Mario and Michael, Al and Little Al, Dale and Dale Jr, Richard and Kyle, Buck and Buddy Baker, so many racing father's and son's have enjoyed the sport together. However, none enjoyed doing it together any more than the Sport's Car Club of America's Al and son Charles Wicht.

Al Wicht started racing sports cars with SCCA in 1966 and it became his lifelong passion. As a youngster, Charles was right there with him, crewing the car, learning the ropes and biding time until he too could climb in the cockpit. Al was a constant presence in Central Florida and Florida Region races for fifty years. Al started out by converting his street car, a Chevy Corvair into his first racer. Al built the Corvair similar to the famed Yenko Stinger's and it was quick. Al won regularly in CFR and Florida region and took home several regional championships In 1981 Al prepared a 1966 Corvette Coupe for GT competition and then later added a 1963 Corvette roadster to the stable. In the early 80's Al made a foray into professional racing, when he was hired to drive a Porsche and later a Toyota MR 2 for Gerald Blum Racing in IMSA competition.

In 1988, after a year of refurbishment, Charles took Dad's old Corvair to SCCA Driver's School. While continuing to race himself, Al took on the job of crewing for Charles. Charles moved into the Pro racing ranks running in the SpeedWorld Challenge in the Wicht Racing built Camaro. Beginning around 2005, Al and Charles competed in the V8 StockCar Series, Al in the old SpeedWorld Challenge Camaro and Charles in an ex Kevin Harvick Southwest Tour Monte Carlo. In 2007 at Carolina Motorsports Park, the V8 StockCar Series had an "ALL WICHT" front row when Charles in his GT1 and Al in the Camaro qualified first and second overall. It was a very cool moment for the Wicht family. Around 2011 Wicht Racing converted the Harvick car into a full on Trans Am racer. With Charles driving, the team finished an impressive fourth in TA at Sebring, cutting laps as fast as cars costing many times more than the converted late model stock car. It was an impressive outing, prompting Trans Am Champion Tony Ave to remark to Charles and Al, "how did you get that stock car to go so damn fast."

Al was there with Charles when the team picked up a true purpose built Trans Am Corvette as they moved to become a factor in TA. Once again, the team did a lot with a little, finishing second at Homestead and third at Daytona in their occasional forays into the series.

Recently Charles purchased two Corvette racers, a 1963 Corvette Grand Sport replica and a 1966 Corvette roadster. The plan was for father and son to get back to the family roots racing the old school Corvette's.

Sadly, Al recently became very ill and passed away this past month. He will be remembered by his many fellow SCCA members and friends as a man with an unbridled passion for the sport.

There will be a celebration of Al's life at the Central Florida Region SCCA races at Sebring International Raceway June 8 and 9. The Wicht racing team will debut and display the two Corvette's for the first time and Charles will take to the wheel in them.

Our thoughts and prayers will be with the Wicht family as they mourn the loss of their patriarch, but celebrate a life well lived.