Benjamin Miles Keaton & Corey Nicholas Rudl - Tribute Thread

Just to further show how widely appreciated Ben was, here is a snippet. Ben was considered a friend to people across the ocean who never met him in person.

"Due to the tragic accident death of one of our most appreciated users and contributors, ben, lj. (real name: Ben Keatons), Rennteam.com is temporarily closed. Our prayers go to the families of the victims!"

I apologize if posting this was inappropriate.

 

I didn't know the people involved but anytime you hear something like this it makes your heart heavy. Because of the love of cars and driving, I feel that we are connected. Prayers go out to all involved.

 

Very sorry to hear this news.
I enjoy my time at DE's but am always aware in the back of my mind of what can happen.
I have a little one on the way...Time for some personal reflection.
Everyone stay safe.

T

 

I may have missed it in all the threads, but did Ben have a family (wife, kids?). I still can't believe this happened, very sad.

 

RIP to both men and prayers go to their families.

My dad used some of Corey's internet marketing products, small world

 

I can't believe it. I just logged on and this is the first thing I read. As soon as I saw the title of the tread, I already felt it was someone I knew. I was hoping it was just a car damage and no one was injured. As I read on, my knees were weakening and my arms started trembling. I had to read and reread to make sure that it was not Ben's name that I was reading. To make the most unfortunate event even worse, I also knew his passenger Cory. The last PM I had with Ben was our plan to have our daughters meet and play at the Symbolic Event in June. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, Cory and everyone involved.

We will all miss Ben and Cory.

Raymond

 

Very sad

After speaking to Ben on hear a few times im saddened to hear of this tragedy my thoughts go out to his family.


Joe

:-(

 

Posting again here as this seems to be the appropriate location.

As a father, husband, racer and enthusiast, my heart breaks for the families of these men.

Respectfully, Will

 

Yes ...
http://img228.echo.cx/img228/9995/img09540bz.jpg

This is extremely sad...

RIP Ben and Cory ...

 

What a terrible loss. While I have never had the pleasure of either's company, having had only brief dialog with Ben, there is no doubt in my mind that he was a wonderful person. As evidenced in now myriad forms, he touched many lives and will be long remembered as a generous and engaging person.

I hope that both Ben's wife and daughter take comfort in knowing that he had such a positive impact on so many people.

--Dan

 

I'm very saddened to hear about this. Like many I've corresponded with Ben on other forums and always found him helpful, enthusiastic and a real contributor. Many of us here in the UK have heavy hearts tonight at the thought of Ben's abscence and the wife and daughter he leaves behind. My prayers are with them and also Corey's wife.

If there is ANYTHING we in the wider community can do to help then please let us know. It's not just Ferrari Chat but I've been on at least half a dozen other forums around the world that knew Ben and we're all in shock.

 

OH NO!......This is so tragic. Ben and I spoke on numerous occasions, just recently about his CS. Heart felt condolences to his and the passengers families. You will be missed Ben!

 

My first PM to Ben with questions about his car and he was offering me rides and contact info. He also manged to work in what his true passion was... his new little girl.

I valued his posts and appreciated his humor.

This really sucks.

 

being a new father myself, I can't imagine the thought of my little girl growing up without me around!

My sincere, heartfelt condolences go out to both families. I, like many that have posted so far, never had the good fortune of meeting either Ben or Cory but I can't help but feel some of their family's pain. Anyone on any of these boards could have been on that track in their car. It really brings it home when something this horrible happens to two good people that were just out enjoying their hobby!!

Once again, to both families, I'm truly sorry for your loss and I hope it helps you to know how many people thought so highly of Ben and Cory and that it brings you some comfort to see how many people are sharing in your pain.

-Jamie

 

I don't know what to say. Ben was a great person and will be missed by the whole community as well as everyone he knew or has ever come in contact with. Everytime you talked to him you could sense his passion for cars and life, I hope the best for his family and Cory's family. Truly a sad moment, is there anything we can do for his family?

 

Ben and Cory will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with their families. RIP.

 

We all keep reading this thread somehow hoping to make things better, fix the problem or hear some good news. It's frustrating, cause there's nothing we can do but mourn for the loss of our buddy and feel horrible for the family.

Maybe there is one thing we can do......

From now on, when I speed through canyons and getting a bit hot-doggie and push things....I'm going to remember how fleeting life can be and slow it down a notch or two. There is no thrill that is worth your life. Ben didn't do anything wrong, but if anything can come from this...preserving life & increasing safety should be it.

I can't think of anything else to say. Just tragic & sad.

 

I just replied to the other F chat thread about this...and read all of the above replies, recovering enough to post that this is some of the worst news imagineable.

Benlj had numerous PM conversations with me about his CGT, which is my personal favorite car. Time and time again he was patient, open and sharing with information about a car that makes so many so happy. I never got the opportunity to meet this person, but I knew I liked him and that he was a kind, fun-spirited person without ever seeing his face or hearing his voice.

My prayers are with him, his passenger, and both families.

Most sincerely,
David

 

My condolences go to Ben and Cory's family and friends!

 

Yes, good reminder.

FWIW, just got an e-mail from Ron LeGrand who is a huge real estate guru about this tragic incident. Cory was planning to speak at one of his engagements about internet marketing in an upcoming Vegas event. Seems like he was quite a wiz at it. It's a small world.

If only a few decisions were made differently yesterday then this tragedy may not have occurred. Unfortunately we can't change that but we all can learn something from this.

Scott

 

I was at the crystal cove on May 13th, and saw him and his ride. Took 2 video clips of him and his ride and many pictures. I can't belive something like this happend. My condolences to Ben and his friend's family and close friends.

 

(I just recieved this from Craig and thought I would pass it on...)

Hello Everyone,

Jeanette Chelew, one of our members, is a professional at putting together DVD's and she's putting together a memorial about Ben that she wants Parker, Ben's infant daughter, to have to remember and to know her father by. To help Jeanette in that regard, I am requesting that anyone who has pictures of Ben or of one of his cars or of his family to be please make those pictures available for Jeanette's development of Parker's DVD. In addition, Jeanette and I are asking for volunteers to be videotaped by her telling Parker in your own words something about Ben, a time you spent together, what you liked most about Ben, how he impacted your life, etc. I think Jeanette is really onto something here and I'd like for all of us who can contribute to her project to please do so. If you want to contact Jeanette directly, her email is:

[email protected]

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Craig

(FYI Craig is the San Diego Pres of FOC)

 

I was lucky enough to have spent numerous wonderful times with Corey over the last few years. A friendship born from attending Ferrari events. He was such a wonderful, easygoing, and fun guy at all times! He loved racing and he loved cars! Anyone who ever met Corey was touched by him. While I'd never met Ben until yesterday morning when Corey introduced us, I could see his demeanor was much the same as Corey. Ben was instantly likeable for those of you who hadn't met him. I was excited to have another friend born from car events in Ben. I never dreamed I'd have friendships end from attending car events. Being the last person to speak to Corey prior to him getting into Ben's car makes you wish you said so many things and see how easily it could have been any of us. Both these men were excellent drivers, trusted one another, and were clearly friends. I can only say I'm grateful their suffering was brief and if they were meant to pass that their passing came at the hands of a passion that connected them both and further connects all of us here. I look forward to a special CC tomorrow.

 

It's really very moving reading these tributes . Here are 2 avatars the 6Speedonline.com guys are showing as a mark of respect.Perhaps we could do the same here?
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