Such a huge loss.....Peter Simpson has passed on.

I had the honor of going up to Glenco and being with Pete and JJ on their home turf. What everyone saw at the track was just the tip of the iceberg. Great to be able to relax and hang with JJ and Pete's family.

Pearls of wisdom flowed from this man's tongue! Still want to laugh and cry in the same minute!

 

I`m not sure if it was 1997 or 1998, somewhere around there I had just got over a four year stretch of racing 5.0 Mustangs and bought a car I was craving for a long time, a 68 GTS 340 4-speed Dart. I wasn`t really sure what I planned on doing with it until I picked up a copy of Muscle Car Review and saw Copo`s 350 silver Nova. I`m thinking it might have been the issue where his 3 cars did a shoot-out? (maybe) There`s no other way to put this, I became obsessed with that car, I had pictures of it hanging in my garage, on my tool box at work, etc. I wanted to kick that things a s s. That car is the single reason I became interested in this type of racing. With tunnel vision I found out as much as I could about the class Pete was racing in, restored the GTS, and built a razor sharp 340 to compete with the Nova. I remember showing up at the Supercar Showdown and watching that thing back out of the trailer. That`s where I met Pete and Jimmy for the first time. Normally they would just show up and grab the trophy uncontested. I remember Pete coming up to me at the end of the event and telling me this was the first time they had to race to win, all the rest were gimme`s. Jimmy was driving and he ran a 13.60, than I ran a 13.60, next I ran a 13.50, than he ran a 13.40, at the end of the first day we were both running 13.30`s. The next day we met up in the final round both ran 13.0`s@105/106, the Nova won. When I was diagnosed with cancer Pete called me and we spent about 45 minutes on the phone, he will be missed. Life is short my friends, if you enjoy something make sure you squeeze in time to do it.

 

Peter enjoyed being around family and good friends....I have
7 years of great memories...

 

A huge loss indeed! Peter was the one guy that always made time to say hello and ask how things are going. I was lucky enough to race Peter in 2003, my first year at the Pure Stock's. His abiltiy at the lights was unreal! He won the shootout and I learned a valuable lesson! The Canadian drinking team is far sharper on the tree than those who go to bed early! I will miss Pete and all he brought to the sport. My thoughts and prayers for the entire Simpson family and all who were close to him.

 

I wish I could have made it across the border to say goodbye to Peter in a proper manner, but other issues have kept me close to home.

I will miss calling Pete to shoot the **** about all things racing and much, much more. He was a wealth of knowledge on many topics, and he was willing to share his knowledge with anyone willing to stop by his trailer and introduce themselves.

He was one of the first guys I looked for to say hello to at each event, and one the guys I made sure to spend time visiting while we were there.

One of my fondest memories was calling him to let him know the COPO Camaro was on the cover of the Muscle Machines. As thrilled as he was about the car, right away he wanted to know who was behnd the wheel, as he was afraid they had gotten a pic of him instead of Eric, who drove the car for all but a couple of passes.

He was relieved and very proud that it was Eric on the cover.



Pete, you will be missed, and you will be remebered for as long as we gather in September and make offerings to the Gods of Octane.

---------- Post added at 09:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:21 PM ----------

just posting some pics I have

 

Very sad news indeed.

My condolances to the Simson family including all of his great friends from the North.

Eric and Owen I am sure you already know how proud he was of you guys my prayers go out to both of you and your mom.

Peter was a true gentleman and a Icon in this hobby and will be missed dearly.

Ed Cook

 

My husband and I are reading these posts after attending Pete's visitation. As his big sister, it was sad but heart warming to shake the hands of 800 people who filed by to pay their respects. Many local people don't know much about his involvement in the car community -- he's just a special guy. The young people are mourning his loss - a special man who took an interest in them all.

What a thrill it was today to meet car enthusiasts from Toronto, Detroit and beyond who travelled so far to join us in honouring a great guy. It is heartwarming to see so many wonderful comments in this thread about Peter. I can attest that his tenacity extended into the ICU ward where he clung to life after receiving a heart transplant November 4. His body accepted the heart but it caused too many complications. How frustrating it must have been for Peter to be unable to discuss treatment strategies with the doctors. He was lucid but very sick and could not speak, so he could not advise the doctors on how to finetune treatment. Pete fought one hell of a fight.

