Serge Ryssev , Former Valley Motorwerks Mechanic Killed in Auto Accident
Walnut Creek, CA (Jan 25, 2009) —

Serge Ryssev, age 22, was tragically killed in a single car accident on January 25, 2009. Serge was a gifted mechanic and racing enthusiast who worked as a pit crew member and showed promise as a race car driver. Serge immigrated from Siberia as a youth and currently worked as a mechanic at East Bay BMW in Pleasanton.

It was a job he had worked toward while living in the Sacramento area, where he took training courses and got his start at Valley Motorwerks, an independent BMW repair shop in Rancho Cordova. The towering young man — he stood about 6 feet 5 — showed natural talent for the job. He walked into the Valley Motorwerks as a customer and based on the impressive modifications he had made to his own BMW, left with a job.

NorCal SpecE30 racers have dedicated the 2009 Season to Serge and will be running special "Tiger Paw" decals on their race cars. Serge was a special young man with his whole life in front of him. He will be missed by all. Godspeed Serge!

A Note to SpecE30 Racers By Walter Ford President of Valley Motorwerks:

"I was alerted to some very sad news while on the road today. Serge Ryssev, a former employee, friend and fellow track enthusiast passed away this last Sunday.

Serge came to us as a customer in March of 2006 while going through tech school to become a mechanic. Something about him resonated with me, by July he was working part time as a tech. When he graduated I offered him a full time position which he accepted. Kevin (vmtech) worked with Serge and helped him study for the STEP program. Serge got into the program, graduated then went to work at a dealership.

Serge traveled with us out to Mid-Ohio to support our SpecE30 efforts at the NASA Nationals. He was never afraid to get dirty and always one of the first to throw in a helping hand. While working here Serge was a fun loving prankster that was always good for a laugh. His nickname, Tiger Paw I believe was a result of something between himself and Kevin. I still have the Tiger Paw drawing he left on my desk. I had taped it up at his old workstation because I told him he was coming back to work for me whether he liked it or not.

Serge had a HUGE appetite and could out consume anyone. We would have shop meetings at an all you can eat Korean Barbecue. It was the only way I could afford to feed him! He called it "meat mountain", after he left we would send him phone images of the meat to make him jealous.

I really loved the guy, he was fun to be around and he was a great employee. I am truly devastated as are all his old workmates. My heart goes out to his family, we are all hurting right now."

Walter Ford
President
Valley Motorwerks
January 26, 2009