Post by dragnews on Dec 6, 2011 20:45:13 GMT -5
First let me apologize for the delay of this article, weather my excuse be for a hectic schedule or just time to gather my thoughts. This edition is dedicated to honor my first hero and the passing of drag racings first touring racer Bobby Langley.
It was Friday night Oct 21, during the ceremonies of the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion I received a phone call from Don Ross that Bobby had passed away and was asked to perform a task, to inform Steve Gibbs and the entire racing community that night we had lost Mr. Langley.
As I have told the story many time Bobby was the first racer ever to sign a autograph for me when I was only 5 years old. He should be credited for being the first touring racer. in 1958 Bobby and Ruth headed west to Bakersfield California to take on the West Coast cars. The Smokers car club realized that money could be made if they paid racers money to come back west and race against the boys from California. Thus in 1959 the March meet was born.
Mr. Gibbs told me the story that in 1958 Marv Ritchman gave Bobby a set of Experimental tires to try out while out west> The result M&H racemasters were born.
The last time I was blessed to be with Bobby and Ruth was at the Texas Motorplex, as all ways Bobby took me by my right shirt sleeve and told me a story. ( And Stories he would tell). He said in 1959 Ruth and Him won Top Eliminator at Wichita Falls Texas.
The paid him with a $25 war bond. Bobby stopped on the river coming home and cashed the bond at a small store were it netted $18. He said I got back in the car and told Ruth we are in the big time....(Wow so long ago!).
I was blessed the last 10 years to travel and be part of Bobby and Ruth's life learning about how it was when drag racing was young. Some say Bobby is the person who taught Don Garlits how to run Stromberg carburetors on Nitro, and who could ever forget the ring of fire? Where Bobby's tires actually used to catch fire while racing down the track. Whatever story was told, Bobby was always modest and often shy-ed from attention.
Well I am beginning to tear up again so let me close and say, So long Bobby We Love You---Youll always be my My Hero!.....Rob
It was Friday night Oct 21, during the ceremonies of the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion I received a phone call from Don Ross that Bobby had passed away and was asked to perform a task, to inform Steve Gibbs and the entire racing community that night we had lost Mr. Langley.
As I have told the story many time Bobby was the first racer ever to sign a autograph for me when I was only 5 years old. He should be credited for being the first touring racer. in 1958 Bobby and Ruth headed west to Bakersfield California to take on the West Coast cars. The Smokers car club realized that money could be made if they paid racers money to come back west and race against the boys from California. Thus in 1959 the March meet was born.
Mr. Gibbs told me the story that in 1958 Marv Ritchman gave Bobby a set of Experimental tires to try out while out west> The result M&H racemasters were born.
The last time I was blessed to be with Bobby and Ruth was at the Texas Motorplex, as all ways Bobby took me by my right shirt sleeve and told me a story. ( And Stories he would tell). He said in 1959 Ruth and Him won Top Eliminator at Wichita Falls Texas.
The paid him with a $25 war bond. Bobby stopped on the river coming home and cashed the bond at a small store were it netted $18. He said I got back in the car and told Ruth we are in the big time....(Wow so long ago!).
I was blessed the last 10 years to travel and be part of Bobby and Ruth's life learning about how it was when drag racing was young. Some say Bobby is the person who taught Don Garlits how to run Stromberg carburetors on Nitro, and who could ever forget the ring of fire? Where Bobby's tires actually used to catch fire while racing down the track. Whatever story was told, Bobby was always modest and often shy-ed from attention.
Well I am beginning to tear up again so let me close and say, So long Bobby We Love You---Youll always be my My Hero!.....Rob