44 replies to this topic

[MSwiss]

A few weeks back, my wife asked me why I got home a little late from work.

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.

[Fast Freddie]

Well, it isn't me I'm only 71. I feel like a youngster next to that guy. 

I hope he keeps on racing, it's what I plan on doing as long as I can still breath.

[Dennis David]

I think our friend Alan Swartz used to race with Lincoln. But your racer might have a few years in him. I'll have to get a controller into my mother-in-laws hands, she's 99.

[Cheater]

Wel, if you included track owners, Buzzy would be the guy. He's what, 92?

[Ecurie Martini]

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

[Dennis David]

Ha-ha.

[gotboostedvr6]

I feel old. Does that count?

[MSwiss]

Dennis,
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.

[MSwiss]

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.

[Half Fast]

Bill Sutton who ran the last Fall brawl and runs regularly at Speedzone NJ is 80 years old.

 

Cheers

[Mbloes]

Excellent topic.

 

A more appropriate question might be "Who is the youngest racer out there?".

 

I'm 61.

[MSwiss]

Last night, in between families coming in, I had 5 people in the shop.

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.

[Ecurie Martini]

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

[zipper]

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.

[MSwiss]

Does BW still have real sharp elbows, at the driver's panel? lol

[zipper]

Yep, I don't like to drive next to him - but he does surprisingly well with the slower cars, Gr 12 and G27 Lite.

[MSwiss]

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

[Bernard Powell]

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

[Rob Voska]

WOW Ramcat Larry Kelly just got a heck of a lot younger with this thread! 

[Bernie]

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!

[MSwiss]

IIRC, he was an iron worker.

[Steve Deiters]

I love stories like this.....

[MSwiss]

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".

[Noose]

Hey I like being 65 and still being able to race!

[Pappy]

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.