Introduction... New Here!

March 26, 2012, 9:56 pm

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Howza Bruthas-

Spooky here.

I was born in Denver, Co and raised to believe that Y-Block Fords were the engine to beat! That real race cars were actually cast off hardtops. That all one needed to do to rebuild a racecar was to go to Colorado wrecking or to visit Svigel's. That Lakeside was fast and dangerous. That CDR was amazing and was going to be the future of what auto racing was in Colorado, 2nd to 21st Century of course. That Greg Higgins, Dusty Hopkins, Wayne Stallsworth were the driver's to beat and Rick Carrelli was a punk assed kid.

My Dad built the #25 '55 Ford Vicky that was piloted by Stan Cavaness. 3 amazing years of watching and cheering for that old car really sank into my blood.

I still hear the roar of early V8's, the smell of racing fuel, the taste of a Coke and popcorn and the announcer screaming, "WATCH THAT X!"

That was racing.

Anyone who has pictures of my Dad's racing car, if you could post them that would be great and MUCH appreciated.

Spooky

AKA
Mark Karol-Chik

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History... Central Illinois Speedways

March 27, 2012, 5:20 pm

≫ Next: Question... What do Ernie Ensign, Larry Dickson, and Bob Frey have in common?

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Does anyone have any stories or pictures from any of the speedways in Central Illinois? Godfrey, Sunset, Tri-City, Jacksonville, Little Springfield, Belle-Clair or Pittsfield Speedways. I have started collecting programs and info from these tracks awhile back. Drivers like Wib Spalding, Page Baker, Seets brothers, Ron Milton, Strandriges from Springfield, Jerry Russell, Frances "Wild Man" Kelly, :think:Donnie Beechler......

Question... What do Ernie Ensign, Larry Dickson, and Bob Frey have in common?

March 28, 2012, 12:39 am

≫ Next: Aircraft engine in a Sprint Car

≪ Previous: History... Central Illinois Speedways

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they're all people that I'm looking for information on!! Larry drove my grandfather's (Ernie Ensign) car in 1975 to the USAC sprint car championship after taking over the car's reigns from Bob Frey. Bob later went on to have a pretty successful sprint car career on asphalt. We already know what Larry did in his career! I'm looking for any information between the years of 1974-1976 that might further the story about that magical season. It was like Seabiscuit met auto racing and the Brady Bunch all at the same time!!

Anybody's stories and tales are much appreciated! your correspondence is looked forward to! many thanks! --matthew

Aircraft engine in a Sprint Car

March 28, 2012, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Don Wilson - 7 time Lakeside Modified Champion

≪ Previous: Question... What do Ernie Ensign, Larry Dickson, and Bob Frey have in common?

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Maybe I've lost it but my mind is telling me back in the early 60's those silly people that live on the west coast were experimenting with aircraft engines in their Sprint Cars.
Anyone having one of those old guy moments as well?LOL
I'll do some checking and see what I can find.
cemar

Don Wilson - 7 time Lakeside Modified Champion

March 28, 2012, 4:57 pm

≫ Next: Anyone seen this 50's sprint before?

≪ Previous: Aircraft engine in a Sprint Car

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Whenever you think about Denver's Lakeside Speedway, it's cars, it's drivers....you cannot help but think of John Pachello's legendary #19 modified stock car and the magnificent men who wheeled it to countless championships. Among those drivers, one man stands out from this small circle. This man won seven championships alone driving John's black masterpiece. Don Wilson is one of those men who have dedicated their lives to auto racing and for his efforts he has been rewarded in many ways.

Back in the 50's, 60's and early 70's, a talented driver could make some serious cash if he could manage to put his car across the finish line first. With that said, Don had one of the best rides you could have under him with the #19 car, and Don put it to the test with his smooth, seemingly effortless driving skills. Don's son, Don Wilson Jr., told me that Don Sr. payed for their home with money won driving race cars! That is pretty kool stuff, considering that today you can't even buy fuel with what you may win at the race track.

Between his Sunday night ride, Don successfully filled the seat in Bob Old's #62 midget and would also go on to drive late model stock cars on Saturday for Frank Caputo at Englewood Speedway.

