CONGRATULATIONS TO
*** T. J. LOPER ***
OUR 2009 KING OF THE TRACK!!!!

Thomas Robert Plante of Lakeside passed away on February 23, 2009, at the age of 55. Tom was surrounded by his family as he passed away peacefully. The family would like to invite you to attend his viewing, as per Tom’s request, on Friday, February 27, 2009, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Viewing will take place at El Cajon Mortuary located at 684 S. Mollison Ave., in El Cajon. Please come by and register in the guestbook for future contact regarding Tom’s celebration of life gathering. Tom’s final resting place will be at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, and will have a military service.



Many of you know Tom from T and T racing team, and as the Crew Chief for brother Tim Plante. The family would like to thank you for your prayers and support during this very difficult time. Tom’s favorite saying was “Live to Race, Race to Win”.

The drag-racing community is mourning the death of longtime San Diego County competitor John Gates.
Gates, 62, had a fatal heart attack Nov. 7 while helping his son Eric stage the family's Top Alcohol Funny Car for an exhibition run at the Barona One-Eighth-Mile Drag Strip during the inaugural Arm Drop Drags at the track.

“Because our races are so far from home, we accepted an invitation to run an exhibition at Barona as a great way to close out our year,” said Eric Gates, the car's driver.

“I had finished backing up from my burnout. My dad was behind the car helping line it up when another crewman signaled me to cut the engine and pointed to the back of the car.

“My dad had collapsed. I knew right then what had happened. Dad had a history of heart problems.”

John Gates died in an ambulance en route to Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa.

John Gates, who resided in Santee, had been in drag racing since 1961. He and Eric won two division championships. This year, Eric was named Rookie of the Year and placed third in the final points standings in the Southern California Independent Funny Car Association.