Our condolences
It is with sadness and regret that I tell you that Thomas Richardson, Sr. passed away sometime last night. Tom was 76 and a long time resident of Sparta, NC.
Most of us came to know the Richardsons through their love of racing track trials and especially, hillclimbs. I met them at my first flat track event at VIR some years ago and being that I’ve always love mountain folk, made fast friends with Tom and Tommy.
When CCR lost the Beech Mountain Hillclimb event, Tom went to work trying to find a suitable place to have another hillclimb. His efforts produced the Blue Ridge Sports Car Hillclimb in Laurel Springs, NC just South of Sparta, NC. Tom worked very hard to make that event successful and was very helpful in helping me learn the ropes to conduct hillclimbs. One year, when I did not have a “ride” for the event, Tom offered to share his 1976 BMW 2002. I was very honored to drive his car and spend a lot of time with him and Tommy. Jane and I came to love Tom, Tommy and the entire family very much. We had many connections together. We always looked forward to seeing them at events and meetings.
Tom will be missed by our Time Trial/Hillclimb community. I’d like to dedicate both of our CCR hillclimbs to the memory of Tom Richardson.
Tony Wentworth
November 26th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Racers and Supporters of the Blue Ridge Hillclimb, Knowing Tom most of my life and growing up in Sparta I must say he was a very well respected man and his love for the community that he grew up in was very strong and without him I am sure alot of things in this county would not have gotten done. His love and dedication for the hillclimb was tremendous. And I challenge all the racers that ever met Tom or Tommy to please have them in your thoughts and prayers as this will be a very diffcult time for Toms family. Thank you for your support.