Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former WSMC racer Paul Mumford of Yorba Linda, California died yesterday when his small private plane crashed near Mira Loma, California.

Mumford raced a Kawasaki ZX-7R with WSMC, finishing third in overall WSMC points and winning the 750cc Modified Production Championship in 1996.

Mumford had recently taken up SCCA car racing and won a race at Laguna Seca on September 7. Car racer Chris Premier of Costa Mesa, California, a friend of Mumford’s, was also killed in the plane crash. Both were 31 years old.

According to news reports, Mumford, who was piloting the plane, reported a fire on board shortly before the crash.



Reader reaction:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

It was just a few days ago I talked to Paul about his win at Laguna Seca in the Speed GT Challenge class, beating the factory Audis and Porsches. He and his mechanic trailered their new Dodge Viper Sport to the race and led almost every lap. A valiant privateer effort.

It is sad to hear of Paul’s death as he was a friend and a excellent racer, both motorcycle and car.

Damn it, I just hate this death thing and the totality that is the end of life.

I wish the best for Paul’s family and friends.

Jeff Short
AFM #1 (1988 & 1999)
Sacramento, California


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

I am shattered today with the news of a very good friend passing on. I last talked to Paul about two months ago with the varied e-mail in-between. I had the great honor of building and tuning racebikes for Paul which is where our friendship started back in 1995. Paul was an excellent racer, a good guy, and the greatest of friends!

It’s hard to forget the love he showed for speed. It didn’t matter what it was with. Go-karts to Vipers, or pocketbikes to Superbikes, (and, yes, that tall guy rode a pocket bike!) he seemed to always excel. The love for his friends, family and his dog Fonzie that was too long to map out will never be forgotten.

From the long lunches to the short phone calls, the three-day race weekends to the one-day dirtbike rides, the time spent with Paul was always the greatest.

Paul, I thank you for the lessons in life we learned together, and the ones you taught me. The fun times, and the bad times. The time with friends and families at the track, and at home, to the occasional meetings with just us two. Thank for your smile and laughter that never ended. Most of all thank you for your love, kindness, and one of the greatest friendships to treasure.

We will miss you greatly. Race on and God Speed, my friend. We will never forget the #3, #18 or the Starsky and Hutch T-shirt.

Our condolences to Paul’s family.

With all our Love,

Rodney Rayborne and Family (Melinda, Ryan, and Joel)
West Covina, California