Sad passing of Laurie Bongalais RCM

[spookypt]

For those not FBook or on Club emails attached etc I just wanted to pass on an exert of email sent out by Wazza QLD Club Pres earlier this week.

""Many of you who have ever been to a Cobra Nationals, would remember Laurie Bongalais. I always referred to him as “The Godfather”, and he was a real character, and a keen builder of Cobras for many years.
His brand was RCM. I’m sorry to let you know, that Laurie passed away , following a mishap in the workshop. R.I.P. Laurie."

He will be sadly missed. He always supplied us with classic moments of humour at each years Nats.

Spookypt

[David Hodgson]

Very sad news Spook. He was never shy to give you his thoughts and views, and made the Nats every year in old smoky providing plenty of entertainment on the drag strip.

Hope the workshop incident wasn't too painfull.

Condolences to Adam and the rest of his family.

[Zedn]

I have been building one of his cars on and off for nearly 10 years. I didn't buy the car from him, however when I contacted him to ask for some information a few years after getting the car, he was so friendly and so helpful that I wished I had contacted him earlier. He has called me every couple of months for the past 6 or 7 years, just to check in and see if I had any questions or needed help. He always had an entertaining story about his lastest engineering achievements. Our conversations always included a joke or two with me trying to get him to admit the ls motors aren't that bad after all.

He was a good man and a great problem solver. The last call I had with him only a couple of weeks ago, I had spent all day trying to get the air out of a t56 clutch master cylinder. I called him and he had a solution that saw it done in 10 minutes.

I will miss our conversations. I was shocked and sad to the hear the news.

Rest in peace Laurie.
My thoughts are with the family.

[just dreamin]

Very sad to hear of Laurie's passing. He certainly was a character and a great sparing partner for myself and Bruce whenever we met up.
Laurie first appeared on the South Oz cobra scene in 1993 at Mildura with his family and their cars to make up the convoy. From then on he was a great supporter of most of the events held by the cobra community. He was always ready for a friendly debate and could count on Carmen to support him at all times.
Condolences to a lovely lady and Adam, he will be sadly missed.

[stephen low]

For the Victorian crew, is there any plan to meet somewhere as a group?

Despite the dodgy weather forecast I plan on driving the yellow beast to the service and wake venues.

[stiffy]

Steve,

I will send out an SMS on Monday for a meeting point for the funeral.

Rohan

[stephen low]

Cheers

We await the advice Rohan.

[just dreamin]

Mike More, Bruce and myself from SA plan to be there to farewell Laurie as he travels to the Cobra afterlife. Hope to catch up and have a mag.