It is with great sadness that I bring this news. Some of you may remember Jerry Balcer from Hawaii. He probably deserves the award for attending an NSXPO from the longest distance with his car, shipping it from Honolulu to Laguna Seca! Unfortunately, on Sunday June 1st, Jerry lost his battle with heart disease and passed away from congestive heart failure. He was only 47.
As his sales consultant I helped him with three cars, but I can say that during the 11 years that I knew him, he lived and breathed NSXs. He would often send me e-mails with whatever NSX tidbits he uncovered. His time with the NSX was only a 3 year lease, but he loved every minute of the experience.
The highlight of his time with the car was NSXPO ’99. I assisted with getting his car shipped to the mainland for the event, and our GM arranged for another dealer on in Long Beach to pick up his car from the pier and get it prepped for Jerry’s arrival. He had a blast meeting other NSX owners, driving through scenic Southern California and of course getting his car on the track at Laguna Seca. I truly believe that this was one the best experiences he ever had.
The friendships he made continued after the event. He was instrumental in getting the local chapter of the NSXCA set up in Hawaii, and every time a fellow NSXer came to town, he would offer to meet up for dinner or drinks. Interestingly, his involvement got me into the sport of autocrossing. Through one connection or another, he was invited to a ‘test and tune’ day with our local SCCA chapter. I was invited and was hooked. Both my wife and I raced our S2000 for three more years!
I have always been a ‘car guy’ but Jerry helped me develop a greater appreciation for ‘car culture.’ If it weren’t for him, I doubt I would have started the local S2000 club or started planning car cruises and other events. Anyway, thanks for reading this note, Jerry was a ‘true believer’ in the NSX religion!
A link to Jerry’s car.
http://www.nsxprime.com/Gallery/owners/jbalcer/jbalcer.htm
As his sales consultant I helped him with three cars, but I can say that during the 11 years that I knew him, he lived and breathed NSXs. He would often send me e-mails with whatever NSX tidbits he uncovered. His time with the NSX was only a 3 year lease, but he loved every minute of the experience.
The highlight of his time with the car was NSXPO ’99. I assisted with getting his car shipped to the mainland for the event, and our GM arranged for another dealer on in Long Beach to pick up his car from the pier and get it prepped for Jerry’s arrival. He had a blast meeting other NSX owners, driving through scenic Southern California and of course getting his car on the track at Laguna Seca. I truly believe that this was one the best experiences he ever had.
The friendships he made continued after the event. He was instrumental in getting the local chapter of the NSXCA set up in Hawaii, and every time a fellow NSXer came to town, he would offer to meet up for dinner or drinks. Interestingly, his involvement got me into the sport of autocrossing. Through one connection or another, he was invited to a ‘test and tune’ day with our local SCCA chapter. I was invited and was hooked. Both my wife and I raced our S2000 for three more years!
I have always been a ‘car guy’ but Jerry helped me develop a greater appreciation for ‘car culture.’ If it weren’t for him, I doubt I would have started the local S2000 club or started planning car cruises and other events. Anyway, thanks for reading this note, Jerry was a ‘true believer’ in the NSX religion!
A link to Jerry’s car.
http://www.nsxprime.com/Gallery/owners/jbalcer/jbalcer.htm
