We Have Lost Another Good Racer

Isaac Zane · 10-10-2018, 09:30 AM

It is with great sadness that I must inform my fellow racers of the passing of Rich Oakes. Rich lost his battle yesterday with a very aggressive form of brain cancer that took him from us in just four short months. He endured five brain operations in a three week span, but ultimately the cancer won out.
Rich began his racing career in the early 60's at Atco Dragway where he was present on opening day. Initially, he campaigned a '57 Chevy (the "Green Onion") in Modified Eliminator. A 1968 Camaro was next (also Modified Eliminator) which he ran until the untimely demise of the class in the early 80's. His current ride, a 1992 IROC Camaro (Resurrection III) has been raced successfully in many classes over the years in both Comp and Super Stock. Rich held many national records and was # 1 Qualifier in Super Stock @ the U.S. Nationals in both 2001 and 2004. Rich was both a fierce competitor and a good friend to many in the racing community.
I had the privilege of assisting Rich at well over 100 races during the past 25 years and I will miss both the challenges and accomplishments that we experienced in getting the car down the track. Most of all, I will miss the times we shared together.
I was not there for Rich's first pass down the quarter mile, but I was there for the last one @ Atco @ the Nation Open this past spring. Rich was able to get his one last ride down the quarter mile under full Big Block power and all was well. Thanks to my good buddy Isaac Zane for allowing me to post this on Class Racer. I will forward Funeral Service information when it becomes available.

Mike Ridgway

Mike Fuller · 10-10-2018, 09:48 AM

RIP Rich.

Bob Bender · 10-10-2018, 09:50 AM

We will miss him alot. A great guy and fellow racer. RIP my friend.

Ryck Campbell · 10-10-2018, 10:26 AM

Very, very sad. Rich and I have been racing friends for years. He will be greatly missed.

RC

Bill Kennedy · 10-10-2018, 10:42 AM

Very sorry to hear!! Great guy, that's for sure.

Jeff Jewell · 10-10-2018, 11:02 AM

Myself and the rest of the Jewell family are saddened to hear of Rich's passing. He was a great guy and a good friend.

I last saw Rich when he came to visit us at the Numidia divisional. He was looking forward to getting the car back out soon. I am going to miss busting his chops about joining the pink t-shirt club (all the automatic guys know what I am talking about).

RIP Rich...

Carguy49 · 10-10-2018, 11:10 AM

Godspeed to Rich and comfort for his family and friends.

Leon Rennebaum · 10-10-2018, 11:29 AM

Wow! Just saw Richie at Jim Mahler’s funeral in April during the Atco Open Race! (Mahler built the engines for the Green Onion back in the day) I guess we can never know what awaits us at the end of our trip through life! RIP Rich!!

vic guilmino · 10-10-2018, 11:45 AM

We will miss him alot. A great guy and fellow racer. RIP my friend

Tom Goldman · 10-10-2018, 11:57 AM

I always enjoyed my talks with Rich .
He forgave my Super Gas racing because we shared a love for Modified Eliminator and Labrador Retrievers .
God Speed my friend. RIP .

