Wille Hardmans’s 50-year racing career was driven by his love of Midgets and Sprint Cars. Just weeks after seeing his first race at Lakeside Speedway in 1947, Willie purchased a Willys-powered midget, and he was off to the races. He competed at Englewood and Lakeside Speedways in the Denver area, as well as a number of tracks in southern Colorado and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. He eventually competed on tracks throughout the Midwest, racing in Indiana, Iowa and Kansas. He described racing at the famed 16th Street Speedway in Indianapolis in the “Night before the 500” event against the likes of A.J Foyt and others who would race in the Indy 500 the next day as a humbling experience.
In 1952, he opened Golden Auto Parts, and it became a successful business for supplying parts and machine services to the public while serving as a hub of activity for the racing community. The demands of family and a thriving business meant Willie would race less and provide his cars for others to drive in the coming years. He sponsored a list of winning drivers, including Dave Sample, Ray Flannigan, and Gene Pastor while occasionally hopping into the seat himself for a few races. He also was involved with racing organizations, forming the Denver Midget Racing Club with Hall of Fame member Ade Butler in the 1950’s and eventually honored as a Lifetime Member of the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association. Willie was one of the first drivers to race Sprint Cars in the Colorado-based Big Car Racing Association and his success in the organization was recognized by his induction into the BCRA Hall of Fame in 2012.
Willie followed a rule throughout his career: Business came first to provide for his family, but racing was a close second. His son Butch built a hall of fame career running sprint cars in the Pikes Peak Hillclimb, driving to success in cars prepared by Willie. Grandson Brian is the latest generation of the Hardman racing family tree, competing in Sprint Cars throughout the Midwest. Golden Auto Parts, the successful business began by Willie nearly seven decades ago, is still in business today, with son Butch in charge.
Willie Hardman will be remembered for his unending enthusiasm for open-wheel oval track racing, as well as for his generosity in helping his fellow racers. Hall of Fame member Terry Plummer has said “Willie was of great help to me early in my career. In fact, he seemed to go out of his way to help young drivers trying to get their start.” He seemed to get as much joy when someone driving one of his cars won a race as he did when he was in the cockpit.
Willie Hardman enjoyed his racing career and lived a full life until his passing in 2002 at age 77. He was a positive influence on many in the racing community, and his remarkable legacy was honored posthumously with his induction into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame with the class of 2024.
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