Post by Keith Tanaka on May 19, 2017 10:51:16 GMT -8
Monday, May 15th, Craig Gilbert passed away. He suffered a heart attack while hospitalized for his fight with cancer.
Craig was a member of Team Rolling Hills along with Roger Uusitalo, myself and back in the days ('66-'68) Gary Gilmore (who moved to Arkansas shortly thereafter).
The four of us had a great time back in the heydays of this wonderful hobby, slot car racing. Roger would drive us around town in his '65 Corvair and it was a blast.
We were good slot car racers but not as good as the best in those days (i.e., Steube, Schmid, Cukras, Henline, Morrissey, etc.). Nevertheless, we enjoyed each other's company and always looked forward to another day of slot car racing whether for just fun or when competing in organized races.
I will always remember Craig as being the team member who was the first to qualify and race in one of the big races in those days (1966, 3rd Rod and Custom race at J & J's in Long Beach). It was a big deal in those days to race in the "magazine" races as the "pressure" to qualify for these races was extreme compared to today's "retro" races. Craig led the way for our Team Rolling Hills members and we admired his racing ability. In the mist of the "Vietnam" war era, Craig was drafted into the Army and was suddently no longer a presence at the slot car scene in SoCal in the late 60's. It would be over 40 years later that Craig would rediscover slot car racing (at BPR). Roger and I had rediscovered the hobby a few years before Craig joined in the fun again. Craig's first D3 hardbody race was August 2011 on the flat track. He did well considering being away for so long and also being a heart transplant patient since 2007.
Craig's passing was a sad day for his fellow slot racers, especially his Team Rolling Hills buddies. He's in a better place now, RIP Craig.
Craig's wife Jeri went through a lot of difficult times in supporting Craig with his various health issues over the years. She's always been by his side and giving him the support he needed to deal with his ongoing health condition.
With all of the medical bills and ongoing stress of dealing with life without Craig, Jeri certainly could use some financial support by fellow slot racers and friends. Let's assist Jeri by a financial donation to help her thru these difficult times.
A GoFundMe account has been setup by a friend of Craig and Jeri's. Here's the website for donations: GoFundMe
Keith
Craig was a member of Team Rolling Hills along with Roger Uusitalo, myself and back in the days ('66-'68) Gary Gilmore (who moved to Arkansas shortly thereafter).
The four of us had a great time back in the heydays of this wonderful hobby, slot car racing. Roger would drive us around town in his '65 Corvair and it was a blast.
We were good slot car racers but not as good as the best in those days (i.e., Steube, Schmid, Cukras, Henline, Morrissey, etc.). Nevertheless, we enjoyed each other's company and always looked forward to another day of slot car racing whether for just fun or when competing in organized races.
I will always remember Craig as being the team member who was the first to qualify and race in one of the big races in those days (1966, 3rd Rod and Custom race at J & J's in Long Beach). It was a big deal in those days to race in the "magazine" races as the "pressure" to qualify for these races was extreme compared to today's "retro" races. Craig led the way for our Team Rolling Hills members and we admired his racing ability. In the mist of the "Vietnam" war era, Craig was drafted into the Army and was suddently no longer a presence at the slot car scene in SoCal in the late 60's. It would be over 40 years later that Craig would rediscover slot car racing (at BPR). Roger and I had rediscovered the hobby a few years before Craig joined in the fun again. Craig's first D3 hardbody race was August 2011 on the flat track. He did well considering being away for so long and also being a heart transplant patient since 2007.
Craig's passing was a sad day for his fellow slot racers, especially his Team Rolling Hills buddies. He's in a better place now, RIP Craig.
Craig's wife Jeri went through a lot of difficult times in supporting Craig with his various health issues over the years. She's always been by his side and giving him the support he needed to deal with his ongoing health condition.
With all of the medical bills and ongoing stress of dealing with life without Craig, Jeri certainly could use some financial support by fellow slot racers and friends. Let's assist Jeri by a financial donation to help her thru these difficult times.
A GoFundMe account has been setup by a friend of Craig and Jeri's. Here's the website for donations: GoFundMe
Keith