Bob Lapke

[Dick Teal]

RIP Bob Lapke

Bob Lapke succumbed to the effects of ALS disease on June 20. He passed peacefully in the company of his spouse and daughter, Jalayne and Jennifer. Our heartfelt condolences.

Bob began go kart racing in the very early sixties growing up in Chicago. He began with a 1960 Evans kart and McCulloch engine. He was a mechanical engineering graduate from New Mexico State University, and began racing road race karts after graduating and beginning a career at Caterpillar Tractor Company in 1970. He almost always raced B Stock karts beginning with a “Rice” kart with dual Mac’s. That progressed to Yamahas, Atlas, Komet, and Parilla engines with a succession of chassis from hand built through Invaders and Margays. He raced throughout middle America and at Daytona and will be remembered by many current and former karters as first finishing and finishing fast, winning races throughout his career including a WKA nationals.

More recently Bob became very involved in vintage kart racing, and again favored twin engine karts. He was just recently inducted in to the vintage kart hall of fame. During the induction conducted by Jeff Brown through an internet connection with participants at the recent Newcastle event, Bob commented on how much he enjoyed the friendships from karting, and particularly the friends he has in the vintage karting community.

Bob epitomized the racer who races for the fun and satisfaction of the sport, and the friendships from the sport. Karting was an end goal for Bob, not a means to an end. The karting community and the sport are better from his participation and contribution. God speed Bob.

[Chris Marchand]

Very sad news, RIP Bob

[REAR]

Damn, this is terrible news. Another good one gone.

Knowing Bob he probably hooked up with Dan and their both sliding around in the clouds with a left front wheel 6 inchs off the skyline.

R.I.P. Bob

Bob Kurkowski

[ted johnson]

Bob K. and Rob V. Is it possible that we dedicate TBO this year to our friend? He did so much for so many of us. Thanks. Ted

[Rob Voska]

RIP Bob

[Brian Thomas]

Here is a link for the obituary

http://www.wrightandsalmon.com/fh/obitu ... h_id=10625

[donnie cain]

VERY SORRY TO HERE OF BOB LAPKE,S PASSING. I HAVE TALKED TO HIM ONLY ONCE AT NEWCASTLE TWO YEARS AGO AND ENJOYED HIS CONVERSATION. HE WILL BE VERY MISSED.