Other luminaries from the world of motorsports in attendance included sports car racing greats Derek Bell and Chip Robinson, Indianapolis 500 winners Bobby Rahal and Eddie Cheever Jr., and Grand-Am drivers, team owners and personalities such as Alex Job, Steve and Martha Southard, Jim Matthews, Jack Baldwin, Brad Frisselle, Eric Lux and David Murry. Former Porsche Motorsport North America President Alwin Springer was also in attendance, as well as management representatives from Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.
“Since I came over to race here in 1980 with Bob Akin, I got to know Bob through Peter Gregg, ” Bell said. “We raced Porsche 935s, and then I replaced Peter at Le Mans and co-drove with Al Holbert and Hurley Haywood. He was an amazing guy. He was always chummy, he was always there. I raced against him for years. If you didn’t race for him, you didn’t get too close, but he was still a friend and always had good things to say. “
“When I first came on the racing scene, he was always very friendly to me and we built up a good relationship, ” Rahal added. “When I got into the automobile business, he was quick to provide advice and information. He was just a good guy. I would have loved to have driven for Brumos, but it didn’t work out. “
“I’ve been in racing my whole life, and Bob’s a big part of racing, ” said Cheever. “I never raced for him, but often against him. “
Snodgrass was a significant figure in the City of Jacksonville, as evidenced by the fact that Mayor John Peyton and Sheriff John Rutherford were both present and spoke at the celebration. Later in the program Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Motor Unit officers presented Harris Snodgrass with an official JSO Motor Unit helmet and honorary badge. Former Jacksonville Jaguars superstar wide receiver Jimmy Smith was also on hand to pay his respects.
“What a great response to a great man, ” said Mayor Peyton, who was impressed by the huge turnout. “Jacksonville is only as good as its people, and Bob was one of the best of Jacksonville. We will all miss him terribly, but Jacksonville is a better place because of Bob Snodgrass. “
“Bob was truly a great friend of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, ” Sheriff Rutherford contributed. “Just two months ago, we were privileged to have the honor of presenting Bob with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office ‘Citizen of the Year Award. ’ He was one of our best supporters. “
“Mr. Snodgrass was definitely like a father figure to me, ” added Smith. “I look around today and I see a lot of faces I haven’t seen in awhile. Mr. Snodgrass had that power to bring people together. He would always love to tell me that I would be the first Jaguar to make it to the Hall of Fame. As far as I’m concerned, Mr. Snodgrass is already in the Hall of Fame - the Hall of Fame of life. ”
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