Bill Bader RIP - Page 2

Tar Heel · 06-28-2022, 11:13 AM

I was born and raised in central Ohio and have bracket raced at Norwalk many, many times. Back then I was a teenager who knew too little about racing and owned and raced very low budget cars. Mr. Bader, on more than one occasion, would stop by our pit area just to chat and make sure that we didn't need anything. I will never forget this even 35+ years later. What track owner/operator takes the time to speak to a teenage bracket racer running one of the slowest and cheapest cars on the property? I'll remember him as one of the most sincere and genuine folks I have ever met. RIP sir.

PhilG · 06-28-2022, 02:14 PM

My heart felt condolences to the Bader family. I grew up just east of Toledo and was so fortunate Bill owned the track in Norwalk. Bill senior was a perfect example of the ideal track owner (or any business owner for that matter). He obviously must have been a pretty good father too, because Bill Bader Jr is continuing the great legacy! Rest In Peace. Phil Guthrie

John Scott · 06-28-2022, 05:34 PM

Just wanted to add my favorite memory of Bill Bader. I was sitting in the stands at an IHRA race in Grand Bend, Ontario. Bill came up and just happened to sit down next to me. I called him Mr Bader and he told me to call him Bill. We had a nice chat and he thanked me for being there. He sure knew how to make a fan feel appreciated. RIP Mr. Bader...I mean Bill.

jim reynolds · 06-28-2022, 09:39 PM

RIP Mr.Bill! The 1st time i went to Norwalk was in the '80's. It had rained hard, then Bill came around to EVERYone and told us to bear with him, his track was GOING to be dried soon and we will get this race in. Next thing we knew, he had a helicopter on hand drying the track. I thought that was off the hook for that point in time.

rk3800 · 06-29-2022, 12:57 PM

First met him in '81, a Master in Organizing and Planning. Treated all of us like family, RIP Mr. Bader. Prayers for the family.

06-28-2022, 11:13 AM	#11
Tar Heel Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 22 Likes: 0 Liked 21 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Bill Bader RIP I was born and raised in central Ohio and have bracket raced at Norwalk many, many times. Back then I was a teenager who knew too little about racing and owned and raced very low budget cars. Mr. Bader, on more than one occasion, would stop by our pit area just to chat and make sure that we didn't need anything. I will never forget this even 35+ years later. What track owner/operator takes the time to speak to a teenage bracket racer running one of the slowest and cheapest cars on the property? I'll remember him as one of the most sincere and genuine folks I have ever met. RIP sir.

06-28-2022, 02:14 PM	#12
PhilG Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Farmington Hills, MI Posts: 24 Likes: 22 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Bill Bader RIP My heart felt condolences to the Bader family. I grew up just east of Toledo and was so fortunate Bill owned the track in Norwalk. Bill senior was a perfect example of the ideal track owner (or any business owner for that matter). He obviously must have been a pretty good father too, because Bill Bader Jr is continuing the great legacy! Rest In Peace. Phil Guthrie

06-28-2022, 05:34 PM	#13
John Scott Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 69 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Bill Bader RIP Just wanted to add my favorite memory of Bill Bader. I was sitting in the stands at an IHRA race in Grand Bend, Ontario. Bill came up and just happened to sit down next to me. I called him Mr Bader and he told me to call him Bill. We had a nice chat and he thanked me for being there. He sure knew how to make a fan feel appreciated. RIP Mr. Bader...I mean Bill.

06-28-2022, 09:39 PM	#14
jim reynolds Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 129 Likes: 214 Liked 24 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Bill Bader RIP RIP Mr.Bill! The 1st time i went to Norwalk was in the '80's. It had rained hard, then Bill came around to EVERYone and told us to bear with him, his track was GOING to be dried soon and we will get this race in. Next thing we knew, he had a helicopter on hand drying the track. I thought that was off the hook for that point in time.

06-29-2022, 12:57 PM	#15
rk3800 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 187 Likes: 0 Liked 101 Times in 33 Posts	Re: Bill Bader RIP First met him in '81, a Master in Organizing and Planning. Treated all of us like family, RIP Mr. Bader. Prayers for the family.