LeRoy White

Photo courtesy of LeRoy and Patsy White

This section highlights a local person of interest and admiration, a person whose achievements, manner, leadership, and/or character distinguish them.  If you know people we should include, please apprise us at editor@candor.news, and we will interview them for future issues of Candor. In your submission, include the person’s name, noteworthy traits and accomplishments, and their contact information.

In this issue, we are highlighting LeRoy White

Wichita Tour Stop

After meeting his first love, surfing, in San Diego, (his first home), LeRoy White was introduced by his sister to his life’s passion, Patsy, a resident of Park City who migrated to San Diego. For over four decades, the two ventured across the U.S., Europe, and other parts of the world during a journey dominated by Formula One racing.

What separates you from other racing vehicle fabricators?

I began building surfboards by shaping Styrofoam bodies covered with fiberglass. I’ve created monocoques, tubs (the structure supporting the exterior of a vehicle) using fiberglass and carbon fiber for race cars, and structures for motorbikes, speed boats, and even airplanes. I invented and modified tools that were necessary to get the job done, especially when time and funds were short. I learned to produce tight welds with a TIG welder, something that came in handy as race day approached. I also participated in the Automotive X Prize where the Edison2 vehicle our team created won first place.

How did you get started as a fabricator?

 In my early 20s I was selected to enter a mechanic’s apprenticeship program at Porsche Pacific in Culver City, California, This is when it became clear to me that I was not a mechanic. I was ‘60s hippie who then roamed the Pacific Northwest for a few years. I didn’t really find my talent until 1971; upon reaching England, looking  for a new adventure, I met Ken Tyrrell, a wonderful father image that I never knew or had. Quiet spoken and a big man who you could only love and respect, he made a phone call to MARCH Engineering in Bicester, England. I had no idea what a fabricator was, and much less what he did. That experience inspired me to come back to California, and by 1978, Peter Gregg and the Brumos Racing Team won at Daytona in a  Porsche 935/77 that I’d fabricated. Now I was hooked and became more deeply involved with American Open-Wheel (Indy Car) racing.

Who are some other big-time racing teams/drivers you worked for or with?

In terms of Formula One, Penske, Frank Williams, Parnelli Jones, Dan Gurney, Emerson Fittipaldi, Don Purdonne, Jackie Stewart, , Niki Lauda, and James Hunt. I worked with Michael Waltrip helping build NASCAR vehicles. Both of the movies, Rush, and Ford vs. Ferrari really describe well the era I remember. While traveling and working, I met Burt Reynolds, who became both a boss and friend, Clint Eastwood, John Denver, George Harrison, Steve McQueen – they were all just regular people, living their lives. When I attended UCLA in the late 1980s, hoping to change careers, I met several people well-known in the film industry. The pay was low, though, and I had to get back into car racing to make ends meet.

What did Patsy do while you were helping build race cars?

Patsy worked at The Four Horseshoes bar in Reading, Berkshire, UK, she helped me build cars, we were often together when I traveled to job sites, but too often separated. Patsy was hired by ABC and ESPN to provide information during racing events, so both of us were working within the industry for several years.

What brought you to Wichita?

For Patsy, it was a boomerang effect, she’s back with family. For me, my health isn’t what it used to be, so Patsy and I decided to locate back to where she has people to support her, and us. I don’t know that much about Wichita, or the Midwest, so I’m eager to learn more about this region’s history and cultural traditions. I hope to continue my love of photography, I’m planning to spend time looking through the thousands of photos I’ve already taken to help me remember all the good times we’ve experienced.