Great Article on Vern Moats

If you have a chance, this really is a great article.


http://www.competitionplus.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5620&Itemid=24


Congrats Vern for 35 continuous years and cheers to many more!!!

Nancy and Crew

 

Thanks Nancy that was a good article.

 

That's a good article on Moates. But........he's not the only one still racing that was around when the class moved from Competition Eliminator to it's own class, "Pro Comp Eliminator". They actually came from Top Gas, when that class was eliminated, then came a temporary stay in Comp, then came Pro Comp. All these people deserve a big pat on the back, for being around this long, and still being competitive. Man.......that's a LOTTA long, late nights running up, and down the highway!!!

 

Thanks for the link. Yep, that is classic Vern. Nice write up.

Rapid

 

I don't think anyone will argue that he is not the only one, but Vern did get started in funny "late" in his years compared to the youth of today. He is 72+ years young and if you have ever had the chance to work with him, it is both an experience and an honor. The slogan on his car says "Longevity Rules!"

I would challenge any young bucks to try to keep up with his work ethics. In the pits and on the road to the next race he is the true "iron-man". The guy will drive from Des Moines to Vegas non-stop to make the PRI show for his sponsor, then travel on to Pomona to hang with his buddies like Roland Leong before the race.

I'm just a SuperComper trying to break into the class. I probably don't even belong on this site, but I have great sponsors for my current class and am always working on deals to obtain more so I can move up. (If you don't beleive me check out my web site to find out what we are about. www.tsrdragster.com

Things don't always move as fast as you would like. Sometimes bad economy can come at the worst time. (if there is a good time!)

With the likes of Vern who is willing to help guys by teaching them the ropes and giving him advice along the way it gives you hope. His age and ability to still race is also great motivation... it's never too late to do it! People like Vern are the people that will keep this sport strong and allow new racers to evolve.

I live in the middle of South Dakota and believe me, there isn't anyone very close that can help me do that. Cy and Hutch are the closest and are great guys but they have a full team and are pretty close nit.

There are many D-5 teams that I know and get along with great. I love the class and the sport. If that makes me some kind of groupie then I guess that is what I am for now.

I hope to work more with Vern this summer and would like to see him bring another Wally to add to his large collection.

Last year I drove to Des Moines to pick Vern up. I got the chance to see his shop and honestly, I have never seen so many Wallys in one place. The shop is loaded with history. We drove to Noble together to help Paul Anderson's team for the weekend. We drove non-stop (Big Surprise).

I thought I might sleep a little while we took turns driving.... forget about it. That guy has too many stories to not stay awake and hear. I was honored that he was willing to share his rich history of the sport.

He told me in the pits after a grueling day of thrashing on Paul's car that I had that fire in my belly that it takes and he could see it in my eyes that I was ready. That ment a hell of a lot to me coming from a legend like him! I think it blew some of Pauls' crew away to hear him say it to me too.

Keep up the great work Vern, the sport wouldn't be what is is without you!

 

Boy you hit the nail on the head with all the wallys in his shop. It looks like the wally manufacturing plant there.

 

That was a good article. I was closer to that 1981 crash than I wanted to be. I remember the right front wheel stuck through the old style guard rail, and the chassis flipping end over end down the track. He made one hell of a comeback.
DC

 

I remember the pictures Vern showed me of his arm all pinned and rods back together from that crash and the action shots someone took of it
He's very lucky and a pretty nice guy..