Bill Noble, a quintuple SCCA National Champion in Formula Vee and one of the category’s most prolific and successful engine builders, died January 18 at the age of 69 following a lengthy fight with blood cancer. Characterized as “a bear of a man who had a gentle touch with both a torque wrench and a steering wheel,” Noble was a humble Kansan who played an instrumental role in maintaining Formula Vee as one of the SCCA’s most popular classes.
Engines built in his shop have claimed 25 National Championships, and his customers always knew that if they had any doubts about the engine in his car, he would gladly help them swap it into their car. He won the Valvoline ProVee Championship in 1984, and was honored with the Road Racing Drivers Club’s Mark Donohue Award in 1989, as well as by his fellow competitors at the National Runoffs with the Jerry Knapp Award.
Noble is survived by his wife Lisa, his daughter, Dr. Jaime Gassmann, her husband John and a grandson, James.
