In Remembrance of racers, car enthusiasts,
and friends we've had the honor to know
and sadly recently lost
2005
It was only months ago that we lost our good friend Ed Watson of Port Monmouth, NJ.
Ed was a long time personal friend of Bob Ida and an instant friend to all who got to meet him at IDA
Automotive or at the track.  Always interested and offering to help wherever it might be needed, Ed is
shown on the right in the picture above working with Rob Ida on Rob's custom '41 Willys coupe.

Ed's latest ride was a dark red metallic '35 Ford coupe with a Corvette L98 engine that he'd as
eagerly drive to Florida or the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, KY as he would cruise locally.
He was awarded the first IDA Automotive, "I Can Do That Award" for his attitude towards rodding
or any challenge that would come up.  That award will be given out in his honor at
Englishtown's Raceway Park Old Time Drags each year.
2006

It was while working on this site on April 8th that I had
occasion to visit MSD's site and was floored by their
announcement shown below advising of the passing of Jeff Gaul
who served as Vice President of New Product Development.

Jeff worked with me on the phone and by email in 2003 to
proof the wiring of the then just released MSD Stacker 7020
ignition and its use on the Chrysler 3.5L V6.  In spite of his high
position he worked personally to verify that if wired as indicated
it would have sent CD charges to the injectors instead of the coils.
Through his efforts we were provided with a revised schematic
that helped to avoid installation problems and possible damage.
Jeff Gaul

Jeff started at MSD when he was 19-years-old in December of 1980. From working on the line, to customer service, being creative with
graphics, working at the races and in the pits, in the water with jet skis and marine, and on to become the Vice President of New Product
Development, Jeff has been an integral part of MSD's success.  He will always be remembered and missed by the entire MSD team.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Funeral Arrangements:
A viewing will be held on Sunday, April 9, from 6pm-9pm at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 N. Carolina, El Paso, TX 79915, 915-598-3331.
The funeral mass will begin at 10am on Monday, April 10 at St. Raphael Parish, 2301 Zanzibar, El Paso, TX 79925, 915-598-3431. Burial
will follow the Mass at Evergreen East Cemetery, 12400 Montana Avenue, El Paso, TX 79938.
A Trust is being set up for Jeff’s daughters. Donations can be sent to MSD Ignition, 1490 Henry Brennan Dr, El Paso, TX 79936 (checks
made out to MSD Ignition) and reference Gaul Trust.

On the evening of June 13th I answered a knock at the door by a fellow officer of our township police department who was
making a routine notification as I'd made many times myself.  The advisement was to contact an officer of the Howell Township
Police Department because a mutual friend had been killed in a motorcycle accident.  Minutes later I learned that best friend and
Howell Township police officer George Garo was the victim.  He had been out doing what he really loved, riding the countryside
on his motorcycle on a perfect day, but apparently the driver of a pickup truck entered his lane and struck him head-on.

Originally from Switzerland, George came to the US over fifty years ago, earned his citizenship, graduated from NYU, and was a
structural safety engineer for 33 years.  He became a member of the Howell Township Police Department at its inception and
was still serving proudly.  We met working security on weekends spring to fall in the pits of the Wall Speedway NASCAR track
and continued to do so for 9 years.  Because he had a few years on me, given the right topic he could be like a father figure; but
as fellow officers, mutually enjoying motorcycling and motorsports, and having many similar life views, he was more like a brother
and "Hello brother George" had become a humorous mutual greeting.  As is often phrased these days, George "represented".  
He represented the best a husband and father could be, and he represented the best a police officer and friend could be.

Brother George, we miss ya buddy
Courtesy of MSD: