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Man, 66, lives racing dream
Stafford man, 66, puts driving a race car on his list of things to do before he kicks the bucket
Date published: 9/19/2009
BY CATHY DYSON When Bob Randall was 64, he started spending his Social Security checks on the race car he'd always dreamed of driving. While other people mourned as their retirement savings went down the drain in recent months, the Stafford County man joked that he was having the time of his life losing his. "It's wonderful," Randall said about racing at South Boston Motor Speedway, about 90 minutes southwest of Richmond. "This is a place I can go fast without getting a ticket. And the fun meter--it's all the way over and then it bends around the corner." Now 66, Randall socked almost $20,000 into his ride: a souped-up 1971 Chevy Vega with the number 33. He spent every spare moment under the hood and did every bit of work himself or with the help of his two sons. He painted and sanded, rebuilt the engine and replaced the suspension system and kept immaculate calculations on temperature, tires and speed. And that was when he wasn't working full time as the energy manager for Stafford County schools. He was on the go so much he lost 40 pounds. "I have to be able to crawl into the window," Randall said, explaining his need to slim down. "It takes a minute and a half getting in and three-tenths of a second getting out." 'RACE FUEL IN HIS BLOOD' Fast cars and family outings to NASCAR events have always been a part of the Hartwood man's life. He has paid to do laps at Richmond International Raceway when he wasn't watching races. For Christmas a few years ago, his wife, Nancy, sent him to race-car driving school in North Carolina. Decades before Randall got behind the wheel of a vintage model, his father raced modified cars in upstate New York. "He has race fuel in his blood," his wife said. A few years ago, Randall decided to stop watching others race and do it himself. He was inspired by "The Bucket List," a movie about two old guys who list, then pursue, the things they want to do before they die. "I've been blessed with good health all my life," Randall said, "and I wanted to do this while I was still able."
Date published: 9/19/2009
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