In Loving Memory of
Rich Wilson


In 1972 Rich Wilson bought out a race team owned by a couple of friends. In that same year Rich went on to win 19 A features at 81 speedway. He also won 2 races at enid. Those 21 wins earned Rich Wilson the Season championship in his first year, competing against 60 other cars in his class. He was the first rookie driver to ever do that. He won 9 trophy dash's and 7 heat races as well. Rich set several track records including the fastest 4 laps, 6 laps and 10 laps. He won the Garfield County Fair championship as well as the Winter Nationals. Needless to say, Rich made quite a splash in is first year of racing.


Rich's car in '72

To follow up on his rookie year success. Rich put up 24 A feature wins in 1973. (this record still stands today) He won 14 heat races and 17 trophy dash's. This led to an unprecidented 2 championships in his his first 2 years as a driver.


Rich winning an A feature in '73


In 1974 Rich had to move out of the the hobby stock class and into the semi-late division. Rich won rookie of the year in his first year in the semi-late division. He raced against 100 other cars in the class and finished 8th in season points. In 1975 Rich came in 7th in points in the semi-late division. That year the class grew to an astounding 147 cars competing for the same prize. Rich won the KEYN championship and his car was voted most photogenic.


Voted most photogenic car 1975

Throughout the years Rich raced in many different cars and in many different divisions. One thing remained the same though. Rich was always a feared competitor as well as a good friend. He was always there when someone needed help or advice on their car. He always did his part in playing jokes on friends.


joke played on Ron Cuda


as you can see Rich played his part in this


Some of the other divisions Rich drove in were the Super-Late, Late Model, Limited Sportsman, Sportsman, and IMCA Modified. He won countless more Heat races, trophy dash's and A features, along with several championships, but his proudest moments began when his 2 boys, Richard and Randy joined him on the race track.


Randy, Richard, Rich

One thing that never changed amongst all the different cars and divisions was Rich's wife Eileen. She was Rich's perfect match and the most supportive wife a man could ask for. Eileen made it to all of Rich's races and kept score throughout most of the years. Rich could always spot his wife in the stands as she was his biggest supporter. Eileen was and continues to be the biggest supporter of Wilson Racing.


Eileen and Rich

Even late in life Rich still had what it took to get in a race car a dominate any given race. He had proven that no matter what car you put him in, he will drive the wheels off anything.


A feature win in a modified

As the cars got more advanced and more complex Rich took each task and handled it the way he knew how. He built it himself. He built it the best it could be built and he gave himself and his boys the best chance to succeed. Rich prided himself on being able to build just about anything. If it was bolted onto a Wilson built race car, it was built by a Wilson. Not only did this create a successful way of life for Rich but it continues to be the way the Wilsons still do it today.


as this headline states "Father and sons ride fast track with one another"

Rich passed away on August 6th 2007. He is gone physically but he is still with us in our hearts. Rich lived the kind of life that all men strive for. He loved his family. He loved his wife. Those that knew him, loved him back. He loved god and he created a legacy that will never be duplicated. We can all stand back and look on the life that Rich lived and be proud. He made his mark on history. On one thanksgiving Rich was asked a hypothetical question. "would you rather live 80 years and accomplish nothing or live only 40 years and do great things?" Rich chose the 40 years. Rich knew the importance of making the most out of every situation, no matter what hand you were delt. He was taken from us to soon but he left us with so many great memories. He taught us the things we needed to know to keep his legacy alive. He showed us that we can make impact in this lifetime. Rich will be missed but he is not forgotten. Every race car that comes out of our shop has a part of him in it. Every Wilson Built Race Car has the same heart and soul put into it that Rich put into his life. Every time an engine is started in one of our race cars i know Rich feels it.

Wilson Racing exists because of Rich Wilson. We will NEVER forget where we came from.

1976



1977 A feature win victory lap



1978



Late Model



Modified victory lap