We Lost a Legend - Friend - Racer - JOHN PANUZZO
03-14-2014, 08:13 PM
#21
Drifting
Wow...this is a complete shocker! Sorry to hear such terrible news, I remember when I first started racing, Panuzzo gave me tips and advice about drag racing and even throughout the years as I got to see him at most of the Corvette Challenge events. He was a good man, a funny man too.. and will be missed. My condolences to his family at this time. May he Rest in Peace....
03-14-2014, 08:52 PM
#22
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Nov 2005
Location: Kendall Park NJ
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I was in shock when I heard the news. I could not comprehend what I was told. Hearing just a couple of days ago that he was on his way to recovery then suddenly interrupted by the fact that he is no longer with us. God please be with his family and friends to give them peace that surpasses all understanding. He will be missed. 
03-14-2014, 09:05 PM
#24
Elite Torch Red Member
John was my mentor as well as a good friend. The good ol' days of the "RED" crew were some of the best memories of my life. We had a lot of fun over the years.
I was honored to be invited to his 60th birthday party many years ago.
The attached pic is the brick I bought for him at Don Garlits Drag Racing Museum.
He will be missed.
I was honored to be invited to his 60th birthday party many years ago.
The attached pic is the brick I bought for him at Don Garlits Drag Racing Museum.
He will be missed.
03-14-2014, 09:11 PM
#25
Le Mans Master
My condolences to his family at this time. May he Rest in Peace....:flaghalfmast
Rest in peace John Panuzzo
I didn't know him personally, But it was plain to see how much he ment to everyone.
Rest in peace John Panuzzo
I didn't know him personally, But it was plain to see how much he ment to everyone.
03-14-2014, 10:36 PM
#31
Drifting
Member Since: Nov 2008
Location: South Jersey
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Very sad news. I only knew John from here on the forum and the few times we crossed paths at Atco and RP. But it doesn't take much to realize he was a great guy with a big personality.
A buddy of mine runs bracketracing.com with a very popular facebook page. I had him link the fundraiser page to his site.
My condolences to his family and friends.
A buddy of mine runs bracketracing.com with a very popular facebook page. I had him link the fundraiser page to his site.
My condolences to his family and friends.
03-14-2014, 10:57 PM
#33
Race Director
Horrible, horrible news. I have been following his recovery and it sounded like he was on his way to getting back in the car. My condolences to his family. Willie
03-14-2014, 11:10 PM
#34
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Nov 2006
Location: Still the Fastest (still running) Stock Bottom End Blown LS1/ 2010 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Hamilton, NJ
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Deeply saddened by this news, he will be missed, by all of us who raced. he was a great guy, always good for a laugh... A true staple of the corvette challenge community. Welcomed my dad and I right from the beginning... RIP JPEE...
03-14-2014, 11:13 PM
#35
Prayers for John and his family. He was a good guy, usually smiling and joking around when not getting ready to race. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.Rest in Peace
03-14-2014, 11:18 PM
#36
Race Director
Member Since: Jan 2002
Location: I love you & miss you Linda
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2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
Very hard to believe. John was a great guy and I mean that sincerely.
RIP JPee.
I'll never forget how John helped and consoled me during a very tough time in my life back in 2005.
You were a true gentleman.
God Speed.
RIP JPee.
I'll never forget how John helped and consoled me during a very tough time in my life back in 2005.
You were a true gentleman.
God Speed.
03-14-2014, 11:48 PM
#38
Safety Car
I was very shocked and saddened to hear this. John was a great guy and tough competitor. My heart felt condolences to his family and friends.
I have a good JP story. Back in 2005, I somehow made into the 3rd round of the CC. Who did I have to race next..... John Panuzzo. I thought oh boy, I'm going to need to be even more on my game now and I'll need all the luck I can get. So John starts being John, he starts asking me "so are you going to go in deep", "how's the car running" etc. Busting my chops a little about the racing with the stick shift. Me the Sophomore weekend racer trying to be vague says " John, you'll find out when you get to the line". We spoke about some other stuff for a time while Etown cleaned up another oil down. John was great guy with a great sense of humor. However, little did I know John already sized me up pretty well, and did dialed a little soft figuring I might spin off the line or not cut a very good light. Well, we lined up, John who dialed a 13.xx left first with good light, a RT of 0.13. I got antsy since he cut a good light and bang RED LIGHT.....I took my self out. John the Master Drag Racer got me thinking so much about what "He" was doing I didn't watch what I was doing and he got me. Afterwards, I congratulated him and told him that the last time I got this deep in CC I lost to the guy who went on to win the event. I kind saw Johns eyes light up and he smiled that sly fox smile of his and he did just that.....he went on to win the Event. The Event was number 10 for the year 2005. John won the event. Godspeed to you, we all miss you already.
I have a good JP story. Back in 2005, I somehow made into the 3rd round of the CC. Who did I have to race next..... John Panuzzo. I thought oh boy, I'm going to need to be even more on my game now and I'll need all the luck I can get. So John starts being John, he starts asking me "so are you going to go in deep", "how's the car running" etc. Busting my chops a little about the racing with the stick shift. Me the Sophomore weekend racer trying to be vague says " John, you'll find out when you get to the line". We spoke about some other stuff for a time while Etown cleaned up another oil down. John was great guy with a great sense of humor. However, little did I know John already sized me up pretty well, and did dialed a little soft figuring I might spin off the line or not cut a very good light. Well, we lined up, John who dialed a 13.xx left first with good light, a RT of 0.13. I got antsy since he cut a good light and bang RED LIGHT.....I took my self out. John the Master Drag Racer got me thinking so much about what "He" was doing I didn't watch what I was doing and he got me. Afterwards, I congratulated him and told him that the last time I got this deep in CC I lost to the guy who went on to win the event. I kind saw Johns eyes light up and he smiled that sly fox smile of his and he did just that.....he went on to win the Event. The Event was number 10 for the year 2005. John won the event. Godspeed to you, we all miss you already.
03-15-2014, 01:02 AM
#40
Team Owner
I too first met John way back in the early days of the CC. I still had my '95 LT1 at the time and was very interested in what those three red C4s (Mackey, Mojo and Panuzzo) were running so I could get an idea of what mine might do. But it was really only during the last 5 years or so once he got his C6 that we'd started to talk often, at the track and at least once every few weeks on the phone and such.
"Marc! Panuz, how ya doin'?"
I also still have the last message from him from Sunday night right here on my machine.
A great racer, an all around funny character and a good friend, John you will be VERY missed by SO MANY.
That is SO awesome.
"Marc! Panuz, how ya doin'?"
I also still have the last message from him from Sunday night right here on my machine.
A great racer, an all around funny character and a good friend, John you will be VERY missed by SO MANY.
That is SO awesome.
