LEGENDS: THE SERIES - THE LEGEND OF ROY HILL
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- There is not a more unlikely drag racing success story than Roy Hill’s. The man they call “Hillbilly” overcame poverty, illiteracy and some admittedly questionable life choices to become not only a champion driver and car owner but also a successful businessman and entrepreneur.
In this episode of Legends: The Series, Season Three, the proprietor of Roy Hill’s Drag Racing School discusses growing up on his grandparents’ North Carolina farm, leaving school in the seventh grade, his long association racing legend Richard Petty and the addicting qualities of the sport he loves.
Hill’s dad died when he was just three-and-a-half and once he was old enough to do so, he began working to supplement the $86 his mom brought home every two weeks from her job at the furniture factory.
His one diversion was drag racing.
“I’d do whatever it took to race. Sometimes it was the right thing; sometimes it wasn’t. It’s the worst addiction you can ever have (and if you) ride on that edge, sooner or later it’s going to get you.”
Although his formal education was lacking, Hill learned to be street-wise and to stay true to himself. “All I ever had was my family and my word,” he said. “I don’t tolerate anybody lying and I don’t tolerate a thief but I’ll help anybody if they ask.”
Grew up going to Piedmont Dragway, as a kid I remember seeing Roy drive the Petty Prepared Plymouth Arrow there and still have the Driver/Car souvenir photo to this very day...
" I worked for years for nothing " those words are so true for anyone working the trades or working on cars. I might young but I learned from old schoolers. My mentor told me. Be a sponge and give as much free help as you can and it will eventually pay off tenfold. We cant get kids to work in our shop to work as apprentices because they want top dollar to learn.
I approached Roy for a photo once. I believe it was either the Winters or the Finals at Pomona 1986. He agreed and posed with his car. He asked if I had taken enough photos, and I think I took a few more. When I was done, I went to shake his hand and thank him. He thanked me and we started talking like long-lost friends. Whatever he was doing before I approached was put on hold for 20-30 minutes giving me that much-valuable time of his. That 21 year old kid never forgot that.
Roy is one of the good ones
Roy Hill - "The Hillbilly". Even if you are not into Drag Racing, Roy's story & life experience is Inspirational.
I highly recommend Roy Hills School of Drag Racing. Roy has a wealth of knowledge. I would love to have spent a few months with him sponging it up. He has a great new team that works well together… Kim thanks for answering all my questions before I got there and all the other stuff you do in the background. I'd like to personally thank Lawrence for being the confidence builder of the team, you were there when I needed it… Bubba your awesome! I can still hear you as if, you are still talking to me on the radio right now. Walking me through the process. AJ thanks for helping me in and out of the vehicles and showing me where everything is located. Jane thanks for taking care of the food and paperwork. Roy thanks again, for doing everything you know how to do to make sure everyone gets a chance to get their license…. I can truly say Roy doesn't cut cost. He makes sure you are safe… He uses the best equipment money can buy. As well as making sure the track is prepped better then a national event. Roy can be hard on you but for good reason… this is serious business. One last thing there were some kids there getting their Jr Dragster license too… I sorry but I can't remember his name but Roy's nephew was great at working with those kids.
Thanks Bobby. Roy Hill quiet a man!
I admire Roy Hill!!! He's one of a kind despite his disabilities not able to read or write . My hat off to that great man!!😘👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻 This is a very touching story!!!
Worked with Roy while at BG Fuel Systems and Mr. Gasket. The kind of man my Grandfather called a "Hard Man". But Roy cared about people and did not want to see anyone get hurt in his cars. I got to go thru the S/C class and I knew how Roy was. He chewed me out ONCE and that was all it took. I still have the tape from that Monday after Norwalk (while still IHRA). Roy offered me a job after I left Mr. Gasket, but my wife did not want to move to NC. I have remained friends with Roy over the years and still think he would help out anyone that he believed in. Thanks for the memories, Roy!
Great stuff! Sincerely appreciate Roy and Bobby for making this video. Bobby, you sharing the video of you at Roy's school says volumes about you and the friendship you two have.
Now, if we could just get Roy's version of Al T's story about when he "introduced" himself to Roy. LMAO.
Man this series is amazing thank you!