When it came time to press forward with his driving career, Don said goodbye to John and together with his son, they began to build and race late model stock cars, not only here in Colorado, but they raced all over the country. With his impressive career stats, good looks and their fabrication shops ability to create a very competitive frame, Don and Don Jr. would land some very lucrative sponsors such as Jolly Rancher Candies.

Today, Don Sr. enjoys his retirement but remains active in the racing community attending autograph signing and benefit events. Don Jr. continues to fabricate many of the oval track cars that we currently watch at the races.

My thanks go out to Don Sr. and Jr. for the use of these photos.

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Anyone seen this 50's sprint before?

March 28, 2012, 6:20 pm

≫ Next: Dupont Speedway - Denver, CO.

≪ Previous: Don Wilson - 7 time Lakeside Modified Champion

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This older Sprint Car will be auctioned off April 21 in Wisconsin.
I have nothing to do with it, just found this browsing.
Go to www.gavinbros.com for more info.
cemar

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Dupont Speedway - Denver, CO.

March 29, 2012, 6:50 pm

≫ Next: Memories

≪ Previous: Anyone seen this 50's sprint before?

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Here's an old long lost Colorado race track I'd like to learn more about, Dupont Speedway.

The track was once located 5 miles North/East of downtown Denver on Brighton Road, and operated from 1932 - 1941.

According to Allan E. Brown's America's Speedways - Past & Present (1994 edition), Dupont Speedway started out as a 1/2 mile dirt oval in 1932. Later that year, new grandstands were built and the track was reconfigured into a 5/8 mile high banked paved oval. The owner was Ray Bradbury. Also according to the book, this track was the first asphalt track in the U.S. The facility not only hosted auto racing, but motorcycle races as well.

This is all I know about Dupont Speedway. Please add any info you might know about this long lost race track.

Thanks to the "Wayback Machine", I was able to retrieve these two newspaper ads which are credited to the Wes Johnson collection. The ads are from June/July 1932.


(Wes Johnson collection)


(Wes Johnson collection)

At the time, everyone must have known where this place was as the ads don't mention the location of the track.

Quite the sign of the times when they had "Vaudeville Acts" to entertain the crowd between races. :chuckle:

Memories

March 30, 2012, 8:20 pm

≫ Next: Les Rohrig

≪ Previous: Dupont Speedway - Denver, CO.

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This site brings back so many memories...:cowboy:


Thanks for having it up!!!

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Les Rohrig

March 31, 2012, 4:29 pm

≫ Next: 1969 Vintage USAC Sprint Car Roadster

≪ Previous: Memories

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I've posted a new historical article on Les Rohrig on the CARC website. Les is a great guy! Also, there are several pictures added to the Gallery section in the "Vintage Photos" listing of Les and his cars.

http://www.modcoupes.com/carc/other/...ing-les-rohrig

:banana:

1969 Vintage USAC Sprint Car Roadster

April 1, 2012, 8:50 pm

≫ Next: History... Looking for info, pictures, history

≪ Previous: Les Rohrig

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Here's an interesting eBay item...

Click the image to see a slideshow of the car.



Description:
This Northwest sprint roadster was built, owned and driven by Eldon Rasmussen (a three-time Indy veteran). The car was built in 1964 and raced with CAMRA (Canadian American Modified Racing Association) as a supermodified. It was runner-up in 1965.

In 1969 Rasmussen took it to Indiana to run the USAC Sprint Car Division, where it was campaigned through the 1971 season.

Rasmussen then sold the roadster and it went back to being a supermodified in the Indiana/Michigan area. Some of the drivers during this time were Oscar Fay, Billy Joe Havens, and Jim Welsh.

I bought what was left of the roadster a few years ago from Pat York and started a frame-up restoration. I rebuilt the frame and suspension back to how Rasmussen ran it in '69. As no body came with the car I fabricated the Watson-type you see. The nose and tail are fiberglass and the rest is aluminum. The upholstery, paint job, and nickel/chrome plating are new. A bolt-on cage is included.

