Oldest slot racer - now 90
#1
Posted 27 December 2017 - 01:14 PM
I told her that a father-son duo that got a late start, heading my way from the north suburbs, and had a hard time finding me, finally showed up, so I stayed open for them.
I added the son was at least my age (62), and more like 65. And the father couldn't be any younger than 85.
Well, they came by again, last night, in the frigid cold, for the third time in less than two weeks, so I was comfortable enough to quiz them.
I was 100% right.
The son, who drives a bright yellow and black, bumble bee looking Hemi Charger, is 65, and his dad is 89.
I'll add the dad is 100% on the ball, and moves around faster than at least a third of my Saturday night Hardbody racers.
They have about four-five cars each, and both are good drivers, especially considering they both use Parma Turbos without the brake wire.
And not just unclipped, but totally removed.
"We like how the cars drive and behave, without brakes".
So, can anyone top 89, for a regular slot racer?
Racers only. No trying to slip in raceway owners, like Buzzy... or Jim Honeycutt.
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Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#2
Posted 27 December 2017 - 01:23 PM
I hope he keeps on racing, it's what I plan on doing as long as I can still breath.
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#3
Posted 27 December 2017 - 02:02 PM
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Dennis David
#4
Posted 27 December 2017 - 02:08 PM
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Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#5
Posted 27 December 2017 - 02:08 PM
I think our friend Alan Swartz used to race with Lincoln. But your racer might have a few years in him. Ill have to get a controller into my mother-in-laws hands, shes 99.
Within five months of 82 but I'm not certain that the locals would term what I do these days "racing."
That said, I'm still building. I focus on "open" classes in the hope that if I can't outdrive 'em maybe I can outbuild them.
EM
#6
Posted 27 December 2017 - 02:11 PM
Ha-ha.
Dennis David
#7
Posted 27 December 2017 - 02:15 PM
#8
Posted 27 December 2017 - 02:16 PM
As far your mother-in-law, because they want to slot race, not because they are coerced into doing it. LOL.
"My guy" has been by, three times in 12 days, and lives about 35 minutes away.
It's pretty entertaining watching them "race."
Last night, I had just finished (sort of) truing Chuck's tires, with drywall screen, on this stamped, skinny, sort of dirt modified thing.
You could see he could now pull away from his son's similar car, but their MO is to slow down for each other, and dice.
And then they get a little indigent, with each other, when they wind up nerfed off the track. LOL.
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Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#9
Posted 27 December 2017 - 02:22 PM
Wel, if you included track owners, Buzzy would be the guy. He's what, 92?
I specifically said "No" to track owners and Buzzy.
IIRC, he is 93.
- Brian Cochrane likes this
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#10
Posted 27 December 2017 - 02:24 PM
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Bill Botjer
Faster then, wiser now.
The most dangerous form of ignorance is not knowing that you don't know anything!
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity
#11
Posted 27 December 2017 - 02:34 PM
Excellent topic.
A more appropriate question might be "Who is the youngest racer out there?".
I'm 61.
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#12
Posted 27 December 2017 - 02:41 PM
I was the youngest, at 62.
Along with the 65-89, father-son duo, I had 2 Slotblogger's, 72 year old, Bernard Powell, mentoring 70 year old, David Stahl, on the finer points of Hardbody racing.
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Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#13
Posted 27 December 2017 - 03:08 PM
Perhaps I can claim the widest family range. My son, now 47, did a little slot racing growing up but for the majority of the time before he left for college, either my track was in boxes or was inactive. He now lives in the SF bay area and has twin 9 year old daughters. Two years ago he gave them a Scalextric set for Christmas. It was enthusiastically received. This year I asked him if the girls were still interested. Apparently so and, having tired of the set it up, take it down routine on the LR floor, they are going to a place in Alameda that, while primarily a miniature golf/arcade business, has a 100' 6 lane Carrera track. I sent them 3 1/24 Carrera cars - so daddy can play too.
OK - a 73 year span.
EM
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#14
Posted 27 December 2017 - 03:53 PM
So we in Europe are youngsters - in European Wing Car Championships I think Burkhart Werner is the oldest active at 71 and a handful of followers nearing 70 like me.
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#15
Posted 27 December 2017 - 03:54 PM
Does BW still have real sharp elbows, at the driver's panel? lol
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#16
Posted 27 December 2017 - 04:10 PM
Yep, I don't like to drive next to him - but he does surprisingly well with the slower cars, Gr 12 and G27 Lite.
#17
Posted 27 December 2017 - 04:23 PM
Yes, I see his name in the European results.
I got an elbow, which was connected to those monstrous arms, about 30 years ago, for just passing him clean. LOL
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#18
Posted 28 December 2017 - 09:55 AM
I was at Chicagoland when the gentleman came in. Made me feel good I wasn't the oldest in the place at 72. The bad thing is I think he moved around better than me LOL
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#19
Posted 28 December 2017 - 01:50 PM
WOW Ramcat Larry Kelly just got a heck of a lot younger with this thread!
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#20
Posted 28 December 2017 - 02:17 PM
I have had the pleasure of racing with Burkhart Werner twice in St Maarten. Great guy that still uses his thumb on the controller! As Swiss indicated he is a big man. Last year we were having a particularly close battle and during the break he gave me a friendly slap on the back and almost knocked the wind out of me LOL! When you shake his hand be sure you are ready for a killer grip. For a guy his age, he is still quite powerful!
#21
Posted 28 December 2017 - 02:19 PM
IIRC, he was an iron worker.
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Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#22
Posted 28 December 2017 - 04:10 PM
I love stories like this.....
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#23
Posted 28 December 2017 - 05:31 PM
Imagine being 65 and getting to go slot racing with your dad, who is still able to dice with you, like a rabid dog.
When his dad was out of earshot, I told Jim, "You are truly blessed".
And he just grinned a bit, and replied, "Believe me, I know".
- Howie Ursaner, NSwanberg, garyvmachines and 2 others like this
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#24
Posted 28 December 2017 - 05:42 PM
Hey I like being 65 and still being able to race!
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Joe "Noose" Neumeister
Sometimes known as a serial despoiler of the clear purity of virgin Lexan bodies. Lexan is my canvas!
Noose Custom Painting - Since 1967
Chairman - IRRA® Body Committee - Roving IRRA® Tech Dude - "EVIL BUCKS Painter"
"Team Evil Bucks" Racer - 2016 Caribbean Retro Overall Champion
The only thing bad about Retro is admitting that you remember doing it originally.
#25
Posted 28 December 2017 - 06:11 PM
I was an All-State pitcher in high school, now I'm 66, almost 67 and I still throw a baseball as hard as I ever did. It just takes it longer to get to home plate, sometimes it doesn't make it that far.
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Jim "Butch" Dunaway
I don't always go the extra mile, but when I do it's because I missed my exit.
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