gums

I just picked this up from Joe Casella on Facebook:

Just a reminder that NASA NE will be honoring our friend Dr.Art Pilla on June 17 at NJMP. Art passed last year and was involved in Motorsports most of his life. He was a great instructor and damn good racer. We will have his daughter and grandson in his car passing the Thunder race. Let any of his PCA friends know that they are all invited.

Jeff951NJ

Fantastic! Thank you for sharing Frank.

Bill Lehman

I started DE 30+ years after stopping SCCA racing. My first instructor gave me very poor grades, Art was my second instructor and we were one of the first to run NJMP. Art and I were former racers and of similar vintage. We hit it off and figured the lines out together. He moved me to White and never forgot me through all the years whenever we met. RIP

cmac

Art was a wonderful guy. He instructed me when I was a green/blue student and was easily one of the best...

stownsen914

Art was always one of my favorite guys to see and talk to at the track. I first watched him drive when I was a teenager and impatiently waiting to drive on the track myself. Over the years, as I became more of a peer at the track, I enjoyed seeing Art at trackdays to talk cars and mix it up on track. And he always had cool cars! Art is missed, RIP.

Jeff951NJ

This is how I grew up watching Art & Nick play on track together. Art is in his 935 and Nick is in the 962 powered 914. Tracks days were a little different back then to say the least. The world is truly a better & healthier place due the Dr. Pilla. He would alway make a point to come over an chat with me for a few minutes about him and my dad having fun on track together. He's just one of those guys that was just a joy to be around.

Veloce Raptor

Oh darn sorry to hear

RIP

gums

thanks for the Bridgehamptom vid.

roketman

more Bridgehampton !

Gofishracing

I enjoyed being on track with Art and all the good times. He continues to be special in my heart.

mhm993

I only knew Art in more recent years, usually at Schattenbaum events. He was indeed an absolute gentleman.

For those who don't know, besides being a successful racer back in the day, he invented bio-mechanical/healthcare products, including a wand with some sort of magnetic or radio emissions that aided healing. Knowing that Mindy had a bum shoulder, one day at the track he came up to her with his device, and said, "take this home and see if it helps". And it did. A real mench.

RyPilla

It's really nice to stumble upon this thread about my dad. And to read all the kind words. And to see that clip of him on the track at Bridgehampton! That was the first track he took me on when I was 17 to learn how to drive on a track. It was in his Saab 900 and I burned the brakes out but it was awesome! Anyway thanks again for all the nice things said...sure do miss the old fella.

roketman

I remember art well . Art was a great guy. I remember Bridgehampton days in his 935.
The last time I saw him was at Watkins glen
he drove out by himself in his 964 turbo to do a CVR track event. My wife and I saw him eating dinner alone and we joined him. He got the biggest kick and enjoyment from my you tube in car video of Bridgehampton
i heard from Arlene Novack that before he passed a large group of car guys did a drive by his house in his honor.

FP914

I too remember Art. What a great guy. Him and I were paired together for our checkout rides to become instructors at Summit Point back in 85. I always enjoyed driving with him on track and spending time talking with him. He was one of a kind.

sparks259

Art was the consummate gentlemen to everyone he came in contact with.