RIP Broadway Bob

[wisdonm]

Drag race promoter Broadway Bob Metzler died at the age of 83 Friday Afternoon. Metzler opened the Great Lakes Dragway in Union Grove, WI with the money he made playing cards with fellow Marines. He once rode the nose of a jet-powered dragster while drinking a beer. Bob is the only promoter inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Jimmy Flintstone also sells a resin figurine of Broadway Bob. May the party never end, Bob.

[hgbben]

Saw a thread about him on my local car forum, Brew City Muscle. Not particularlly into drag racing, but it is sad to hear the loss of a promotor of a motorsport, expecially a local track.

[Guest G Holding]

All the stories are true...RIP Broadway...I'm buyin this round.....

[Guest Johnny]

Godspeed Bob

[The70judgeman]

A message from Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick on facebook:

I must offer my sincere condolences to the family and let you know that I knew “Broadway Bob” Metzler as long as probably anybody that ever raced at Great Lakes Dragaway, having started there shortly after the track opened in 1957.

Broadway was the promoter of all promoters. If you don’t believe me, watch his “Evening with Broadway” video. There’s also video of me running against a jet car. I ran against them all at his track from Stockers and Super Stockers to other funny cars and yes, even jets at Great Lakes! After all, other than the US Nationals, there wasn’t any other Midwest track that got Wide World of Sports to come to their events!

On March 14, 1996, it was my distinct honor to be his presenter at the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in Ocala, Florida, an honor that I won’t forget and neither did he.

...

In the 90’s, when he was riding the jets, I was always booked in too. I was there to race against some of the biggest names in the sport like “Dyno Don” Nicholson and Ronnie Sox.

I was probably one of the last racers to see him alive, having done so only a couple of days before the news of his death. Even then his smile and greeting of, “Ah-nee, Ah-nee” made me glad I had made that little effort to see him that last time.

Bob Metzler will always be a legend in my eyes and I can’t help but wonder if he’s trying to get St. Peter to open those gates for a fraction less than it would cost for you or I. I will miss you Broadway Bob. There will never be another like you…ever.

[mikemodeler]

Remember going there in my youth, lots of fun times. The new owners are nothing like Broadway Bob, but then I think anyone who met Bob would agree he is an original!

RIP Bob!