Cool story, thanks for sharing. My only connection to him was a few years back when I had an internet listing up on a hemi site looking for some blank Chrysler valve covers. I got a response from him saying he had some if wanted. When I read the e-mail and realized who it was I was like, this can't be for real, I got an e-mail from the real childhood super hero Don Garlits. Unfortunately by then, I had already scored a couple of decent sets and didn't really need another so I let him know I was going to pass on them. Probably should have just bought them anyway just to have them. But, the point is I was impressed that someone like himself was apparently still so personally involved with the old hemis. Lead me to think he must be a cool, real down to earth kind of guy.
Good Story.......Be Proud ! I watched Big Daddy run 180 mph at Greer S.C. arounf 1957-58...........Slide Rule Boys said you could'nt propell an Object faster than that in 1/4 mile ! Look at what they'er Doing NOW !!!!! Aslo saw Malone's "Baloney Slicer Flip in the traps........If I remember correctly he only suffered broken wrist/ or finger (Wow) ! Most impressive (at that time ) was a '56 Buick with twin superchargers that consistently ran 101 mph, over and over......... Those were GOOD YEARS . Thanks for listening, an THANKS For tha' POST. Ole' Smokey Here ! _______________________ Remember, Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires .
From the "Competition Plus" web site. Don Garlits suffered a mild stroke on Sunday, a spokesperson for the Garlits family confirmed. He is already on the road to recovery and back at work. Hes doing okay and has gotten most of his memory back, said Francine Head, a Garlits assistant at the Museum. She took him to the hospital on Sunday. It is believed the stroke was triggered by stress related to bad news hed received regarding wife Pat, whose health has been in decline lately. Garlits checked her into the hospital on Friday and was told by hospital officials she was unable to leave the hospital on Sunday. Head was with Garlits when he suffered the stroke. It was intense, she said. We were about to clean up the cabin where [longtime associate] Tommy [TC] Lemons was living and hed been told the day before that his wife couldnt come home. Those two stressors did him in. One of the last things I asked Don was if he was talking to anyone about how he felt. I think that was the last thing I said to him before this happened. Seconds later Head knew something was wrong. He turned around and looked at me and asked, What are you doing here? Head confirmed that Garlits was transported to the hospital, the same one where wife Pat was a resident, where doctors worked to bring his high blood pressure down to a manageable level. He was released on Monday afternoon. The one aspect which has remained largely unpublicized was that Monday was his and Pats 59th wedding anniversary. Hospital officials arranged for Garlits to be in her room at midnight. Head said Garlits has been overwhelmed by the support and compassion of the racing community to the point of tears. Don is seriously moved by the support of the racing community and his friends, said Head. He was brought to tears when everybody in the racing community is there, talking to him trying to support him emotionally and spiritually.
I think it was back in 59 when i first saw Garlits run at the Hatfield , Pa. stock car track. They used the front straight to make a dragstrip that went through the opening in the fence at the first turn. Then much later in 97 parked my 37 Ford next to his 40 Ford both Caddy powered at Wheels of Time show in Macungie. We talked at length about Caddy mills in our rides. Don is one of the nicest racers I ever talked to and Don we're praying for Pat and you for full recovery. As a note i still have my entry ticket For my 37 Ford at Hatfield speedway from that day when Garlits was there.
Being from the Indy area cruising the motel parking lots in the evening was almost as good as going to the races. The "PRO'S" would sometimes pull all night thrashes right in the motel parking lot. The doors to the rooms would be wide open, all the lights on and people running in and out with beer....er....cold beverages and food. Many nights the parking lot was the place to be!
Man, sorry to hear about his health and his wife as well. All the best to him and his family in getting strong again. Unfortunately, the sands of time don't stop for anyone, even true legends.
I was in Ocala about 30 years ago and stopped into Garlets museum. At that time, the museum was about 1/3 the size it is presently. My 4 year old son was with me. Don had a young man that was helping him give us a guided tour of the facilities. When it was over, we went back thru his shop and thanked him. He let me get a photo of him holding my son. What a great, approachable man. Later on, when he was racing in West Palm Beach, I gave him the photo and he autographed it. I still have it to this day.
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