RIP Bobby Unser

[Earthquake Driver]

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/three-ti...154500502.html

[Mike Mercury]

from wikipee:

Unser was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the third oldest of 4 brothers. When he turned 1 his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1950, at the age of 15, he won his first championship in Southwest Modified Stock Cars. From 1953 to 1955 he joined the U.S. Air Force and became a top competition sharp shooter in military matches, though he later bitterly regretted it. In 1955 Bobby and brothers Jerry and Al Unser decided to pursue racing careers in USAC. In 1959 his brother Jerry Unser died in an automobile accident at the Indianapolis 500.

Bobby was the father of two sons, Bobby Jr. and Robby, and two daughters, Cindy and Jeri.

[RMVette]

A lot of racing heritage in that family. RIP sir.

[Rikki Z-06]

RIP

[Jeff '79]

God speed Bobby.
One of my childhood heroes gone.

[Aerovette]

Why did he regret being a sharp shooter?

[Lakota]

Originally Posted by aerovette

Why did he regret being a sharp shooter?

Tried to find the answer and didn't BUT the below is interesting.

"Federal criminal charges

On 20 December 1996, in Colorado, Unser and a friend became lost while snowmobiling near Unser's New Mexico ranch. They abandoned one stuck snowmobile before a storm blinded them both. When the second snowmobile stopped working, they spent two days and nights in subzero weather before finding a barn where they were found. Both men were suffering badly, his friend was suffering from hypothermia, and Unser had vomited blood during this time.[9] Unser was later convicted of a Federal misdemeanor, "unlawful operation of a snowmobile within a National Forest Wilderness Area" (16 U.S.C. 551, 36 C.F.R. 261.16(a)), and was fined $75. Maximum penalties could have been up to six months in jail and up to $5,000.00 in fines. Unser appealed, claiming to have been lost before the accident, but the court ruled that maps were widely available and it was a public welfare offense, thus intent was not necessary.[10] Unser appealed this decision all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, but his writ of certiorari was denied.[11]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Unser

[Lakota]

Originally Posted by aerovette

Why did he regret being a sharp shooter?

Found the answer.

"
In 1953 Unser enlisted in the United States Air Force, a decision he later regretted because he had wanted to spend more time racing. He trained at Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming where he studied automotives. He continued racing during his free time and his brother Louie served as his manager. After basic training Unser pulled some strings to get stationed in Albuquerque so that he could pursue his racing career. In 1954 he married his first wife, Barbara Schumaker, and the couple had two children together. Unser finished his military service in 1955 and then focused solely on racing."

https://sports.jrank.org/pages/5013/...Born-Race.html

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Lakota

Found the answer.

"
In 1953 Unser enlisted in the United States Air Force, a decision he later regretted because he had wanted to spend more time racing. He trained at Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming where he studied automotives. He continued racing during his free time and his brother Louie served as his manager. After basic training Unser pulled some strings to get stationed in Albuquerque so that he could pursue his racing career. In 1954 he married his first wife, Barbara Schumaker, and the couple had two children together. Unser finished his military service in 1955 and then focused solely on racing."

https://sports.jrank.org/pages/5013/...Born-Race.html

That doesn't explain why he regretted being a competitive sharpshooter.

[MadInNc]

Great legacy and racer

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by aerovette

Why did he regret being a sharp shooter?

I think that sentence in Wikipee is CNN'ish (misleading). He didnt' regret being a good shot in the military... but instead not starting racing sooner in life (missing a few years racing due to going into the military).

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

I think that sentence in Wikipee is CNN'ish (misleading). He didnt' regret being a good shot in the military... but instead not starting racing sooner in life (missing a few years racing due to going into the military).

CNN to FOX translator says:

Though he later bitterly regretted joining, from 1953 to 1955 he was a member of the U.S. Air Force and even became a top competition sharp shooter in military matches.

[gs568]

Rest In Peace.

[Little Red L98.]

Great legacy. Legendary. Rest In Peace, Bobby.



I used to have a heavy white cotton button up shirt with “Robby” embroidered in red over the pocket and shop logo on the back. Chick I dated was a family friend and they gave it to her. Darned if I know what happened to it. Was just thinking about it the other day. Shop logo was an open wheel racer PPHC style.

[Dan Dlabay]

May he rest in peace and be blessed by God.

[snide]

RIP.

[bigblock427]

Sad news. He was a great one.

R.I.P Mr. Unser.