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Topic: John Hobel age 99 passes Email this topic to a friend | Subscribe to this TopicReport this Topic to Moderator
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linbob
February 15, 2018 at 02:42:55 PM
Joined: 03/12/2011
Posts: 1649
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Former midget driver age 99 passes.  John started racing midgets in 1938, his first ride was in a car owned by Marion Robinson who did not have enough money for a trailor so they towed car to track by rope.  They raced in Desmoines till WW2 staeted.  John served mostly in the Pacific till war ended in 1945.  A new midget group was formed in Iowa and John Gerber became the race promoter for the group.  Hobel drove for several car owners Art Jacobson, Morgan #5, Als Body Shop #64Rex Mays #44.  He  is most remembered in the Al Wiley #12.  Hobel said the win he was most proud of was at Lakeside Speedway  4-30-1955.  He went to Lakeside to watch the rsce.  J. Parson was to drive the Wiley #12 Offy but  backed out at last minute.  Wiley asked John to drive the car even though he had not driven in 2 years.  Hobel said he took the lead on 3-4 lap of 50 lap feature on the 1/2 mile track.  Hobel said everyone else drove high on smooth track so he went low thru bumps to take lead.  John had beat A.J. Foyt, Parson, Ruby and the rest of the AAA stars..  John never bragged about his racing but told me this story while on his death bed about 1 week before he died.

 




J. Blundy #33 Fan Forever
February 15, 2018 at 03:40:48 PM
Joined: 04/18/2009
Posts: 390
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Reply to:
Posted By: linbob on February 15 2018 at 02:42:55 PM

Former midget driver age 99 passes.  John started racing midgets in 1938, his first ride was in a car owned by Marion Robinson who did not have enough money for a trailor so they towed car to track by rope.  They raced in Desmoines till WW2 staeted.  John served mostly in the Pacific till war ended in 1945.  A new midget group was formed in Iowa and John Gerber became the race promoter for the group.  Hobel drove for several car owners Art Jacobson, Morgan #5, Als Body Shop #64Rex Mays #44.  He  is most remembered in the Al Wiley #12.  Hobel said the win he was most proud of was at Lakeside Speedway  4-30-1955.  He went to Lakeside to watch the rsce.  J. Parson was to drive the Wiley #12 Offy but  backed out at last minute.  Wiley asked John to drive the car even though he had not driven in 2 years.  Hobel said he took the lead on 3-4 lap of 50 lap feature on the 1/2 mile track.  Hobel said everyone else drove high on smooth track so he went low thru bumps to take lead.  John had beat A.J. Foyt, Parson, Ruby and the rest of the AAA stars..  John never bragged about his racing but told me this story while on his death bed about 1 week before he died.

 



I didn't know Mr. Hobel, but what a great story.  I'll bet he could have told great stories about the past all day long!  My condolences to his family and friends.



MSPN
February 16, 2018 at 09:15:52 AM
Joined: 11/23/2004
Posts: 3943
Reply

Thanks for sharing!  99, that is a life well lived, impressive!  To think he drove midgets back in the day when you never knew if you were coming home, God bless this man....





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