Widdis Racing History

02/27/03
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Don Erickson
WiddisRacing.com

In the next 3 months widdisracing.com will showcase all of the living legends on the Widdis Racing team in a series aptly titled "Widdis Racing History". From Boyd's impressive 1994 GLRKA Rookie of the Year status to Pete's 1997 GLRKA Championship to Alison's 1989 Class "I" Championship of Champion Mud Drag (Ladies Only), a special Widdis History will commemorate all the racing legends the Widdis family has to offer.
Our first installment will comprise the Widdis' tenure in the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) and one race in particular: Press on Regardless® Road Rally.

In 2001 POR® celebrated their 53rd year as "the oldest continuously run rally in North America." POR® began its extensive, renowned history in 1949. It has transformed from a tour in the country, to a "brisk" 24 hour TSD event and then to a closed road performance event similar to European championship rallies. It became the first World Rally Championship in the United States in 1972 after being an FIA listed event. After the SCCA started the Pro Rally series, it joined that series and was thought to be one of the toughest events on the schedule. It became evident, though; to the Detroit Region that having a Pro Rally 500 miles away simply wouldn't work. POR® was, then, returned closer to its roots and once again became a TSD event. The event is currently headquartered in Boyne City, which is also the home of Mac-Sam Specialties, the event sponsor.

Pete Widdis ran in the SCCA for 5 years and was a 25-year member. A very young Boyd Widdis actually started off his illustrious career as a co-driver for older brother Pete at the ripe old age of 10! In the Lancia/Wonder Muffler Press on Regardless® Rally in Marquette, Michigan on November 8-9, 1975 the Widdis' scored an impressive 27th in a field of 66 vehicles. Only 32 cars actually finished the race while the other teams had to take an unfortunate DNF. In the Press on Regardless® PRO Rally in Houghton, Michigan on November 5-6, 1977 Pete and Boyd finished a fantastic 28th in their Datsun PL-51 as the second highest Datsun PL-51 in the entire field. In the Lancia 20 Stages Rally in Grayling, Michigan on May 1-2 1976 in the NARA Rally Championship the Widdis team was able to steal a remarkable 16th place from 36 other teams out of the 52 team field. In each race the Widdis' finished the entire race with no DNF's. This can be attributed to their great racing abilities and also their strong belief that you must "finish the race to win the race." Pete and Boyd Widdis are two veteran model racecar drivers that all rookie drivers should mold themselves into! Their skill and knowledge on the track are unbeatable, while their sportsmanship and generosity off the track are unmatched.