|
|
|
|
|
Bob Meli has been part of the Wagtimes lore since the first time he received Wagsbucks on November 21, 1992. Over the years he ran in two Wagsdash's and his car won the '97 event, with Jimmy Voitel driving. Bob has been part of CRA / SCRA sprint car racing since before I got involved back in the mid 70's. His 4 lifetime CRA victories are his legacy on the track. Off it he has built too many racecars to count, and as recent as the 4th of July, one of his cars won an SCRA feature with Troy Cline driving.
A quiet thankful man, he was gracious and proud at the races. He lived
for his racing and competed right up to the day before he was diagnosed
with cancer. Bob's last words to me were "see you at the races". He was
a fighter, and even though he was in that hospital bed knowing he wasn't
leaving, he was giving it his all to recover. The number 71 will always
mean Back em' in Bob to me.
May he rest in peace.
Bob drives it hard at Manzanita Speedway in February of 1993
in this grainy shot (I was still using funky equipment!).
(42K)
That's Bob flying backwards on top of Rickie Gaunt after driving
over Gaunts wheels. The accident triggered a fuel leak at the
fuel filler of Gaunt's car, and he jumped from the car with a
singed neck! All of this at Bakersfield Speedway in March, 1993
during a CRA show.
(55K)
Bob Meli looks up-track as he powers his own #71 car through
turn one at Bakersfield Speedway, November, 1993.
(55K)
Meli uses the low groove at Bakersfield Speedway while racing
with Mike Kirby in Danny P's car #4, November, 1993.
(57K)
Bob knew how to stand on the gas, as he demonstrates here
at Kings Speedway in Hanford, during the Pacific Coast Open,
October, 1994.
(48K)
Meli dices with Harlan Willis at the Pacific Coast Open for
SCRA non-winged sprint cars, October, 1994.
(51K)
Hard on the hammer at El Centro, November, 1994.
(50K)
Racing with Rip Williams at The PAS! in June, 1997.
(51K)
Racing with Mike Kirby at The PAS! in June, 1997.
(53K)
Racing with Jimmy May at The PAS! in June, 1997.
(53K)
Running a USAC Champ Dirt car at the Silver Crown 100, Cal Expo,
Sacramento, October, 1997.
(37K)
Bob was all business in "office"!
At Perris, November, 1997.
(44K)
Racing side-by-side with Jay Drake just behind Verne Sweeney at
Perris, November, 1997.
(50K)
Racing with Ron DiDinato at
Perris, November, 1997.
(50K)
Shaking Wagsdash '97 winner Jimmy Voitel's hand, along with the entire
Wagtimes crew at The PAS! November, 1997.
(52K)
Celebrating Jimmy Voitel's big Wagsdash win as car owner,
The PAS! November, 1997.
(39K)
 Home |
 Samples |
 History |
 Tributes |
 Who are we? |
 Links to links |
 Copyright info |
 Contact |