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Joe Wilkie

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:54 pm
by sgmotorsports
It is with a heavy heart that I am letting the PHA family know that Joe Wilkie passed away this evening. He will be missed by many! I will update with arrangements as they become available.

Re: Joe Wilkie

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:43 pm
by sgmotorsports

Re: Joe Wilkie

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 5:12 pm
by Rich Rock
Years ago, when I was new to hillclimbing, I thought it would be funny to exaggerate my bio at Giants, just to see how the announcer handled it. So, for my racing history I wrote
"Soapbox Derby, Demolition Derby, and Kentucky Derby".

Saturday morning, just after I pull up to the line, there's an incident on the hill, and it's gonna be at least a few minutes before I get to make my run. Everyone shuts off their engine and it's real easy to hear Joe on the PA system. He informs the crowd of the delay, and after a minute or so he starts talking about the next car in line. He gives my name and some details about my car. Then he says, and I can't remember his exact words, but it was something very close to : "Well, this delay has probably given Mr. Rock time to reflect on his extensive Derby experiences".

I felt a bit smaller, but I knew right then and there that I LIKED this guy. I also knew that I would be wise to never again try to run something past him :-)

Gonna miss ya Joe.