Wally Parks   1913 - Sept 28, 2007   RIP

To the Parks Family, We are saddened to hear of Wally Parks passing, our hearts go out to you. To the Hot Rod community we have lost a person who had the vision to make this obsession of ours safe and sane with direction and respectability. I have had opportunity to see and hear Wally Parks speaking at the NHRA Museum several times and I marveled at his awareness and his impeccable appearance never fully realizing he was in his 90's. We truly owe Wally much, the drag strips, the safety safari, Hot Rod Magazine, NHRA, NHRA Museum, the respectability he brought to the Hot Rod image and much, much more. We have lost an icon indeed.
Sam Flowers, Ojai, CA

Although I never met Mr. Parks in person I read and heard so much good about him. He really made a dif fence in the Hobby and this world. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. He will be sadly missed to say the least.
Bob Arnold -Ingleside IL.

My heartfelt sympathies go out to Wally's family and many friends. I talked with Wally many times and was
always impressed with him, for what an achiever and gentleman he was and for how well he did for his age
in later years. He has been an inspiration for me and millions of others. I consider myself lucky to have
know this great man, who has left the world a better place. Godspeed.
Ken FreundMoorpark, California

So Sorry to hear about Wally he was a legend in Drag racing,I send my deepest sympathies
Rick Smith  Illinois

 I'D LIKE TO COMMENT ON WALLY PARKS, I ON MANY OCCASION HAVE SPOKEN TO WALLY AND GOTTEN MANY GOOD IDEAS AS A YOUNG KID GROWNING UP..ONE OF THE MOST HONEST ONE OF ALL WAS TO BUILD MY CARS SAFE AND DON'T CHEAT! CONSIDER OTHERS FEELINGS, AND IT WILL COME BACK TO YOU!! OUR SINCERE FEELINGS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY AND MANY MANY FRIENDS WHO KNEW HIM. FROM ALL OF US AT TINKER GLADDEN RACING
 

A true pioneer in US motorsports. Wally Parks' contributions to the world of motorsports, drag racing in particular, will be acknowledged for many generations to come. Thank you so much.
Warren Walther
Clovis, CA

Richard and Family.
My wife and I are deeply saddened at the loss of your father. He was a Fantastic Honest Man, always had time to talk. We met at Bonneville the year he and Jim Travis brought the '57 Plymouth "Suddenly" to the Salt, I think you also ran the Camaro. It was a Great time for all. Please accept our sincere condolences.
 God Speed, Dave and Carol Koehler, USFRA emergency crew, Cottonwood Heights,Utah

Wally parks was THE Hot Rod visionary. He did more for our sport than any other single person. This included SCTA, Muroc, El Mirage, Bonneville, NHRA Drag Racing, and hot rodding on the street. The Wally Parks NHRA Museum is one of my favorite places on Earth. I am proud of my Hot Rod heritage, thanks to Wally Parks. He lived a full and productive life. He was amazing to the end.
 Dennis Johnston
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406

For as long as I can remember, Wally Parks has been a mentor for my hobby activities. I have been a car nut and racer for 45 years, and faithfully kept abreast of the NHRA and Hot Rod Magazine since the 'little pages'
Condolences to the Parks family,
 Brian Curtis.

My condolances to Richard & David Parks and the famlies upon the passing of Wally Parks..........Sincerly, Larry Schwabenland, Fresno, CA

Rich & David  Stand Tall! as your father will always be a "Legend" See You Soon.
Bob Painton 
Victoria B.C. Canada.

He will be deeply missed, god love him
Barry Thorpe

Even though I never personally never met nor knew him, Mr. Parks was a true pioneer and a great inovator in the world of motor sports. He will be surely missed.
 Robert Turner Bakersfield, Ca

Please pass on our Condolences & thoughts to Wally's Family & Friends from us Downunder as this Great Man
was loved & admired from afar & He will surely be missed by many who have been touched by his Wisdom & Safety
in the World of Hot Rodding & Drag Racing through out the World. I have Posted the Info from your News Letter up on www.ozrodders.com for All to see as I know there is a lot of people
from Australia who have some History with Wally in past years.
Happy Cruzin
Steve Jones
Proud Member of
www.ozerodders.com

