Dirt

Family Tradition: Three Generations of Dirt Track Racing

‘Rapid Robert’s’ Cars through the years

Take a trip to Arizona

Saftey First

Bell Helmets 1

T A Meet the Editor B L E O Arizona Race tRip F C ‘Rapid Robert’ Hilmer’s O cars through the years N T E Family Tradition: Three Generations of Dirt Track X Racing T

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Meet the Editor

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My name is Raini Hilmer. I am a student at the University of Northern Iowa and I am a Public Relations Major.

I grew up in Dysart, Iowa and my family is well known in the area for dirt track racing. I live at the racetrack in the summer and it is a very important part of my life.

Dirt is all about life at the dirt track. in my magazine you will find many interesting stories pictures nd fun facts. I hope you enjoy!!

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Ben Chapman, driver of the 1JR, working on his car

Brice Sahr working on the car getting it ready to race

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Chapman getting his suit ajusted to get in his car

Chapman getting his gear on to go out for his race

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Ben Chapman waiting in his car to hit the track

Ben Chapman coming off turn four to start the race

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Chapman going into turn one after taking the green flag

Going into turn two to pass another racer

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Passing another racer in turn 2

Chapman coming off the backstretch to enter turn 3.

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Coming off of turn 4 going to take the checkers.

Taking the Checkered Flag winning the race!

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VANS 11

Hoosier Tires

“Best of the Best Tires!”

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‘Rapid Robet’ Hilme Yea 1950

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er’s Cars through the ars 1955 1956 1957

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1958 1963 1964 1965

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1966 1967 1969 1972 1976

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DIRT DOLLZ Racewear

Support your favorite driver!

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Bubba Head Phones 18

Family Tradition: Three G Rac

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Generations of Dirt Track cing

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Bob ‘Rapid Robert’ Hilmer standing next to one of his many cars.

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n Dysart, Iowa if you were to talk about dirt track racing, the Hilmer family would be brought up. This third generation racing family is very popular in the area as the members

were and are fun to watch. This hobby is a big part of Bob,

Curt and Brady Hilmer’s life.

It all started with Robert Hilmer, better known on

the track as Rapid Robert. He was known as one of the best drivers in the area. His wife, Lorraine, and 5 children, Marshall, Scott, Robbie, Stacey and Curt were always at the track with him cheering him on. Robert raced at many different tracks like Tunis Speedway and Hawkeye Downs in Iowa and around the Midwest. He won many races, track championships and trophies. The amount of articles that are written about Robert Hilmer could fill multiple books and the stories could take weeks to tell. Bob Hilmer raced for 34 years and was even put into the Hall of Fame at Farley, Iowa. Bob was asked what his favorite thing about racing was and he laughed “the trophy girls.”

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Bob Hilmer

One of the biggest accomplishments for the racing family is when Bob broke the Oldsmobile world record. He was driving a 1955 Rocket “88” Oldsmobile in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

He drove the car around the track breaking the record in 29.70 seconds. The previous record held was 30.12 seconds. Bob was now known as the first driver to ever break the 30-second mark. Not only did he break this record, but he also started in last position and won another world record by driving 15 laps in 7 minutes and 30 seconds. When asked about breaking these

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The trophy girls “

Curt Hilmer standing by his race car at the Benton County Speedway

records, Bob said, “It was one of the highlights The second part of this racing family is

of my career. I remember breaking those re-

cords like it was yesterday.” Bob is now 89

Curt Hilmer, the youngest of the Hilmer chil-

years old and continues to go to the track and

dren. Curt started racing in 2004 and is known

watch his son and grandson race. “It’s amazing

for his nice looking cars and fun personality

seeing my grandson out there. He has a way to

at the racetrack. He has four children, Kelsi,

go but he will get there with experience,” Bob

Raini, Brady and Jaimi who all enjoy spending

said with a smile and a little chuckle, “Hopefully time with him at the track and in the garage he can get good enough to beat his dad!” Bob

working on the car. He is a fan favorite and

had many different numbers, 22, 7, or 35 but

has won multiple feature races at different

the most used was 22.

tracks like Vinton, Independence and Marshalltown Speedway.

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One of his most popular cars is a collage of his father, Bob’s, racecars and articles about his racing career. He started racing hobby stocks and has now moved onto sport modified. Asking Curt about going to the track with his dad can get out of hand. He has so many stories of watching his dad on the

Curt standing next to his car with Bob’s articles and pictures.

track or stories about his father getting in a “heated” argument with another racer over a problem on the track. “Many times I had to intervene, whether it was my dad, or my brothers, Scott and Marshall.” Curt said. Curt enjoys racing but he does it for the friendships he has made along the way. “I don’t race just for the satisfaction of being out on the track, I race so my friends and family can come watch and then after the races come down to the pits to hangout, drink some beer, laugh and have a good time,” he said.

When asked what his thoughts were on his son starting to race, Curt paused and then laughed, “Money, this sport is costly but with the help from sponsors and friends it can be done.” “I love having him out there on the track with me, it is hard with him in the same class as me, but its awesome to see him follow in my steps.” Curt had the opportunity to wheel not only his modified machine but, also a micro mod after his friend, Jeff Davis, got in a bad accident on the track.

On August 21, 2016 Curt took the checkers in both classes, the micro mod and sport midified.

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Curt racing the micro mod, owned by Jeff Davis

Though his greatest accomplishments on the racetrack have not been trophies and checkered flags, but rather knowing his father was proud of his performance that evening. Curt can be found on the track in the 22H car.

Curt racing his 2018 Medieval Chassis into turn number 2 at the Benton County Speedway

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I love having him out there on the track with me, it is hard with him in the same class as me, but its awesome to see him follow in my steps

The final piece to the Hilmer family racing is Brady Hilmer, one of Curt’s children. Brady is a freshman in high school and is excited for his racing future, as this is his first year on the track. His

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modified can be found in the same class as Curt. They both enjoy working on the cars together and spending their nights at the track together. Brady is very personable like his father and they enjoy meeting their fans and giving them a show of a little friendly competition. “I am really looking forward to getting more experience under my belt and grow as a driver. I am excited to be representing Hilmer racing,” Brady said. While just starting high school, Brady is involved in many sports so balancing school, sports and his hobby can be tough. “It was hard to get the car done this winter, with playing basketball and trying to get my school work done, I didn’t have much free time.”

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Brady Hilmer Racing his Sport Modified into turn 4 of the Benton County Speedway.

Bob Hilmer after a win at Tunis Speedway, in Waterloo, Iowa.

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Without Brady’s friend, Jacob Bechthold, the car probably would still be in the shop, “Jacob has helped me out quite a bit, with him being 16 he can help get my car where it needs to be. Without him, my car would still probably be on jackstands,” Brady laughed. Brady takes after both his father and grandfather in that his number involves the 22 in some way. You can find Brady on the track in the one22 car.

As you can tell, racing runs deep in the blood of the Hilmer family. If you are in the area of the Cedar Valley and have a night to kill, spend a night at one of the local dirt tracks-you won’t regret it!

Curt, Bob and Brady Hilmer by Curt and Brady’s race cars.

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DO WITH

ATTITUDE

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VP 29

Racing Fuels

Photos by Raini

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WEHRS MAC

& Racing Produ

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CHINE

ucts & Racing Products 32

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