NHRA News: John Raffa, dean of drag racing journalism, passes away (1/20/2004)

John Raffa, dean of drag racing journalism, passes away

by Phil Burgess, NHRA.com
1/20/2004

John Raffa

One of drag racing's all-time greats is gone, having left us early this morning. No, he never won a national event or a world championship, but in the realm of the drag racing journalist, we've lost our "Big Daddy." John Raffa, former Editor in Chief of National DRAGSTER and a mentor to many of today's and yesterday's top drag racing scribes, lost his brave battle with cancer, passing away at his home in New Mexico. Raffa was 69.

Raffa had an extensive background in drag racing publishing, having served as Editor/Publisher of Super Stock & Drag Illustrated Magazine, Managing Editor/Editor/Publisher of Car Craft Magazine, and Editor-In-Chief of National DRAGSTER. He most recently worked as Director of Communications for Norwalk Raceway Park and as a guest columnist for Drag Racing Online.

Raffa had a tremendous influence on many of us, from icons such as Jon Asher to renegades like Chris Martin, and his impact on my life, personally and professionally, is indelible.

Raffa came to National DRAGSTER during one of its headiest periods, the mid-1980s, during which time I began my long term as editor. Neil Britt had been hired a year earlier as Director of Publications, charged with turning around a flagging membership. His plan was to improve the writing, both in style and content, with the addition of feature stories and additional material. He brought in his good buddy, Raffa, to help the cause. His impact was felt immediately.

"Mean John," a name he gave himself, turned a group of key pounders into writers, patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) going over our manuscripts with us, helping us to hone our reporting skills and writing styles. He bought us each a copy of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style, one of the foremost tomes on writing. He included with each some thoughtful comments to us, personalized on the flyleaf.

Raffa, as most called him, was with National DRAGSTER for about 100 issues, from early 1985 through the summer of 1987, but the lessons he taught us remain with us today.

Personally, Raffa was like a godfather to me. He bought me a copy of Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward, Angel, again penning a personal message on the flyleaf. He explained that it was this book that first convinced him he wanted to be a writer. I devoured the book. Months after he left ND, I asked Raffa to stand up with me at my wedding, along with my lifelong best friend, C. Van Tune. That's how much he meant to me. He was quite a sight in his tuxedo and trademark long hair. I'll never forget the way he signed my wedding card: "Take it easy, but take it." I have tried to follow that advice throughout my career.

I'm thankful that I got a chance to talk to John a few weeks ago, pretty much to say my goodbyes, and to thank him for everything he had done for us all, and to tell him how much he was loved.

Just a few days ago, John Raffa, left, was presented the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Founder's Award. Jon Asher, right, a lifelong friend and one of many to learn his skills at Raffa's hands, spearheaded a drive to get Raffa his award before his passing. Raffa's longtime wife and soulmate, Karen, looks on proudly.

Raffa made you want to be a better writer not just for yourself, but for him. You wanted him to be proud of you.

Asher, who recently spearheaded a successful effort to get Raffa installed in the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, wrote, "I know I'm not alone when I tell you I can't count the number of times I thought I had it right with a story, only to have John politely offer a knowing critique. The key then became trying to utilize the lesson he'd just taught me in the next story, and then again in the next one after that."

Years later, Asher still was getting lessons from Raffa, who recently pointed out an error in one of Asher's publications.

"Yeah, just when you think you've got it handled, Raffa comes along and gently lets you know just how far you still have to go. The problem for the rest of us is that we're not likely to ever reach his heights."

Raffa had taken ill last year and underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer. Ultimately, it spread to his liver, lungs and it was palpable on his body. Through his last days, as it was the last two decades, his wife and soulmate, Karen, was by his side. Her incredible strength and constant updates kept us all strong throughout John's ordeal.

A few days ago, Asher and Carol Johnson presented Raffa with the Hall of Fame "Founders Award." Asher had led the charge, which included a write-in to the Hall's judges by numerous top racing journalists, asking for Raffa's inclusion, even though the 2004 class had already been decided. We all knew in our hearts that John probably wouldn't make it to March to accept the award, and we're all very grateful to Jon for his efforts.

"Rather than being a 'regular' inductee, this award honors Raffa's major contributions to the field of photojournalism, in which he served as both mentor and teacher to so many of us," explained Asher. "Those of us who have been lucky enough to have learned 'at the feet of the master' owe whatever editorial expertise we think we have to his exceptional and unstinting willingness to calmly and without rancor show us the error of our ways."

We'll all miss you, "Mean John." Thanks for everything. Take it easy.

Condolences can be sent to 147 Tierra Encantada, Corrales, NM 87048.

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