50 year old paraplegic from 1982 car crash. A former international racer '92 Netherlands, '93 Japan and most recent 1999-2000 winner in New Zealand of the Millennium Marathon Wheelchair division. I finished 53 marathons. I've been hit three times by cars while in my wheelchair and crashed my racers in many races. I have many grape vines & apple trees. A farm boy I learned to drive runner sled at 3, tractor by 4, GoKart at 5, snowmobile at 8, cars 10, and.the '52 Intl grain truck w/duel axle by 11. I've also crashed about 15 cars over the years finding limits. Rochester, MN to Red Wing, MN in my 66 Continental less than 28 minutes after 1:00 am.
What car(s) do you own?
Current vehicles:
My 1986 BMW 528e 2.7ltr 6cyl AT.
Summer driver is a 1971 International 1010 Travelall. Its an American made tank with the 304 V8 2bbl carb and AT.
What do you like to do (e.g. vintage race with...)?
Since being in a wheelchair and most vintage racers are manual shift I've not been fortunate enough to race.
My Uncle Dorr Beale was owner creator of Shopko Tools and also made Go-Karts and Mini-Bikes. We had 100's of various frames on the farm we put together. I drove on field roads & local gravel roads my whole life. At 12 dad came home with a Honda 65 and me and neighborkids from 4 miles around a dozen or so of us got together on weekend nights and road back roads for 100 miles per night. Gas we got for 20cents/gallon from the farm. 50 cents would be good for two nights.
What clubs do you belong to?
I'm not a member of any car clubs at this time since racing does not appear to be an option. Rally SCCA would be my first choice or I'd be good at tarmac. I grew up on a farm in WI driving my 66 Fairlane XL 390HO on gravel & unplowed roads. Dad wouldn't let me buy the 63 split window coupe due to ins. or 64 XKE since maintenance would be tough.
What would you like to do (e.g. go to race school; get into Vintage Racing)?
I race wheelchairs & crank handcycles. Find a way for me to race cars on a fixed income of SSDI and MSRS and I am ready and willing to drive. A few years ago before I crashed my modified, Supercharged 99 GTP I took driver training at the State of MN state patrol training grounds. 3 riders and I hit 14.2 Qtr mile according to G-Tech. Instructors were impressed by my skills that as a beginner surpassed their expert patrolmen. I'M READY!
As requested - no more "Couragous"
Please join your favorite car Groups, invite your friends to join and use this site as "your" global community.
All the best - Stephen
Hi Marathon Man :-))
Thank you for shring your very couragous story!
Great to have you on board :-))
Welcome to MyVRL.
Please personalize the appearance of your Home Page, join the Porsche, BMW, Audi and your other favorite car Groups, post photos (and race videos if you have them) and invite your friends to join.
I look forward to meeting you.
All the best - Stephen
Chairman
The Vintage Racing League
Comment Wall (2 comments)
You need to be a member of The Vintage Racing League to add comments!
Join The Vintage Racing League
Please join your favorite car Groups, invite your friends to join and use this site as "your" global community.
All the best - Stephen
Thank you for shring your very couragous story!
Great to have you on board :-))
Welcome to MyVRL.
Please personalize the appearance of your Home Page, join the Porsche, BMW, Audi and your other favorite car Groups, post photos (and race videos if you have them) and invite your friends to join.
I look forward to meeting you.
All the best - Stephen
Chairman
The Vintage Racing League