I've Had The Pleasure to Attend RoyHill's Chassis And Engine school 🏫 and What I Learned From Him, Hank And Brian I Will Never Forget what He Has Taught Me...... Thank You Roy
Amazing video, one day I dream of getting to meet this man. If only I could have a small grain of his racing knowledge.
I did the Roy Hill school in Charlotte. Roy is a blast. A wild man and a teddy bear. Lots of fun there.
I watched an IHRA race years ago when Roy rolled his car. The incar footage was one of the coolest shots I've ever seen. I had it recorded and played it over many times. I've searched for it on RUclips but I've never seen again.
His formal education maybe nil, but his wisdom is huge.
Just shows u don't need an education to become a successful person & racer
Back in the day I remember seeing Roy Hill at Bristol Tn he was a kick ass racer and had a great scenic of humor
I worked for Roy great guy I have his budget 1984 capri in my shop right now
there was 2 capri's one gary dehart built , it started off a mustang , then roy got the mercury sponsor , so the mustang grill was cut out and the capri one went in , when we got the car it had all new carbon fiber that never been fitted for the car , 85 capri trim even new steel quarer panels , so off came the mustang quaters witch was no dig deal they dzus on , that made pulling the slicks off easy
Yes I have the one Gary built I have the mustang tail end an the quarters , I have spoke too Gary a few times yes it was going too be a mustang but never was raced as one but I have her sitting on stands be hind the house right now . Roy had 3 capris one got crashed tho. I have raced mine in top sportsman some it runs 4.80’s in the 1/8 and 7.60’s in the 1/4 had it painted too look just like he had it
Larry I would love too talk too you some an learn more about my capri I have a good friend of mine bill Carter an tommy kinly that reamber Roy running my car please email me bakerbrian2072@gmail.com
Butch you have always been top notch in my book on and off the track. Your contributions will be here a long,long time. Your cousin John Burton
Great video, back when racing was racing.
I think we're talking about the same Piedmont Dragway; where I ran my first race on a dragstrip. In Roxboro in 1969. Didn't realize you had to react on the last yellow light on the Christmas tree. I left on green and was late. Some years later I had some suspension work done on another car by Herb McCandless in Burlington, NC
I remember watching Roy race his Fords in P/S. Both in NHRA & IHRA, I can't remember if he also ran in AHRA or not. Also not sure if he ran the "mountain motors" or not! It's been too many years for my brain!
You're my hero Roy!
Wow! He has to have gotten as far in life as just about anyone that couldn't read or write very well.
Great - as always!
That’s a real man, tell you straight. No matter what like it or not.
Great episode 2 huge Thumbs up.
You DA man, Roy
I worked for nothing for years just to learn. Yes sir I also.
Never did say what got you in all that trouble!!
Excellent...
Rock on Roy 👊👊
Boy I remember Roy Hill ,back then I wanted to go to his school soooo bad ,but couldn't afford it own my own ,
And back then I thought that he was an asshole..lol, well my Daddy who was gona help me so I could go to the school
Found our of what I thought about Roy , was like why do you want to go to this place if you think the man teaching is
an asshole ,I told him ,I don't care what he is it's what I'm getting out of it that matters ,..I wanted to drive one of them cars so bad & to have my super gas license that I would've put up with anything..lol! ,well Dad say oh well I'm not gonna pay to send you up there & you get mad cause he's mad at you & yelling at you & you with your hot head .
NO SIR!!!!& that was the end of that ,never got to go ,never got my super gas license, so I wound up bracket racing & then the kids & life & all now
I'm 53 kids grown ,back into it & racing again& having a ball ,but now that ol bug is back & got me wondering if I could
Drive those high caliber cars , I an still cut a light ,reflexes are good ,I'm more teachable now& I can still drive the snot
Out of a car....what does it cost nowa days or is the school still open??
Really cool guy
Does Roy still have chassis and engine school? I sure didnt identify that he does looking at his website. Maybe i just did poor navigation of the site?
THE BEST
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hey ROY, a customer of your's steve sadler - cystic fibrosis from Australia cut a .001 green light in one round then a .001 red in the next round - i'm sure he'd say yo made my day, ha!
❤
How did he get involved with Ford?
Thank you
Any relationship to Sam Hill?
POS RUclips More BREAKS THAN REG TELEVISION !!!!! THEY NEED COMPETITION DAMN
There are no breaks on RUclips premium