SO LONG BERNIE

[RIMSPOKE]

BERNIE INGERSOLL STARTED RACING CARS IN 1941 .

HE WAS THERE IN CAR #100 WHEN THE NASCAR RACES

STARTED IN THE LATE 40's

HE HAD A REMARKABLE MEMORY OF DRIVERS , RACES , TRACKS

AND EVEN THE PRICE OF GAS AT EACH TRACK ALL THROUGH THOSE DAYS .

HE RACED WITH ALL THE GREAT FOUNDERS OF THE SPORT IN THOSE YEARS AND TRAVELED TO TRACKS ALL OVER THE EAST COST .

HE WAS BASED OUT OF ROME , NY .

HIS LAST RACE WAS AT DAYTONA BEACH THE YEAR BEFORE THEY BUILT THE PAVED TRACK .

IN THE 60's & 70's HE OWNED & OPERATED THE UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY

http://www.uticaromespeedway.com/trackhistory/index.htm

THEY STILL RACE CARS ON HIS TRACK TODAY ! http://www.uticaromespeedway.com/index.htm

THE MAN LOVED RACING . IF HE WASN'T DOING IT HE WAS HELPING OTHERS TO DO IT .

HE MOVED IN TO THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR TO ME ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO .

HE LIKED TO TALK CARS AND WOULD COME OVER OFTEN WHEN I HAD THE SHOP OPEN .

HE ALWAYS TOOK MY ISETTAS SERIOUSLY FOR SOME REASON .

BERNIE HAS A STROKE LAST WEEK AND PASSED AWAY LAST NIGHT .

HE WAS 87 .

I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS PROBABLY NEVER HEARD OF HIM BUT TO ME

HE WAS THE MOST INTERESTING NEIGHBOR I HAVE EVER HAD .

I WAS HOPING THAT HE COULD BE ON HAND WHEN THE NASCAR HALL OF FAME OPENS NEXT YEAR .

HE REALLY WAS ONE OF THE LAST OF THOSE GUYS STILL AROUND .

I WILL MISS HIM GREATLY .

[johnnysquare]

Man, I was really moved by this eulogy.

It reminded me of a friend, mentor and neighbor who was also in his 80s when he passed, but found it somehow important/enjoyable to hang out with me (about 30 at the time) and discuss/convey stories about architecture (our shared profession). He brought things to life that I could never have experienced-- meetings with sculptor Alexander Calder in his kitchen and exchanges with Bucky Fuller. It made things vivid.

Its great to have things happen to us or experience things, but even greater to share them with others and pass them along. I suppose that's what this site is all about.

Thanks for posting that.

jb

[RIMSPOKE]

I FOUND OUT THAT THE UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY THAT WAS BERNIE's TRACK WILL BE HAVING A MEMORIAL FOR HIM TOMORROW .

THEY HAVE TAKEN SOME OF THE OLD PHOTOS OF HIM AND BLOWN THEM UP INTO POSTERS THAT WILL BE ON DISPLAY .

I THINK THAT THEY WILL ALSO SEND A FEW OF THEM TO HIS WIFE .

[RIO97J]

Thank you for the kind words. My Great uncle Bernie was a great man.

Jay Ingersoll

Amsterdam, NY

[RIO97J]

Thank you for the kind words. My Great uncle Bernie was a great man.

Jay Ingersoll

Amsterdam, NY

[gjm65]

Thank you for the kind words about Berine. He is my uncle. My dad and older siblings spent alot of time at the track back then with him and Dick. Thru him my brother did alittle racing at Utica Rome and my nephew races in Fonda. My sister is trying get some information on went on at the track last weekend we didn't know anything about it.

Thank You again

Gail Ingersoll McCabe

[RIMSPOKE]

AS A FOLLOWUP , I HAVE TWO OF BERNIE's OLD RACING TAPES !

PEGGY LENT THEM TO ME BEFORE THEY LEFT FOR NEW YORK

SO WE CAN HAVE THEM CONVERTED TO DVD .

I AM NOT SURE HOW MANY COPIES WILL BE MADE BUT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED ............

CONTACT ME AT : rimspoke@gmail.com