legend, hero, originator, he changed the whole hobby/sport for the better, this is truly one of the saddest days in motorsports history. your legacy will live on forever. R.I.P.
Anybody who enjoys this hobby of ours and drag racing could never thank wally enough for what he has done for us. Thanks wally for EVERTHING and rest in piece, you will definately be missed!!!!!!!!
I had the real honor of meeting him a few years ago at the Hot Wheels hall of fame ceremony at the Peterson. Don Cox's "Birth of Hot Rodding" book had only been out a few months, and I brought my copy to the event on the chance that I might meet Wally there. He was such a nice guy, genuinely excited about my enthusiasm for the history of hot rodding. I had him sign his forward and we got a picture together, with Alex Xydias on the other side! What a night... God Speed Mr. Parks.
Sad news indeed. I'll be celibrating his life in the garage, and with a nice drive tomorrow. Open pipe!
He's one of the guys I wanted to thank in person for all he has done. I guess I have to say it here. Thanks Wally, it would have been a pleasure to shake your hand, and talk with you for a bit. I raise up my beer as a salute to you. RIP.
<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" width="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Wally Parks will be missed so much, his accomplishments are beyond belief. I met him at our local drag strip in Grand Island Ne. with the original Drag Safari team around 1957. This gentleman was a pure cl*** act. R.I.P. hotrodding hero!! Deepest Respect!!-Sololobo/Roadburners of Omaha </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
David - I hope you savor every moment you shared with Wally and "Pete". It's my understanding that only a very few got to know these guys. I never got to meet either one, but I did get to spend my life enjoying the benefit of their vision and labor - for that I'm forever grateful. "Thanks" is too small a word.
Mr. Parks, I salute you for your vision and drive to bring your segment of motorsports to the forefront. You definitely made a mark and you will be missed. RIP Frank
Mr. Wally Parks has an affect on us all that call ourselfs a car guy/gal even if we were not into drag racing. Guys like Mr. Parks are responsible for us being able to enjoy old cars the way we do today. RIP Mr. Parks and Thanks for all you gave us.
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-parks29sep29,0,6958466.story?coll=la-home-obituaries Thought you guys would like what the L.A. Times had: says it all
Wally Parks and Pete Peterson in one year . For everything you gentalmen did for sport we call hot rodding I salute you and pay you homage. At least now we know there will be hot rods in heaven. P.S. My 12 year old knows who thies gentalmen were and they will not be forgoten.
I just recently found out that he was born in Goltry OK, a little town just NW of here. What a legacy he left behind. R.I.P. indeed. GV
I was just at the NHRA Museum today. They had a nice display on Parks and his p***ing. All the legends are leaving.....what a shame. On a positive note I'm happy to report that the county fairs are the same coast to coast in their toothless grin, tubetop and flipflop wearing glory. They had the LA county fair cooking at full steam at the Fairplex today which is where the museum is located. -Bigchief.
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