Memorial Fund for Carl Ruth, drag racing legend

On December 2, 2019 Carl Ruth, drag racing legend, suffered a massive stroke leaving him with a blood clot at the base of his brain stem.  Inoperable, Carl passed just days later.  Carl suffered his stroke while working on an engine at 83 years old in his favorite place, his workshop at his home.  

Carl Ruth began his racing career in the late 50's as a member of the Eastern Custom Car Association.  In 1960, he was one of 4 members of the organization to approach Al Stauffer to persuade him to convert the original Maple Grove into a full length drag strip.  Al agreed and "The Grove" has been the stuff of legend ever since.  

Carl had a career that spanned over 60 years in the racing industry.  He began his funny car career in 1972 and has raced everything from stockers to dragsters and was most famous for running “The World’s Fastest and Quickest Nostalgia Funny Car,” a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria.  Carl continued his career by running his speed shop in Kenhorst, PA tuning some of racing's most competitive engines.  He was truly a legend of the sport who was featured in numerous publications, videos, and newspaper articles.  He was featured in IHRA's 1/4 Mile Crashes of the 80's for his now infamous Nitro Funny Car Wreck.  If anyone embodied speed, it was Carl.  



Off the track, Carl's persona was as big as his on the track presence.  He loved to laugh, loved all things gasoline, and could hear a hurt valve with just a screwdriver.  He was always around to lend a hand, share a belly-laugh inducing story, and to share his seemingly infinite knowledge.  He was a dedicated friend, a potent competitor, an educator, and a caring mentor to many.  Few knew that Carl loved teaching.  He taught mechanics in Eastern PA for many years and taught classes at vo-tech schools in Sweden and Hockenheim, Germany.  Carl always found a way to give of himself to those curious young minds who found themselves lured into the brotherhood of speed.

Carl leaves behind his wife, Ileen who hopes to be able to give Carl a funeral and a memorial befitting this legend of the sport.  The loss that Ileen faces is unimaginable both personally and financially.  Carl worked until his very last conscious day earning a meager living to support himself and Ileen.  He was a man of modest lifestyle in the twilight of his career and he is leaving behind many expenses that Ileen simply can't pay for.  In addition to daily bills, and remaining debts, she faces the reality of his cremation and the funeral services that she would like to use to say goodbye.  


Funeral services have yet to be announced and we will provide updates when details arise.  We are personally committing our time, our money, and our resources to helping Ileen in this tragic time.  We hope that the racing community and anyone who may have been touched by Carl or his story will join us and in so doing, will help ensure that we give him the service that he deserves while keeping his memory alive.  Every cent of what we raise will go to paying for Carl's end-of-life expenses including funeral and memorial services.  Any and all remaining donations will go to Ileen to aid her in her time of need.  

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this note and for your generosity.

Some links to Carl's amazing life:

http://www2.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=300501

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=249896

http://www.draglist.com/teamdrl/Carl%20Ruth.htm 

https://maplegroveraceway.com/history/ 

https://www.dragzine.com/race-coverage/rewind-maple-grove-raceways-50th-anniversary-spectacular/

https://www.motor.com/magazine-summary/crown-entertainment-racing-speaking-future-march-2000/