Time to "hang em up"

SStockDart · 01-23-2017, 02:14 AM

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.

Don Kennedy · 01-23-2017, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SStockDart

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.

"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

nhramnl · 01-23-2017, 07:56 AM

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.

Larry Hill · 01-23-2017, 08:15 AM

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.

Woodfin · 01-23-2017, 09:11 AM

Don Kennedy,

Thanks for the quote, it's great.

jmcarter · 01-23-2017, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodfin

Don Kennedy,

Thanks for the quote, it's great.

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.

Rich Biebel · 01-23-2017, 10:36 AM

"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....

Floyd Staggs · 01-23-2017, 11:01 AM

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.

Ed Wright · 01-23-2017, 12:52 PM

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

henrys57wagon · 01-23-2017, 04:27 PM

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.

01-23-2017, 02:14 AM	#1
SStockDart VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Arizona, Texan forever Posts: 1,176 Likes: 878 Liked 574 Times in 212 Posts	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. __________________ Gary Hansen - SS/FA 4911, B/SA 4911

01-23-2017, 07:56 AM	#3
nhramnl Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 507 Likes: 8 Liked 358 Times in 83 Posts	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.

01-23-2017, 08:15 AM	#4
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,629 Likes: 1,919 Liked 10,681 Times in 2,222 Posts	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. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

01-23-2017, 09:11 AM	#5
Woodfin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 532 Likes: 8 Liked 260 Times in 102 Posts	Re: Time to "hang em up" Don Kennedy, Thanks for the quote, it's great.

01-23-2017, 10:36 AM	#7
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	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.... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

01-23-2017, 11:01 AM	#8
Floyd Staggs VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cucamonga, CA Posts: 1,522 Likes: 146 Liked 229 Times in 99 Posts	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. __________________ Floyd Staggs 787 SST

01-23-2017, 12:52 PM	#9
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Time to "hang em up" I feel forbyou, Gary. My wife says I'm done as well. I'm still thinking it over. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

01-23-2017, 04:27 PM	#10
henrys57wagon Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carleton Place, On. Canada Posts: 107 Likes: 5 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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. __________________ old 1608 stock racer