Mary Simpson and Ross Snider

 

Owen handed a few of these decals to me tonite.

I'm sure he'll bring some to the next race.
Had the pleasure of meeting Vicky for the first time.
Very nice lady with amazing energy.

 

I was very bummed that I could not make it to the funeral. Some stupid thing to do with not having a passport/enhanced drivers license. Believe me, I would have told Chris yes, I WOULD ride shotgun with him up there. Pete and I weren't buds or pals, I think I've talked with him maybe twice in all these years but he was one of our crew, a BIG part of this racing family we have here, and his passing still shook me up.

 

Peter was laid to rest yesterday. There was an incredible outpouring of love and support for his family. Funeral service was befitting the extrordinary gentleman that Peter was. Over 500 people in attendance and hour long lineups the night before to pay respects. We celebrated his life last night with Vicky, the boys and the rest of Peter's family right in his shop. His spirit will live on forever amongst us.

RIP Peter

 

I remember Copo telling JJ "take it off kill and put it on stun", classic line that will live on

 

I remember sleeping on the couch at Casey's after one of the Pure Stock Shin Digs and waking up and to say " do we have to grow up?" and Pete and JJ just laughing their butts off, at least that's what I think I said, it's on here somewhere I'm sure.
The weather didn't look so good yesterday or I would have been there, I have the credentials to travel through Canada.
I'm so sorry that we have lost such a great friend, and wish everyone that met him will remember the joy and fun he brought to us!!!
Miss you Pete, watch over us, even the Buick folks!! LOL!:3gears:

 

For those of you wondering, Peter's viewing was something special. The beautiful flowers that were sent touched the family and friends as you weaved through the funeral home, past videos, car photos, flower arrangements. You read the cards, laughed and cried. People lined up waiting to get in and pay there respects for hours. Not only was he a friend to us, but a community that he grew up in and was a very large part of, all expressed their love and loss. It was very touching.

At the funeral, Petes childhood best friend ( Patrick Duffy ) gave a wonderful insight to the the mind of a great friend. With alot of funny stories, learned life lessons- you could not help laugh and cry as he talked. Our great friend Bruno got up next and knocked it out of the park, with his memories of good times and travels together. It helped ease the pain and heaviness in your heart.

Vicky got up, with Eric and Owen by her side, and talked about what a great husband and father he had been. They expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support. We all had a good laugh as she talked of how the last 10 years of his life was a real life Cops and Robbers, Cowboys and Indians adventure.

Pete was laid to rest in a beautiful little cemetary exactly a 1/4 mile from his driveway. The very same 1/4 mile where he does test and tune.
Rest in Peace COPO Pete.
The Boys did say they will see everyone in the spring.:3gears:

 

I have to agree with Tim, the visitation was very touching. Seeing all the people who's lives had been touched by this wonderful man was amazing. I learned some things I didn't know about Pete also, like that he played the piano! Wish I would have had the chance to hear him play. Copo Pete surprised me the first time I met him too. It was at Stanton in the parking lot. I was mingling with Rhonda and she began talking to him, asking him how many chickens he had. His response "27". I thought to myself "thats a bunch of chickens." I had shown chickens at our county fair and would raise about 25 at a time. Then Pete says "thousand" and my jaw dropped! 27,000 chickens! Holy cow! So he tells me a little about his chicken farm and our friendship grew from there. I will cherish every moment I shared with "Pete Simpson, chicken farmer", and so much more!

 

I miss you, buddy



credit: 2006 Super Chevy Article

 

Just in case you have not seen this yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqNvvVjLSOQ

It makes me smile, laugh and cry all at the same time.
I believed this was compiled my Pete's sister Mary.

 

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear this. Condolences to the family and all the friends.

 

That's a great video.

 

I agree Steve.... Very touching .....


Rich C.

 

I relocated temporarily for work the day before this was posted and have been a little disconnected from the rest of the world. I actually logged in just now to check and see if there was an update on Pete. What a loss. I always enjoyed talking to Pete at the races and looked forward to him letting me drool over his car and answering any silly questions I had. My prayers are with his family.