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Remembering Pete Ogden
By Debbie Shipherd
Pete Ogden
Born:
December 8, 1936
Died:
September 1, 2006
Pete Ogdens
Innovation Engineering and Motorsports Fabrication is boldly
embroidered on the back of Keith Shipherds drivers suit. Innovative
engineering is an understatement to the rich, unique, creative designs
that Pete Ogden fabricated over the years. His master craftsmanship and
vast experience in welding and creating works of art in the motorsports
arena has been a major focus throughout his life, but those masterpieces
dont hold a candle to the man whose character will remain a legend to
those of us who knew and loved him.
One of the most remarkable traits about Pete was his humility. He had an
enormous wealth of knowledge, and touched the lives of many now famous
names in racing history, yet he let his meticulous work and his actions
speak for him, and they spoke volumes. His most notorious works are the
Pure Hell AA fuel altered dragster and The Spirit of America, the bullet
that broke the World Land Speed record, driven by Craig Breedlove. He
has made numerous contributions to a wide range of motorsports
fabrications, and has raced, crashed, and rebuilt more things in his
lifetime than anyone could imagine. His pride came, however, from the
people he has mentored and shared his knowledge with throughout the
years, and there are many.
Pete first came into our lives around 1980 at Chuck Delus shop. At that
time Pete and Chuck were building Delu Sprint Car chassis. In 1999 when
the Wingless Spec Sprint class first began in
Antioch,
Keith took his Delu Sprinter to Pete to do some modifications on the
chassis. Pete began coming to the races regularly with our team and his
involvement as a friend, teacher, sponsor and very active crew member
continued until his last race with us at Chowchilla Speedway on
July 29, 2006.
>From that first season racing with us and all throughout the years,
Pete would leave with the parting words Let me know if I can do
anything for you. He welded broken parts and fabricated many new ones,
always looking to improve on a design, for not only our team, but for
any racer who needed help. One of his mottos was just because its done
in the garage doesnt mean it isnt done right. His positive attitude
and zesty love of life, especially in his last months, inspired us all.
His endless stories captivated us, made us laugh, and taught us. His
kindness, love for friends, family, dogs, and endless passion for racing
especially endeared him to everyone he met.
Pete, you are a legend in our eyes. We love you and thank you for
enriching our lives. We will miss you dearly. Rest in peace, good
friend.
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