Medical Retirement

#1

In an attempt to cure 1st thing in the morning apostatic hypotension I was places on some anti-sieziure drugs. It only happened in the morning and wasn’t otherwise a problem. But drugs in that class are a license no-no. There was a hope that some alternates (that would be acceptable) would work, but they didn’t. So I can no longer qualify for a medical.

Just to make life more interesting I fell 14-15’ off a roof last year and cracked virtually every verterbrae from the bottom of my shoulder blades to my hips. Recovery will take 4-6 months and there will be little if any permenent affects.

The car and trailer will soon go up for sale.

#2

Oh man, such a bummer. I’m really sorry Jim. Christ, that was a lot of damage from the fall. So there was no spinal cord damage?

Most of you guys don’t know Jim because he’s not been racing with us for a while. Jim, Fred Switzer and I were kind of the 2nd wave of SpecE30 types that got mentored by Robert Patton, Chuck Taylor, and a half dozen other really terrific guys, almost all of whom are long gone.

There’s a lot of great technical posts here by Jim and he’s legend at bf.c and R3VLimited. I once had an acquaintance visit me in the paddock and almost un-man himself when he found out the Jim was a couple cars down and he could actually meet him.

In 2011? Jim, based out of Huntsville AL, became the SpecE30 Regional Director for Mid-S. This was a bummer for us because that made it harder for Jim to come to SE events.

Jim Levie taking care of business on our Chump Car at Roebling Road in 2010.
[URL=http://s465.photobucket.com/user/RangerGress/media/Misc%20Track/JimRR_zpse1101092.jpg.html][/URL]

Wrong way Levie. This is a favorite old pic. That’s Jim in the background. 2009 at Barber? The guy in the foreground with the better sense of direction is Steve Lako. [URL=http://s465.photobucket.com/user/RangerGress/media/Misc%20Track/WrongWayLevie_zpscecbd90a.jpg.html][/URL]

#3

Very sad news. I am very proud to say that the great Jim Levie worked on my car and helped me remove my sunroof. I enjoyed the battles we had on track, and the knowledge I gained from talking to him at Mid South events.

#4

So, the moral of the story…don’t go on the roof.

Will miss you.
Will you still be at the track? Often it is more fun at the cheap Mexican restaurant than it is on track.

Any plans to instruct with CCA or go to the Mitty at Road Atlanta?

What is your plan?

RP

#5

Really sad to hear this Jim. I was hoping for a grand return so i could fight you for the MS Champoinship! Jim, or “Yoda” as he is known around E30 circles, was the first person to teach me about my car and jump-started my wanting to learn everything i could about it. He is the go-to guy for tech knowledge and support and is a pretty damn good driver. There is no one more willing to help and more importantly to teach. And Jim this is not a eulogy so you better bring your ass out to the track someday and say hi! You and the Green Machine will be missed out there.

#6

Yeah, really bummed about your medical situation Jim. I always enjoyed the times at the track, and your encyclopedic knowledge of E30 electrical systems, among other things, has been a great resource to many of us.

I have, in my car binder, printouts of some of the sage-est Levie diagnostic information, and wouldn’t part with those snippets (or whole reference guides) for anything.

Hope you get fully recovered from your back issues, and we see you hanging out at the track and/or margarita bar soon!

#7

With the anti-siezure & anti-epelectic meds that I now have to take I’m reluctant to even instruct. While the problem only manifests early in the morning there is no assurance that it could not occur at other times. I think that could panic a student. Besides it would drive me nuts to only be able to sit in the passenger seat. The good news is that every neuro test known to man can find no evidence of a physical problem.

I may try to come to some events, just to hang out.

#8

Hate to hear this news Jim. We all have been helped by your knowledge at one point at the track. Join us at some events, the southeast gang always has something bent or broke.

#9

Total Bummer.

[URL=http://s204.photobucket.com/user/GMoberg/media/coors_zpskwwg9i7l.jpg.html][/URL]

Cheers and get better soon!!

#10

Hey Jim, Very sorry to hear about your health problems.
I wanted to pile on with the Jim Levie praise! Fully agree that Jim has a wealth of knowledge that he share freely. Plus, at the track, he was always willing to pitch in on a project. I recall one late Saturday evening at Road Atlanta when Jim helped me through changing both rear wheel bearings. He brought the special tools, led me through the project, and crawled on his back - working with me - on the nice hot asphalt.

Jim, I hope you’ll get back to on-track status. Come visit us at RA soon!

#11

Sorry to hear about your medical troubles, Jim. I can sympathize as I approach the one year mark of my ChumpCar-induced herniated disc. Retiring from racing has been one of the most disappointing things I’ve ever experienced. Fortunately, the surgery was a success and I am nearly symptom-free. May you be as well!

One of my favorite things about my early SE30 days was seeing how quick JLevie would lead others to tear into whichever car had trouble at the track. From knowing just where to drill a hole in the firewall to speed up a rocker replacement to an encyclopedic knowledge and photographic memory of a E30M20 wiring harness, Jim was the man.

And with Gress’ Imagineering Racing Werks, Malt Liquor Tech and Studio Gonzo Alonzo all in attendance at all those events, somebody’s POS was always in need of Levie’s expertise.