Carl Merrill -- A Champion

[Trisha Blethen <trishab@tds.net>]

> > >Sunday, October 4, 1998  10:30am
> > >
> > >To everyone involved in hillclimbing and rallying...
> > >
> > >A great Friend, competitor and champion of our sport has passed away.
> > >
> > >  According to Brian Webster, a cameraman filming the Prescott Forest Pro
> > >Rally for ESPN-2, Carl Merrill of Ogunquit, Maine passed away this past
> > >Friday evening, October 2, 1998, while competing in the Prescott Forest
> > >SCCA Pro Rally in Arizona.  Competing in the event with Lance Smith, his
> > >friend and co-driver, Brian Webster reported that Carl suffered a fatal
> > >heart attack which caused the vehicle to go off course and into a tree
> > >during the first stage of the SCCA event.
> > >
> > >  Although Carl was resucitated by medical personnel and transported, he
> > >passed away shortly afterwards.  A meeting was held after the announcement
> > >of Carls death to determine whether or not the Pro Rally should continue
> > >and a decision was made to continue the event, as that's what Carl would
> > >have wanted.  It was also stated that the accident had nothing to do with
> > >the heart attack Carl suffered.
> > >
> > >  Over the years, Carl has given alot to the sport of rallying as well as
> > >hillclimbing.  He will surely be missed by everyone involved -
> > >competitors, organizers, media and workers.  As far as the Audi-Mt.
> > >Washington Hillclimb is concerned, Carl has been a very strong supporter
> > >of the event since it was brought back in 1990.  Next year would have been
> > >his tenth year at the event.  All of us here at Mt. Washington will surely
> > >miss Carl a great deal and wish his family well over the coming months as
> > >they work through their loss.
> > >
> > >  As soon as details become available regarding arrangements for his
> > >funeral, I'll be sure to pass them on to everyone.  Although Carl is no
> > >longer with us, we can all take solice in the fact that he died while
> > >participating in a sport he truly loved - motorsports.  I guess you could
> > >say because of this, he won the last stage.
> > >
> > >Rest easy Carl.
> > >
> > >Paul Giblin
> > >Director, Marketing & Special Events,
> > >Mt. Washington Auto Road & Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
> >