Dick Gappa  #77

Dick started racing in 1952.  Retired after winning the Playland track championship in 1969.  As far as I know, he didn't race again until he  raced with us in GOTRA, the Good Ol' Time Racing Association.  He started with GOTRA in '99 I think, he was 68 years old then. .  He won almost every single race he entered.  He kicked our butts every time.  He always told me, "Danny (he called me Danny), you have to be smooth to go fast,  Smooth wins every time." 

That was Dick Gappa.  Smooth.

Although Dick has passed on, he is still remembered by many Playland fans.