such a legend in this great hobby of ours. He will be truly missed by all. 

 

Prayers for comfort and peace to John's family.

 

100_0982.JPG


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#13 drrufo

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 12:32 AM

Goodbye, John.


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#14 Roger U

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 01:44 AM

Very sad. A great racer.

 

Whenever I talked to him he was always friendly.

 

Goodbye, John, RIP.


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#15 slotbaker

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 03:27 AM

RIP to a giant of our little world of slot cars.


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#16 tonyp

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 06:29 AM

RIP, John.


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#17 Rick Moore

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 07:44 AM

The first and only time I would get to meet the already legendary “Cukras” was at the 1968 Nutley Arco, a memory I'll always look fondly upon...

 

My most heartfelt condolences to all of John’s family and friends.


#18 Cheater

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 08:11 AM

So very sorry to hear this, although his long struggles with cancer were known to me.
 
Cukras was the first real superstar in the 1/24 slot racing world but accomplished so much more during his distinguished career, especially in HO scale. His legend will persist as long as there is a controller in a racer's hand.
 
RIP, John. And sincere condolences to all his friends and family.


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#19 Noose

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 08:24 AM

RIP, John.


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#20 Courtney S

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 08:58 AM

Godspeed, John!


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#21 Tim Wood

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 09:30 AM

Aiways a pleasure talking with John. Will be sadly missed. Thoughts and prayers to family and friends.

 

RIP, John.


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#22 Isaac S.

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 10:14 AM

So sad to hear that another legend has passed away. RIP, John. 


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#23 Maximo

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 11:01 AM

RIP, John.

 

I watched him race at the 1968 Hemisphere race in San Antonio, Texas, which he won!

 

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#24 Don Weaver

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 11:29 AM

I only knew of John through the magazines and newsletters of the '60s and again over the last few years on Slotblog. A true icon of slot car racing who will be remembered as long as there is track somewhere. 

 

RIP, John...

 

Don


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#25 MG Brown

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 12:03 PM

I met John "in the day" and also spent time with him at a Retro all-star race at Buena Park some years ago.

 

Godspeed.


That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten.
 
 

 

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