Damon Barnett, First Head of Mazda competition(Mazdaspeed) from '77-'89 passes away
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From: portland oregon
Damon Barnett, First Head of Mazda competition(Mazdaspeed) from '77-'89 passes away
From Jim Downing via Mazdaspeed
Some Sad news Regarding a huge person in Mazdaspeed History in the US. Jim Downing gave us permission to forward his note to the RRDC:
December 31, 2011
RRDC MEMBERS: A message from Jim Downing
Damon Barnett, an RRDC member, passed away on December 26th in Palm Springs, California. He had been in failing health for some time. A native of Seattle, Damon was one of the first employees of Mazda North America starting in 1970. He went on to establish and head the competition department for many years. Between 1977 and his transfer in 1989, he brought Mazda more than 29 manufacturers championships in IMSA and SCCA competition. He was a familiar figure on the circuits and a highly respected representative of the sport.
He is to be cremated and there will be no services. Anyone who would like to make a memorial donation on Damon’s behalf can make a donation to the International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen or The Hole in the Wall Gang (holeinthewallgang.org).
IMRRC at Watkins Glen
620 S. Decatur Street
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
607 535-9044
www.racingarchives.org <http://www.racingarchives.org/>
December 31, 2011
RRDC MEMBERS: A message from Jim Downing
Damon Barnett, an RRDC member, passed away on December 26th in Palm Springs, California. He had been in failing health for some time. A native of Seattle, Damon was one of the first employees of Mazda North America starting in 1970. He went on to establish and head the competition department for many years. Between 1977 and his transfer in 1989, he brought Mazda more than 29 manufacturers championships in IMSA and SCCA competition. He was a familiar figure on the circuits and a highly respected representative of the sport.
He is to be cremated and there will be no services. Anyone who would like to make a memorial donation on Damon’s behalf can make a donation to the International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen or The Hole in the Wall Gang (holeinthewallgang.org).
IMRRC at Watkins Glen
620 S. Decatur Street
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
607 535-9044
www.racingarchives.org <http://www.racingarchives.org/>
Last edited by zoom44; Jan 3, 2012 at 01:33 PM.
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From: portland oregon
I was reading an interview of Jim Downing's wife on Mazda USA and she mentioned him. They were talking about the early days ofd Mazda racing and how there was any factory money behind it at first. Then Mazda "central" brought in Mr Barnett with the approval of Kenichi Yamamoto. That first year he gave over half his budget to one team, or about $400. Everybody else got to split the rest 
Last edited by zoom44; Jan 4, 2012 at 10:46 AM.
I was reading an interview of Jim Downing's wife on Mazda USA and she mentioned him. They were talking about the early days ofd Mazda racing and how there was any factory money behind it at first. Then Mazda "central" brought in Mr Barnett with the approval of Kenichi Yamamoto. That first year he gave over half his budget to one team, or about $400. Everybody else got to split the rest
Paul.
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