Among the parts are:
Engine: Stock 1986 305 Chevy small block, with on-board starter
Transmission: Early Ford 3-speed top-loader with reverse
Rear End: CAE champ quick change. There are 5.20 gears in it now. No other gear sets are included. Halibrand and Winters gears fit.
Steering: Ross
Brakes: JFZ
Carburetor: Holly 4-barrel
Fuel Cell: New 5 gallon
Wheels: Weld steel kidney-hole
Wing Nuts & Pressure Plates: Halibrand
Tires: Goodyear Bluestreak (take-offs from vintage road racing)
Seat Belt/Shoulder Harness: Crow 5-point. Bought new (run 4 events)

Everything is period correct.
I built the car with the idea of being eligible to participate in both local and national vintage events, although rules change from place-to-place. Since completing the car in April of last year I have run 4 local events.
The car is very user friendly and can be a one-man operation. No crew needed for loading/unloading or staging for exhibitions.

Roadster is turn key and ready to go for the 2012 season!!! I am running it this Saturday night (March 31) at the Madera Speedway.

History... Looking for info, pictures, history

April 2, 2012, 6:18 pm

≫ Next: Newb

≪ Previous: 1969 Vintage USAC Sprint Car Roadster

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Hello,
I'm looking for information on my grandfather Gordon Kenneth Herring. I have very little info and no pictures. He lived in Arizona. Originally he was married to Evelyn Promberger they had a son Craig. Evelyn and Gordon divorced and Gordon moved to the Denver area of Colorado. He remarried and I believe had another son "Bob" Robert Herring. Looking for any info about Gordon and his racing career and if Bob Herring is still alive. I know Gordon was killed racing in August of 1964. My name is Brian Kenneth Herring and any info or contacts would be very helpful.

Newb

April 3, 2012, 11:06 am

≫ Next: 48/49 Bryan and others

≪ Previous: History... Looking for info, pictures, history

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Hi All,
I stumbled on this forum and noticed a member had posted several times about Jimmy Bryan.
Bryan was my fathers driver in '48-'49 and I thought I might be able to supply that member with additional photos and info I have about him.
Problem is, I can't see to PM or e-mail from my account.

Can someone please tell me what I need to do to message him?

Thanks in Advance,
steve

48/49 Bryan and others

April 3, 2012, 3:10 pm

≫ Next: Harry Conklin Chevy Sprinter c. 1967-68

≪ Previous: Newb

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My dad was an owner/builder in the late 40s. One of his main drivers was Jimmy Bryan. Dads co-owner was a guy named Dick Frincke, who sadly passed last October. At Dicks services, dad got up and talked about how they met in 1932, walking into kindergarden for the 1st time....they were lifetime best friends since.

In the next few posts I'll load some pics and info..
Bryan,1948 Fresno

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Harry Conklin Chevy Sprinter c. 1967-68

April 5, 2012, 10:59 pm

≫ Next: Wayne Swanson - #7 CNS Bomber

≪ Previous: 48/49 Bryan and others

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Looking for a posed picture of Harry Conklin's #64 Chevy sprinter driven by Jim Malloy in 1968.

Wayne Swanson - #7 CNS Bomber

April 7, 2012, 10:07 am

≫ Next: History... Unidentified drivers

≪ Previous: Harry Conklin Chevy Sprinter c. 1967-68

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Featured in this photo from the Jim and Terrell Sherwood collection, Wayne Swanson and his crew are photographed at Colorado National Speedway in Erie, CO. Wayne won the first ever bomber main driving this '65' Chevelle. Pictured left to right are his trustworthy crew: Bobby Swanson, Drew Wilson, Henry Hinkle, Wayne, Tim Smith and Johnna Ritter. I think that this car was part of the Rhoades family R and R racing team. If I am correct or not, our own Rapid 30, Bruce Rhoades can fill in the blanks for me. This all took place sometime in the 80's.

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History... Unidentified drivers

April 7, 2012, 7:06 pm

≫ Next: Easter Greetings

≪ Previous: Wayne Swanson - #7 CNS Bomber

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Hey, all. have some photos with no names to them. A #3 VW out of Fort Collins in the '70's - driver was a crop duster by day. Also a #12 sprint and others in action.

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Easter Greetings

April 8, 2012, 11:17 am

≫ Next: Bob Herring modified Englewood Speedway 1970s

≪ Previous: History... Unidentified drivers

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H*A*P*P*Y**E*A*S*T*E*R

With all our Love,
Chris and

Bob Herring modified Englewood Speedway 1970s

April 11, 2012, 12:22 pm

≫ Next: Career ending crash

≪ Previous: Easter Greetings

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Does anyone have a picture of the modified sprint car that Bob Herring ran at Englewood Speedway in the early 1970s?

