Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1246257
MAY 2020 WWW.PNWR.ORG 43 917 Chassis 017/004 at our John Horsman event in 2016. J O H N H O R S M A N A P P R E C I AT I O N Last month we were informed of John Horsman's passing. To many car guys, car gals and PCA members John will be known as a major contributor in the development of the 917. To many of us in the PNWR John was our friend and the PNWR had a special connection to John. From October 27th to October 30th in 2016 we got to know John and his wife Janet personally. If you attended the John Horsman Show & Tell on October 29th in 2016, you know what I mean. Remember when John got emotional as he answered "what was the most important decision he ever made". Remember how John described the environment and what it was like to work for John Wyer. Remember when John detailed how it was to be the John Wyer Team: Chief Engineer & Principal & Manager, all at the same time, unbelievable! The experience of: meeting John, hearing John, laughing with John, speaking with John, eating with John, having his autograph on your memorabilia is NOW a big deal. You understand, your connection to John is three dimens- ional. This brings me to the number one question that EVERYONE asks Jay and me about the PNWR "Once in a Lifetime" show and tells: why do we do it? This week John's passing answers that question. Now everyone knows why we do it. -JM When someone I've known or a family member passes away, I try to look at the positive side of things, especially if the person has had a good life. John Horsman was a friend to our region of PCA and an important figure in the history of sports car racing. As I said on Facebook, it would not have been possible to do my book, "Gulf 917" without his input and access to his period documents. In reading his book and getting to know him a little bit, I have to feel this was a life well-lived. That thought offsets some of the sadness I could be feeling. Article by Jay Gillotti and John Mueller, Photography by Randy Wells, Duncan Newell, Dean Holbrook and Porsche AG continued on next page John Mueller, John Horsman and Jay Gillotti.