Big Willie died today

[BigBlockSam]

  truely a sad day Big willie died today at 6 am.

We reported yesterday that "Big Willie" Robinson, the massive mountain of a man and huge force behind the street legal drag racing scene in the Los Angeles area was in poor health. Word has come to us that Robinson passed away at 5AM on Saturday. He was the founder of the International Brotherhood of Street Racers, worked tirelessly at and for Brotherhood Raceway on Terminal Island in LA, and believed with all of his being that drag racing could be a force to unite the community, quell racial tensions, and keep kids off the streets and away from drugs and gangs. His message was heard by many and followed by many more. There are worldwide chapters of the International Brotherhood of Street Racers now and all of this is because of Robinson's unyielding devotion to his message, his cause, and his beliefs. The 6'6″ man was as imposing physical presence, but was a truly gentle giant who was devoted to his wife Tomiko and heart broken by her passing in 2007


http://bangshift.com/blog/big-willie-robinson-larger-than-life-drag-racing-supporter-and-crusader-has-died.html

[resq302]

Sad.   RIP big guy!

[1966hemi]

RIP Big Willie, you will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all whom you touched in your life. I am truly saddened, I followed his exploits for many years. Now he is in that big drag strip in the sky hopefully re-united with his dear wife whom he loved so dearly.

[tan top]

 aww man sad news  !! thats a Shame  , RIP  big Willie

[Charger-Bodie]

I would love to see a movie of this great mans life. RIP Big Willie.

[200MPH]

RIP Big Willie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbYgbVoIPkQ&feature=related 

[Charger-Bodie]

RIP Big Willie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbYgbVoIPkQ&feature=related 

Very interesting interview.

[DC_1]

Sad to hear.

[nascarxx29]

RIP Big Willie

[XS29J8]

RIP Willie ...........God Speed Big Guy..................

[Indygenerallee]

RIP Big Willie!

[hemi68charger]

Big Willie... May the Lord look over you and yours and may you find Peace and Happiness again with Tomiko..

[Davtona]

Goodbye Big Willie

[BigBlockSam]

May the Lord look over you and yours and may you find Peace and Happiness again with Tomiko..

[Magnumcharger]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7552532@N07/sets/72157603712632579/

[Ghoste]

Wow, go away for a couple of weeks and you miss a lot.  I was fortunate to meet him a couple of years ago and he really was one of the great ones.

[dudedart]

its a good thing he didnt have a chance to ruin any more daytona's back then, there wouldnt be any left.

[200MPH]

really??

[DC_1]

its a good thing he didnt have a chance to ruin any more daytona's back then, there wouldnt be any left.

Ruin them?....back in that time frame they weren't exactly something people cherished or thought should be put under glass. If anything , he did more to promote them then he did to hurt the limited amount built that when brand new they couldn't even sell. IMO

[Aero426]

its a good thing he didnt have a chance to ruin any more daytona's back then, there wouldnt be any left.

Ruin them?....back in that time frame they weren't exactly something people charished or thought should be put under glass. If anything , he did more to promote them then he did to hurt the limited amount built that when brand new they couldn't even sell. IMO

The statement that "they couldn't sell them" is a big lie.     

[DC_1]

its a good thing he didnt have a chance to ruin any more daytona's back then, there wouldnt be any left.

Ruin them?....back in that time frame they weren't exactly something people charished or thought should be put under glass. If anything , he did more to promote them then he did to hurt the limited amount built that when brand new they couldn't even sell. IMO

The statement that "they couldn't sell them" is a big lie.     

Maybe more of a exaggeration I am perpetuating......point being, they were an odd ball car made to serve Chrysler's NASCAR racing interest and not as a sought after weekend street racing car every man wanted in their driveway. I think Big Willie's use of the Daytona gave the cars, and even Chrysler, more fans that were into drag racing. I don't look at his use of the cars as a negative or that he ruined them in anyway.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

I would love to see a movie of this great mans life. RIP Big Willie.

[dudedart]

those cars were ruined by him, abused and destroyed, one was an orig hemi car. considering there was only 70 hemi daytonas made his efforts in destroying them was much more affective than bringing attention to them. plenty of old race cars have survived, even after being wrecked. however to completely butcher them in a careless way, was stupid and brought nothing positive to anyone. dont bite the hand that feeds you.

[DoubleDlover]

well. You have to remember something. if you did that NOW yea... Thats crazy. But when that was going on these cars were not worth as much as they are now.

[Ghoste]

So you would prefer what, that he didn't race Mopars?  What about all the other racers that acid dipped cars?  Dick Landy had original Hemi cars too and he put scoops on them, acid dipped them, bent out wheel wells.  These cars were also ruined I suppose?