[ckracer69]

I first met Vic at the Pro Gas and Bracket Championship Race at Orange County International Raceway in November of 1980. As an 18 year old kid I advanced to the final round of street eliminator to compete against the veteran Vic Hobbs driving Gene Kiblers Duster. I was sure I was in for a tough race. As luck for me would have it Vic left the car in drive and ran a couple tenths over his dial giving me plenty of time to get on the brakes and earn my first big event win. After the race I was curious as to what happened to Vic and he explained to me what he had done and then I understood why he was so far behind at the finish. In telling me, although I'm sure he was disappointed with what he had done he was laughing it off and showed very good sportsmanship about his misshape. Since our first meeting/race Vic and I developed a friendship and would always talk at the E.T. finals at the end of every year. This was the only time we would see each other since Vic lived in Northern CA and I lived in Southern CA.


Several years later Vic moved to Southern CA and we would talk at the various tracks that we participated at. In 1994 Vic was doing some tuning for ED and Kathy Veenstras E/SA Camaro and asked if I wanted to race his R/SA station wagon at some races. I agreed and I ran it at several races. but, although we won a few rounds of racing a big win seemed to always elude us. At the end of the year at Los Angeles County Raceway I ran his car at a Stock/Superstock race and as luck would have it Kathy was unable to attend this race so Ed asked Vic if he wanted to race it and Vic agreed. Vic and I qualified on opposite sides of the ladder and both of us advanced to the final round. This was awesome and once again I was sure that it was going to be a tough race. As luck was on my side Vic red lighted to me and I won the race. But, Vic also won because I won the race in his car and he received half the winnings and he was runner - up and got paid for that as well. It was a great day for both of us.


In trying to keep this short, as I could go on for ever, the last time my wife and I saw Vic was at the 2013 E.T. finals at Las Vegas Raceway. Vic pitted next to us and we spent the weekend talking over past racing as well as how we were doing that weekend. During the previous week at work I injured my back and was moving around very slowly. On Friday morning while making my time trial run I broke a transmission mount and when I got back to the pits Vic asked me how I ran and I told him that I'm sure the I just broke the trans mount and Vic jumped right in and helped me verify it. Next, he drove me to the nearest automotive store to pick up a replacement mount and then we drove back. Once back Vic knowing of my back pain told me to take it easy as he would replace it for me. I told him I appreciate that , but, that I would still get under there and help him with what I could. We had it changed in no time with Vic doing most of the work and it was ready for the next run. This is how Vic was, always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone that needed it. At this same event a fellow racer in the pro class had a problem with his starter and flex plate lining up as it had some bad teeth. Vic followed him up to the starting line and if the car didn't start he would climb under the car and rotate the flex plate so that the teeth would line up and the competetor was able to finish the race thanks to Vics efforts.


This is the type of person Vic was, he was always quick to lend a helping hand and was a good sport too. My wife and I will miss him and look forward to seeing him again one day in heaven.


Good - By my friend


Chuck & Maria Killian