Got an email today from racing fan Bob Becker asking me if I had posted pictures of a hand built recreation of the famous Norcia flat bed trailer and the ever popular Norcia #81 Gremlin that was piloted by a handful of noteworthy drivers.  I was amazed that someone would have remembered that.  But I went out into my bar room and took a picture of it and sent it along to Bob, along with some wheelbase information on it.  I figured I would repost the picture and tell an interesting little story behind the gift and how it directly had an impact on the very beginnings of the Auto Racing Research Associates group.

   The very first driver that I ever researched was Billy Pauch Sr. because (1) I had always been a fan and (2) when I began rolling his win numbers around in my head...it was coming up with a total somewhere approaching 500.  I could never throw out a racing paper and had begun getting them in the mail in 1972, so I had far enough back to contain his entire career.  Racing fan Bill Braga, unbeknownst to me, had been doing local racing stat keeping for a while and had planned on putting together the career win list of Doug Hoffman, who happened to be his Dad, Bill Sr.'s favorite driver.  It was to be a birthday present for his Dad.  Well, if memory serves me correctly, Bill got in touch with me to help out because he was running out of time.  We collaborated on the project and from that point on, we began to work together, just researching local modified drivers.  And that was the beginning of what would go on to become ARRA.  A few months after completing the Hoffman research, Bill Jr. and his Dad Bill Sr. called to ask if they could come to my house....they had something for me.  It was this incredible hand built Norcia hauler and Gremlin.  I was stunned at the gesture, but even more so...because I was into woodworking, I was floored by the

craftsmanship!  A bit pat on the back for his talent to Bill Braga Sr. and for such a wonderful momento to have!  This creation is just one of many stock cars and haulers that Bill Sr. has created!  Incredible work!  

That is outstanding! I can’t imarine how much time is invested in making that.

Fred, thanks for your help, I know anything I build won't look that good.

That is really cool Fred.  Thanks for sharing. I always hope whenever a journalist uses ARRA they reference ARRA and give all the credit you deserve.

Wow! That is really nice and what an incredible gift!

hey FRED glad to see that you have kept my gift to you for all these years,It’s wonderful to see how far ARRA has come......please keep up the great work ....Bill senior..