After fifty years, Florida racer pursues passion again
Media Release, written on January 27, 2008
As a young boy in Melbourne, Tom Wofford enjoyed listening to stories about automobile races and the brave heroes who drove the racing machines. He dreamed of one day becoming a race car driver.
In 1957, the Eau Gallie Speedway opened in Melbourne. Tom, who is now 71 years old, still remembers the first time he saw the track. "It was a great track for race fans, with a lot of good side-by-side racing. The grandstands were always full" he recalled. Tom became a regular spectator in the grandstands every Saturday night, as he longed to join the competitors on the track.
In 1961, after working extra hours at his job and diligently saving his money, Tom purchased a 1952 Oldsmobile Coupe. Tom chose the number 28 to use on his race car. "A friend of mine had raced motorcycles in his younger days and that was his number. When I bought the Oldsmobile, he helped me work on it. I appreciated that, so I decided to use the number 28 also" recalled Tom.
However, one hurdle still remained. Tom had contracted polio as a child, and his right leg was much weaker than his left. As he towed the race car to the track for his first race, he wondered if his leg would be strong enough to work the throttle pedal as he wheeled his race car around the track. Although it was difficult, Tom persevered as he managed to complete the full 20-lap feature distance.
For the next several years, Tom raced the car at Eau Gallie Speedway, steadily improving with each passing weekend. He was finally realizing his dream of racing cars.
Then, his life changed forever. Tom fell in love with a young woman named Vivian, who was a single mother raising two small children. "I gave up the racing due to family responsibilities. I went from being single, to suddenly having a wife and two children. There simply wasn't enough money to keep racing" said Tom, as he recalled his decision to give up the sport that he enjoyed so much.
As the years passed, Tom continued to think about his 1952 Olds Coupe, and the fun he experienced while racing at the Eau Gallie Speedway. When Tom approached his late fifties, Vivian began to encourage him to pursue a hobby. "She kept telling me to do something special for myself" said Tom, "So, I decided to take flying lessons." Although Tom was much older than the other students in his class, he successfully passed the course and purchased an Ultralight. He flew the small aircraft for several years. However, although he enjoyed flying, it didn't seem to match the thrill that he had experienced years earlier in his race car.
In 2005, at the age of 68, Tom heard about a small track in his area that was racing go-karts. One weekend, he and his stepson Dennis Mace decided to attend a race. They were immediately impressed with what they saw. Particularly intriguing to both was the "champ kart" division. Champ karts have full roll cages and 5-point safety harnesses with lap and shoulder belts. Shortly after visiting the track, Dennis and Tom found two used champ karts for sale. They quickly made the decision to buy both. Once again, Tom chose the number 28 for his champ kart, the same as his race car from years earlier.
Although Tom was initially thrilled to buy the champ kart, his enthusiasm quickly faded. When he climbed into the champ kart for the first time, he realized that in a reclined position, he couldn't work the throttle pedal with his right leg. Once again, his childhood bout with polio threatened to curtail his racing passion.
As he and Dennis began to look closer at his champ kart, they realized that Tom might still be able to race, if they could fabricate a hand lever for his throttle. Tom, who still works full-time as a metal fabricator, set out to create a solution. After several unsuccessful attempts to mount it on the steering wheel, Tom discovered that a lever positioned to one side would work perfectly. Nearly fifty years later, the number 28 began to race again.
"Dennis does a lot of the work on my champ kart. Without his help, I wouldn't be able to race. On race day, Dennis works as hard on my kart as he does on his own. I am very fortunate that we share the same passion for racing", said Tom.
Thus far, a feature win in the champ kart division has alluded Tom, "I really think I'm capable of winning a race, but if I can be competitive in every race this year, I'll be happy with that." When asked how long he plans on racing, Tom replied "I feel like I'm just getting started. With Dennis' help, I hope to race for many years to come."
When asked about his stepfather's chances to win, Dennis replied "I think he's a great racer. He is extremely smart on the track and knows when to give and when to take. I got my first win last season and I thought it was the greatest feeling in the world, and to share it with him made it even better. As long as he races, I will do whatever I can to help him get that first win."
When asked if he has ever been injured while racing, Tom recalled an accident in 2007 where he suffered severe bruising on the right side of his body. "Another champ kart spun on the track, and I hit it at full speed. After the wreck, I was sitting in my trailer and everyone came by to ask if I was OK. That meant a lot to me. The racers are good people" said Tom.
Tom also credits veteran racer John Combs of Sebastian for helping him to realize his dream of racing again. "John builds the motors for my champ kart and is a mentor to several racers in this area. Whenever we travel to a new track, people call our group the East Coast Posse" said Tom as he chuckled, "I think that's kind of neat".
In 2008, Tom made the decision to enter the highly-competitive Florida Triple Crown Series for champ karts. It consists of four races, scheduled at four different race tracks throughout the state. The series is sanctioned by the Desoto Champ Kart Series. The minimum age to race is 15 and speeds at these tracks will reach 70-75 mph. A cash purse, trophies and contingency prizes await the top five finishers in each race.
On Saturday night, February 9, Tom will race his red numbered 28 champ kart at Charlotte County Motorsports Park in Punta Gorda. Although this will be his first visit to the Punta Gorda track, Tom is confident of his chances. "But, even if I don't win, I turn 72 the next day (Feb. 10), so it will be great to celebrate my birthday at the track with the East Coast Posse and all the other racers" he added.
For more information about the Desoto Champ Kart Series, please visit http://www.desotochampkartseries.com
