February 2002 

Customer Profiles:  Judge John Phillips and Rick Lacourse
Here Comes Da Judge:  John Phillips from Jupiter Florida bought FFR 1152 back in 1997 and started a five year 50,000 mile odyssey.  We've gotten to know John Quite well over the years.  He has become a fixture in the South Florida hot rod and racing scene.  autocrossing is his specialty, but he's usually up for any kind of automotive challenge.  John is an SCCA driver and has Class wins at area autocrosses, including the 2000 Bay Bottom Crawl.  Last year John and his car were even featured
new-78.jpg (28173 bytes)  in a 2001 issue of Grassroots Motorsports in an article entitled, "Here Comes Da Judge".

Left:  John "The Judge" Phillips and FFR1152K, Pikes Peak 1999.  Lower Right:  FFR 1152K finds "Rare Air".

John earned his place in FFR lore (and in our hearts) with a simple phone call to one of the Smith Brothers in May of 1999.  The call was on John's cell phone as he was out cruising in his car...
at the top of Pike's Peak!  The car ran through the snow and altitude (gotta love EFI) and made it home without a hiccup.  Later that year, John showed up at our door in Wareham, MA for the FFR Owners Group annual Fall event.  It isn't only the miles John racked up in his car that made him special to us.  John used his car to raise money for kids with Cystic Fibrosis (Flash, Dash, and Thrash Rally), and never passed on a n opportunity to introduce a newcomer to the God's of Acceleration.
Well, tragedy struck recently.  John's OK...but his car is not.  About six months ago, a defective alternator caused a fire that burned old blue to the ground.  But that's not the end of the story, not by a long shot.  We decided that John's contribution to our company, his passion and generosity extended beyond the value of a kit.  We sent John a new Mark II roadster kit for free.  It gets even better though.  In proof that George Bailey's "It's a Wonderful Life" is true, FFR owners and friends from all over flocked to John's house to help build #2.  It was dubbed the Phoenix Project and John is now weeks from hitting the road in his new ride...and we are all the better for it.   phillips.jpg (39037 bytes)
You can view the build-up as it progresses on John's website at www.longlivetheinternet.com/phoenix .  (This website is not connected in any way to Factory Five Racing Inc.).
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Rick Lacourse:  We would be remiss if we didn't mention New England Region customer, Rick Lacourse.  Rick has had a hand in helping so many folks in New England (and nationwide via the internet) that we need to give him some recognition.  Rick and his wife, Marie (at left in Red #88, Open House 2002) are regulars at FFROG events, car shows and local race events.

Thanks for all the great support and enthusiasm Rick, and try not to follow John's example too closely...