Shorty Templeman bio from 1963

 Raced the northwest, winning the Washington Midget Racing Association points title a handful of times. Went on to win USAC national midget titles. Lost his life in a racing accident in 1962.

weird looking funny car, 1967

Funny cars back when they really were odd looking.

1967 drag racing in Edmonton

Nothing of great importance that I can add here. 

classic pose

Edmonton Speedway Park flagman Don Sharp getting some hang time.

1967 Edmonton Speedway Park ad

The weather didn't cooperate for this weekend of racing in Edmonton.

two unknowns from Haney Speedway

A couple unidentified cars from Haney Speedway, circa 1963.

a couple old timers at Agassiz

From about ten years ago. Back when they raced on very hot Sunday afternoons at Agassiz.

Al Prendergast and Keith Whitter.

a local custom?

From the 1968 Motorama. The "Casual T". Not sure if it was local or from the south.

Hydros at Alouette, 1968

The boats always seemed to draw. I suppose a day at the lake is always a good thing. Plus an off-shore race.

a good weekend of racing, part two

Now if that photo don't grab the essence of Westwood, I don't know what does.

good weekend of racing in 1968, part one

I didn't know that Tommy Ivo made it to Mission. Lots of racing to choose from that weekend.

i never know what i'm looking for..., part six

 

Third Memphis interview, with Elvis' Mom.

i never know what i'm looking for..., part five

 

Another front page story about Elvis from Penny Wise.

i never know what i'm looking for..., part four

The second report from Memphis by Penny Wise.

i never know what i'm looking for until..., part three

Now here's one find I wasn't looking for and am glad I found: Penny Wise (was that her real name) writing a story in 1971 about her trip to Memphis, at her editor's request, to interview Elvis. And damned if I didn't find the 1956 front page stories she did from that trip.

i never know what i'm looking for..., part two

More of the typical stuff I'm looking for when I'm looking for stuff. Motorama 1971 and Langley Speedway.

Bill Kenny of the Ink Spots! Big in the 1950s. I guess that went with the crowd that might be showing, and looking at, cars at the Motorama.

i never know what i'm looking for..., part one

...until i find it.

That could be my mantra for most of my research. I used to say I didn't "fish" for information, I'd look where I knew I'd find something, but these days I just let things flow and that leads to other things.

A couple 1971 ads: one for Cariboo Motorcycles on North Road, which ended up in Port Moody and has recently closed. Dave Wildman and sons owned it. And another for some snowmobile rentals, and a half mile oval track just east of Hope.

when in doubt, link

Some really good postings here on racing at the Lakehead.

Here's one and once you're there you can search for more:

http://hotrodsandjalopies.blogspot.com/2012/02/give-them-blood-and-thunder-and-they.html

Family name, Kitsch

There's a new movie out starring a guy named Taylor Kitsch. I'm so out of the loop I didn't realize until hearing a CBC Radio interview that he's been around for 10 years.

Okay, the big so what here is that he's from Kelowna. And how many people named Kitsch can there be in the Kelowna area?

There was a Drew Kitsch who raced modifieds at Billy Foster Memorial Speedway and Tillicum winning championships there in 1967, 68 and 70. His car was nicknamed "The Laughing Stock".

In the BCTRA point standings up to September 4, 1971 for Super Modifieds he (or somebody named "Wren" Kitsch) is listed 8th.

Here's the top ten to that point:

1 -- Len Barcello, Langley                     648
2 -- Jack Cross, Langley                       432
3 -- Cal Arnold, Surrey                         384
4 -- Alvin Haggith, Nanaimo                  269
5 -- Ron Lamont, Coquitlam                 250
6 -- Al Belanger, Prince George             241
7 -- Roy Smith, Victoria                        230
8 -- "Wren" (Drew?) Kitsch, Kelowna    222
9 -- Albert Smith, Victoria                     192
10- John Tharp, Seattle                         189

(drunken sailor spreadsheets)

Now, until I find out I'm going to wonder if there is a family connection between Drew and Taylor Kitsch. It'd be cool if there was.

been a week, sorry

 
Yeah, I've been negligent. Not busy, just lazy.

So an indoor race from the Agrodome, late 1971. Oval racer names as well as sports car guys.

Motorama 1969

The Motorama was a big deal.

easter coming soon?

 


















Okay, in a month actually. These holidays, sheesh. I think Spring Break for the kids is a bigger deal.

What people did way back in the dark ages.

hey, hey

 

I know, this isn't motorsport. The Monkeemobile is, and George Barris will be at the Tradex in a month. He built it for the t.v. show.