Paul Walker, dead at 40

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RedRacer
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Paul Walker, dead at 40

Post by RedRacer »

Paul Walker, of Fast and Furious fame, died in a car crash in California. Very sad. And of course, a touch too ironic. Rest in peace Paul.

Very hard to believe he's gone. He was one of the good guys. Humble, genuine, generous...... so many things that a lot of Hollyweird doesn't have or offer these days.

https://www.facebook.com/PaulWalker

"It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide. He was a passenger in a friend's car, in which both lost their lives. We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news. Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time. We will do our best to keep you apprised on where to send condolences. - #TeamPW "

I've read two different versions - 1) that he was riding in a friend's Porsche that crashed. 2) that he was taking friends for rides in his new (2005) Carrera GT and a friend was driving the car at the time, and lost control, which resulted in the crash that killed them both.

I'm more likely to believe the latter of the two, as Paul Walker was a skilled driver and more likely that he wouldn't lose control and crash his/a car.
From the pictures I've seen and video, speed was very much a factor. The car was absolutely obliterated.

I found this raw footage of the crash site, but couldn't get a link, so I downloaded it and then uploaded it to Tinypic:

http://tinypic.com/r/a1lnbr/5

Regardless, it's sad news this loss of a good life, for his family and his daughter, who have lost their son, brother, husband and father.

Very sad indeed.

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RedRacer
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Re: Paul Walker, dead at 40

Post by RedRacer »

Updated info - According to an employee of Paul Walker's performance car shop, Always Evolving, Walker's very good friend, race car driver and CEO of Paul's company, Always Evolving, Roger Rodas was driving the Porsche Carrera GT when it crashed, killing them both.

So I take back what I said about a lesser-skilled driver being at the wheel. Rodas was a professional race car driver as well.

http://hometownstation.com/santa-clarit ... rash-39250

http://www.heavy.com/news/2013/12/roger ... dead-dies/

Facebook page for Always Evolving Performance - https://www.facebook.com/aeperformance
I'm guessing the red Carrera GT in the pics is perhaps the car they were in.

Regardless of any facts, it still remains a very sad tragedy for the families and friends of both men.

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Re: Paul Walker, dead at 40

Post by RedRacer »

Lastly, I just want to add, and while some may say now is not the time -- I say there is no time like the present.

These guys were running a high performance vehicle in a parking lot/industrial street environment. NOT a place to run cars like this.

I've been behind the wheel of a GT and it scared the sh*t out of me to the point that I stopped it and got out.

Controlled environments with appropriate measures for safety are the only places these types of vehicles, or any, for that matter, should be raced and/or run. Even then it doesn't guarantee a deadly accident won't occur, but it sure decreases the chances of objects being struck and death being a larger part of the equation should the vehicle go out of control.

In all actuality, being a little bit stupid contributed to their deaths.

Keep it on the tracks fellas. Be safe, and NEVER believe for one second that you're invincible and that "it won't happen to me"........

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Re: Paul Walker, dead at 40

Post by spiffyguido »

Never too early to point out the dangers of letting a car loose in an uncontrolled environment.

Paul's death hit me hard. He was such a great face for the performance automotive scene and a dedicated gearhead himself. On top of that, everything I've read from people who have actually met him indicates that he was a completely charitable and solid fellow. Big loss.

On the Carrera GT, it's worth noting that many who have driven it and offered a public review have stated that it is an absolute monster to handle and bites back viciously if provoked. That may have been the case here. Bottom line though, as Red said: Keep it on the track.



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