Billy Clarke, still on the Race Track at Seekonk Speedway at age 83

By Steve Szydlowski Journal Staff Photographer

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Billy Clarke's place looks like any other weathered, two-car addition-tacked-on-the-back garage in New England — until he hits the light switch. The hum and flash of fluorescent tubes illuminate a cavernous space filled with twisted pieces of metal, old tires, bumpers, and bin after bin filled with bolts, screws and washers. The smell of thick black grease hangs heavy in the air.

Center stage are two low-slung pick-up trucks resurrected and outfitted with racing slicks and Plexiglas windows. Faded photos depicting drivers and race tracks from the heyday of speedway racing in the 1950s and '60s cover every inch of wall space, and trophies jockey for spots on shelves.

Clarke has been building his own vehicles and racing on the premier speedways of New England for 64 years. His first race was just up the street from his house at Seekonk Speedway. “I wore a football helmet for protection,” he says. His pit-crew consisted of one guy — himself.

Providence Journal video by Steve Szydlowski

His hulking machines and timeworn tools turn castaway pieces of metal into racing car parts. Bent and hammered into place, a hunk of aluminum will be fashioned into the grill of a truck. “I’m one of the last low-buck racers,” he says. “I make my own parts, build my own cars. It’s what I’ve always done.”

He raced at Seekonk Speedway last year and is contemplating racing again in the 2015 season.

His son wants him to quit racing, do something safe, maybe play golf instead.

"I probably should have stopped years ago.” He smiles and shakes his head, “I don’t know any better, I guess.”

 “What about playing golf?” I ask.

 “That’s boring,” says Clarke.

This is the first video story in an occasional Journal series about people who follow their passions long into retirement.