Career ending crash

April 15, 2012, 9:03 am

≫ Next: RMMRA invades Aztec, 1975

≪ Previous: Bob Herring modified Englewood Speedway 1970s

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A bit of a bummer thread, however historically significant for us Denver guys.
In February of 1982 there was a very early season midget race in Las Vegas, NV at Craig Road Speedway, 1/4 mile pavement, I think. I was never at that track, but this was the race that ended Eddie Jackson's magnificent career. RJ Butz sent me these photo's from his Uncle Dick's collection, Dick Butz being a life long friend and pit crewman for Eddie. As I recall the story, Eddie and northern CA midget legend Hank Butcher had been racing hard all day. During the feature, there was a yellow flag, Eddie was just behind Butcher, with one lap to go before going green, Eddie is swerving back and forth to warm the tires, and scrub the marbles off. Going down the back chute, Eddie accelerates to line up, Butcher swerves to scrub his tires, and swerves in front of the fast approaching Jackson. Eddie climbs Butchers rear tire, and flips down the back chute, his arm restraints either broke, or came loose. His arms suffer terrible injuries, from which he never fully recovered before taking his own life in the summer of 1983.

Eddie hiking the left front, I believe the #78 is Hank Butcher in Vern Reitz's VW, Jackson is in Vern Shavers Edmunds VW #10.

In a shocking, never before published photo we see the remains of Vern Shaver's race car being towed off the track. Having not been at that race, and only remember being told about the accident, this picture is revealing. Judging from the look of the damage, I'd say Eddie's car launched, went upside down and into the top of the concrete wall nose, and front of cage first. Looks like it peeled the fiberglass hood off, and cut the front of the roll cage off. I've been told this is how the car landed, the safety crew did not cut the cage. It's a miracle it did not kill Jackson on the spot. Maybe another member has more info on this incident, Little Fauss was probably at that show racing that day? A sad day in Colorado midget racing history, for sure. Again thanks to RJ for the photo's.

RMMRA invades Aztec, 1975

April 15, 2012, 9:44 am

≫ Next: Those cool bonnets they wore

≪ Previous: Career ending crash

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I believe the RMMRA midgets are scheduled to return to Aztec, New Mexico this year sometime. RJ Butz supplied me with some cool personal collection photo's his Uncle Dick shot in 1975 when the RMMRA ran a co-sanctioned midget race with the Mighty Midgets of Arizona. Track looks narrow to me, I think it's a 3/8 mile, never been there myself, pretty scenic high desert setting however.

Hot laps about to start, Gary Staggers in his own Offy #43, looks like Ross Leslie in his Grant King SESCO #27, maybe Terry Plummer in his #9 Chevy II.

The Arizona guys brought a couple old roughed up Kurtis or Kurtis copy, Chevy II's, those midgets have seen lots of action.

Duane Harr in his Edmunds Chevy II, shows nice dirt track form, typical nice looking Denver midget.

Weird roll cage attached to this Arizona car, I believe the driver/owner was Phoenix resident, Warren Wampole.

Mary Lou Hall in her Dad's Edmunds SESCO, I remember seeing her race in Denver a couple of times. From Albuquerque NM, I think?

Here is Brian Renshaw in his own Edmunds SESCO, Brian went on to win a couple of Arizona midget championships, and 2 Belleville Nationals pre-lim features. This was his rookie year, I think, he bought this car from Denver's Ralph Hauser, it was a deep purple #44 when Ralph raced it. Hauser hit the wall at Lakeside Speedway head on in this car one night, knocking him cold.

Frank Mantello, always a threat to win a main event, in the wheel house of the always beautiful Hainds&Ludwig Edmunds SESCO Chevy.
If any members were at this show, jump in and add to, and or correct my info, I don't know who won the races it was 4th of July weekend, Pikes Peak Speedway in Colorado Springs on the 3rd, Speedway Park, Albuquerque NM on the 4th, and Aztec Speedway on the 5th, July 1975.