Landracing Forum
Misc Forums => Health, Welfare, and Passings => Topic started by: PorkPie on July 25, 2022, 06:57:16 AM
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looks that Bill is somewhat forgotten....
yesterday there was a very sad note on a FB page,
that longtime SCTA starter, great photographer and 200 Club member (1969)
Bill Taylor passed away.
he fight for a long time with cancer and he found now his way home
Bill, all this years you was a great friend and a photographer with a special eye view - your 1991 photo of Big Al Teague will be in the mind forever
R.I.P. , you will be missed
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So sorry to hear. Bill was a great guy.
He was so gracious when I hit my personal best in 2011...not a record but good enough for my "A" license. Bill insisted on a photo and I am glad we did.
Rest in peace Mr. Taylor.
BR
Tried to post the photo but it posted upside down.
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May he Rest in Peace. Bill understood us in his special way since he was from Minnesota and therefore had an understanding of Yoopers. Thanks and a tip of the (red) hat, Bill.
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Bill's start line mantra "be safe, have fun, go fast and remember the throttle works both ways" was good advice for me. RIP Bill, I miss your Christmas cards.
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Another "well crap" moment... Bill was a great safety advocate... He will be missed...
He stopped us from running one year when we rolled to the line. This was before the rulebook did a redo of seatbelts for lay down cars. He said our crotch belt needed to pull in a straight line with the shoulder straps... That was a good thing, we found Diest, he had cheek belts, came over to the car, showed us what to do for that meet and then what to do for the next. The cheek belts solved a problem with sliding down and we wrapped the crotch around a tube.... mounts were welded in by the next meet....
When we arrived back in line Bill inspected what we did and deemed us safe to go down his course. Much like Higbee, he wanted every run to be as safe as possible. The starters job is not just to launch you down a clear course... it's to make sure you can safely go down that course. The throttle works both ways is what he always told us with the car and the Kid when we ran the bike.
GodSpeed Bill I know you're keeping our racing heroes safe
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Bill sent me off on my first pass in the Kelly & Hall Lakester. I've got a great picture somewhere. Somewhere. :roll:
Wayno
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Was looking for another pic for another thread, but found this one... Bill starting the Bockscar in 2010.
Bet Bill's Bonneville didn't get rained out this year.... he is among friends.
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Cute jumper, Stainless.
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Very sad news. Rest in peace my friend.
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My first run was started by Bill. I heard him tell me that the throttle works both ways, and then he said: "The course is yours". Wow, what a feeling he gave this rookie with those words.
Rest in Peace and wear that red hat like always, Bill.
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Bill and I were very good friends for over 50 years. Bonneville, El Mirage, sprint cars, plus his great photography . I had the honor of representing him when he was inducted into the dry lakes hall of fame several years ago. He called me out of the blue and asked if I would accept his award on his behalf. He had moved from San Diego to Plymouth, Minnesota to be near his children by then and his wife, Dwianna was ill and not able to travel . I was honored and humbled to do that for him. Bill was my last connection to San Diego racers, with the passing of Fred Lobello and Bob McCoy Bill was a kind talented, and brilliant man and great friend. When he retired to Minnesot, I would call him daily, from the salt and give him updates.Five or six years ago Bill had though he had beaten Cancer, but it came back this year with a vengeance and Bill was called home. A micro example of how important Bill felt his starters position became vertical evident one year as I visited with his wife on the starting line. Here was Bill performing his duties as a starter and eating a hamburger all at the same time . I asked Dwianna why didn't he come and sit under the lean-to and eat his lunch. Dwianna said that Bill felt that the racers had worked too hard and too long to have him slow down the line while sitting on the side eating lunch. That was Bill. There are so many wonderful stories that just don't allow me the time to share here. Bill was and will always be a special friend to me and also many others. One last thing, Bill and Dwianna still had his 1969 record setting roadster in the garage in Minnesota. I talked to Bill's son after the funeral and he told me that they were negotiating with Speedy Bill's museum in Lincoln Nebraska to donate it for permanent display . God Speed my friend, you will never be forgotten !
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I know Freud had the upmost respect for Bill. Sorry to hear the news of his passing. RIP Bill, tell dad hi for me.