Are there any old drag racers out there???

[Glenn Clabo]

Well...it's a sad day for this one. The drag racing and Ford speed racers world is mourning the death of Bob Tasca. The man coined the phrase "Win on Sunday...sell on Monday"...and was instrumental in the development of Mustangs...especially Cobras. He also convinced John Force to go Ford. His dealership here in RI stills builds Mustang Cobras...and now his grandson, Bob Tasca III is racing his funny car with some real nice success. My wife just bought her new Volvo and I can tell you...they still are a great company to deal with and they have one nice dealership facility.

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[Larry Edgerton]

I built a replica of the 66 Tasca Mustang back in the 70's. Had no strip anywhere near me but I may have raced it on the street accidentally.;)

My family was into the Detroit Drag scene back then, one of my uncles was one of the original Ramchargers, and then campaigned the "Bronco Buster" with Doug Nash for Ford.

I'm out of it now but I built a Miata for Bonneville that I ran on the strip once, got a 10.9 @ 139. Common sense eventually prevailed and I sold the project when I figured out the odds of surviving a 220 MPH run on the salt in a Miata. My family still needs me.

Corky Bell is a friend of mine and after I scrapped the Bonneville project I helped him sort out a twinscrew supercharged/intercooled street Miata that ran 109 mph in the quarter, and that was my last time on a strip.

My brother is a world champion off road racer[2000 stock CORR], ran supertruck last year in WSORR and came up with second overall for the season.

Racing is an illness, and it seems that old age is the only cure. Well, the current economy may be what cured me......

Many of the old greats from when a working stiff could still be competitive are passing away. Racing is a rich mans sport any more, no matter what class or type there is always the competitors that kick your but with cubic dollars. I really hate that part of the sport....

[Al Willits]

First drag car was a new 67 Chevelle that ran 15's with a small block, last was a lay down frame turbo'd Suzuki motorcycle that ran low 9's and 154 mph with my fat old body on it.

Gave it up when I went though the traps once and had a bit of trouble, finally got back to the pits and my wife was crying, I guess the ambulance heading down the track and the large cloud of burnt oil got to her.

Sure do miss it though.

Al...seems the older I get, the faster I went...:D

Godspeed Mr. Tasca

[Myk Rian]

My family was into the Detroit Drag scene back then, one of my uncles was one of the original Ramchargers, and then campaigned the "Bronco Buster" with Doug Nash for Ford.
Ahh. Northline road?

[Glenn Clabo]

AUTO INDUSTRY LEGEND BOB TASCA SR. PASSES AWAY
CRANSTON, R.I. -- January 8, 2010 -- Bob Tasca Sr., an automotive enthusiast, Ford dealer and drag racing innovator, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2010, his family announced today. Tasca Sr. was 83 years old.
Anautomotive businessman for more than 60 years, Tasca achieved fame as a record-setting automotive dealer and as an internationally-known designer of high-performance race cars. Tasca Sr. is credited with helping create the Ford Thunderbolt drag racing car, and bringing the Cobra Jet 428 engine to NHRA in the 1960s.
"Bob Tasca Sr. had three important aspects to his life -- his family, his friends, and Ford Motor Company," said his grandson, Bob Tasca III. "Those were the touch points in his life and for that we're thankful. We are grateful and privileged to have had so many years with him, and it's hard to say goodbye.
"My grandfather has touched so many and he will live forever in the hearts of people around the world. It was his time to move on. I think he held on and fought the fight for as long as he could fight it, but clearly his passing doesn't mark the end of the impact and influence that he'll have on this world, that's for sure."
Tasca Sr. started his long relationship with Ford Motor Company on May 5, 1943, while working at a dealership. In 1953, Tasca acquired his first dealership in Bristol, R.I., and attributed his success to two elements -- knowing cars and taking care of the customer.
After a hurricane destroyed his Bristol dealership, Tasca moved to East Providence, R.I., at the famous 777 Taunton Avenue address. While in East Providence, Tasca Sr. developed a friendship Carroll Shelby and became the first person to help Shelby assemble the Cobra. The two automotive legends maintained a lifelong friendship.
Tasca Sr. became a Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury dealer in Seekonk, Mass., in 1971. Under his guidance, Tasca Ford acquired a Volvo dealership in Seekonk in 2001 and built its Cranston, R.I., dealership in 2002. Several years ago, the Tasca family purchased an adjacent property that now serves as its wholesale outlet, body shop and truck center.
Tasca Sr. and his Rhode Island dealership team created their own engine, the Cobra Jet 428, from parts found in the Ford service parts catalog. Tasca's Mustang Cobra Jet race cars were often taken to the drag strip where they defeated the competition, creating a demand for the Cobra Jet 428.
While dominating on the race track, Tasca Sr. coined the phrase, "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday," because that was exactly what he did. Tasca Sr.'s dealership modified Mustangs on Sunday, won races, and sold those same cars in his dealership on Monday.
Bob Tasca Sr. is also credited with helping make Ford products better than when they left the factory. His influence at Ford, as a quality consultant, resulted in years of Ford performance. Every one of Tasca Ford dealership's vehicles was driven 200 miles by a Tasca before it was delivered to a customer as part of Tasca's "de-bugging" plan. Tasca Sr. was also instrumental in the advent of short-term leasing, which made automobiles affordable throughout the world.
Tasca Sr. developed a tight bond with Henry Ford II during the 1940s and two men held mutual respect for each other as automotive pioneers. Ford II viewed Tasca Sr. as one of his most trusted advisors in the automotive industry.
He also wrote a well-known book in 1996 on customer service, "You Will Be Satisfied," which remains the slogan of Tasca's dealerships today.
Ford Motor Company asked Tasca Sr. to train more than 150,000 Ford employees and dealers, and he was the key force behind the "Quality is Job 1" initiative. In his life, Tasca affected an entire generation of products and sales techniques from his dealership in Rhode Island.
"I want to thank all of his friends through these last couple of years," said Tasca III. "He's had some health issues and we're so grateful for the network of people that really become part of our family and we want to thank them for their support and prayers. Many people from Ford Motor Company and the NHRA series loved being around my grandfather, and I know he loved being around them. We're grateful for all of the support and friendship that we've built, and just want everyone to know that Grandpa is in a better place right now."
Memorial services for Bob Tasca Sr. are pending, and the family will release further information when it comes available.

[Pat Germain]

I built a '69 Cougar that was quite a street terror. I also had 1970 an 1971 Mustang fastbacks. Oh yeah. I'm a Ford nut!

I went to high school with Don Grotheer's son, Steven. Steven would bring his dad's racing films to school sometimes.

RIP, Bob Tasca. A lot of Americans had a lot of fun thanks to him.