Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Ricky Weld passed away Dec. 4th 2008 at his home in Kansas City. Surrounded by his friends and family is exactly the way he wanted it to be. The youngest of the four "Weld" Brothers. Ricky began his racing career at the age of 14 coming into racing when "Jumpin" Jack Gibson was dominating local tracks. Giving him a run for his money week after week they became good friends. Throught his career he became good friends with many other great men and wemon. His grit to run hard and his endless ability to be competitive made everyone flock to see the fourth "Weld" boy in action. Driving for his father Taylor "Pappy" Weld, Ricky ended up running in the famous "Tank" Race car. A car that the Weld boy's all drove. Ricky won more races in the Tank than all the other three Weld brothers combined. Eventually his career branched out to span the entire country. Racing at Knoxville, Sedalia, I-70 was a weekly thing for many years. There were lots of bumps and bruises during his career, Rocky Weber, former writer for Knoxville raceway once mentioned the worst fire he had ever seen was Ricky. And everyone knows about the Quick change gear that nearly ended his career. As all Racers know there are going to be accidents. He was able to survive some of the worst and go on to be a father of his four children, Jason, Taylor, Lindsey, and Rachel Harrison. One thing My father was big on was, he always used to say "Ill help someone that is willing to help themselves first." He truely believed he was put here on earth to help people. Always helping the low guy, the underdog. People would flock to his shop in Kansas City to have him help them with this or that. Everyday it was someone new. Someone from his past that knew the skill in mechanics my father had. He was truely a renissiance man. A loving man. Stern and set in the "Oldtimer" ways of racing and building race cars. "You have to earn your way into a race car by learning about the race car. " was something I heard many times from my father. I always knew what he meant. And I followed his direction. You never realize what kind of impact a person had on your life until they are no longer with us. One of his good friends Tommy Wade said something to me yesterday that will stay with me the rest of my. He said I have to stand up and be there for all the people my dad was there for. And every Thursday or so we have to go run the Late Model RC cars. cause it was something my Dad wanted to do. Tommy, I will be there guaranteed. And I am bringin my Brother Taylor with me. I personally want to thank all of my Dad's friends for being so dependable, and being such a good friend with my dad. The impact you made on his life was so great. He wanted to be with his friends and Family in the end. And he was. To my dad I say, when you get to the gates of heaven, you RUN in and jump in that 410 sprinter and race with your brothers until the tires burn off. "Drive it like you stole it" I love you. Wish you were here.

Sincerely, Jason Weld

A very moving tribute to your father. Well said, Jason

Your father would be proud. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

www.badmanracing.com

SLEEP WELL AMERICA, MY SON HAS GOT YOUR BACK!
OOORAH MARINES!

very nice tribute

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

Nice tribute to your father my prayers are with you and your family.

Met Ricky out at Perris a few years ago seemed like a great guy. prayers and thoughts be with you and your family.