Old School Cool

[Mopar 151]

Racing in our area has very deep and distinguished roots. My Dad worked for Claremont Speedway as a tech inspector from the 50's until '77, and was a great friend of Frank "Stroker" Smith, owner of the #311 and #111 cars. I've been digging around on the 'net for old racing pictures, and I'll post some on this thread - especially for folks who'd like some graphics cues on "Old School Cool".

Stroker's son Russ lettered all his cars, after Stroker painted them (surprisingly well) with a brush. The #111 was a team car,(primarily for Claremont) in identical colors
"Terrible" Ted Brown, from Keene, NH - I included this for Sarah G. #92, as she is Ted's polar opposite in nearly every way - Ted was a wildman on and off the track - married 8 times, banned from Claremont for years (crews worse than Ted...), but a very skilled driver and junkyard mechanic.

Buddy Bardwell - Everybody knew Buddy! He repaired and sold hydraulic jacks throughout the area, and raced as many as 5 nights a week - spend most of his career in 1 car, the "Steer Horns" #13 Hudson-powered Ford coupe.

James' Dad's accent at Burke last year set off a whole memory cascade for me - Danville, Va. legend Wendell Scott #34

I'll keep posting here as I get around to it - coming soon, famous #99's for Jennifer

[sachilles]

Speaking of some of the cool new england racing history.....this book is a great read. If you are into new england circle track racing, you know who Dave Dion is. This book is well written and has a ton of history in it.

[Mopar 151]

Anything Costal 181 (the publisher) puts out is good. I highly reccomend Bill Simpson's book (Racing Safely, Living Dangerously) and a hilarious oldie "They Call Me Mr. 500" by Andy Granatelli as well.

[Mopar 151]

Jan Opperman, in the Bogar 99. truly a unique personality - Outlaw, Hippie among rednecks, Mystic for Jesus. Tough as they made 'em, crazy brave, awareness of the car bordering on the supernatural. Won 99 of 144 features in 1 year with this car.


Barney Oldfield in Henry Ford's #999
and the restoration

[Mopar 151]

Dick Trickle #99 Mustang - this was the car that made his career, with an engine built by Alan Kulwicki's dad, Jerry

Our friend Jon Bail;ey used to run the "8-ball" with us Jim Shampine dominated Supermodified racing with the 8-ball car for years - this is a picture of his rear-engined offsett super which was banned, as it obsoleted the entire field at Oswego.

And another #99 - Jamie Tomaino up, for owner Bill Potts - great guys, but ask Karen P. about Bill's temper....

[Rabbit Farmer]

All that work and then he couldn't race it because he kicked some major buttocks? That is something that I like about the hillclimbs... do whatever you want, we will find a class for you.

[RichVS]

Behind Ted is the '47 ford pickup I restored in high-school. It's towing the #73 Granite State Special that was driven by Art Rousseau.

Here it is tearing up my folks driveway

[Mopar 151]

Art Rousseau was a favorite of my Dad's. Art raced stock cars too - my Dad often talked about watching him roadrace a Ford on the old motorcycle course at Gunstock.

[Mopar 151]

Lew Boyd, aka Finch Fenton, Owner of Costal 181 publishing, back in the day:

If you see a family resemblance to my car, I'm happy!
Master builder, and top shoe Sonny Seamon in a classic big block powered sedan, or "coach"

The well-traveled Vega Modified Joe Ford ran with us briefly was a Sonny Seamon car - you won't ever see nicer welds on a cage of that era! (Last rumored to be a dirt late model at Rummney)
Smokey's Howe-chassis modified is listed on the time sheets as a Mod, Heavy. This started as a play on Mod Lites (the evolutionary branch of dwarf cars that Sherm's car occupies), but the term has a real lineage. In the same PA/NJ/Delaware circuit wher ModLites play now, the big-block modifieds were called "heavies". Injected, alky-burning big block engines guzzled from 50 gallon tanks (Look in the ATL book under Delaware Alky Mods), and tacky clay hooked up like a gear - many top cars ran hybrid floater rears because quick changes broke, and tires had to be screwed to the rims. I'm having a little trouble getting pics of this scene, but I'll keep diggin.

Buzzie Reutimann in the 00, father of Cup winner David Reutimann

[Mopar 151]

Butch Jelly, in the Rilska X at Lancaster note the "Little Stinker" - think Rilska ever ran funny fuel?

Didja ever wonder what prompted Dick Gerard to start Speedway Safety - not 100% sure, but..
One of my Dad's favorites, Cecil Bosworth
A #111 for Joey! Kenny "The Shoe" Shoemaker
And the image I've been digging for
and our friend Walt Brown (founder of Brownie's Speed, father of Canaan promoter Wally and a former Ascutney driver (Diane?))