Frank Perpetua
began his racing as a car owner, mechanic in 1957 and was a staunch
advocate of Fords in a time when Fords were not the racecar of choice.
His first car was a 1936 Ford Coupe No. 36 driven by Billy Meyers.
Over the years Perpetua raced five nights a week.
Tracks where
his cars competed at included: Arden Downs, Canfield, Cayuga, Canton,
Clinton, Grand Rapids, Greater Pittsburgh, Hagerstown, Heidelberg,
Hickory, Jennerstown, Langhorne, Latrobe, Lernerville, Mansfield,
Mon-Duke, Motordrome, Pittsburgh, Sharon, South Park, Toledo, Tri-City,
and Williams Grove.
Perpetua was
known as the car owner everyone wanted to drive. In addition to Meyers
other drivers included: Dick Bailey, Lee Smokey Stover, Bill Freithofer,
Norm Benning Sr, Don Dahle, Dick Thomas, Gus Delong, Augie & Bob
Sandman, Rusty Whiteman, Alex Makar, Nick Garin, Herb Scott (1 race)
and Cincinnati, Ohio driver Don Wilbur.
His final year
as a car owner was 1981. Perpetua claims his biggest moment was finishing
as runner-up in the 1971 Pittsburgh 250 with Augie Sandman as driver.
Sandman stunned
all in attendance by starting last in his qualifying heat race and
won and started in the back of the 250 and raced to the front finishing
second to Ed Howe. Bob Sennecker finished third.
Perpetua was
courted by race teams (Holman and Moody for one) in the old Grand
National (Cup Series) for his set-up expertise but his commitment
to his wife and raising his daughters along with a successful business
kept him in Pennsylvania.
Frank Perpetua
and PCTC President Bob McWilliams
PCTC Board Member
Don Gamble and Frank Perpetua
2007 Hall of Fame Inductees Frank Perpetua, Carl Murdick, Ted Wise
(daughter), Dave Pegher, and Dick Curry
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