Last week the legendary driver Willy T. Ribbs announced that he would come out of retirement to race in the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix. It seems that even after 10 years off the track Willy never lost his need for speed.
If you’ve never heard of Willy Ribbs, you’re probably not a racing fan. Throughout the course of his 25-year distinguished career in professional auto racing, Ribbs was a pioneer. He achieved many firsts, including honors as the winningest African-American driver in history. In 1991, he became the first African-American to qualify and compete in the Indianapolis 500, racing for a team co-owned by comedian Bill Cosby. Though Willy cannot necessarily be credited with breaking the color barrier in motorsports, he became a first by trodding along the path carved out for him by racers like Joie Ray.
But what makes Willy Ribbs’ comeback so exciting and relevant to today’s track? Is this just another washed up old-timer trying to relive his glory years? Or is this 56-year-old legend coming back to make a solid statement and impact the Firestone Indy Lights Series for which he races?
Now let me just start with this to diffuse any doubt that Willy is just as spry as the young’uns he’ll be racing with: Willy is far from “washed up.” You’d be hard pressed to find a more dynamic personality; especially one who is 56 years old. Sitting down with Mr. Ribbs for just 10 minutes not only made me laugh from my gut, but also gave me the opportunity to get to know this guy as the great man he is. Even I couldn’t keep up with his passion.
“In the Air Force they used to say ‘there are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots.’ Apparently they aren’t familiar with my work,” said Willy. “It’s going to be a challenge to see what the Depends crowd can do versus the Huggies crowd, but I’m ready.”
But what makes the comeback so significant goes far beyond Willy’s personality and eagerness to return. Willy Ribbs stands for something, and it’s more than just for the companies that have sponsored him over the years.
In 1994, Chris Miles, a friend of Willy’s, founded Starting Grid, Inc., in an effort to help diversify the motorsports industry by developing and implementing motorsports programs to help build up minority racers. “African Americans are 35 million strong in this country, and today there is not one competing at the elite level in motorsports. Any existing diversity program is just a façade; the proof is in the numbers,” said a passionate Miles. “So, we turned to Willy to make an impact.”
Recently, Starting Grid signed a contract with American Honda. This was the first step to what Chris hopes will be an exponential progression for the company and for diversity in motorsports in general. Almost 20 years ago, the dissatisfied Miles took a step back from his own racing career to observe from a business standpoint what was stopping minorities from racing at elite levels in motorsports. “The idea has been incubating since the early Nineties. Only recently have we come into the necessary funds. As soon as American Honda gave us an opportunity, I called up Willy,” explains Chris.
It’s interesting that such a progressive idea has been stifled for so long without funds, and appalling, without press. There are hundreds of minority racers (that’s blacks, women, and the handicapped) waiting for their shot, and all the media seems to care about is Danica leaving INDYCAR for her “new challenge.” New challenge? She hasn’t even mastered this one! But I digress…
Willy will be entering the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix representing the cause of Starting Grid in addition to his own team, Willy T. Ribbs racing. And what better city for his comeback than Baltimore?
In a strong inner city market, the Baltimore Grand Prix is what Chris Miles believes is the perfect venue for Willy’s return. “It’s never been done before and it’s a city filled with Willy’s own people. I’ve got to believe that’s a recipe for a serious impact,” said Miles. “It’s not about winning. I don’t care if he qualifies last. I just want to see how friggin’ big his grin is when he pulls that helmet off. He owes nobody nothing; he only owes himself the opportunity to say, ‘damn, that was fun!’ That’s a win for us.”
With passion and conviction, Willy will head to Baltimore Labor Day Weekend to make his statement.
“It’s about to get loud.”