Favorite Race 4 Eight Stop
WPH Press, Tucson, AZ, 6/30/23
The WPH is thrilled to bring you the Race 4 Eight Legends Corner, your chance to hear from the Race 4 Eight’s legends that have shaped the most exciting handball tour in the sport.
On Edition 2 of the Race 4 Eight Legends Corner, our legends discussed their most difficult opponents and what made them so hard to play (HERE)
On Edition 3, our Race 4 Eight Legends will discuss their favorite Race 4 Eight stops and what made those stops special to the legends.
Inaugural SR48 Player’s Cup Champion John Bike
Like the many players and people I’ve come across in my 57 years on this earth, many sites can lay claim to being the best/my favorite for a variety of reasons. I’ve looked over the 20+ sites that have hosted [Race 4 Eight events] and narrowed it down to these.
In no particular order…..
Houston is the Pete Tyson of sites, LAAC is the Tati Silveyra, Los Cab is the Catriona Casey, Portland is the Paul Brady, Idaho is the Jake Plummer, New Orleans is the Dave Dohman, Seattle is the Tony Healy, Denver is the John Bike Sr., Pittsburgh is the Rodney Fink, Missoula is the David Chapman, Tucson is the Fred Lewis, NYAC is the John Duggan, Atlanta is the Danny Bell, Juarez is the Ducksey Walsh, Salt Lake City is the El Gato, Minnesota is the Killian Carroll and InShape/Victorville is the Lupita, Gabriella, and John A. Bike of sites, but we haven’t hosted one….. yet.
10-time SR48 Champion and Former R48 Elite 8 Marcos Chavez
Thinking back on the Race for Eight events and which ones I liked the most, I’d have to say there were three stops. It’s hard to choose one!
I would say the number three would be Montana. Sean (Sandau) and all the guys always treated Vic, me and Mando (Team LAAC) really well. The crowd there was so great. These players would just come from other states to play in the Red Death and I remember how cold it would be and they would still barbecue a huge pig outside of the club. I really enjoyed it and afterwards, I even played some squash on the last day of the tournament with the tournament director.
My number two event would’ve been New York (NYAC). Traveling back east and being able to play at a club that you would only hear about or see t-shirts about and seeing those huge high-rise buildings was awesome and then to stay at the historic New York Athletic Club was unreal. I remember seeing an old NBA star as I walked into the building (Chris Mullins). The people that through the tournaments did a great job. The place was small, but they put a lot of effort into making sure you felt welcomed and especially at the banquet. I’ll never forget playing in New York.
My number one pro stop that I love to attend was Utah. I made so many great memories playing you in the finals, winning a SR48 tour title, and also playing Timbo Gonzalez in Big Ball in the main show court. Playing Timbo was awesome because I knew in those days he was the number one 1-Wall player and a Red Bull sponsored player. We made a side bet on some Kobe shoes. I won the match and we went to the mall and I got my shoes later that evening. On Saturday night after the nice banquet at the Ace headquarters, we would play 3-Wall Big Ball and Andrew B and Dominic would be out there, serving some type of whiskey next to the RV by the courts. It was such a great time and handball was so much fun then.
As an ex-pro player, I’m very thankful for the effort the WPH made to make these tournaments so memorable I even shed a tear talking about it now.
Former WR48 Finalist and Former WR48 #2 Tracy Davis
Simple Green U.S. Open
Salt Lake City
NYAC
Former R48 Simple Green U.S. Open Champion Allan “TBB” Garner
Tops on my list was Coeur d’ Alene. I always seemed to play well there; they have the best fans and the hospitality was unparalleled. I stayed at Jim Slavin’s house, he was always so accommodating and hospitable.
A close second is Tucson. It’s always been a true handball city, and they definitely have some of if not the most educated handball fans
Two-time R48 Finalist and Former R48 #2 Emmett “The Rock” Peixoto
I’m fairly practical, meaning I like things relatively easy (logistically speaking) so I can put more time and energy into my matches. The Race stops at the Olympic Club were perfect for this purpose; I could sleep in my own bed, have easy access to my favorite food, drive home to rest between matches, no jet lag, etc.
Aside from that, the OC also has some of the best courts in the country, top level amenities (plenty of warm up and stretching areas, spacious locker rooms, towels galore, hot tub, steam room, and so forth) and lots to do around the club. I’ve also been a member for 25 years so I have a longstanding relationship with both the club and it’s members – the OC is a primary reason I’ve had such a long and high-level handball “career,” as they’ve paid, and continue to pay, for my travel expenses at tournaments, flights, etc. Since it’s my home club, I’m also plenty used to the courts, and typically have several friends and family in the crowd, which makes me feel at ease and gives me a slight advantage over the comp.
Other than the OC, I love playing in Missoula, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis, and New Orleans. The people in each of these places go out of their way to make each player feel at home and appreciated. I hope to make it back to each place in the near future.
Former WR48 Simple Green U.S. Open Champion and Former WR48 #2 Aisling Reilly
Favourite would have to be Tucson, which I think was my last trip over. Apart from the handball and great weather, the club and people are always so welcoming and hospitable. I hope to visit at another stop sometime soon
Two-time R48 Champion and Former R48 #1 Charly Shanks
The U.S. Open is my favourite because of the location: plenty of sunshine and so many beaches nearby and the Los Cab facility: it’s a fantastic complex and always hosts a well-run event with the best hospitality in the world.
Salt Lake City would be my second because there’s a fantastic vocal fan base there.
Do you have a question for the legends? Email me at David.fink@wphlive.tv
Stay tuned for more Race 4 Eight Legends Corner throughout 2023
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer