September 22nd 2007 - Throughout the world of motorsports, families have always been a part of the
fabric that holds us all together. Fathers and their children and
grandchildren, uncles and aunts, cousins, husbands and wives, stepkids and
in-laws. They have all played a part in our rich history of racing.
In the Chicago area, one of those families is still going strong, the Corson
Clan. As we the approach of the Discount Tire 5th Annual Bob Corson Memorial
Race on September 16th, the Illini Racing Series (IRS) thought it might be nice
to sit down with the extended Corson family for a few questions about the
Corson/Savage racing team and their memories. At this gathering we had Bob�s
son, Rich Corson and his wife June and their kids Nicole and R.J., also Bob�s
daughter Colleen (nee Corson)and her husband Steve Savage with Colleen's
daughter Amanda.
IRS: Bob Corson�s name has been associated with midget racing in our area for a
long, long time. When and where did Bob begin racing?
answer: Actually Dad started racing stock cars at Illiana, Peotone back in the
1950�s. His stock car career didn�t last very long as he told us about how he
flipped it several times down the straightaway at Illiana. He got the racing bug
again in 1962 when a guy in Posen up the road from us had a midget for sale. It
literally was a basket case project except for the frame. Dad and a neighbor
put it together and started with UARA in 1962 at Joliet. In 1965 he bought
another car and from there it was history.
IRS: Rich, how old were you when you went to your first race?
answer: Rich � I remember around 9 years old at Joliet Stadium.
RJ- Before I was born at Morris
IRS: Colleen, how about you?
answer: I�m a little bit older than Rich so I was 6. That was a terrible
question now you can figure out how old I am. I remember a lot more when I was 9
or 10.
IRS: What are your earliest memories of being at a track, and which track?
Colleen?
answer: Probably Joliet. During the �60�s though my Dad raced all over with
USAC, BADGET, IMCA, SLARA, really anywhere there was a race because there were
always drivers looking to race for him anywhere. Terre Haute, The Prairie,
Kokomo, Minnesota State Fair, too many to name.
IRS: Same question to you, Rich
answer: Joliet Stadium in 1967 when Roger West drove our car.
Nicole � When I was little, I remember meeting Rich Vogler at Joliet.
IRS: Besides his family supporting him, what do you think Bob Corson was the
most proud of in his racing career? His driving, his time as a car owner, or as
an innovator?
answer:
Colleen � That�s a tough question. I�m not sure, he had fun driving especially
after he quit and then got back in after a long time. He won the trophy dash at
Boswell and having John Lode give him the trophy. He remembered that one pretty
well. But overall, I think it was the respect he got
from other drivers and owners whether it was from owning a car or having
invented something that was widely used. He enjoyed racing and had fun.
Steve � I think it was as a owner and innovator. A form of the Dial-A-Jet had
been used on Indy cars until last year.
Rich � Car Owner and innovator, he loved seeing his cars race and he was always
on top of things.
Nicole � he was proud to watch Rich race and to see everyone helping out.
Rj- as a car owner
IRS: Rich, when did you first get the opportunity to drive the family racer?
answer: 1979, Joliet Stadium I was co-rookie of the year
IRS: Did you ever want to give driving a try Colleen?
answer: No, I was happy cheering in the grandstands that was until Rich started
racing and then I was in pits trying to help out.
IRS: Let�s hear from the in-laws. June, how did you get dragged into being a
part of this racing family?
answer: by dating Rich, I met Colleen first at Sears 27 years ago.
IRS: Steve, your were already involved in racing before you became a part of
the team, right?
answer: I started watching midgets at the Stadium in the early 60�s. In 1983 I
went to watch them again and decided I needed one of these. So I bought my
first car and had no clue as to what I was doing. I wrecked, tore up some
equipment and got smarter with help from my father-in-law, Rich Vogler and Klaus
Wever.
IRS: How about Bob�s grandkids? Nicole, you were the first of your generation
to become a true pit crew member, meaning old enough to get a pit pass. Was it
different to see everyone in the heat of competition? Especially your
grandfather, Bob, who always seemed so easy going. Was he that way in the pits
too?
answer:
Nicole � It was neat seeing the joys and frustrations of our team. To see
everyone work together. Pat always told Rich to go fast and be upfront.
Amanda � I had no choice about racing; I was at the track from the time I was
born. The first pit experiences I had were so adrenaline rushing that it
inspired me to choose to pursue a career in racing. The people that I�ve grown
up with in this racing community are like family to me. Had I not been born into
this sport� well let�s just say I don�t dare to entertain that nonsense.
IRS: Amanda, how do you remember your grandfather?
Amanda � I remember when I was little he would take me in the garage with my
uncle while they worked on the infamous blue and white 15. I also remember going
to the track every weekend, him driving and that when we�d get to the track he
was not only our crew chief but he was a caring family man. Well outside of the
track I remember him best; he was the grandfather that took care of me when I
was sick, stayed home from the races to take me to cheerleading, above all he
was a loving man that would do anything for his family or friends.
answer:
IRS: O.K. R.J., here is the question everybody wants to know the answer to.
Will they ever let you drive a #15 car, or are you just going to be a major
league baseball player?
answer: When I get older I would like to try it and play major league baseball.
But I do wear the #15 on my baseball jersey, Pa�s always with me!
IRS: For each of you, what is your favorite racing memory?
answers:
Colleen � Mine go back aways. I have a lot with both my dad and Rich. With my
dad it was probably when he drove at Sun Prairie, he was qualifying and lost it
coming out of 4 and almost wiped out Hot Dog the flagman after that he got Billy
Wood out of retirement and he finished the night. With Rich there�s a lot there
too. Maybe winning at Ft Wayne, or the Lockard Race there�s just too many for
both of them. I�m very proud both my dad and my brother and also what they have
accomplished racing.
Steve � The night Rich raced side x side through traffic with David Thompson
with it being the closest race at Grundy County. That was the most exciting
race I�d ever seen and we won!
Rich � When I won Ft Wayne for the 1st time after my dad passed away.
Nicole � When we beat Tony Stewart at Ft Wayne
June � When I was 8 months pregnant with RJ, we were at LaSalle running dirt, I
was jumping up and down, Rich was winning his semi and the fireman asked me to
stop, he didn�t want to deliver RJ there!
Rj � Being at Ft Wayne
Amanda � The 1st Annual Bob Corson Memorial Race. Our family was approached
after my grandfather�s passing and we were told it would be an honor to host a
race in his name. It was touching for people to recognize my grandfather for his
contribution to racing. I was given the ability to promote and coordinate the
race and all of its details; I embraced this race as it was very personal to me
to have the racing community come together for remembering my grandfather. That
night I was presented a trophy for my work for the race, I was deeply moved by
this as I worked very hard to coordinate a race that was would honor my
grandfather. Now, I have it at school alongside a picture of me and my
grandfather when I was a baby. I miss him and it pushes me to strive harder
every year to properly honor his name with this race.
IRS: With the change to the Illini Racing Series and Wolverine Outlaw Midget
Series co-sanctioning this tribute to Bob Corson, although with familar rules
and tires, will the race still draw some drivers from out of town?
answer: Rich � Yes, because a lot of people knew and respected my dad.
IRS: You guys have done a great job for the last four years with this memorial
race. What surprises do you have for us this year?
answer: Nicole � you�ll have to wait and see.
Amanda � We have a lot of exciting surprises for both the fans and the drivers,
the night will be nothing short of spectacular!!
IRS: Anything else any of you would like to add?
Steve � Bob helped me a lot when I first started and always told me what changes
to do that would help me. He also convinced me to run as many different tracks
as I could as that would help me both as a driver and car owner so I could learn
different setups. I knew Bob long before I knew Rich and Colleen and only knew
him as Corson. But if I needed help he was there to lend a hand.
Colleen � I want to Thank everyone involved for hosting this race.
IRS: Thank you all for your time and sharing your memories with us. |
