Robert Emery Barkhimer

Bob Barkhimer, a former NASCAR Senior Vice President and Western Regional Director, took his final lap and the checkered flag home on Sunday, June 18th.

He was known affectionately as Barky to his many friends and associates. Barky was born on March 2nd, 1916 in Berkeley, Ca., he was one of 4 siblings. His love of writing and telling a good tale began early in grade school. His ability to write a good story stood him in good stead in his later years as a promoter and as a retiree when he put pen to paper to give the racing world many stories and reminiscences of the early days of racing. He continued to write and publish racing stories through out his life.

In 1936, Barky married the love of his life, Margaret Mary Slattery of Alameda, CA. Shortly thereafter in 1937, he found the second love of his life, auto racing. In Barky's own words, "Shortly after we were married, we decided to go to the races at the old Emeryville track up near Oakland. It was love at first sight. While we were standing in line to buy our tickets, I heard the loudest, shrillest, most terrifying noise I'd ever heard. I learned later that it was the sound created by outboard engines. After the races were over, I was in the infield rubbing my clean hanky around the inside of the exhaust pipes. I wanted to savor that odor for the next week, and I did. I was totally, 100% hooked."

In 1945, Barky became the 1945 Bay City Racing Association BCRA Midget Champion. In 1948, after several near fatal crashes, he decided to move into the promotion end of racing as a means of supporting his growing young family. He became the business manager at the BCRA and then took over the running of the San Jose Speedway in 1949. That same year, Barky along with Jerry Piper formed the California Stock Car Racing Association CSCRA and began running hardtops out at the San Jose Speedway. Within a few years, Barky controlled 21 tracks up and down the West Coast and Arizona. Along the way, Barky and his wife Mary along with Margo Burke established their own promotions company, Bob Barkhimer Associates BBA.

In 1954, Barky met Bill France, Sr., founder of NASCAR. This was the start of a successful relationship both personally and financially for the two men. CSCRA merged with NASCAR, bringing popular west coast drivers into the NASCAR family. Barky began running NASCAR sanctioned races at 10 of his tracks, making NASCAR a true nationwide organization.

Over the years, Barky promoted more than just auto races. He brought to the Bay Area, boxing, wrestling, roller derbies, and some of the first ever custom car and hot rod shows.

In 1976, Mary, Barky's wife of 42 years passed away, they had four children together, Shirley, Bill, Bonnie and Judy. Shortly after her death, Barky retired from BBA and NASCAR and eventually sold the business.

Barky spent his later years traveling, writing his racing stories and memories for various vintage racing magazines from his Santa Cruz mountain home, and giving generously of his racing knowledge to anyone who asked. To any one who knew Barky, they knew that while Mary was the first great love of his life, racing was his second and he loved to talk about it in all it's forms, past, present and future. Barky was remarried in 1980 to Jean Hightower who passed away last November.

Barky will be missed. He is survived by his son Bill, daughters Shirley and Bonnie, and his numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wives Mary and Jean and his daughter Judy.

The family will be holding a Gathering of Friends and Family for a memorial at the Los Gatos Lodge on Saturday, July 1st, from 2 to 6 pm. Family can be contacted through just1barky@att.net. Please R.S.V.P.

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