VOL. 52 ISSUE 26 JUNE 30, 2015 P45
state wildlife officials), Man-
dzak succeeded in coordinat-
ing the historic event that drew
many motorcycling legends
such as Ricky Johnson and
Malcolm Smith.
"I hope that our motorcycle
community and all who par-
ticipated in the 2010 Catalina
Grand Prix will remember and
appreciate that it was only be-
cause a crazy guy like Vinnie
Mandzak stepped forward,"
said Mandzak's close friend,
and event co-conspirator
Scott Cox. "This was not a
rational business case sce-
nario, but Vinnie poured his
heart and soul into the Cata-
lina Grand Prix. Caution, good
sense and a lot of his own
personal money were put on
the line, or tossed completely,
so that his friends could enjoy
an amazing event."
Mandzak's cousin and close
friend Keith Kubachka agreed,
saying, "Resurrecting the Catalina Grand Prix
was the highlight of his life. After pulling off the
amazing event, you can hear him say on video,
'Honest to God I am so overwhelmed. I don't
know how many times I've cried and just broke
down.' Well the same can be said for us as we
think of Vinnie. He will be truly missed."
Mandzak is survived by his wife Charla and
three sons. Memorial services for Mandzak are
scheduled to take place at St. James Catholic
Church in Redondo Beach, California (415 Vin-
cent Street) on Thursday, July 9 at 3:00 pm. A
reception will immediately follow at La Venta Inn
(796 Via Del Monte) in Palos Verdes Estates.
In lieu of flowers, the Mandzak family asks for
donations to the Brain Tumor Center at Cedars
Sinai.
(Above)
Mandzak (left)
with Alexander
Smith (right)
at the Catalina
Grand Prix.
(Right) Man-
dzak wasn't just
an announcer/
promoter—he
loved racing his
vintage Maico.
