Jack Carmody is a legend in the sport of offshore racing. When he decided a few seasons ago to take a hiatus somehow I knew he'd be back. As a former motorcycle racer, I know that, once racing is in your blood, the need for speed not only has its rewards, sometimes it is also a scenario for tragedy. Throughout the years, I've said goodbye to more than one friend.

A couple of months ago, we decided to run a profile on Jack Carmody. As an offshore racer, world champion and inductee into the APBA Hall of Champions, we were thrilled to see him return to the race circuit. The team's first national win at Fort Myers this year, following a divisional victory in St. Cloud, only reinforced our earlier decision to write his story.

Two weeks before we were scheduled to go to press, we learned that Jack Carmody has been involved in a fatal accident on the ninth lap of the Super Cat race in Corpus Christi, Texas.

There are really no words to describe such a tragic loss. Jack Carmody loved life and people. He returned to a spot he knew and loved. Any professional racer - land or sea - knows the risks involved, but no one is ever really prepared for the worst-case situation. We will miss him - as we also mourn the loss of OPBRA president Art Kriner, who gave a huge part of his heart and soul to offshore racing and to helping those in need. Like Jack Carmody, Art was one of those rare people who actually believed in the goodness of humanity.

The spirit of offshore racing is hard to define. Despite the recent death of his wife Beth Ann and his 2-1/2-year-old son Matthew Gere in a fatal automobile accident, Michael Stancombe raced in Fort Myers. Many of his fellow racers carried memorial stickers on their boats. This is indicative of the type of individuals involved in offshore racing. Whether they race or simply enjoy offshore performance boating, they live life to the fullest and they care about humanity. That's what gives life meaning. That's also why we dedicate this issue to the memory of those individuals who have made invaluable and long-lasting contributions to the true essence of performance boating. ( Top )