To the Parks Family and Friends,
  I had the fortunate oppurtunity only once in my life to meet Mr. Parks and I have to say it was one of those things in my life I cherish because I have always loved the NHRA and NASCAR and the only comparison I can make between was Mr. Parks to the likes of Bill France Sr and Jr both of whom I had met many times but they as Mr. Parks were people I looked up to as they brought so much joy and stories of the early years in racing. Mr. Parks was a man that brought such a sport to what it is today that can't ever be forgotten and I can always say in a big smile I met him once. He was a class act through and through and he always seemed to have a smile on his face when I saw him. I have heard over the years the stories from various people how much of kind soft spoken man he was and a true man of his word. I send my sympathy to his family and to the drag racing family he will be missed but never forgotten. Very few men in life can make a person change and Mr. Parks was one that changed me and I will always be indebted to him for that. May you find peace, peace and strength in your life.
Steve
 Los Angeles, CA 

The world of motor sports has lost the greatest man that has ever lived. From a kitchen table to an empire for everyone to enjoy and wonder at. I hope his children and the world appreciate his efforts. He will be missed. From a long time fan ( over 50 years ) and admirer.
Dave Wilson, Upland, CA

it’s very sad to hear of the passing of Mr. Wally Parks he was a real Innovator and a true Champion in everybody’s eyes. Janelle and I met him once at the NHRA Motorsports Museum in March 2004, we were there one day mid week and we were the only ones there as they had only just opened the doors when we arrived. On this day they were filming a commercial and a part of that was an interview with Mr. Parks, we were looking at all of the displays keeping very quite while the filming was going on. As we went around we got over to where the commercial was happening and there was a break in filming and Mr. Parks was sitting there by himself and as we walked passed he introduced himself (even though we knew who he was) and asked how we were going and if we were enjoying the Museum. He was absolute gentleman and you could tell he was still extremely sharp and in incredible condition for a 90 plus age man and what a joy to talk to. I would have loved to have talked to him for longer but he was really busy as they got back to filming. It will be a memory that will be with me for the rest of my life and I feel very fortunate to have met him that day.
Bruce Morris
Queensland, Australia

Having had the opportunity to announce, as the Chairman of the AARWBA Founder's Award in honor of Bob Russo, that Wally was the 2006 recipient of the Award was a honor. Bob was a very close friend for over 60 years and I had the opportunity to work with Wally when I was the P.R. Director at IRP in the seventies. Wally and Barbara were the ultimate Gentleman and Lady and the work that they accomplished over the years is unbelievable and Motorsports overall owes a great deal of gratitude to them. They were both inspirations to all who were fortunate to having known them.
 Bill Marvel, 4866 KY 49 Liberty, KY 42539

 I grew up in the Long Island NY suberb of Merrick,and remember getting my first Hot Rod mag in 1963. I was 6 at the time, and the kids down the block had a chopped and channelled model A coupe. I was hooked. In that (and many succeding) magazine/s there was a picture and an article with Mr Parks. It must have been some coverage of a Drag Racing National event.
  As I grew up through the 60s, I was ever aware of the dedicated Wally Parks,and funny as it may seem, I will always remember him tall, and proud looking with that crew cut ! As many of us hot rodders were, I was enammored by icons of rodding, and when I got older, I was amazed to find that they were quite approachable. I met Wally Parks at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in what I think was around 1987 or 8 in Ohio. He was an extreme gentleman,,and I found him very easy to talk to. Though I am sorry to hear of his passing, and my condolences go out to his family,,I am only one person of a vast amount of us rodders and racers who will miss the man who gave us a sport,that if not for him, would probably not still be around...As a hot rod builder,,I will always share his motto,,(the one used in NHRA) " Dedicated To Safety " 
 I sincerely hope that our younger generation will hold Mr Parks with the reverence owed to GREAT people that made a difference in our American history. Without people like Wally Parks, having much vision, and contributing his life to our great American sport,Hot Rodding, Where would we be today? Thank you Sir,,
we will miss you. Sean Vesely

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