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Bob Weymouth and his #399 Legends Car
10/04/2023
Bob Weymouth and his #399 Legends Car

Bob Weymouth got his racing start and signature 3-digit number 399 in 1990 when competing in motocross. He raced a Kawasaki KX 250 throughout New England until 1996 when he suffered a severe knee injury. While recovering he discovered a class called a Legends Car that featured a motorcycle engine. The series toured throughout Maine and across the United States. Bob was a certified Yamaha motorcycle mechanic by trade and the Yamaha FJ 1200 engine used in the car at the time was the draw. In August 1997, a year to the day form his dirt bike injury, Bob and his wife bought a used Legends Car. He made his way through the pits on crutches for the first year racing Legends.

He won 2 Legends Beech Ridge Championships in 2008 and 2010. Four NELCAR (New England Legends Cars and Racers) championships in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. He was a 4-time National US Legends Golden Master Champion in 2014, 2015 on the ovals and 2016, 2018 on the road course. He won numerous US Legends Maine State Championships.

He competed in Legends races across the US, including the Las Vegas Bullring, Las Vegas Motor Speedway road course. Lime Rock CT, mini oval at Bristol Motor Speedway. Numerous oval and road course races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. His home tracks were Wiscasset Speedway in Maine and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Sadly, Bob passed away unexpectedly in May of 2023 at the age of 58. He contracted Powassan Virus from an unknown tick bite. Powassan Virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. Although rare, the number of reported cases of people sick from Powassan Virus has increased in recent years. Most cases in the United States occur in the northeast and Great Lakes regions from late spring through mid-fall when ticks are most active. There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Powassan Virus disease. It can be diagnosed via a blood test or spinal tap.

Many people infected with Powassan Virus do not have symptoms. For people with symptoms, the time from tick bite to feeling sick ranges from 1 week to 1 month.

  • Initial symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness.
  • Powassan Virus can cause severe disease, including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
  • Symptoms of severe disease include confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and seizures.
  • Approximately 1 out of 10 people with severe disease die.
  • Approximately half of the people who survive severe disease have long-term health problems such as recurring headaches, loss of muscle mass and strength, and memory problems.

After his death, Bob’s widow Annemarie advertised the famed #399 Legends racecars for sale and there was an immediate outpouring of support from the racing community. It was not to buy the car, instead it was the idea that it would be appropriate that the car be preserved and remembered as a tribute to a man who defined an era of Legends Car racing. Bob’s widow donated the car to the New England Racing Museum with a request to make Powassan Virus awareness part of the display.

photo of Bob Weymouth holding a large trophy at an awards ceremony



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