Time to "hang em up"
 

As hard as it is for me to say, I am done. I have been nothing more than a kid that grew up in the 60's when it was important to have the fastest car in town.
After returning to "the world" following my draft obligation I bought a Roadrunner, and still have it. I put my kids thru braces and college.
Health issues, including a stroke has made my family deside for me that I should not race even though racing blood runs through me.
Most people will remember me for our 1968 Dart..with Steve Wann engine and Pro trans. I will probably regret never putting ithe on "kill", but I didn't have finances to blow an engine for my ego. It went 9.60 in Stevie car. We still went 9.85 at SS/FA Weight.

So to all of my brothers and sisters in the racing world. Go fast, enjoy life, win. And always remember that it is better to be a "has been" than someone that was nothing at all.

See ya at the races.

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who if he wins knows the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."Teddy Roosevelt

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

It's got to be a tough decision, Gary, but just like many things in life, when it stops being fun and becomes work, it's time to stop. Sounds like you had a wonderful racing career and will have great memories and loyal friends, who will be with you as you move into another phase of your life. There is life after drag racing, though sadly, many of us never allow ourselves to be successful in making the transition. Motorcycling, street cars, boats, travel, a small business, woodworking, golf, and numerous other pastimes await, but drag racing is like a drug you just can't quit. Good luck with finding your next endeavor; many of us are right behind you.

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

On a lighter side of this disappointing news, always remember the "Has Been" creed: "The older I get the better I was."

Don't forget to share the stories.

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

Don Kennedy,

Thanks for the quote, it's great.

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

Indeed, Teddy Roosevelt faced all of life's challenges with amazing tenacity. Quite the example for all of us as we age. Good luck Gary as the next chapter opens and remember it's an endless book.

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

"its better to be a has been, than a never was"

Jerry Stein used to use that line and I love that one....

Jerry was great....he had a lot of good sayings....

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

I quit last year for health reasons also. Sold my big trailer and was going to sell the race car but my boy said no. Took the year off and now going to get back at it but on a smaller scale and fewer races. I really missed being out there with friends.

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

I feel forbyou, Gary. My wife says I'm done as well. I'm still thinking it over.

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

Enjoy your leisure time, sounds like you plan to stay in touch with the racers.

In the late 90's I decided to give up after running stock class cars/ brackets for about 30 years and for a while I had withdrawals but as time passed it got pretty OK not racing. I don't go to many races any more but look in on sites such as this.
Took my 57 to the strip a few times just to play with it.

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

Gary,
Sorry to hear you are "hang em up" but, I guess we all have to some day, But one thing you get to keep is the memories, friends, and such. Think of all the good times back at old Flight-land, Cornhusker, and good old Division Five. We had a lot of fun in those times. I loved gaining friends, and racing against you and all the others, over all these years, that is something that you will never forget.
Take care my friend,
Eddie Rezac

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

Your decision will be joined by many Gary .. Looking at the pits, it not hard to figure out we all are racing on borrowed time, as they say .. There are tons of 60 plus year olds racing our classes . Most of us don't really belong in a race car , and some just drag it out to damn long .Its a habit, and habits of any kind are just that... We all know how hard it is to drag ourselves away from such a addictive sport . Keep us informed,

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

Its time for me to hang up as well. My son doesn't want me to race BUT as someone said its just something you can't get out of your system. I sold my Firebird about 10 years ago and thought I was done. I started looking at all the ads last year and wound up buying another Firebird. I thought I would just freshen it up and go racing, if it ran .60 under so be it, wrong. The car was much more of a mess than I originally thought and here I go again, throwing more money at it than I should. I hope to get it running in time for the first race of the year at Baton Rouge. The only thing that puts that in doubt is my lack of energy. I am 72 and the difference between now and 10 years ago is amazing and scary. I will get out there sometime this year and may not win a round but I will be out there with all my friends. I love this stuff and I am so looking forward to that first race.

Gary

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

Gary Slaton I'm right there with you. After 10 years off to take care of family I'm going to try again. Hope to see you out, sometime this year.
Ed Wright You can't quit. I haven't had a chance to kick your butt in a race & you sure haven't had the chance to kick mine. Looking forward to one more go around. got a few more obligations at my shop and then use what energy is left to get out there..

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

I sold my car a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. I have just as much fun hauling Andrew's car around and spending time with him. I can start drinking earlier and have no pressure at all. Get to see my friends and now only have one car to keep up.

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

Thats a shame-however, your health needs have to take priority. As Greg Hill said above, it is possible to participate otherwise-he has his son, but I remember when I met the late Buick great Dave Benisek, about 1994, he was still owning/building cars and had local talented racers drive for him. First Chris Lee drove his car, then he had a lengthy and a very successful collaboration with Bruce Kent through a couple of cars. Try to see a different way if you can, and you always have Classracer to help keep you in touch. Good luck!

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

Works for me...so far

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

Thanks for the kind responses. Eddie Rezac, yes we have fond memories of racing at Flightland, Cornhusker, Marion, and Sioux City. My first NHRA race was 1965..51 years ago. A memory that sticks with me is a Class trophy race with Dan Fletcher. I was .005 and left second..

I think the most difficult part of quitting is saying "it is over". The rest will be easy.

I'll be around and I have plenty to keep me busy with 11 Grandkids. Who knows, I might become a moonshiner!!!!

Race safe everyone.

Re: Time to "hang em up"
 

I met Eddie Rezak, I think at Omaha, in the early '70s? Had a fast Chevelle. Very friendly, neat guy. And we thought racing was expensive then. LOL