Letters

May 26, 09

Hi Barbara & Bob,
I first have to tell you that this has brought back a lot of good
memories for my family.
I checked with Mom and my brother and sisters and although we all
have great personal memories, we had a hard time coming up with dates
until my sister Nonny (Spencer now) came up with an
article written by Zoanne McCain that was published in the
Anderson Valley Press on 08-01-1968. In the
article Zoann wrote that dad's "unique style of announcing" was a
result of 10 years of experience, which began in 1958,
when he first started as an announcer for KBLF
radio in Red Bluff, which was also about the same time he began
announcing for the Red Bluff Rodeo and the "Tehama Totem Fair". The
article says that dad became a racing announcer at the beginning of
the 1967 VARI racing season, but he was a VARI member since 1963 when
he tried his hand at racing promotion.
Dad announced NARC sprint races and announced races in Carson City,
NV. One of the things Zoann wrote in the article was "He has a gift
of gab that sparks each performance with colorful and highly
descriptive remarks, for example, in a particularly close finish, two
highly competitive drivers took the checkered flag almost
simultaneously. As the officials announced the winner, the crowd
sounded like a beginning for a lynch mob. Charlie rose to the
occasion by saying Well folks, we've just seen a close one! The
winner took it by a radiator cap!
His quick remark brought a round of laughter and turned the crowd's
mood to lighter subjects."
I have a copy of this article and could provide a copy of it if you
would like I'm not sure exactly when dad stopped announcing, I have a copy of
the 1971 Auto Racing Yearbook which lists dad as announcer and also
lists my sister Nonny as one of the scorers for the Silver Dollar
Speedway. (this also has a picture of when dad received a trophy for
his announcing, which was something that pleased him more than you
will ever know) I think that may have been the last year that he
announced, although its possible he also announced in 72.
We all grew up hearing about racing and race car drivers, and we all
spent many nights enjoying the races. BJ, Nonny, Tracy & I each
spent some time in the announcer stand helping Dad with paperwork so
he could make sure all sponsors were acknowledged as many times as
possible each night. Nonny helped the most, but BJ ate the most
pizza at the pizza place in Anderson. (was it the Hide Away? The
Pizza Tree? I can't remember)
I was with dad one night when a whole bunch of people went to
someone's house after the races and people were getting thrown in to
a swimming pool. One of the racers went up to dad, hesitated for
just a couple seconds and then threw dad in the pool along with every
one else. Dad really got a kick out of that and so did I. I always
thought it showed that although dad was "one armed Charlie" to a lot
of people, it was a nick name only, not an indication that he had any
sort of handicap, dad was just one of the guys in the racing
community. Dad always loved the dirt track racing and enjoyed the
"mudding in" of the track. Dad hated to see accidents happen and
tried his best to distract people from accidents by going in to one
of of his stories or corny jokes if there was any chance a driver
was hurt Gary Cressey told me one time several years ago that Dad's
long time phrase about lining up the racers "two by two like ducks
going to water" made no sense and had nothing to do with racing, but
that Gary "stole' this phrase and used it himself (he continued to
announce after dad stopped) because it had just become so much a part
of racing in both Chico and Anderson and he did this as a tribute to
dad.
I hope this info helps, if you need anything else, let me know.
We've all been thinking about this and can tell you personal stories
or memories, we can tell you our favorite drivers names, their car
numbers and the colors of their cars, I bet Nonny could even still
name sponsors (dad really was a stickler on that). Dad really
enjoyed announcing the races and we have enjoyed remembering those
days.
Thanks!
Lilly (DeFrates) Parker