From the SCTA health and welfare: Jeanice called this morning to tell us that Chuck Kalbach passed away last night. He turned 85 in August and they had just celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary. Chuck was a long time member of the Rod Riders and one of our most treasured volunteers for many years - a true friend to the SCTA. He will be sorely missed. More information will be available soon.
Known Chuck all my life. A good guy. Easy going. Did the course layouts at El Mirage for a long time. Sad to hear he has passed.
Thanks for the sad news, Nathan. Sorry to hear about Chuck.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
This one hurts.
Chuck helped me get to my first LSR event.
It was 1993 or 94, and I wanted to come out to El Mirage to see what this "LSR" thing was all about. I had NO IDEA who to talk to.
Because of their long-time involvement with land speed racing, the only contact I could even THINK of was Mooneyes.
I called and explained what I wanted to do - a trip with my dad for the November meet, and they put me in touch with Chuck.
This was pre-internet, so I wrote him, and he wrote back to me with information, and a map!
We made a point to look him up when we arrived to thank him.
That weekend, he was running either a '52 or '53 Ford. The car had seen a couple of iterations, and because of the year, he could run either a flathead or the OHV inline 6. He mentioned it was a class rule regarding the engine choices, which I didn't quite understand - didn't look like there were any rules to me! One guy had a 351 Cleveland powered Camaro there, so I was confused. Before I left, I had purchased my first SCTA-BNI rulebook.
It's entirely possible that if I hadn't made that trip, I might never have been involved in LSR.
My thoughts are with his friends and family. My gratitude to Chuck, for simply taking the time to put together a note and a map, is heartfelt and unwavering.
Godspeed, sir, and thank you, so much.
Sincerely,
Chris Conrad
Chuck has been a SCTA supporter for longer than I can remember. He always seemed to have time for anyone asking for it. He was a friend. RIP Mr. Kalbach.