Willy T. Ribbs: A Credit to the Game

Bill Lester made notoriety recently by becoming the first black driver to qualify for a Nascar Nextel Cup race since Willy T. Ribbs did it in 1986.

Willy T. Ribbs began his racing career in Southern California as a kart racer. In 1977, after graduating high school and paying his way to England, he entered the Formula Ford racing series in a rented car. In that first race, he placed third which paved the way for someone to to sponsor him and in the second and third race, inwhich he finished third and second, ahead of fellow racer Nigel Mansell. Ribbs raced his way to a championship in his first competitive year in Formula Ford.

Back in the United States, he competed in Formula Atlantic, the stepping stone to CART racing, Championship Auto Racing Teams which is today's Champ Car. In Atlantics, Ribbs raced against legends like Bobby Rahal, Mario Andretti and Geoff Brabham.

In 1983, partnered with David Hobbs, Ribbs drove Trans-Am cars and won Rookie of the Year honors.
In the next three years he would have 17 Trans-Am starts.

Between 1986 and 1994, Ribbs drove Champ cars for Dan Gurney and Derrick Walker, and breifly for Bill Cosby in Nascar.
He had 3 Winston Cup starts in '86,
46 CART starts between 90-94
2 Indy 500 starts with best finish 21st
One IRL start but a full season of Craftsman Trucks, ending 2001 in 16th place.
Ribbs also had several Formula One starts, but mechanical problems overwhelmed the program.

Ribbs never needed to play the race card. He brought his talents and outgoing style to the forefront of his efforts, and it payed off.

Today, he is a competitive shooter and active participant in Champ Car and IRL promotions.

Yes, Bill Lester does owe some thanks to his black predecessors, and just like them, he was never put off of his path by others who would insert racism into the sport of auto racing.

It's what is under the drivers' skin, not the color of it, that makes him fast

Katykarter