I met this guy back in the early 1980’s at The Halloween Classic at Norwalk Ohio. He was the owner manager and the best of the best. He trained his family well and they have been running it for years since bill retired. He will be missed by many.
Bad news from Norwalk
- Thread starter pittsburghracer
- Start date
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Ironracer
Gearhead
Rest Easy.... Always Sucks when a Good one Goes
Sorry to read, strength and positive thoughts to all.
Sounds like a real stand up guy. May he rest in peace.
B3422w5
Well-Known Member
Great, great guy. Will be sorely missed.
Prayers sent to family
Prayers sent to family
Kendog 170
Let the boy go !
Sad news. RIP
Mr. Sinister
Devastation Manager
Tragic loss Bill Sr. was indeed a great guy. Bill Jr and family my condolences for your loss.
RedB.
Well-Known Member
condolences to friends and family, sure sounds like He was a great man, God Bless
Bill was president of IHRA years ago and their office was in Norwalk Ohio. Of coarse Norwalk was at the time IHRA when they were in their prime. I’m not sure what pried Bill into switching to NHRA but I know it was a hard decision for him. Being the business man he was I assume IHRA hit their peak and didn’t want to continue to grow like he did. In the long run it was the best business decision he could have made because IHRA is and has fallen to a bracket racer only program. Bill would kiss the ladies as they entered the track and shake the mens hands and probably a hug or two. He appreciated you being there and started the Bader Guarantee program that stated if you attended a race and weren’t satisfied you received your money back. Like I said Bill retired and the family took over but employees stayed and I would see them every year, till Covid hit. At that time they couldn’t run the program like they wanted so they closed for a year. They have struggled to find employees like every one else but still treat racers like a precious object. Bill left us on the day of the NHRA finals of a National Event. Even guys like John Force loved Bill and attending “his track”.
B3422w5
Well-Known Member
Evan Knoll threw a ton of money at IHRA for a few years. Big fields of mountain motor pro stock, pro mods, Top fuel and funny cars at the IHRA national events.
Then Evan went to jail, the national events became just booked in shows, then ceased to exist at all.
Bader switched at exactly the right time
This might be speculation, I think when NHRA decided to drop Columbus for many reasons it opened the door for Norwalk to step right in. As I said I really enjoyed going to Norwalk when I was a racer.
God bless that man and his family.
Since I've been working at a machine shop I've been blessed to meet some great old folks, racers, builders, man it's cool to talk to them, I can only hope to be one of them when I'm old.
Since I've been working at a machine shop I've been blessed to meet some great old folks, racers, builders, man it's cool to talk to them, I can only hope to be one of them when I'm old.
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