Sid Brenner passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 10:30 p.m. this evening. (Tuesday May 10, 2011)
He was loved by many, and will be missed.
We will forward information about cards, flowers, and services when we have them.
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Todd
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For everyone who knows and loves Sid and hasn't already heard, we're very sad to tell you that he fell seriously ill on Sunday and is in the hospital. I don't think its my place to give any details on an open forum at this point, but when that changes one of us will update you here.
If you need further information contact myself, Pat or Doug directly or click on the 'contact us' link on the bottom of this page.
Please think of Sid and pray for him and his family. If you want to post your thoughts, wishes and prayers here, please do.
Dear Sid
The Porcupine with the marshmellow center.
The first time I met Sid, he scared the crap out of me! My first Van around with him was a stomach turning thrill ride that had me volunteering for the first flag stand just to get out.
He is also adept at reaching into your wallet ..... without pulling out a gun..... and taking large bills.
But under that accent and imposing "in your face" personality...... Is a great, caring, and talented man. The marshmellow part.
I wish Sid and his family the best. I am sad to hear that he is sick.
Sid is in our thoughts here in Bristol. I started working at SBRS in 2000 but I arrived at SBRS when Sid started talking to me like I wasn't another suit from the office. That has always meant a lot to me and greatly helped my self confidence.
Doug, like you, I'm finding it hard to find words. Mike M. got it right. Sid is unlike anyone I have met before and someone that I will NEVER forget. I was so intimidated by Sid the porcupine that I made up some defensive assumptions about him and it took me FOREVER to see his marshmallow center. (Thanks George for a very apt metaphor.) So you can imagine that when I did, my jaw literally hit the floor, I had so badly misunderstood what he was all about. He is a great con man, one of the best, and he had conned the hell out of me. From then on we became fast friends, but even though I now knew about the marshmallow center, he continued to surprise me with how marshmallowy it really was. Sid has one of the biggest hearts I have ever found.
I am really, really sad to hear this and am praying hard.
__________________ "All things are ready if our minds be so." -- Henry V
Sid Brenner passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 10:30 p.m. this evening.
He was loved by many, and will be missed.
We will forward information about cards, flowers, and services when we have them.
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Todd
Words fail me... Here's a picture from his surprise party that speaks volumes.
Rest in Peace Sid
__________________
You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
Sid Brenner passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 10:30 p.m. this evening.
He was loved by many, and will be missed.
We will forward information about cards, flowers, and services when we have them.
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Todd
Did this get sent out to all of the instructors, Pat?
Dad stopped at the hospital to see him tonight on his way from the Glen to Queens (he hadn't heard anything about it until I called him early this evening).
He called me around 9:00pm (I think) to tell me how it went, and I can tell you that, based on his visit, he'll be very surprised and upset to hear the horrible news.
He probably hadn't checked his E-mails... This was sent to everyone including your dad at 11:55p Tues May 10th and there were earlier updates as well. I'm sure he'll find them when he checks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheekychica
Did this get sent out to all of the instructors, Pat?
Dad stopped at the hospital to see him tonight on his way from the Glen to Queens (he hadn't heard anything about it until I called him early this evening).
He called me around 9:00pm (I think) to tell me how it went, and I can tell you that, based on his visit, he'll be very surprised and upset to hear the horrible news.
__________________
You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
He probably hadn't checked his E-mails... This was sent to everyone including your dad at 11:55p Tues May 10th and there were earlier updates as well. I'm sure he'll find them when he checks.
Thanks, Pat. Like I said, he was at the Glen today, detoured to NJ to visit Sid after I called, and then went to Queens. He's going to Atlanta tomorrow, I believe, so he's been a bit off the grid.
There are so few words to describe the loss of such a wonderful friend we all had in Sid. He was passionate about SBRS and all of those involved. He was a friend to all of us. Some of us knew it immediately, some of us took some time to know it. In the end his caring and good heart always shone through.
I will try to get through the sadness over the loss of my dear friend and work to celebrate his life and to be thankful for being able to have shared the laughs over the years that we enjoyed together.
When I called him last week to review some mechanics fund ideas he answered the phone as follows when he saw my number...."Why are you calling this number? Do you think you are going to find friends here?". We laughed and then we got to business of catching up on where we last left off when we last talked.
It was apparent to me that Sid could not wait to get back to the track next week at WGI to see and share the weekend with all of us again as he has for thirty years. No, it will never be the same without him. I for one will keep him in my heart and mind each day particularly when I am at the track so that his perspective is with me.
