5 replies to this topic

[MG Brown]

Most slot car racers in the greater Chicago area have either been to or heard of Dads Slot Cars in Des Plaines.

It is a very retro place -– part slot car track and part ice cream parlor. Visitors were greeted by a huge neon art deco sign, which if you have ever seen it, it is burned into your memory.
 


The original Chris Daddss tracks are still negative gate to this day. No room for pit space and no modern timing system so organized racing was not possible.
 

 

 

 


Unfortunately, I heard today of the passing of its somewhat quirky owner... here is the obituary:

Thomas J. Pelletiere, age 75, of Des Plaines passed away on November 14, 2018. Beloved husband of Reba for 49 years. Loving father of Tom Jr. (Karen) Pelletiere, Sue (Anthony) Almerigi, Mary (Ryan) Heider, Vito (Bobbi) Pelletiere, and Margaret (AJ) Cruz. Cherished grandfather of AJ, Faith, Tommy, Vito Jr., Emily, Nicky, Becky, Josh, Charlotte, Ruby, and Vicky. Dear brother of the late Bill (Mary Ann) Pelletiere, and the late Patty (BoB) Proksa. He is also survived by many loving friends.

Tom met Reba at Fastex in Des Plaines and shortly after got married at First Congregational Church of Des Plaines in 1969.

They bought the house of their dreams and made it a home, raising their five children. All of which are raising families of their own in Des plaines with his 11 grandchildren with one on the way.

Family was always most important and he raised his kids to know that. Spending summers in Michigan to vacationing in Melaque, Mexico. Everything he did was always for his family.

In 1977, he opened Tin Lizzie Antique Auto Parts in downtown Des Plaines. There his name was made restoring antique cars and motorcycles. From the barber chair to the airplanes on the ceiling, he always had a vision.

In 1992 he proudly opened Dads Slot Cars in downtown Des Plaines making memories for not only his own children but for kids of all ages and their families.

We invite everyone to make memories with us and share your memories of Tom on Saturday, December 15, from 12 to 3 PM at Dads Slot Cars at 700 Lee Street, Des Plaines, Illinois, celebrating his gift of life and his legacy with racing surrounded by everyone that knew him.

"Friends will come and friends may go but family will last forever"... Dad.

Funeral care provided by G. L. Hills Funeral Home. For info please call (847)699-9003 or glhillsfuneralhome.com

[Slot-Racer]

[MSwiss]

Sad to hear about Tom.
 
With Dads being in Sano Dave Fiedler's home town of Des Plaines, they were pretty good friends.
 
Tom and his raceway exposed a lot of Chicago area people to slot racing in the last 26 years.
 
May he Rest in Peace.

[Ramcatlarry]

Tom's Daughter has been managing the Raceway for many years.  I hope the winter goes well for them.  The 'bones' of the tracks are in very good condition.  Chris Dadds built the roadcourse to the American Orange roadbed specifications with the esses and the hump coming out of the top turn.  I have helped service them now and then over the years.  Rebraiding the original 1992 is vital as is replacing the timing system (it is pre-SRT).  There is also a triktrax dragstrip sitting unused for several years  I think Tom owned the building along with his other business.

 

My condolences to the family.

[Dave Crevie]

It was a frequent hangout for Dave. I was only there a couple of times in the period between when Dave had the track in

Wood Dale, and I started coming by Mike's in LaGrange, mostly if I was going to DesPlaines Hobbies. With no race schedule,

I didn't go there much. Let's hope the track stays open. It could bring some new blood into the hobby.

 

RIP, Dad.

[MG Brown]

The Late, Great Sano Dave Fiedler took me to Dad's for the first time- he said that he liked the fact that there was no organized racing- he could bring his old classic slot cars from days gone by and run laps with them and just have fun.