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Topic: Blast from the Past - Rick Ferkel 1981
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Page 1 of 1 of 10 replies
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July 17, 2009 at
09:37:03 AM
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07/22/2008
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814
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I took this shot of the The Ohio Traveler at Granite City in May of 1981.
I always found Rick to be one of the most approachable drivers, he always seemed to have time to talk after the races.
Rick always seemed to have the worst luck at the Nationals, and looking at Knoxville's statistics he never won a feature at Knoxville.
Lee Johnson

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July 17, 2009 at
01:00:18 PM
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One in a MILION
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July 17, 2009 at
03:32:12 PM
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325
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Nice !
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July 17, 2009 at
05:31:36 PM
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Yep,
A true gentleman in every sense of the word. Wish everyone on earth was as good hearted as Rick Ferkel. What would you think if the young guns of today,had to sleep in the back of the van night after night to get to the next track as Rick done? That would separate the ones that their heart was really in racing or was not. Rick Ferkel, is (one) what made sprint car racing a good thing to be associated with. I doubt the whole time Rick raced He ever had a 'schedule'... Probably not too many 'press releases',either,and He got along just fine. Nice shot too Lee!
Take Care,
BC
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July 17, 2009 at
07:13:04 PM
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I have chatted to him a few times in the pits at Manzy and Knoxville, and he struck me as one thing. A true gentleman racer.
My wife told me if I went to one more Sprint Car race
she would leave me.................I'm sure gonna miss
that ol' gal.
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July 17, 2009 at
08:11:39 PM
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11/26/2004
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1355
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Rick is probably the first racer I remember who sincerely thanked fans when they stopped by after the races to say hi or seek an autograph. Pure class.
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July 17, 2009 at
10:08:41 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: PorschePeteTx on July 17 2009 at 09:37:03 AM
I took this shot of the The Ohio Traveler at Granite City in May of 1981.
I always found Rick to be one of the most approachable drivers, he always seemed to have time to talk after the races.
Rick always seemed to have the worst luck at the Nationals, and looking at Knoxville's statistics he never won a feature at Knoxville.
Lee Johnson

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Rick was the first driver, who told me after the '83 Western World, that I could sit in his race car, if I want to. Wow, great memory for a young kid. still have the picture.
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July 18, 2009 at
12:16:53 AM
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I believe he was the first original outlaw!
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July 18, 2009 at
06:00:43 AM
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634
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Rick really did appreciate his fans - and all who came out to the races. Rick & Bobby Allen and Jan Opperman were indeed the original outlaws. Remember the "Ferkel for President" T-Shirts @ Knoxville? Actually Rick has won an A feature at Knoxville - only it was in the Masters Classic. He won the Western States in Manzanita and the Pacific Coast in Ascot (and of course many races at Eldora) but the big race at Knoxville, and winning at the Devil's Bowl always eluded him - and he really wanted those races. I was really happy when he won the Masters at Knoxville - maybe the first one - I don't remember that for sure. That photo seems strange to me (altho' true - it is really a great photo and I appreciate it) but it isn't his cream colored car and this car has kick rails.... not a big favorite of Rick's. However - thanks for the photo and all of the memories...
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July 18, 2009 at
08:26:45 AM
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814
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Here is another shot I took at the '80 Nationals that were held in
the afternoon after the fog-out on Sat night... no nerf bars as we
usually saw.
Lee Johnson

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July 18, 2009 at
08:39:26 AM
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I still remember the plastic wings he was using during the 80's. One of the best racers ever...
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