[Russ]

Does anyone know if Bill Waite Jr. was a 1st or 2nd generation racer? I have photos with and without the Jr. on the side of the car. Did his father race too? Thanks.

[carbonfiber]

I think his father raced stock cars.

Bill Sr. is an avid race fan attending AAA and USAC midget and sprint car races since the 1940's to present. His idea of keeping seven little kids under control was to load them all in the family station wagon and drive several hours to races in Illinois and Indiana every weekend. (including Fort Wayne every year through winter storms) Big Bill was approched several times through the years to travel with teams as a mechanic but business and family obligations kept him in the stands most of the time. Sr's only seat time was in the station wagon.
Bill Jr. started in karts in Utica Illinois and raced karts until he left for school in Des Moines in 1977. When he returned home in 1980 he purchased a street stock and started racing in Princeton Il. I think that was the first stock car race any of us had ever been to.(culture shock) Bill jr. bought his first chassis from Bob Trostle in 1989 and raced sprint cars until taking over the family business full time in 2003.
We managed to sell the cars and spares but still have both motors including the lightweight Jr. Hollbrook motor. Bill's death was a huge blow to the family and the business. The family is eager to sell these motors.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by psandro Bill Sr. is an avid race fan attending AAA and USAC midget and sprint car races since the 1940's to present. His idea of keeping seven little kids under control was to load them all in the family station wagon and drive several hours to races in Illinois and Indiana every weekend. (including Fort Wayne every year through winter storms) Big Bill was approched several times through the years to travel with teams as a mechanic but business and family obligations kept him in the stands most of the time. Sr's only seat time was in the station wagon. Bill Jr. started in karts in Utica Illinois and raced karts until he left for school in Des Moines in 1977. When he returned home in 1980 he purchased a street stock and started racing in Princeton Il. I think that was the first stock car race any of us had ever been to.(culture shock) Bill jr. bought his first chassis from Bob Trostle in 1989 and raced sprint cars until taking over the family business full time in 2003. We managed to sell the cars and spares but still have both motors including the lightweight Jr. Hollbrook motor. Bill's death was a huge blow to the family and the business. The family is eager to sell these motors.

Thank you for the info. The photo that I had the question about was of him in a #87 winged sprint with KAH Enterprises on the hood from an All Star show in Tampa Florida in February 1986. I hope you have good luck on selling the motors. Have you tried the classified section of this site?

[cata1351]

Back in the early '80's, I think there was a Bill Waite that used to race midgets. If I remember correctly, they brought 2 white #87 cars to the track. My step father was racing then, but I cannot remember the club we were racing with. May have been Buckeye or All Star Midgets. Is this the same Bill Waite you guys are talking about?

[Russ]

Originally Posted by cata1351 Back in the early '80's, I think there was a Bill Waite that used to race midgets. If I remember correctly, they brought 2 white #87 cars to the track. My step father was racing then, but I cannot remember the club we were racing with. May have been Buckeye or All Star Midgets. Is this the same Bill Waite you guys are talking about?

I'm not sure. I'm starting to think these are two different guys. The response above says he didn't start racing sprinters until 1989. The photo I have is from 1986 in a car #87. I wish I knew how to post it. The #87 matches the guy you are talking about. The Bill Waite Jr. that I saw race around the midwest was always in a #3jr I think. I guess I got some more research to do.

That's definitely two different guys - Bill Jr's cars were always 3jr and I don't think we were ready until the 1990 season. The early 80's Bill Waite must not have ventured west of Ohio because Bill Waite Sr. has not heard of him. Now you've got our interest over here in central Illinois. Hopefully some one can add something.