Dick Moreland will be missed

Daran Summerton · 09-10-2016, 09:30 AM

He influenced me and was glad to know him.

Jim Wahl · 09-10-2016, 11:10 AM

Just got a call from "Big Al" Alan Caraway informing me that Dick Moreland -"The Maestro" - passed away on August 29. For those not in the racing community, Dick was the creator of the "Class of 65" U/SA Plymouth wagon (the one Dave "Reverend MoPar" Koopman now races) and several other U/SA efforts as well. No one really knows exactly how many National Records he has had his hand in, but the "Class of 65" alone has 32 of them. Clayton Wright's Plymouth also has numerous records along with others. I would dare say that Dick has had a hand in more National Records than anyone in the category.

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Dave Gantz · 09-10-2016, 11:59 AM

RIP, Dick. A very creative racer, for sure.
I was a good friend of the late Mike Smith. He owned Dick's '65 Plymouth wagon that Clayton Wright now owns (or at least did the last I heard).
Dick owned a '65 Dodge wagon that was named "Class of '65". The late Ray Valpreda owned that, too. I don't know if he named the Plymouth as such, too.

Clayton Wright · 09-10-2016, 12:07 PM

Dick was loved by both me and my family. He was my best friend for over 40 years. We had many racing and other experiences together and my life won't be the same without him. One of the things he use to say to me as we got older boy I wish I was 65 again. Great sense of humor and a wonderful man. Dick you are in Heaven now and I will see you again someday. God bless you and your family.
Clayton aka Butch

ss wannabee · 09-10-2016, 05:51 PM

Saw him race many times...certainly a master of that 273/Stromberg combo....

RIP Richard.....

Frank Castros · 09-10-2016, 09:38 PM

One of the legendary racers of the Land of NED, Rest in Peace.

Dave Ley · 09-10-2016, 10:01 PM

I was lucky enough to know Dick for well over 40 years. He had a V/SA Dodge Wagon with a slant six called the "Orange Crate" before he started his mastering the 273. Always a gentleman and a great sense of humor and I will miss him. RIP, Dick.

09-10-2016, 09:30 AM	#1
Daran Summerton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Las Vegas nv Posts: 600 Likes: 18 Liked 66 Times in 37 Posts	Dick Moreland will be missed He influenced me and was glad to know him. __________________ 72 cutlass

09-10-2016, 11:10 AM	#2
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 666 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed Just got a call from "Big Al" Alan Caraway informing me that Dick Moreland -"The Maestro" - passed away on August 29. For those not in the racing community, Dick was the creator of the "Class of 65" U/SA Plymouth wagon (the one Dave "Reverend MoPar" Koopman now races) and several other U/SA efforts as well. No one really knows exactly how many National Records he has had his hand in, but the "Class of 65" alone has 32 of them. Clayton Wright's Plymouth also has numerous records along with others. I would dare say that Dick has had a hand in more National Records than anyone in the category. . __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

09-10-2016, 11:59 AM	#3
Dave Gantz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Verrry South Jersey Posts: 537 Likes: 134 Liked 251 Times in 125 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed RIP, Dick. A very creative racer, for sure. I was a good friend of the late Mike Smith. He owned Dick's '65 Plymouth wagon that Clayton Wright now owns (or at least did the last I heard). Dick owned a '65 Dodge wagon that was named "Class of '65". The late Ray Valpreda owned that, too. I don't know if he named the Plymouth as such, too.

09-10-2016, 12:07 PM	#4
Clayton Wright Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 39 Likes: 87 Liked 13 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed Dick was loved by both me and my family. He was my best friend for over 40 years. We had many racing and other experiences together and my life won't be the same without him. One of the things he use to say to me as we got older boy I wish I was 65 again. Great sense of humor and a wonderful man. Dick you are in Heaven now and I will see you again someday. God bless you and your family. Clayton aka Butch __________________ Clayton Wright 1980 STK

09-10-2016, 05:51 PM	#5
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed Saw him race many times...certainly a master of that 273/Stromberg combo.... RIP Richard.....

09-10-2016, 09:38 PM	#6
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 2,972 Likes: 2,585 Liked 2,723 Times in 960 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed One of the legendary racers of the Land of NED, Rest in Peace.

09-10-2016, 10:01 PM	#7
Dave Ley Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Jersey , The 51st. State Posts: 424 Likes: 1,803 Liked 241 Times in 44 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed I was lucky enough to know Dick for well over 40 years. He had a V/SA Dodge Wagon with a slant six called the "Orange Crate" before he started his mastering the 273. Always a gentleman and a great sense of humor and I will miss him. RIP, Dick. __________________ Dave Ley