As he told me so many times when things didn't go as planned...remember this advice in a tone that only Sid could get away with...."Get over it. Don't worry about what did or didn't happen out there. Did you have fun? Life is short and this is way too expensive to not have fun...."
Sid, thank you for always putting it in perspective and making it fun but it will take a long time to get over it....
Back in the day when the Midwestern Series still existed, some of us took offense to Sid's brashness on behalf of the Mechanic's Fund when he first visited RA, but that offense lasted all of about the time it took to sit down with him and actually get to know him. He was a wonderful, caring, engaged man whom I'll miss. And he was also a highly effective advocate for the mechanics. Without doubt, Skip Barber was his other family. Sad to learn of his passing.
We are deeply, deeply saddened. There aren't enough words to describe the wonderful, caring man that Sid was. I too had heard of the "brash" Sid Brenner when I was a newbie and was prepared for the worst. Instead, after a proper Sid style introduction for a race weekend or two, I found not only a great man, but a new friend. Take those hot laps now Sid, you've earned them.
"Oh for cryin out loud, have youse guys learned nuttin from me??? No one's exploited dis to benefit da mechanics yet???
What a bunch of loozahs, I'd have hustled deez guys for at least 3 grand by now....
now quit cryin and gimme a hundred bucks for da mechanics"
Irrepressible, irreplaceable, thanks for everything Sid, wont be the same without ya
__________________
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"Think very carefully, because if you ever start, you will never be able to leave it alone" Sir Donald Campbell, CBE
I'm thinking the Memorial at Watkins will have to include a 15 passenger van in the field. If anyone can pass that vehicle, you are immediately sent to New Jersey for a 2 week survival campaign.
Gonna miss you Sid. You were a gem. I am sure you will live in our hearts for a long time. Seems all the more fitting we are going to be together next weekend. We'll raise a glass.... or two.
I'm thinking the Memorial at Watkins will have to include a 15 passenger van in the field. If anyone can pass that vehicle, you are immediately sent to New Jersey for a 2 week survival campaign.
All the Memorials this year should be in Sid's honor.
It was a very rough drive to work this morning. I miss my friend
I am so grateful for the 11 years that I've known Sid, especially for the last 7 where he has become a cherished friend. When I first met him pushing for money I thought "What an ass", a sentiment I am sure he felt double for me..... he enriched the lives of everyone that knew him, something we will have with us forever. When he was present, he made each and every one of my countless Skippy weekends special, his generosity and humor were both inspiring and contagious. Sid was for the most part the driving factor for me wanting to be at those weekends and I was always excited to see him there. He made us laugh and made me understand a lot of things I did not "get" on my own.
Off the track I will miss the regular phone calls, emails and dinners at Twin River Palms that we shared with Matt, Sy and my boy Petey, right up to the last one on 5/3. Petey and I always anxiously awaited those mid-week get-to-gathers to see our close friends. We will continue those dinner dates, Petey and I will drink a diet coke to celebrate your life each and every time...
We love you Sid and miss you immensely already. Keep the red bus on the pavement up there, and we look forward to you pulling her up to the entrance with smoke bellowing from the tires, greeting us with a hugh smile when we join you. I know I'll be running for the front passenger seat next to you just as I always did here....
Last edited by ML Peter Ludwig; 05-11-2011 at 10:00 AM.
I log onto this forum about once a month and immediately I see the post about the passing of Sid and tears came to my eyes. SID WAS FOR THE RACER......FOR THE SPORT.....FOR THE WORKERS.....and just gave of himself completely for the sport we all love. My heartfelt condolences go to Sid's family and friends! The Skippy world just lost one of the best......we love you Sid!
I just read thru all the posts before me......I still can not believe it.......I am so sorry to all of you who lost a good friend......I know how you feel.....it just hurts.....Years ago we lost two SCCA people Joe DeLuca and Linda Gromlund on Flight 93 and we hold a memorial race every year in their honor. In the coming weeks when the pain starts to go away lets think of how we can keep Sid's memory alive on track with us. He always brought a smile and a laugh to the events and this is what we must continue to do.......
Very sad day.. I am going to miss you, Sid.. A generous and genuine man.. The world is a better place because of you. I am flooded with many memories and at a loss of words.
__________________
"Nothing good has ever been reported about the full rotation of a race car about either its pitch or roll axis. "
Carroll Smith
Sid was so dedicated to Skip Barber and the mechanics, I think the proper memorial to Sid would be to raise more money for the mechanics than we ever have before. I also think that Sid's spirit was one most definitely NOT filled with sadness, so although this is indeed a very sad time, we should celebrate his life the best we can with fond memories and laughter.
