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”.
