64 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

I have just learned some very sad news via Facebook.

 

Slotblog member and seminal figure from slot racing's past, Robert "Bob" Emott, Jr, has passed away. 

 

Bob was a fantastic racer, chassis builder, tire maker, and raceway owner. His impact on the competitive slot racing hobby would be impossible to overstate.

 

 

RIP, Bob.

[Cheater]

Here's a LINK to a thread over at SlotForum that PdL posted in 2008 when the LA Slot Car Museum purchased Bob's collection of chassis and other materials.
 
Here's a brief quote from that thread, to illustrate Bob's stature in the hobby:
 

Indeed, Bob Emott invented and perfected many of the advancements in slot car racing between 1966 and 1971, and was the inspiration for many top-notch chassis builders such as Tony P, Lee Gilbert, Pete von Ahrens, and others, as well as inflicting complete humiliation to the British and German pro contingents during his visit to Europe.

[Cheater]

Here's a picture of Bob, racing at the famous Nutley Raceway in NJ back in his heyday.

The caption for this photo reads, "... one of the best of all time racers, builder supreme, slot racing statesman, and great all around friend to all!"


photo: Fred Strauss

[Noose]

This is so, so sad to hear. Bob was a friend and mentor to many in the slot racing world. His talents and imagination were special. We will miss him. 

 

In Retro East, we honor the racer who has the most points using his own built cars with the "Bob Emott" Constructor Award. This is even more special now.

 

Here is a picture of the one from last year.

[Chewy]

So sad to hear this.

 

I met Bob at Polk's Hobby in Manhattan, NY, when I was about twelve or thirteen. He was a great guy and a backbone to slot car racing.

 

Much later on he ran a  NASCAR series race at Elmsford Raceway that I raced in during the '90s. I spoke to him after this about slots a few times. He loved the Retro slots when he came to SpeedZone two years ago. I got to sit and talk with him then which was a great time remembering all the years gone by.

 

RIP, Bob, you are an icon.

[Bill from NH]

Sad news. Bob, you will be missed.

[tonyp]

Thanks for everything I know about chassis building. I am fortunate that you chose me to share all your secrets. You were the greatest and will be missed.

[MSwiss]

How sad.

 

After seeing him race in his heyday at Hinsdale Racway in 1970, I was lucky enough to connect with him via Retro racing, having some great phone calls with him, and he even built a chassis for me that I'll keep forever.

 

Bob, we'll miss you.

 

Rest in peace.

[Pappy]

Sad news indeed. I never had the honor of meeting Bob but I've heard numerous things about him. All good.

 

RIP.

[John Streisguth]

The passing of a legend. We at Retro East were fortunate enough to have him come out to a few races over the last few years. 

 

RIP, Bob

[slotcarone]

One of slot racing's greatest ever. Bob's chassis building was a big inspiration for all of us older builders.

 

Rest In Peace, Bob.

[Steve Deiters]

Very sad news. Bob Emott impacted the slot racing hobby and others in so many ways. 
 
- Top flight racer. 
- Early "Pro" racer.
- Early scratchbuilt chassis giant. 
- Slot racing journalist and publisher of a nationally distributed slot racing newspaper.
- Slot racing manufacturer of chassis parts with Jerry Brady-BEE Products for a short time.
- Embraced the world of 1/8 gas R/C cars early on adapting what were then airplane radios with a Russklit/Parma pistol grip handle since it made for a transition for the slot racing mindset to a "stick" control style radio easier. A standard of design that has continued to this day.
 
All the racers and slot racing hobbyists he touched along the way. Priceless.
 
Quite a legacy for any lifetime.
 
He and his family are in my thoughts today.

[old & gray]

I knew of Bob Emott from the race reports in magazines in the mid-'60s. The first time I met him was at Nutley when I needed someone with a hot iron to fix my car. A racer from my local track directed me to ask Bob for help.

 

A timid sixteen-year-old approached someone he considered a legend and asked “Mr Emott, could you solder this?” Bob turned from the work he was involved with and said “Mr. Emott? Kid, I’m called Bob, Emott, Hey You, and a few things I won’t repeat. But never Mr. Emott, he’s my father. Now what can I help you with?”
 
“Any man's death diminishes me…” with Bob’s passing we are all greatly diminished.

[bwolfsohn]

So sad to hear the news... Bob was there when I started racing in 1964-65 at Polk's... One of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet...

[Gator Bob]

Sad news. Sorry to hear you guys lost such a great friend and mentor.
 
We can take time to celebrate his life and great contributions to our hobby.
 
Rest in Peace, Robert Emott Jr.

[John Gorski]

The Chassis God is going home...

Thanks for the fun times, Bob. Godspeed.



1969 Emott two-rail and wide drop arm. Very Sano and creative.

[Howie Ursaner]

For many years Bob was my big brother and best friend. We did everything together. We worked at Polks Hobbies where I met him.

He built slot cars for me in mid-'60s and we raced side by side. I raced mostly his cars in '68-70 and his sidewinders were jewlery and unbeatable.

We traveled everywere together and had so much fun. When we went to the USGP at the Glen I remember pouring a soda over his head and running for my life. When we raced in Texas I gave him pills to keep him up for days building cars and then he fell asleep at the workbench and we could not wake him up to finish in time. We all showed up a half hour late and they voted to NOT let us race.

When he went to Vietnam I went to his house, packed up all of his slot car stuff, and sent it to him so he could put up a track and race there. He went to my mother's funeral and he mentored me in opening an R/C raceway in the '80s.

I still love you Bob and miss you. You were the best slot car builder of all time and a hell of a racer. It is an honor to be your friend forever.

 

   BOB'S INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

 

[JerseyJohn]

Rest in peace, Slot Father, you will be missed but your legacy will live on forever!!!

[Cap Henry]

Never got to meet Bob, but looked at enough photos to know he was truly a master at building slot cars.

Rest in peace, Mr. Emott.

[Cheater]

We can take time to celebrate his life and great contributions to our hobby.

Absolutely! Please post your favorite Bob stories in this thread. Howie has already started the ball rolling...

[Noose]

This is the last frame I raced before I stopped and it was built by Bob.


 

 
These are two frames Bob built in April and May of 2012. He never lost the touch, that's for sure.
 

 

[Uncle Fred]

Very sad news indeed. 

I first met Bob at Polk's and raced with him in the late '60s. I last saw him in 1995 at the Zepplin 500 where he had come by to see the Group 7 race. 

He will be missed...

[TSR]

Returning from Europe this morning, I read the sad news.

Robert Emott was in my opinion, the greatest, most creative, most inventive slot car engineer, designer, builder of all time. He also happened to be the nicest, kindest, and gentlest of men, a rare combination of modesty and talent.

Bob, you deserve a top spot in the great Whallala if there is one.

Thank you for all you did to improve the hobby and make our little cars to handle the way they do today.

[SlotStox#53]

Such sad news. Never got to meet Bob but have enjoyed reading all about his chassis building and racing immortalized here on the Blog.

Marvelled over his chassis designs and have many bookmarks for links to his cars and the lovely recreations dc-65x has built.

RIP, Chassis God, friend to many and a great human being...

[George Blaha]

Hey Bob,
 
Thanks for the manly style and grace that you gave freely to the slot car hobby. Having met you as a child and re-met you as an adult, it was a honor and I am shattered by your passing. See you on the other side. 
 
Shakey George Blaha