Congrats to Willie Lytch 1st Wally

[rlytch]

I want to congratulate my father Willie Lytch and JC Sloan for the win in Super Street today at the Rockingham National Open. My dad won't get a full-page article in the National Dragster because he's not a big well-known racer but he is to me. So thanks to this Class Racer's forum I have the opportunity to give him a small page that in my heart he deserves. I'm not a writer but here goes.

My dad Willie Lytch was a married teenage father of 1 working at a car dealership washing cars in the 60's trying to help support a young family. In between car washes instead of sitting around he would go into the mechanics bay and offer his help to the mechanics. The dealership owner took notice and sent him to GM school in Charlotte NC. He worked as a mechanic and eventually got into body work. He managed several dealership body shops and even ran his own service station. He retired from his work career in auto insurance. I'm very proud of where he started and the success my parents had in life.

My father has always loved hot cars, he had old Fords, Chevys, 442 Olds, Chevelle to name a few. One day in the 70s a 1967 Camaro showed up in the back yard with no front end. My friends used to tease me about the messed-up car in the back yard. That car turned out to be the 1300 original road miles car that my dad won in today. My dad and his 1st cousin JC Sloan ventured into a partnership some 46 years ago to turn this 1967 Camaro into a drag race car. There wasn't a lot of money in those days but they were able to piece this car together and finally got it running. It was a 4 speed car for years and when they put a faster engine and a powerglide in it I thought it was the most boring thing ever! No more wheelies in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. This car has seen a few changes over the years but it's well known locally for the car as well as my dad and JC's partnership. JC is quite the character and will make friends at ever race we go. They have won plenty of bracket races but the Ironman and Wally has eluded the team for years. My father has had IHRA quarters, semis and a runner-up. NHRA quarter finals but never that win. He has passed on good race blood as I have won some Ironmen and a divisional championship and my kids only get to race once a year and the son Corey has a runner-up and the daughter Kendra has a semi in the last 2 years.

Lately my father has not been able to race much due to my mother's health condition. He takes selflessly care of her and never makes much time to enjoy his passion and that's racing. When he is at the track he is at home. My parents have always taught me to treat others as I want to be treated and I have passed that to my two children. We take that to the race as well. I say all this to paint a picture of how emotional it was to get that call from my dad that he won a Wally. It has been a great road and I again can't be prouder. My dad may never get a big article or be well known but he is my race hero! Thanks dad!