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Topic: R I P Walt James
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Page 1 of 1 of 12 replies
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September 09, 2009 at
01:34:05 PM
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12/06/2004
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286
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For those who don't really know who and or what Walt was,..
He was a MAN!, a Gentleman, A father and friend that had a passion for racing that may never be matched.
Today we lost one of the most prominent pioneers of sprint car racing, the most unbelievable bank of knowledge and racing history on the west coast and the entire country.
As a kid, I spent more time riding tractors and water trucks with Walt at Indian Dunes then I did riding my motorcycle.
Walt James will leave a void that can never be filled.
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
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September 09, 2009 at
04:02:27 PM
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12/04/2004
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218
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Walt was one outstanding gentleman. He did a lot for sprint car racing. RIP Walt.
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September 09, 2009 at
04:17:59 PM
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11/30/2004
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I'm really sorry to hear this, RIP.
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September 09, 2009 at
06:15:24 PM
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11/30/2004
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1973
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RIP....
Condolences to all of his friends and family.....
Chuck.....
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September 09, 2009 at
06:59:02 PM
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12/01/2004
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1913
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Very sad news to hear indeed. Walt will forever go down in sprint car racing history as a true warrior and was a great competitor. Not just for west coast racing fans and racing insiders but on a national level as well. God Bless Walt James!!!
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September 09, 2009 at
07:53:01 PM
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02/06/2006
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100
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we bumped into Walts house by accident last year looking for Josetts house and the boys were able to meet him and Walt was nice enough to unwrap one of his sprint cars to show us, he was very nice, sad to hear,
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September 09, 2009 at
08:59:56 PM
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01/20/2008
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If heaven is as wonderful as the Good Book says, then Walt is sailing through the clouds at 100 plus feeling no pain. God Bless You Walt James and Thanks for the Memories!
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September 09, 2009 at
10:41:44 PM
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It hurts when these days happen. Walt was very special, and passionate for our sport and all the people in it. My condolences to his family and ALL his close friends.
Kevin, please post services info when/if available.
Cal
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September 09, 2009 at
11:37:07 PM
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Walt, you will be missed! What a true gentleman and driver. I only met him once, but it was something I will never forget. I was lined up for the A-main at the Bakersfield Speedway for a grand slam race a few years ago. We were discussing some ruts in the track and Walt walked up and said "Son, that's nothing! You should try running through 'em with that RR!" I thought about it and kinda realized how wussy we must have sounded to him.... Then he gave me a cookie his wife made!! That was a moment I will NEVER forget!!
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September 10, 2009 at
11:40:47 PM
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We were thinking about him this last weekend @ Calistoga. I don't think he ever missed a WRA show there. The James Gang!
Joe
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September 14, 2009 at
11:02:34 AM
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The services for Walt James will be on Friday, September 25 at Arlington Military Cemetary....March Airforce Base, Riverside. Take 215 Freeway to Van Buren, Main Gate. Must be escorted in by 10:00am
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September 14, 2009 at
08:29:30 PM
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God speed to Walt. I had the pleasure of working with Walt when he was the President of CRA back in the 50's and 60's and he never changed as time went by. He was a good friend and always had the best interests of all the racers at the top of his efforts. If there was ever a human being that never stopped, it was Walt. Condolences to his family.
The cemetery is the Riverside National Cemetery at 22495 Van Buren Blvd, which is the 1st signal light West of the 215 freeway on Van Buren. As you enter the cemetery, there is a information booth that can give you a staging area number to wait and then be escorted to the services.
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September 15, 2009 at
01:25:02 PM
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12/22/2004
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There are many who have deserved and will deserve a final lap at Perris. Walt may deserve two.
For those who are not aware of it, Walt took on the job of doing much of what needed to be done to get the ball rolling -- and keep it rolling -- to start "big car" dirt track auto racing in Southern California at the end of the midget era.
As much as anyone, and there were many involved, of course, Walt provided the organizing skill and energy to bring the round-de-round hot rodders and midget people together during the Korean War era.
Would there have been a reason to keep the Carrell swamp in operation and then build the politically iffy Gardena track and the half-century solution at Ascot without his previous and ongoing efforts? I wonder.
I think it fair to assert that Walt was a =lynchpin= in the remarkable history of SoCal auto racing, without whom, the last sixty years might have been quite different.
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