Remembering John Bly

by Jerry Doctor
Written in December 1996

On December 6th Nebraska Region lost one of its most loyal members with the death of Jonn Bly. Although John had been seriously ill for sometime, he had recently appeared to be making real progress. He and Dick Gross had attended the American Sedan Rally on November 23rd. Many of us remarked that John looked better than he had in months. When asked, John told us he had gained about 20 pounds and was feeling much better. Within a week John was back in the hospital with pneumonia.

John first joined the Nebraska Region in 1961. During the early years there were frequent gaps in his membership as his financial gaps rose and fell but earlier this year John received his 25 year membership plaque.

John was twice elected to the Board of Governors and served as Regional Executive in 1985 and 1986. Over the years he also held many other positions including editor and rally chairman. In 1987 he co-chaired the MiDiv Solo II Run-offs with Don Knop. That event was selected (nationally) as the Outstanding Divisional Solo of 1987.

Over the years John has received the Woody Dunn Memorial Trophy for the outstanding contribution to the Nebraska Region in 1985. He won the Dr. Robert Byers Memorial Trophy as eventmaster of the best regional event of 1977. In 1972 and 1974 John finished first in regional points competition, winning the Dale Flesher Memorial Award. The Board of Governors selected him as the Outstanding Regional Worker in 1982.

John and I weren't particularly friendly during my first few years in the SCCA. After all, I didn't join until 1970 and I think John probably found me somewhat "pushy" for a newcomer. Right from the beginning, however, John and I were competitors. In March 1970 John and I both entered in the member class at the Nylon Run Rally. John's score of 796.1 was good for sixth place. It looked pretty good to me. I had finished twelfth. By the way, there were 21 cars in our class and a total of 62 entrants.

I got my revenge that November at the Funkhana. I was driving a Fiat 124 Spider and came in 7th with 166 points. John was 8th with 206 ... in a truck.

I think the first time we faced each other at an autocross was August 1971. I was driving the Spider and turned a time of 1.22 minutes in class Ea. John was in an MG and blew my doors off with a 1.12.

It's a funny thing about competition. At its worst it can create blood enemies. But at its best, competitors often become good friends. That's what happened with us.

As the years passed and the region became more and more Solo-oriented, John and I became the rally dinosaurs. Each of us used the other as his benchmark. Was I happy with a second place trophy? It depends. Did John get first?

Both of us enjoyed the role of rallymaster. At first we each tried to "get" the other when we put on a rally. We learned that rallies designed that way usually lack one important element ... fun. Soon we realized a good rally was one our chief competitor enjoyed.

The final time I would compete with John was at last month's American Sedan Rally. Thanks to the freezing rain, it had to be canceled mid-event ... without a winner.

The last "battle" was declared a draw. I'm glad it worked out that way.