Just read that Wayne Reutimann Sr. will be joining brother Buzzie in the Northeast Modified Hall of Fame.
When I was a kid loved cheering for Wayne in the Ritter & Kleintop 666. Between that and the 00 Dover Brake car I thought the Reutimann brothers had the sharpest looking dirt modifieds out there. And Wayne also drove the Marinelli M1, which I still think ranks up there with Sammy Beavers #81 as the best looking dirt modified ever.
Also on the dockett this year is another favorite of mine, Carl “Fuzzy” Van Horn.
Congratulations Wayne!
I was at Syracuse the day that Wayne was almost decapitated in that same Ritter-Kleintop 666. Howie Cronce (9C) rolled over coming out of turn 2, there was a massive pile-up, where Tighe Scott (28) launced into the air and came down like a dive bomber directly into the cage of Waynes car. The entire cage and roof were sheared off at the top of the door panel, and somehow did not take the upper half of Waynes body with it.
I still consider it a miracle that he wasn’t killed or even hurt. Ironically, Buzzie (who was also involved) was hurt in a car that didn’t look badly damaged at all. I think there were somewhere between 14-17 cars involved in that crash. The only car that continued was Cronce, who was the initiator of the crash.
But, back to the original message… Congrats to Wayne, as this honor is long overdue. I’ve always felt that Wayne had more natural talent than Buzzie, but never got the recognition for it. I once saw him at East Bay in 4 different divisions in one night… he won 3 of the features!
And somehow he walked away…
Another pic, probably from the same photographer. Wayne is looking at his helmet, wondering why his head is not still in it. Also in this picture are Mike Kelley in the 9, and Mert “Socks” Hulbert in the 2H.
A few more shots of that horrendous crash:
Drivers in these shots include:
Mike Granton (33M) in a former Davey Moore Gremlin
Glenn Fitzcharles (43H), the all-time win leader in the URC Sprints, and this years inductee to the Sprint Car Hall of Fame
Tighe Scott (28), who also ran a handful of Nascar GN events with the Walter Ballard #30
Gary Gollub (16), who also ran the URC Sprints with a lot of success
Harry Sittler (37), the Kooky Canook
Rich Ricci (406) a small-block racer that always seemed to bring a strong car to Syracuse
Others involved, but not pictured, include (from memory only): Kevin Collins, Buzzie Reutimann, Howie Cronce, possibly Toby Tobias and about 6-8 more I can’t recall right now.
Wtg W~a~y~n~e !!!
he sure does deserve a spot in the hall of fame! great pics you guys!!! thanks for sharing!
OZ
I’m pretty sure this clip has been posted before, but you will find both the Reutimanns and Fuzzy Van Horn out on the track together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS1mPPc3HVI&feature=related
