We are we sad to bring you news that has surfaced over the last 24 hours regarding the health of Big Willie Robinson, the Vietnam Vet/street racing/hot rodding/drag racing legend from Southern California who spent his life working to promote racial harmony and to give the LA area an honest to God drag strip that was open an available to all. In recent years, Robinson has suffered from several medical maladies which have taken their toll. The passing of his beloved wife Tomiko in 2007 hit Willie very hard and those close to him have said he was never the same. The message that has been making the rounds on the internet is as follows:
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“I am sad to announce that Big Willie Robinson, King of the Street Racers, has been transferred to hospice care following a double amputation of his legs. The doctors are giving him 3-4 weeks to live. He can have visitors right now, but that may change.
His last wishes are to be buried with his wife Tomiko. I have been informed that the International Brotherhood of Street Racers will be taking donations to prepare for this, and Sheriff Bill has offered to pay the difference.
Cards and letters can be sent:
Attention: Big Willie Robinson
c/o Sharon Care Center
8167 W. 3rd. St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
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Robinson served in Vietnam with the US Army and formed the International Brotherhood of Street Racers after the infamous Watts riots of 1965 in order to try and direct the collective energy of hot rodders and drag racers to positive activities rather than the drugs, violence, and anger that pervaded the greater Los Angeles area during that tumultuous time. He worked for decades to get a drag strip that could be operated with the street racer/low buck guy in mind and saw his dream come to fruition in the form of Brotherhood Raceway on Terminal Island near Los Angeles. The track was short on amenities, niceties, and flash, but it was a true melting pot of the car culture and a place that lots of people drag raced at with minimal hassle and off of the city streets. It can be argued that the import drag racing scene which exploded in the 1990s was born there in the decades leading up to it’s mainstream popularity. Robinson was constantly working and fighting to keep the track open but ultimately the city stopped the operation of Brotherhood Racewaya number of years ago. Every now and again, rumors jump up that the track may reopen but they have not come to fruition at this point.
We’re pulling for Big Willie. He is a mountain of a man and his accomplishments and work over the years, fighting one of the most frustrating, uphill, unfair battles, in the entire world of the car hobby has been amazing. A man of lesser strength and courage would have been felled long ago.
Please send good thoughts Willie’s way and any cards/letters to the above address.
best wishes.
being a viet nam vet…full burial should be taken care of.
i met big willie when i was a kid he was friends with my nucle he and his wife came to long island to check out our local track he was a very nice guy alittle scary looking but was a huge teddy bear wish him the best and hope he pulls threw
I remember he did a print advertisement for American Racing Wheels way back when and it featured his Superbird street racer.
Thanks for posting this, Brian. Very nice. I called Willie’s number today and for the first time, got a recording – not even an option to leave a message.
1978 Dad and I drove from Simi Valley to Terminal Island,Dad signed my waiver (I was 16) and I ran my 67 289 Mustang all day. I was hooked! Big Willie was at the sign in table,asked if I ever raced,I lied said NO(Dad was over my shoulder lol), told me to hit it on the last yellow. Handed Dad a blank signup sheet for next time,I ran 100mph in the 1/4 for the first time there. I was a scared white kid and watched 1000’s of dollars change hands in the stands. Dad later told me he made a few bucks that day too,later giving me the $10 I spent to get in. I ran 14.30 all day. Dad said,again later,that just the fence hangers where betting 100’s on me at times. Every pair that came up was far for $,near for $…all day. Id never been around racing like that.
My guess that is what was the biggest problem with Brotherhood Raceway.
Big Willie Thank You for letting a 16yo kid hit the track twice a month.
God Bless Him for all the Good he did for Racing and for others he influenced..
Big Willie, ‘a mountain of a man’, and, a mountain of a personality. A real good guy. Ran our Fuel Altered at Brotherhood a couple of times and we were always treated great. I remember one of those nights when someone had ‘borrowed’ somebody’s floor jack without asking and Willie came over the loud speaker telling EVERYONE that NOBODY would leave the premises until the jack was returned. Needless to say the jack was back to the rightful owner within minutes. Willie and Tomiko have been/were well respected within the local law enforcement agencies for their tireless efforts to help keep racing off of the streets. With God’s blessing hopefully Willie can pull through this.
i met willie at lions drag strip late 60’s he was always a great friend. he tirelessly worked for his cause . we raced all night at orange county raceway, brotherhood raceway park, and a few la streets.hang in there buddy nobody i know is going to forget thunder island. mike cook groundshaker top fuel dragster
I am very sad to announce the passing of my cousin Big Willie Robinson yesterday May 19th. As previous posted Big Willie was transferred to Hospice care last week following his second leg amputation. Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized. Please keep my family in your prayers as we are deeply saddened by his passing. Big Willie will always be remembered as a legend in the street racing world.