Robert Dratwa

By Howard "Duck" Allen

Do old Pro's just die or do they fade away? That is the question. I met Robert Dratwa during Indycar in 88. He was the corner Captain, with Lee, Scott, Bud and Bill Carr, who at the time referred to themselves as chicano's. This was the original chicane, which was not much of one at the time. As is the case, this was the place to be for that weekend. Being almost a rookie (first event in Oregon), I learned lessons from Robert about flagging, racing, teaching and maybe even life that I still carry with me today.

After that weekend I used Robert as my yardstick for all corner workers; he was the bellwether. Time has passedand Robert battled his demons (and who hasn't). MAYBE some have come to pass him as that measure, but they did not do so without his stewardship and teachings. I recently got a chance to work the corners with him again. I learned more again about this the most sacred of the specialties because to work next to Robert meant to be the best. I drew on his experience and energy and became not only a better flagger, but a better person for it.

I have been luckier than most and gotten to more than a few Run-Offs and about 30 or 40 SCCA racetracks around this country. I'm here to tell you what we have in this corner is very, very good. Robert and the Pro's are the biggest reason for that. Soon after that first Indycar weekend, I learned about T.P.F.D. and learned they were the best-of-the-best. That is why we may indeed have the best club racing in the country here. Robert taught me that from example, to me Robert embodied and defined the Pro's. Which is why if I ever had a Rookie driver that needed guidance or help I sent them Robert's way.

Back in 90 at a conference race, a rookie driver went out to a corner between sessions to retrieve what was left of a Rabbit airdam he "happened" to leave there. From what was then the turn seven bunker you could hear Robert shout, "It's Howard, DUCK!" From that day on I had a "handle"; not just Howard anymore but the Duck and for that, Robert, I will am in your debt. Thank-YOU.

So now we say good-bye to Robert and know that Lee finally has someone to watch his back. As the corner crew in heaven adds one more to their turn crew. Pazoots, Lee, Hadley, Larry, Danny and now Robert. So, God, who do you name as Turn Marshall?

So that is the tale of why angels wear white; they wear it while they are on earth protecting racers.

Our mission is not to let Robert go quietly off into memory, but to measure every act and question from this day on with.."What would Dratwa have done in this situation?" Yes, Robert has stopped living on our earth, but our task now is for him to live in our hearts each day. For the Brat pack to pass-on the Dratisms to the next generation of brat packers and then they will pass them on to the one after them. Trust me he did not go quietly into the afterlife. Robert always had an opinion that was almost always right, and we as a region and we as workers are the better, the stronger for it.

Here's a large (3 Megabyte) AVI movie of a corner station doing a Dover Wave while the UOP Shadow car does a reverse lap - part of the memorial for Robert that was performed at the 2002 Historics:

Movie shot by Holly Remington

If you have trouble viewing it, try downloading the Quicktime Player - JZ

Other tributes and memorial pages for Robert can be found at:

"Two Coins" - by Holly Remington

Cascade Sports Car Club