I propose that we fill a book with everyone's fondest memories of Sid to make sure his wonderful presence is never forgotten.
Sid had the best sense of humor ever. I use his lines and jokes every chance I get,they allways make people laugh. I will miss him and allways remember him.
Testing Mid-Corner Speed / Advanced Member (500+ Posts)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 553
Re: Regarding Sid Brenner - important
Some people leave a small hole in your herart when they pass. Sid leaves a crater in mine. Beneath the "character" was one of the kindest, gentlest people to ever walk the planet. The is no doubt that he will live forever in each of us.
Sid and Wally in heaven together. What could go wrong?
Its was an honor and treat to know the "Badger" for over 20yrs.....! Lots of memeories including his first SBR Win!
I still tell the stories of the "Jackyl"!!!! and the infamous "Paint my House!"
On behalf of Jane and myself, our deepest sympathy to Sid's family.
Sid personified in so many ways the heart and soul of the SBRS community. He was committed to the best aspects of the sport, he was a passionate advocate for the people who made SBRS work, he was the conscience of the SBRS community on issues that really matter. As SBRS evolved from Skip Barber's personal enterprise to a more typical corporation, Sid was one of the few who kept alive the intensely personal element that has kept many of us coming back to race weekends year after year.
Sid's life and his example are shining, brilliant answers to the three core questions of life, posed centuries ago:
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
If not now, when?
Words cannot express how deeply we will miss him. We can only honor him by trying, each in our own way, to live up to his example.
__________________ "If you feel like it's all under control, you're not going fast enough." -- Mario Andretti
Testing Mid-Corner Speed / Advanced Member (500+ Posts)
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 634
Re: Regarding Sid Brenner - important
Him repeatedly using me and my luge as a brake at Mont Tremblant ("Force still equals mass times acceleration, Jimmy")
Random T-shirts he picked up for me over the years ("They made a Jimmy Spencer t-shirt. I got you one. It was on sale")
The love he showed for my wife and kids EVERY chance he got "Jimmy, I showed them where they keep the candy in hospitality. You mind?"
The "brand new" demolished tool box, bent RT wing, nose nipples, flags etc. I bought from him over the years for the mechanics fund ("I know a guy who can fix that for 2 or 3 hundred dollars")
Van rides, van rides, van rides... "2 wheels or 4, your call"
I am indeed "having fun yet" thinking about these and the other memories. Funny that I can't for the life of me tell you how I did racing during any of these weekends.
one of my favorite pics of sid... the luge at mt. tremblant... right before this picture was taken he knocked one of the young kids into the wall in true sid style
Maximizing Exit Speed / Advanced Member (10+ Posts)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: New Hampshire/Florida
Age: 82
Posts: 14
Re: Regarding Sid Brenner - important
Sid was first and foremost a great human being, a true friend and a racer at heart.
I have so many memories of Sid over the past nearly 30 years....none of them anything but joyous. I was there for his great race win at Watkins Glen. I was there when he arrived at Lime Rock (The Woodland) with baby Ryan and beautiful Christine. I was there last October when Chris surprised him with an early 70th Birthday party. Sid was my Best Man when I finally married Leslie.
Sid and roomed together countless times over the past 20 years, and Sid and I ate a thousand "Outback Specials" together with many of you.
It has been said in so many ways by so many of you, that Sid shared his joy of living with everybody in such generous ways that he leaves a happy yet sad hole in the lives of all who knew and loved him. We will not see his like again.
Sid, save me a seat wherever you are, I'll be along soon enough.
__________________
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, throughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -WOW---What A Ride!
While I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Brenner I was able to watch him "work" during my one race weekend and I can tell the world is a bit darker without him. My condolences to both his personal and his Skip Barber families.
__________________ Provider of unique solutions for tirewall re-deployment!
Can't believe Sid is gone. First met Sid when MacInnes had hair!
Sid won his first race at Bridgehampton. We all decided to clear the entire pit and hide in the garage when he came around to get a victory flag for his victory lap - no one to welcome him - the look was priceless and Sid loved the joke.
Or when Sid and I stole Zoomie the plastic squirrel and sent him on an around the world tour with a disposable camera to all of the race venues. Zoomie was back in time for the banquet but Zoomie's first stop on the tour was a strip club - Sid?
Sid will be missed. His sense of humor, his smile, his van driving (not) RIP my friend