Competition HVAC has left us for a better race track

[RobbyRam]

HVAC let me borrow an 'EZ' to see if I liked it, - I did.

Since then I've called him and E-Mailed him several times for answers to problems with my rig, and he kindly replied each and every time.



Where can we send letters to his Sister and Grandmother? Are they also in Half Moon Bay, CA?

Bob in Sacto

 

[csutton7]

I don't think we have addresses for his sis or grandmother--his sis lives around Sacto and his grandmother is in Antioch I believe--chris

 

[COBRAJET]

I almost signed off without seeing this thread. What a great guy. I had the privilege of meeting Nowel down here in the Dallas area when he came to race in San Antonio. He spent the majority of three days here turning wrenches on the twins he had mounted on Kurt Voss's truck down the street and listening to us explain how we blew four headgaskets in two weeks on our trucks. He sure was enjoyable..... cold ones kept him tuning and talking all through the night..... CJ

 

[jlhartak]

It can be said that a Man's success is measured by the friends he leaves behind.



Nowel was a success!!

 

[Coalsmoke]

Nowel, you will be terribly missed. I pray that the mighty Cummins still shakes for you in heaven.



Stephan



PS: You can ride with me anytime

 

[24vcummins]

I never knew him, but read many, many of his posts. I am sorry for the family and friends loss. God Bless.

 

[Rhondasway]

Good idea

Originally posted by Shortshift

It would be nice to have an HVAC sticker to put in our rear windows. We could make donations for our stickers. .

I was thinking this as well. I had a friend die racing his bike at SIR; I did a drawing and made shirts for all his friends and fellow racers, they just paid for printing costs.

I'd be honored to put a Nowel Thomas sticker on my drag truck.

I'd suggest a sticker with his name and a favorite quote...

 

[DRAG DIESEL]

Rhonda,



We are working on a Memorial Decal here





I should have the final proof by this afternoon.

 

[RobG]

I haven't been spending much time on TDR lately, due to work and other activities. Then tonight I came over to do a search to see if any of the single guage pods will fit on the pillar of an '03 with the grab handle intact. And then I saw the banner across the top of the page about sad news... and my stomach sank.



I read a few of the threads, and was very saddened to hear what happened. It's amazing how the best always seem to go early.



I had the pleasure of meeting Nowel on several occaisons. He paid to have my new 01 ETH/DEE truck dynoed up near Rhonert Park in stock form and with his prototype of the then-new Edge EZ, which is graciously loaned me for something like two weeks until his saleable ones arrived, one of which I quickly purchased.



I also got to hang with him and some others at Sears Point when he made the first run of his truck with the automatic that had just been installed, and also met him at one or two of the meetings in San Jose that I attended, and one of the gatherings at Brandon's shop.



If I had to choose one word to best describe Nowel, it would be, "gentle. " He was a great guy and will definitely be missed.



I wish like heck that I could make the memorial on the 20th, but there's just no way. *sigh* Somebody please take lots of pix!



Rob

 

[MCrossley]

No worries Rob there will be plenty of pictures and I don't think that half moon bay will ever forget this event...

 

[bighammer]

It's a shame we can't all be there. I guess as well as pictures, I'd like to know more about him. I'd never met him, but I hope somebody who is there and knew him well could post some more of his life, loves and what made him tick.



Safe travel to all that attend. We are all there in spirit.

 

[EBottema]

I read the whole story on HVAC. . Def got a tear or two, he seemed like he was a god around these parts. . never got to meet or talk to him since i am fairly new here... Out of curiousity, How old was HVAC when he died?



RIP HVAC

 

[Cliffman]

I beleive Nowel was in his early 40's

 

[drawson]

Nowel is my age and would have been 44 this year. I miss the big guy alot. Hopefully he's looking down on us and will be able to see my truck with twins here shortly...

 

[csutton7]

12/06/1957----12/07/2003..... chris

 

[Sled Puller]

Just a heads up, we, the National Association of Diesel Motorsports, will be inducting HVAC into the 1 year old Diesel Motorsports Hall of Fame. 06/22/2013, at Gaston Lions Club park, Indiana. The event is Thunder in Muncie. He will join Dave Mitchell, who was inducted as the inaugural member, last year.

 

[DRAG DIESEL]

Wow Gene! This is awesome! What an honor to his legacy! Both of these members had a huge impact on my passion for diesels in competition.

 

[csutton7]

Thanks Gene for posting this--

Jake--I concur 100% with your post...

 

[Cliffman]

Just a heads up, we, the National Association of Diesel Motorsports, will be inducting HVAC into the 1 year old Diesel Motorsports Hall of Fame. 06/22/2013, at Gaston Lions Club park, Indiana. The event is Thunder in Muncie. He will join Dave Mitchell, who was inducted as the inaugural member, last year.

I caught wind of this a few weeks back. I believe BPine is writing his induction letter. Nowel Thomas (HVAC) was a very cool cat and I'm a better person having known him.

 

[Sled Puller]

Yes, he is, anything you guys have that could be added, pictures, stories, things he was responsible for doing first. I just found out he was one of the founding Fathers of DHRA.