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Richard Parks was born during WWII and raised in Orange County, California. He graduated from the University of Hawaii, married and he and his wife raised three sons while Richard worked at a medical center. Today he is the proud grandfather of 7 grandchildren. Richard is a writer and has penned over 200 biographies including the history of his father Wally Parks who was the Founder, President, and Chairman of the National Hot Rod Association, better known as the NHRA. Wally was instrumental in establishing drag racing as a legitimate amateur and profession motorsport.
SHOW SPONSORS
American Collectors Insurance • Linkage Magazine • Techforce Foundation • RPM Foundation
INSPIRATION
Richard’s father was a great inspiration as have been many men and women in motorsports including: Roger Ward, a two time Indy 500 winner, Parnelli Jones, another Indy 500 winner, AK Miller, Walt James, Jim Miller, Linda Vaughn, Danny Oaks, and Edwin Ver Beck to name just a few.
CHALLENGES
Richard has written humorous stories about himself titled: The World’s Worst Cowboy, The World’s Worst Baseball Player, The World’s Worst Soldier, and The World’s Worst At A Lot Of Things. The point is that failing at a task is not failure if you give new things a try.
SPECIAL VEHICLES
A 1957 Chevy Malibu his brother Dave built for Richard.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Roy Richter Striving for Excellence by Art Bagnall
Drag Racing Yesterday and Today by Wally Parks, Richard’s father
High Performance by Dr. Robert Posts
WORDS OF INSPIRATION
Never consider yourself to be a failure because the things you do are important. Never stop learning, trying, and listening. Volunteer to help others, especially the once famous who through age and disability aren’t able to get out anymore. Teach the young about how wonderful the car culture is. Do everything you can think of just once in your life. People lead fascinating lives and you participate in their lives by helping them wherever you can.
WHERE TO FIND RICHARD
Richard Parks email: rnparks1@juno.com
SHARE THE INSPIRATION
If you enjoyed this show, please go to Apple Podcast and leave me a five-star review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and help others to be inspired by Cars Yeah. * indicates a past Cars Yeah guest.