Sad news today for Ralf Kouleib and his family as his dad, Sam, passed away in hospital.
Many in the MCO community know Ralf as a friendly face at the track, one of the fast guys in the autocross lot, a helpful hand in the garage at Canadian Tire Carling, and generous club sponsor. I know Ralf as a close friend and in the past few years have been fortunate to get to know his dad too.
Sam was a professional rally driver in Lebanon in his younger days. He worked side by side with Ralf as a mechanic in Canada and lived with Ralf and his family in recent years. Sam passed on his life-long passion for everything motorsport to his son just as Ralf has to his son Tony today. Sam always greeted me with a smile, a warm handshake, and offered Ralf and I sage advice on how we could go faster in our 'donkeys'. He always lent a helping hand to myself and those he knew to help them get their cars back on the grid.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Ralf, Candice, Tony and the whole Kouleib family in this difficult time. Sam will be deeply missed.
sad day indeed. Thoughts and prayers go out to Ralph and family, very sorry to hear this news. I only met Sam a couple of times but he always had encouraging words for me and congratulations on race results! He will be missed around the paddock.