10-10-2018, 09:30 AM	#1
Isaac Zane Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: South Jersey, nexta, NOTHING! Posts: 361 Likes: 375 Liked 50 Times in 14 Posts	We Have Lost Another Good Racer It is with great sadness that I must inform my fellow racers of the passing of Rich Oakes. Rich lost his battle yesterday with a very aggressive form of brain cancer that took him from us in just four short months. He endured five brain operations in a three week span, but ultimately the cancer won out. Rich began his racing career in the early 60's at Atco Dragway where he was present on opening day. Initially, he campaigned a '57 Chevy (the "Green Onion") in Modified Eliminator. A 1968 Camaro was next (also Modified Eliminator) which he ran until the untimely demise of the class in the early 80's. His current ride, a 1992 IROC Camaro (Resurrection III) has been raced successfully in many classes over the years in both Comp and Super Stock. Rich held many national records and was # 1 Qualifier in Super Stock @ the U.S. Nationals in both 2001 and 2004. Rich was both a fierce competitor and a good friend to many in the racing community. I had the privilege of assisting Rich at well over 100 races during the past 25 years and I will miss both the challenges and accomplishments that we experienced in getting the car down the track. Most of all, I will miss the times we shared together. I was not there for Rich's first pass down the quarter mile, but I was there for the last one @ Atco @ the Nation Open this past spring. Rich was able to get his one last ride down the quarter mile under full Big Block power and all was well. Thanks to my good buddy Isaac Zane for allowing me to post this on Class Racer. I will forward Funeral Service information when it becomes available. Mike Ridgway Attached Thumbnails __________________ Isaac Zane STK 1237 J/SA Buick Apollo Patriot Guard Rider DOOF 43

10-10-2018, 09:48 AM	#2
Mike Fuller Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 913 Likes: 455 Liked 163 Times in 62 Posts	Re: We Have Lost Another Good Racer RIP Rich. __________________ Mike Fuller 396 STK

10-10-2018, 09:50 AM	#3
Bob Bender VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,712 Likes: 1,403 Liked 372 Times in 80 Posts	Re: We Have Lost Another Good Racer We will miss him alot. A great guy and fellow racer. RIP my friend. __________________ Bob Bender 144 O/SA 2010-2012 National Record Holder

10-10-2018, 10:26 AM	#4
Ryck Campbell Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Rome, NY Posts: 56 Likes: 177 Liked 46 Times in 10 Posts	Re: We Have Lost Another Good Racer Very, very sad. Rich and I have been racing friends for years. He will be greatly missed. RC __________________ Ryck Campbell NHRA Technical Specialist

10-10-2018, 10:42 AM	#5
Bill Kennedy Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 303 Likes: 118 Liked 34 Times in 9 Posts	Re: We Have Lost Another Good Racer Very sorry to hear!! Great guy, that's for sure. __________________ Bill Kennedy 1671 SS

10-10-2018, 11:02 AM	#6
Jeff Jewell Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bangor, PA Posts: 182 Likes: 41 Liked 172 Times in 36 Posts	Re: We Have Lost Another Good Racer Myself and the rest of the Jewell family are saddened to hear of Rich's passing. He was a great guy and a good friend. I last saw Rich when he came to visit us at the Numidia divisional. He was looking forward to getting the car back out soon. I am going to miss busting his chops about joining the pink t-shirt club (all the automatic guys know what I am talking about). RIP Rich...

10-10-2018, 11:10 AM	#7
Carguy49 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fife, Washington Posts: 1,840 Likes: 1,759 Liked 2,228 Times in 595 Posts	Re: We Have Lost Another Good Racer Godspeed to Rich and comfort for his family and friends. __________________ Ron McDowell - Did Race Every day is a Gift - Enjoy with family and friends.

10-10-2018, 11:29 AM	#8
Leon Rennebaum Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Williamstown, NJ Posts: 31 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: We Have Lost Another Good Racer Wow! Just saw Richie at Jim Mahler’s funeral in April during the Atco Open Race! (Mahler built the engines for the Green Onion back in the day) I guess we can never know what awaits us at the end of our trip through life! RIP Rich!!

10-10-2018, 11:45 AM	#9
vic guilmino Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: wv Posts: 881 Likes: 42 Liked 56 Times in 21 Posts	Re: We Have Lost Another Good Racer We will miss him alot. A great guy and fellow racer. RIP my friend __________________ Vic Guilmino 1129 STK

10-10-2018, 11:57 AM	#10
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,436 Likes: 776 Liked 700 Times in 204 Posts	Re: We Have Lost Another Good Racer I always enjoyed my talks with Rich . He forgave my Super Gas racing because we shared a love for Modified Eliminator and Labrador Retrievers . God Speed my friend. RIP . __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK