Last weekend, while returning home from a race in SW Washington, Walts motorhome suddenly lost power. On the side of the road, trying to restart the vehicle the motor backfired starting a fire. Walt was able to escape, but the motorhome was a total lose. His car and trailer sustained no damage.
Walt lived in the motorhome while traveling from track to track, living his dream racing his
'32 Chevy coupe, his "mistress ". On off weeks he resided at his home track in Yakima,
Wa. Practically all his possessions were in the vehicle. He lost all his clothes, his hand written race records, which he had meticulously kept for years and other valuable parts of his life. He is back in Yakima and doing well, considering.
He could use a helping hand from the organization for which he was an ambassador every place he went.
His mailing address is:
Walt Pearce
PO Box 35
Parker, Wa 98939
Larry Cates
Chapter Head
Texas/Gulf Coast Inliners
.
Larry,
Thanks for letting us know about this.Walt is a good friend and count me to help. Rich
Thanks Larry, for letting us know about Walt. Maybe we could start a "Go Fund Me" account for Walt. I'm not sure how to do that, but he sure deserve something like that.
Luke
Luke, I think that's a great idea. You can find information at gofundme.com.
Larry
Someone, who knows him well, could talk with Walt and see what he needs/wants most so that our help will do the most good. He probably doesn't know all that he lost yet. The good news is that he and the car are safe. Hopefully tools and parts were in the trailer. A sad thing when your dream turns into a nightmare.
Beater, I think that is what Tom Lowe was going to do today is give Walt a call to see what he needs. When I hear something or if somebody else hears something it will be posted.
Luke
I did talk with Walt today. He is in good spirits and is recouping from the trauma of losing his camper/ race transportation. The car and trailer are safe.
For those that do not know. Walt lives and breathes racing his Inline powered Chevy. He lives at the track. Or did. He has been in a VA sponsored hotel over the last week. The VA will now set him up in temporary housing (6 months).
He had pants donated from a friend that is close to his size.
Some of his prize loses in the fire are his journals from all the tracks/ racing he has done over the years. If I recall properly, he hit 22 tracks and put in over 700 runs in 2016. I think he was 78 then.
It would be hard for him to do the GOfundme. He does no internet. He does use the address that Larry posted above.
Walt Pearce
PO Box 35
Parker, Wa 98939
His car is parked at his home track, so he can still race.
I checked on the HAMB but only found one mention of Walt in a post from an Inliner named Rich from Phoenix.
I was hoping that if he was known there that more help would be possible. They often do things for guys that need some help. I'm sure there are guys there that raced him and know him. I met him in 2012 at the Convention in Carson City. I feel really bad about his lost records and things that can not be replaced. Maybe one thing we could do would be to collect all of the pictures and event coverage we have that could help piece some it back together. I know there were some things on here and maybe other sites. Of course we can send some cash too.
This simple search brings up quite a bit and could lead to more.
Walt Pearce 32 Chevy
I have some pics and maybe a video or two from the last several winters Walt visited here.Mentioning the H.A.M.B. there is a picture posted in one of the threads of Walts pick up in one of early LA Roadster shows.It was also printed in Hot Rod Deluxe about a year ago.I know if we could find it and possibly a print of the actual Pic He would like that.
It is my understanding that Walt is OK physically but is a little down in spirits. I'm asking if you can send him a card or a note to let him know that you are thinking of him. And if you could put a little cash in with it he could use that to. Walt is not asking for anything, but I know he would greatly appreciate it after losing almost everything he owns. Walt has been trying to live his drag racing dream since his wife passed away a few years ago, but has had a string of bad luck doing it. He is a great guy with a lots friends. Please, send him a card.
Thank you
Luke Lucas
Hi all.
Just found out today that Walt passed away on September 29, 2021. I first heard in an email reply from the Renegade Raceway folks and confirmed by Jeff Nelson by telephone.
https://inlinersinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pearce-Jan-Feb-2019.pdfRIP Walt!
If there isn't drag racing in Heaven he'll find out where it is and go there. What a guy!
God Bless my friend Walt Pearce.
I have meet and raced with him a few times when He used to come to the Orlando dragstrip here in Fla. A Great guy and Racing was in his Blood he would state to state hitting all the Tracks he could along his way. He will be Greatly Missed by many.
God Bless you my Friend Walt Pearce.
Oh, so sorry to hear this. Walt was a GOOD friend to many. Always enthusiastic about his Mistress (car) and perfecting his racing.
Have helped him many times with his engine, spent hours with him on the phone discussing everything.
Will miss you Old Timer.
Picture taken in 2014 Inliners Convention
Two weeks ago we received word of the passing of Walt Pearce and Dick
Bertolucci. Both Hall of Famers and prime examples of what an Inliners
International member should be.
But guess what? To this day, not one word of condolence has been expressed
from our esteemed leader. SHAMEFUL LUCAS SHAMEFUL
Ask yourself. Are we getting what we deserve from this from current slate of officers? ABSOLUTELY NOT. I guess when your only choice is a poor leader, you get poor leadership.
HELP IS ON THE WAY. Election of officers is due next year. We have lots of time to find a leader who has the capability and insight to rescue this organization.
CHAPTER HEADS —could this person be in your Chapter?
Let’s get started.
The road to survival for Inliners International is change.
FROM THE TOP DOWN
41 Coupe I posted what photo's I had of Walt Pearce and His ride on the clubs FB page but I could not post them here.
Tom Lowe posted one on Facebook.
FYI - Official announcements for both Dick Bertolucci and Walt Pearce are being prepared for publication in the 12 Port News by direction of our Club President Luke Lucas. Please send any of your stories or background info about Walt Pearce and Dick Bertolucci to Jean Weigt at: weigts@sbcglobal.net
Can someone post the info request about Walt Pearce and Dick Bertolucci on the Facebook page? I don't use Facebook.
Again, any info can be sent to Jean Weigt: weigts@sbcglobal.net
Thanks
I am so sorry to hear this. I did not know Walt at all but its still sad to hear of his passing.
Dick Bertolucci, I had the profound pleasure of speaking with him a couple of times on the phone a number of years ago. Back in the 90s (I think) he built a 30 chevy roadster into an altered he called the X-100. It was on the cover of a TPN wheels up! I thought that car was just too cool and wanted to build one for myself. Dick walked me through his build and I started the project on a 31 roadster in the late 90s. He was very generious with his time with me and I never forgot that. Project was put on hold for a lot of years but I am going to resurect it this year I think and get it finished.
Rest in Peace to two wonderful human beings.
Nice write up in the latest 12 Port News.