Garlits and Stock Class Racing - Page 2

chris3racing · 07-22-2012, 11:57 AM

Okay, I guess I had some misconceptions. My memory is not much good anymore but I recalled some who did not like the idea of Garlits having the stock car in the class races. I do recall some who thought that it might bring and interest in class racing to the specators. Don is really a gentle giant these days; however, he still will express his opinion, and quiet strong at times. He and his wife Pat have dedicated their whole life to the sport of drag racing.

Larry Fulton · 07-22-2012, 12:47 PM

Me also... I've visited w/ Donald on more than a few occasions through my years (business and racing), and he's Always been cordial, and he's always been a gentleman.

IMO - a lot of pro-racers should have taken lessons from him on how to treat the public.

I'll always be a fan!

Larry

treessavoy · 07-22-2012, 01:01 PM

I live 25 miles from Don's museum and when he hosts the Mopar's with Big Daddy event, it draws Mopars and vendors from all over the US.

Don is always friendly, glad to talk and sign autographs.

He is a great guy and a real legend !

JimR

Sam Murray · 07-22-2012, 10:17 PM

X7

Always approachable, sincere and cordial!

Al Loyrat · 07-22-2012, 11:34 PM

Big Daddy has 2 DPs, the latest one is a V10.

Randall Klein · 07-23-2012, 12:12 AM

I hope MoPar is giving them to Garlits for all he has done for them

Frito · 07-23-2012, 12:30 AM

When Big was winning all the time, as usual, people wanted to see him loose or someone else win. He was in it to win it.. Not much time to socialize.

cicero819 · 07-23-2012, 08:51 AM

Don Garlits epitomizes what a Champion should be by his behavior. He is the perfect example for future champions to follow, always has the time for his fans, still loves the sport that brought fame and bread on the table for his family and himself. Here's an example of what I'm talking about. Two years ago I was at Indy and roaming the staging lanes when the stockers were called up, Big Daddy was out of his car and looking around at the competition when his attention moved thowards a Red Mustang (fox body) convertible 4speed, he started checking the car up and down(looking under it on his knees) and was even more impress when he found out the driver was a woman, he started joking and telling the driver how he enjoyed rowing through the gears. What was great great was the pure enjoyment that he showed his fellow racer and I'm sure that has made her day and her career.lol I'm sure when competing in TF he didn't have as much time as he does now for fans(he did most if not all the works) between rounds but I remember him taking the time to talk to fans and friends just the same. Claude Ruel

Jim Kaekel · 07-23-2012, 09:09 AM

[QUOTE=chris3racing;336439] Of course Mike Dunn laught and Garlits set him straight that it is not easy to race those cars and be on at the stripe.

Maybe Mike Dunn should try it if it's so easy.

tj310 · 07-23-2012, 10:34 AM

We met BIG at a car show 20 years ago ,several times since. The world would be a better place if there were more people as polite and genuine. The fact he is the greatest drag racer ever is secondary.---Trevor

07-22-2012, 11:57 AM	#11
chris3racing Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 528 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Garlits and Stock Class Racing Okay, I guess I had some misconceptions. My memory is not much good anymore but I recalled some who did not like the idea of Garlits having the stock car in the class races. I do recall some who thought that it might bring and interest in class racing to the specators. Don is really a gentle giant these days; however, he still will express his opinion, and quiet strong at times. He and his wife Pat have dedicated their whole life to the sport of drag racing.

07-22-2012, 12:47 PM	#12
Larry Fulton Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Likes: 54 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Garlits and Stock Class Racing Me also... I've visited w/ Donald on more than a few occasions through my years (business and racing), and he's Always been cordial, and he's always been a gentleman. IMO - a lot of pro-racers should have taken lessons from him on how to treat the public. I'll always be a fan! Larry __________________ Larry Fulton

07-22-2012, 01:01 PM	#13
treessavoy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dunnellon,FL Posts: 1,103 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Garlits and Stock Class Racing I live 25 miles from Don's museum and when he hosts the Mopar's with Big Daddy event, it draws Mopars and vendors from all over the US. Don is always friendly, glad to talk and sign autographs. He is a great guy and a real legend ! JimR __________________ Jim Rountree

07-22-2012, 10:17 PM	#14
Sam Murray Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Cummaquid, Mass Posts: 445 Likes: 413 Liked 60 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Garlits and Stock Class Racing X7 Always approachable, sincere and cordial! __________________ Sam Murray 1616 STK

07-22-2012, 11:34 PM	#15
Al Loyrat Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 39 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Garlits and Stock Class Racing Big Daddy has 2 DPs, the latest one is a V10.

07-23-2012, 12:12 AM	#16
Randall Klein Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 785 Likes: 45 Liked 316 Times in 67 Posts	Re: Garlits and Stock Class Racing I hope MoPar is giving them to Garlits for all he has done for them

07-23-2012, 12:30 AM	#17
Frito Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 451 Likes: 147 Liked 119 Times in 40 Posts	Re: Garlits and Stock Class Racing When Big was winning all the time, as usual, people wanted to see him loose or someone else win. He was in it to win it.. Not much time to socialize. __________________ Last edited by Frito; 07-23-2012 at 12:41 AM. Reason: sdf

07-23-2012, 08:51 AM	#18
cicero819 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aylmer Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,086 Likes: 31 Liked 69 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Garlits and Stock Class Racing Don Garlits epitomizes what a Champion should be by his behavior. He is the perfect example for future champions to follow, always has the time for his fans, still loves the sport that brought fame and bread on the table for his family and himself. Here's an example of what I'm talking about. Two years ago I was at Indy and roaming the staging lanes when the stockers were called up, Big Daddy was out of his car and looking around at the competition when his attention moved thowards a Red Mustang (fox body) convertible 4speed, he started checking the car up and down(looking under it on his knees) and was even more impress when he found out the driver was a woman, he started joking and telling the driver how he enjoyed rowing through the gears. What was great great was the pure enjoyment that he showed his fellow racer and I'm sure that has made her day and her career.lol I'm sure when competing in TF he didn't have as much time as he does now for fans(he did most if not all the works) between rounds but I remember him taking the time to talk to fans and friends just the same. Claude Ruel

07-23-2012, 09:09 AM	#19
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,227 Likes: 133 Liked 530 Times in 108 Posts	Re: Garlits and Stock Class Racing [QUOTE=chris3racing;336439] Of course Mike Dunn laught and Garlits set him straight that it is not easy to race those cars and be on at the stripe. Maybe Mike Dunn should try it if it's so easy. __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

07-23-2012, 10:34 AM	#20
tj310 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dresden On. Canada Posts: 460 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Garlits and Stock Class Racing We met BIG at a car show 20 years ago ,several times since. The world would be a better place if there were more people as polite and genuine. The fact he is the greatest drag racer ever is secondary.---Trevor

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