VETERAN DIRT MODIFIED DRIVER DICK RANKIN KILLED IN CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT
by Brian Spaid

August 13, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   FRANKLIN, PA …. Veteran DIRT Modified driver Richard “Dick” Rankin of Fairmount City, Pa., was killed on Wednesday, August 13, 2003, in an accident at a construction site near Clarion, Pa.

   Rankin, 67, was struck by a Mac dump truck while delivering parts to a construction zone along US Route 322 in Paint Township, Clarion County, in the Borough of Marianne. According to police reports, the driver of the truck, which was owned by Rankin & Son Excavating, did not see Rankin and backed into him. The accident occurred at 8:30 a.m.

   Rankin was transported by ambulance to Clarion Hospital where Clarion County Coroner Rollie Burns pronounced him dead from massive chest trauma.

   As word of Rankin’s death spread, the news cast a pall over the entire Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio racing community. The popular veteran retired from full-time racing in recent seasons, but was still a fixture at local tracks in support of the racing efforts of his grandson, J.R. McGinley.

   Tri-City Speedway track owners, Mike and Margaret Graham and Roger and Susie Crick, released an official statement late in the afternoon.

   "All of us at Tri-City Speedway are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of Dick Rankin. He was an excellent driver, and a good friend to everyone in the racing community. Dick was always a true gentleman behind the wheel and in life, and we will all greatly miss him. Our sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy are extended to the entire Rankin family.”

   Rankin captured around 100 DIRT Modified feature wins in a career that spanned over 30 years. His most memorable drives came aboard Bob “Kodiak” Graham’s No. 0 and his self-owned No. 66. He captured wins at tracks like Tri-City, Lernerville Speedway, Sportsman’s Speedway, Challenger Raceway and Marion Center Speedway. He also won multiple track championships. His most successful season occurred in 1995 when he won 12 features and finished in the top five 42 times. He also won Walt Wimer’s Cavalcade of Champions Big Block Modified point title that season as well. Rankin always loved to compete at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. He last raced a DIRT Modified at Tri-City in 2002.

   Mike Graham, who is the son of Bob “Kodiak” Graham, honed his mechanical skills and love of auto racing while working with his father and Rankin in the 1970s and 1980s.

   “This is such a tragedy,” said Graham. “I’m in absolute shock. This is a tough loss for all of us, especially for Dick’s family.”

   Ironically, Tri-City Public Relations Director Brian Spaid wrote a feature article about Rankin that was published in the Franklin (Pa.) News Herald and Oil City (Pa.) Derrick less than a week earlier. In that article, Rankin talked about his continuing desire to race.

   “I would love to race full-time again,” said Rankin. “I’m not too old. You’re only as old as you feel, and I don’t feel old.”

   A full text of that article is still available at www.tricityspeedway.com/driver-features/DickRankin03.html.

   Rankin leaves behind a wife, Connie, and three children, Craig Rankin and his wife, Debra, of Clarion, Pa., Pamela McGinley of High Point, N.C., and Kimberly Smith and her husband, Michael, of Strattanville, Pa., and six grandchildren. Craig Rankin is a former Super Sprint track champion at Tri-City, Sportsman’s and Lernerville. He is also survived by three brothers, Kenneth Rankin of Clarion, William Rankin of California, and John Rankin and his wife, Norma, of Oregon, and a sister, Jean Mitchell and her husband, Lloyd, of Clarion, Pa.

   Funeral arrangements and visiting hours will be released within the next day.