My Racing Photos - Larry Hill

Larry Hill
Earlier this year (2001) Larry Hill passed away in a diabetic coma. Larry was a dear friend who helped many people in racing. Over the years Larry fielded local cars for D.E. Suggs, Steve Foster and Mike Peters, he also fielded a USAC midget for Thad Dosher and USAC champ dirt cars driven by Thad Dosher, Kenny Scharader, Mike Peters, Bill Vukovich Jr., Kenny Hamilton, Ricky Jennings, and T.J. Giddings. Larry also spent a few years as the promoter of Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Speedway. During his promoter days Larry brought the USAC sprints, USAC Silver Crown and the CRA sprints to Oklahoma City. The attendance numbers for the weekly Friday night races can only be equaled by the World of Outlaw programs. Larry also helped NASCAR star Kenny Schrader get his first ride in a NASCAR race, by agreeing to pay for the tires in exchange for the team giving Kenny a chance to drive. Another of Larry's accomplishments was bringing Unlimited Hydroplane racing to Oklahoma City, it may have not been the huge success Larry hoped for, but no one else before or since has managed to bring the monsters of boat racing to Oklahoma City. Larry's son Ronnie is carrying on with racing as an employee of Phoenix International Raceway. Larry was a great friend to motorsports as well as a great friend. From your friend Terry Sanderson

Larry always like his crew to look good, here is an embroidered jacket patch from the early 80's. Larry was one of the first car owners around the Oklahoma City area to have t-shirts with a drawing of his super modified on it in 1974. At the beginning of the year each crew member was given 2 shirts with their own first name printed on the right breast area of the shirt.

The Hill & Kearney #86 Nance with T.J. Giddings at the wheel and #42 Rick Riner lead a pack of NCRA champ dirt cars around to the start of a heat race at Oklahoma City Winternationals.

Larry Hill & Bub Kearney's Gambler Champ Dirt car driven by Bill Vuckovich JR at the Oklahoma USAC vs NCRA race. This car was also driven by Mike Peters, Kenny Hamilton, Kenny Schrader & T.J. Giddings. The 86 also made the cover of Open Wheel magazine with Kenny Schrader behind the wheel racing on asphalt at Phoenix International Raceway. The lettering was done by Oklahoma City sign painter, Rick Knight. Hill and Kearney also owned a Nance Champ Dirt car painted identical and on this day was driven by Norman, Oklahoma's Ricky Jennings.